Guidance and assessment

Workplace guidance

Students have the right to receive guidance during their training at the workplace. They also have the right to perform diverse tasks according to their degree and personal competence development plan (PCDP). Additionally, workplaces should provide guidance to students on the rules of the workplace and ensure that they understand their responsibilities and what is expected of them.

The role and tasks of the workplace supervisor

The workplace supervisor, who values their profession and acts ethically, serves as a support person with a positive attitude towards students. An appointed workplace supervisor is responsible for supervising the student, although other employees may also participate in the supervision by agreement. The workplace supervisor introduces the student to their work and provides supervision according to the goals outlined in the PCDP (Practical Training Plan).

A good workplace supervisor

• observes even non-verbal signals from the student
• encourages, listens, and understands different learning styles
• is empathetic and patient
• can support timid students
• gives feedback

The workplace supervisor should have sufficient professional knowledge and competence relevant to the degree, as well as understanding about the assessment and degree requirements. The education provider is responsible for the suitability of the workplace supervisor. SuPer recommends that the supervisor should be a trained and experienced professional with a corresponding qualification. The workplace supervisor also acts as an assessor during vocational exams. Conflict of interest should always be evaluated and described in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

SuPer suggests that the employees take turns being workplace supervisors so that everyone has the opportunity to develop in their supervisory skills. Mentoring can be used to support new workplace supervisors. If there are multiple workplace supervisors in a unit, the supervisory tasks should be evenly distributed to ensure that the responsibility does not overly burden any single employee.

What should be done if serious problems arise in the student’s work?

Guidance of students in the workplace is a collaboration between the workplace and educational providers.

As a workplace supervisor:

• Contact the teacher responsible for supervising workplace learning if
  • the student repeatedly or seriously jeopardizes their own or the client/patient’s safety,
  • the student’s incorrect or indifferent behavior persists despite reprimands, or
  • the student significantly disregards safety regulations during practical tasks.
• Inform the teacher about deficiencies in the student’s work and the need for guidance and support, in relation to the professional requirements defined in the degree requirements.
• Specify situations that jeopardize safety.

The educational provider is responsible for the student and should investigate and address the situation.

Assessment of professional skills in the workplace

Assessment of knowledge should be distinguished from workplace learning. Once a student has acquired sufficient knowledge to demonstrate their skills, they move on to complete a competence demonstration. This demonstration ensures that the professional requirements specified in the degree have been met.

The proficiency is demonstrated and assessed in practical work tasks in the workplace, i.e. in vocational tests. Multiple vocational tests can be taken at the same workplace, but they are assessed separately. The vocational test is primarily assessed jointly by the workplace supervisor and the teacher. The assessors must thoroughly understand the professional requirements specific to the part of the exam being tested. The result of the assessment is documented with a justification of the test grade, based on the professional requirements. If a test is failed, the student must be made aware of the reasons.

The successful completion of vocational qualification modules is evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5. Common units, as well as further vocational qualifications and specialist vocational qualifications, are evaluated on a pass/fail grade. A student who is dissatisfied with their grade has the right to request a review from the assessors and, in a second stage, an appeal to the workplace committee.