In addition to the occupational skills and competencies developed through the education programme, employers expect the apprentice to develop professional and personal skills suitable to the modern workplace. Being embedded in a workplace during their apprenticeship is a valuable opportunity for students to develop the range of demonstrable, professional and transferable skills consistently sought in the workplace. Professional development activities, such as webinars, mentoring, networking, peer-learning and communities of practice will all contribute to developing the apprentices skills and competencies. Participation in this module enables the apprentices to identify gaps in their skills and knowledge, and in collaboration with their industry mentor, plan ahead to bridge these gaps. The portfolio provides a record of their, learning activity, and worklog as evidence of attainment of the skills and competencies in the relevant occupation profile, an input into their mentoring sessions, and a record of skills for potential future employers.

The relevant professional associations and apprenticeship consortia members will provide masterclasses, seminars and training appropriate for the development of the personal and professional skills outlined in the apprenticeship occupation profile. The apprentice also has mentoring sessions with their in-company mentor and a UL based apprenticeship mentor which are accredited through this module. The process of the delivery and organisation of this module is part of the SEFLC management of the apprenticeship programme. The module leader is an accredited mentor with industry experience and is based in UL running the apprenticeship programme. Underpinned by the philosophy of a community of learners and communities of practice, the company element of the apprenticeship aims to foster collaboration and discussion in the broad occupation knowledge and the improvement of professional practice. Together the community of practice, mentoring, and portfolio creation facilitates engagement with emerging trends and the identification of current and future challenges for their occupation. The module encourages active membership and engagement with the appropriate professional organisations and consultative bodies, subject associations, professional networking.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Critically evaluate skills and competencies learned throughout the education programme to date. Analyse their performance with the view to determining opportunities for further action. Construct and deliver an experience and skills-based portfolio based on the appropriate occupation profile.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Develop an awareness of the value of personal and professional skills for developing competencies in the context of their apprenticeship employment. Appreciate the importance of networking and engaging in personal and professional development for skills development and career growth.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: NA

The module is delivered in a blended manner. Students will experience a supportive and dynamic learning environment in which there will be an emphasis on peer learning, team learning, critical reflection, and feedback. The relevant professional associations and consortia members will provide masterclasses, seminars and training appropriate for the development of the personal and professional skill outlined in the apprenticeship occupation profile. Learners who complete this module will develop the following graduate attributes as follows: Gain a capacity for critically reflecting on the knowledge accumulated during their programme of study and to apply their learning to their workplace practices. Become proactive in their own learning through independent study and self-directed learning. Learn how to be creative in seeing new opportunities for future innovations in their workplace and action them. Develop an engaged approach to their career development and understand their responsibility for skills development in a professional context.