Are undergraduate internships worth the effort? Time to reconceptualize work-based learning for building protean meta-competencies

Downs, Carolyn; Mughal, Farooq; Shah, Uzair; Ryder, Mike

doi:10.1080/03075079.2023.2222147

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…An intriguing revelation was the emergence of competency development as an unforeseen byproduct of work, contributing to the augmentation of employability. These findings find resonance with the body of research by De Vos et al [27] , van der Heijden [70] , and Downs et al [33] , among others. Interestingly, within the scope of enhancing worker employability, the study uncovered that the contribution of professional competency was relatively less impactful compared to personal competence, contradicting initial expectations.…”

Section: Discussion Of Research Findingssupporting

confidence: 79%

“…The modern landscape of employability places a premium on individuals taking a proactive stance towards their professional development to ensure continued job security, learning, and future career growth. According to Van Der Heijden et al [6] and Downs et al [33] , key predictors of employability encompass jobrelated formal learning, interactions with supervisors, and networking both within and outside the organization. Notably, networking demonstrates a positive association with attributes such as occupational competence, flexibility, and anticipation and optimization.…”

Section: Mediating Role Of Competency Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Informal workplace learning and employability: The mediating role of competency development among financial sector employees in Bhutan

Pradhan,

Rattanawiboonsom,

Panya

2023

Environ. Soc. Psychol.

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Amidst the rapid changes of this era, time constraints act as impediments to employees’ skill acquisition. However, a promising solution emerges in the form of informal workplace learning (IWL). Despite its potential, the precise impact of IWL on employability and competency development has remained an enigma. To unravel this, the present study draws upon the insights of the social learning theory. It delves deep into the impact of IWL on employability, incorporating competency development as a mediating element. The research also examines the potential moderating roles of learning goal orientation (LGO) and self-directed learning orientation (SDLO) in the IWL-competency development relationship. Leveraging data from 512 banking sector participants, the study employs a rigorous deductive design, administering a structured questionnaire through stratified random sampling. Analytical rigor is upheld via Confirmatory Factor Analysis, revealing squared multiple correlations (0.331 to 0.94) and affirming the CFA model’s validity and reliability through indices like average variance extracted (AVE) and composite reliability (CR). The hypotheses are subsequently evaluated through structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings reveal a substantial impact of IWL on employability (β = 0.13), with competency development effectively mediating this relationship (β = 0.30). While the anticipated moderating roles of LGO and SDLO do not manifest, this research furnishes valuable insights for organizations aiming to bolster their workforce’s proficiency and employability via IWL. The study contributes to the discourse on learning strategies amidst the contemporary professional landscape, urging organizations to harness the potential of IWL to foster adaptability and growth.

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Section: Discussion Of Research Findingssupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Mediating Role Of Competency Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%