Using Work-based Learning to Develop Education for Sustainability: a proposal

The pragmatist model of experiential learning in the form of work placements in industry provides opportunities for tertiary institutions to produce well-rounded graduates, possessing knowledge of workplace culture and values along with technical competencies. Work-based learning programmes provide graduates and leaders of tomorrow for a variety of business in the manufacturing sectors; such graduates are reported to rapidly advance in companies, and assume middle and senior management roles. Here, the authors propose that such employees need to develop an understanding of sustainability and suggest that work-based learning could act as a vehicle for delivering education for sustainability (EfS). This article begins with a description of the principles that underpin concepts for sustainability and EfS, and examines three models as to how work-based learning programmes could act as a vehicle for delivering EfS.