Work-Based Project - Creating Impact
| Module title | Work-Based Project - Creating Impact |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEF3007DA |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 45 |
| Module staff |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
This module offers synoptic integration of the learning of the whole programme into a practical project related to the business that the apprentice occupies within the financial services industry. Operations: These are junior management level roles working within the operational and administrative areas of businesses in the sector. These roles are in most areas of financial services, where transactional and process management is needed, and require a significant level of technical and sector skill and knowledge in order to deliver successfully. The role may sit within a few different specialist business functions such as customer service, global payments, investment operation transactions, product control, and change management. Typically, at this level the role will be starting to lead teams and managing service delivery.
Having consulted across the organisation and identified an improvement opportunity, process improvement or service enhancement need, you will scope, plan and develop a significant business improvement project. Demonstrating wider consideration of the financial services industry and its global, economic and environmental context you will research the opportunities and limitations within your idea. Using analytic skills, you will involve your department in the evaluation and exploration of the idea, ensuring objective and inclusive consultation is undertaken. The project will only move forward with the backing of line management and therefore your skills of persuasion and influence will be paramount in securing stakeholder commitment. Higher level skills such as resource planning and business analysis underpin the project and offer apprentices the opportunity to implement and reflect upon own knowledge, skills and behaviour.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module is a part of the formal process of portfolio building in which you are required to evidence the knowledge skills and behaviours set out in the level 6, degree apprenticeship standards for the Financial Services Professional. The personal development that you undertake and the activities, assignments and reflections that you produce all offer material for your final End Point Assessment (EPA) project and professional portfolio.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Assess a problem from multiple angles to ensure all relevant issues are considered, engage with critical thinking tools to evaluate and anise complex situations. Respond appropriately to unexpected events. Apply critical thinking to discern between available options.
- 2. Critically reflect upon professional practice to identify, evaluate and modify own behaviours. Compile, manage and edit a portfolio of evidence in support of own progression against the relevant Degree Apprentice learning objectives.
- 3. Identify opportunities for application of new knowledge, using skills of analysis and persuasion to develop a project proposal.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Effectively manage or influence small teams to deliver excellent customer service in a financial service regulated environment. This will include team coaching, performance management, resourcing and budgetary planning. Demonstrate effective project management skills, and execution of control framework within the sphere of influence of their team.
- 5. Identify and provide flexible and innovative solutions, integrating products and excellent service as appropriate to own role, in order to support client/customers and meet own best interests. Good understanding of processes and project management principles and how they are utilised within their area. Knowledge of sector relevant market practises and their impact on the area under ownership.
- 6. Lead and/or contribute to development of specific changes through to implementation this may include projects wider than own role. Create innovative and enterprising solutions to business needs, whilst understanding relevant boundaries e.g. financial services regulations.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Professional impact: Take the initiative to meet challenging individual and team performance measures in line with organisation policy, Values, standards and sector relevant regulatory requirements. Identify and communicate risks to the relevant management or compliance personnel within the organisation, understanding and following the appropriate company process to address. Deliver projects as required.
- 8. Adaptability: Adapt positively to changing work priorities and patterns and be flexible to the needs of the organisation. Engage and network proactively with Client/customers and colleagues, including senior management, as required, to deliver business outcomes. Respond well to change.
- 9. Communication: Build/maintain strong positive working relationships with Clients/colleagues/suppliers as appropriate. Take a leadership role in the team when appropriate.
- 10. Motivation: Contribute to the development of strategic and operational plans for own area. Manage and reports on progress of specific elements of this in own area of responsibility. Visible role model, and coaches others where appropriate. Follow and promote appropriate organisational procedures and policies. Demonstrate a curious and questioning approach in own work.
- 11. Integrity: Be truthful, sincere and trustworthy in own actions. Handle tasks with thoroughness and accuracy. Maintain appropriate confidentiality. Follow and promote appropriate organisational procedures and policies.
Syllabus plan
This module draws together learning from across the programme as a whole and through a work-based project creates value back into the organisation. Having the opportunity to develop skills of analysis, evaluation, project scoping and compilation of a professional report enables the apprentice to engage with the Financial Services Professional standards in preparation for the final EPA assessment of the degree apprenticeship as a whole.
Details of the EPA process are listed below – taken from https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/financial-services-professional/
Work-Based Project
This will be a significant work-based project that contains real activity done in the role and demonstrates many of the aspects of the standard. It should describe what the apprentice did, how they did it and the benefits that resulted from the project.
It will be completed in the last few months of the apprenticeship, following the gateway, and will be 5,500 words (+/- 10%). excluding references. The Apprentice will be given 3 months after the gateway to complete the project for submission to the End-Point Assessment Organisation. The Project will be a substantive evidence base from a business -related project to demonstrate the application of skills, knowledge and behaviours. It will be related to the specific option that the apprentice has chosen from the Standard.
For example, it might cover how the apprentice dealt with a significant issue facing the business or client, describing how they:
- Analysed the problem
- Conducted relevant background research e.g. business requirements/implications, industry developments, regulatory requirements
- Developed options
- Worked with colleagues and the business to develop an agreed solution
- Influenced both up and down the organisation to achieve resolution
- Implemented that solution and any resulting benefits
The project should include evidence of how the project was delivered and the outcomes achieved e.g. relevant emails or client feedback.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 76 | 374 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Seminars (Master classes) | 12 | Taking place during scheduled Face-to-face masterclasses there will be at least 12 hours of taught input. |
| Online activities and PDP coaching | 64 | Ongoing PDP coaching throughout 32 weeks of the online module. Drawing upon academic guidance, professional development coaching and workplace mentoring. |
| Applied Professional Development | 374 | Guided and independent learning which will be applied to the work context in consultation with a manager from the organisation. It will include a mixture of reading material, self-development exercises, online discussion forums, self-assessments, videos, and 360-degree feedback. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| In consultation with line manager, academic mentor and module lead produce an agreed project proposal. Evidence of stakeholder buy-in must be evident. | Equivalent to 1,000 words | 1-6 | Academic lead will provide written and verbal feedback. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Having developed your proposal taking on board feedback, submit a 10-minute video log outlining the critical success factors in delivering this project. | 20 | 10-minute video log. | Academic lead will provide verbal feedback. | |
| 2. Internal analysis: Produce a 1,500 essay on the nature of the contemporary workplace. | 20 | 1,500 words. | 1,2,3 | Academic lead will provide written feedback. |
| 3. External analysis: Use horizon scanning to set your organisation in context. Outline the challenges facing the sector in the next 10 years. | 20 | 1,500 words | 4 & 6 | Academic lead will provide written feedback. |
| Project report. | 40 | 4,000 words | 1-11 | Academic lead will provide written feedback. |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| As per original | 10-minute video | 1-13 | 6 weeks |
| As per original | 1,500 words | 6 weeks | |
| As per original | 1,500 words | 6 weeks | |
| As per original | 4,000 words | 6 weeks |
Re-assessment notes
Defer – as first time
Refer – capped at 40%
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Recommended text:
Cottrell, S. (2010) Skills for success: personal development and employability. Palgrave Macmillan
Day, T. (2018) Success in Academic Writing. Palgrave Study Skills. Palgrave Macmillan.
Kahneman, D. (2012) Thinking Fast and Slow. Penguin: UK
Miller, D. (2014) Brilliant Personal Effectiveness: What to know and say to make an impact at work. Pearson: UK
Supplementary text:
Cottrell, S (2017) Critical Thinking Skills; Developing Effective Analysis, argument and reflection.
Palgrave Macmillan:
Paul, D., Cadle, J., & Thomas, P (2012) The Human Touch: Personal Skills for Professional Success. BCS: UK
Winstanley, D. (2009) Personal Effectiveness. Excel Books: UK
| Credit value | 45 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 22.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 26/02/2019 |
| Last revision date | 15/03/2019 |
