We believe that learning doesn’t stop at school or university but carries on throughout your working life. This is especially the case for professionals working in the security industry who through experience gain the capabilities that are needed to combat the threats posed by terrorism and other criminal groups.
Unfortunately, the capabilities gained throughout your career and life are often not quantifiable and therefore can easily be overlooked by employers when it comes to career progression.
Renful, in partnership with Middlesex University’s Work Based Learning Scheme, has developed a route that will enable security professionals to turn the experience they have gained from working in the security industry into internationally recognised academic qualifications that lead to personal and professional growth.
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What is Work Based Learning? |
Returning to an academic setting after many years of work can often seem like a daunting task especially when you have to juggle a busy personal life and career at the same time. Work Based Learning addresses these issues by bringing the University to the workplace, making you and your work the subject of study and taking the methods and academic rigor of higher education and applying them to the curriculum of working life. Work Based Learning allows you to earn internationally recognized academic qualifications through reflective writing based on the knowledge and skills gained from short courses you have taken, past and current work experience as well as the completion of a work based project focused on your current work role.
Programmes are modular, studied on a part time basis and can be carried out through e-learning and if required through telephone conversations with a tutor.
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As these programmes are work based they address both the needs of individuals and organizations by providing a cost effective means of enhancing knowledge and capacity that is tailored to individual requirements.
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What will I study? |
The WBL programme will show you how to:
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- Identify and enhance your existing body of knowledge and skills, and to gain academic recognition for them
- Lay paths for development and improve your professional effectiveness, both through critical reflection
- Design your personal study programme. While we provide the overall structure of your programme, its customised design and content is for you to decide, in agreement with the Institute and your employing organisation
- Engage in research and development at work
- Put innovation into your workplace, making a real and definite difference
- Learn within the context of your work role and environment
- Bring academic depth to your approach to work
- Earn an internationally recognised academic qualification
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RENFUL’S PATH TO WBL ACADEMIC AWARDS
Step 1:
Apply to take one or more of Renful’s security courses accredited in partnership with Middlesex University |
The first step is for you to take one of Renful’s security courses. These courses are delivered through a combination of 3 days classroom based training and 12 weeks e-learning. Successful completion of each course provides a set number of academic credits.
You require no previous experience in the security industry to take our courses, however, if you want to continue towards a WBL award at Middlesex University it is advisable that you have a minimum of 5 years experience.
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Step 2:
Apply for a Work Based Learning Programme at Middlesex University
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The second step will be for you to take part in a WBL programme with Middlesex University where you will have the opportunity to study towards the following Work Based Learning awards at Middlesex University:
Although WBL will not affect your day to day tasks at work, it is still advisable that you gain the support of your employer as these courses will involve carrying out projects that relate directly to your current job role. |
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Step 3:
Learning Review |
Initially, you will be required to provide Middlesex University with a copy of your past work experience and current job so that they can identify whether you are suitable tocarry out the WBL award that you have chosen. |
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You can then enrol into an optional RAL module where you can earn credits that may count towards your chosen WBL Award. Throughout the RAL you will reflect on your past work experience. Your tutor will provide you with all the information and advice needed to complete and submit a portfolio that includes your CV, a description of your job role and a statement reflecting on 5-7 areas of learning within your job. |
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There is no fixed amount of credits that you can gain from the RAL module as it will depend on the level of work experience you have. For example, you will gain more credits if you have worked in security for 20 years than if you have worked for 5 years.
The credits that you earn during the RAL module will be added to the credits you have gained from Renful’s course and can make up Two Thirds of the total credits needed to complete the academic award you are studying towards.
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Step 4: Programme Planning
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At this stage you will know the number and level of credits you have gained from the Learning Review and Renful’s courses and the number and level of credits still required to complete your award. Working with members of the WBL team you will be able to identify your learning aims and requirements helping you to structure the overall design of your programme.
You will also choose the title of your award which will reflect the specialist focus of the study you are carrying out. If for example you choose to study towards a degree and your project is based on Aviation Security the title of your award will be; BA Work Based Learning Studies Aviation Security or alternatively if you choose to study towards a diploma and your project is based on Security Management the title of your award will be: Diploma Work Based Learning Studies in Security Management.
The resulting learning agreement which sets out the learning requirements needed to achieve your credit goal will then be considered for approval by the university and Renful and if appropriate, your employer or stakeholder.
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Step 5:
Work Based Research & Development Methods
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You will be given a choice of work-related issues or challenges which requires investigation or alternatively you may choose your own provided it relates to the security industry. This therefore will allow you to direct energy towards an area of work which is relevant to you or perhaps matches your career aspirations. However, it is still essential that you receive support from your employing organisation for this module, and the topic for consideration must present you with sufficient intellectual challenge.
This step will develop and demonstrate that you have applied research and study skills effectively, such as exploring complex concepts, theories and making informed judgements. You will be required to negotiate your research topic and submit a project proposal, and also make a presentation based on it over the phone or via webcam if possible.
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Step 6:
Work Based Project
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You will be required to write the project and submit it to Middlesex University for grading and may also carry out an oral presentation over the phone or if possible via a webcam.
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Step 7:
Successful Completion of WBL Qualification
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On successful completion of your WBL programme you will be awarded an internationally recognised award.
Contact Us for more information |
