Faculty of Engineering and Design

2014-15
Placement Assessment
and Monitoring
To accompany your Student Placement Handbook

CoNteNts
Section

page

Placement office contact details

starting your placement keeping in touch

Unit requirements placement assignments

mPds schemes

Placement duration

academic visits

conclusion

10

appendices:

11

l interim report format

ll final report format
iii Polo form example

Your placement year will be supported by moodle engineers on Placement (eoP) and all the information you require
for the year will be available on this site.
moodle.bath.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=54611

indUstrial Placement information dataBase (iPid)

What is IpID? an interactive web based database where placement information can be stored and accessed by students,
academics and the placement team. the database can be updated throughout the year by all parties and you can read
your assignment feedback
www.bath.ac.uk/mech-eng/projects/fac-iPid

1. Placement office contact details

Faculty placement team:
Alison Ukleja
Placement Manager
Tel. 01225 383467, a.ukleja@bath.ac.uk
Rachel Sandiford
Placement Officer
Tel. 01225 386913 r.sandiford@bath.ac.uk
Felicity Bond
Placement Officer
Tel. 01225 385339, f.bond@bath.ac.uk
Sarah Stead
Placement Officer
Tel. 01225 385339, s.l.stead@bath.ac.uk
Emma Haines
Placement Administrative Assistant
Tel. 01225 383462, e.haines@bath.ac.uk
Placement Office
4E 2.28
University of Bath
Bath BA2 7AY
(fac-eng-placements-team@bath.ac.uk)

WHO IS YOUR CONTACT/ACADEMIC SUPERVISOR?

You will be allocated a placement team member for the year who will be your first point of contact. You will also be assigned
an academic supervisor who will feedback on your assignments and visit you at your placement. This is usually but not
always your personal tutor, or an academic with an interest in the companys sector.

Contacting other students on placement

A list of all students from the Faculty of Engineering on one year placements will be available on the Engineers On Placement
(EOP) Moodle site and you might want to contact fellow students in your area for accommodation or to meet up socially.
To contact other University of Bath students from different faculties on placement look at the University wide Moodle site
UOB Placement Students where you can upload your details.

Checklist and Calendar of Actions

On receipt of offer

Inform placement team of Company/Department/Site/Start date/Salary

Before end Semester 2/30th May 2014

Placements outside UK only - Complete Risk Assessment Form and send

to/discuss with Placement Officer

First two weeks on placement

Complete contact details on Industrial Placement Information Database

(IPID) - www.bath.ac.uk/mech-eng/projects/fac-IPID

7th October 2014

Submit first assignments - Interim Report 1 & POLO 1

Within First 6 months

Contact assigned academic supervisor and arrange your visit

7th January 2015

Submit second assignment - Interim Report 2

7th April 2015

Submit third assignment - Interim Report 3

April / May before you leave your

placement

Complete Final Report & Poster and get security clearance/approval

from your supervisor (this can take weeks).

July/August (1st September 2015 latest)

Submit Final assignments:

1. Final Report
2. Final POLO
3. Poster

2. Starting your placement - keeping in touch

Contact details
Within two weeks of starting your placement you must upload your contact details on the online database: Industrial
Placement Information Database (IPID)
www.bath.ac.uk/mech-eng/projects/fac-IPID
Below is a list of the information you will need to gather and upload try and make this a priority when you start and enter
all the information in one go otherwise you may forget to complete it. These details enable us to keep in touch with you.
1. Company
2. Department/Division
3. Company address of site where you are based
4. Company telephone number
5. Dates of placement start to finish if known
6. Supervisors name, email & telephone number
7. Second company contact in supervisors absence
8. Senior Health & Safety Officers name, email & telephone number (often based in HR)
9. Human Resources contact, name & email
10. Your work telephone number
11. Your work email address
12. Your personal mobile number
13. Address of your placement lodgings
14. Confirmation that Health & Safety training/induction has taken place
Please update your contact details online if they change during your placement.
The placement team will contact you throughout the year by Moodle posts or your University of Bath email so check this
regularly and keep your inbox cleared. We will only use your work email if we need to contact you on the same day or
urgently.

risk assessment / Health & Safety / INSURANCE

Risk Assessment
Placements outside UK only - Complete Risk Assessment Form and send to/discuss with Placement Officer
Health & Safety
Once we have the contact details of the Senior Health & Safety Officer at your place of work we will contact them for
evidence of insurance cover/liability and risk assessment for the placement.
This is not so straight forward if you are working overseas and you must take out your own comprehensive personal accident
cover (normally part of travel insurance policies). See the Insurance section in your Student Placement Handbook on pages
21-22.
You are responsible for your own insurance when working abroad and it is your responsibility to check that the personal
insurance purchased is adequate for your needs. More details about liability insurance for placement students can be found
at www.bath.ac.uk/insurance/placement.html
University Student Travel Cover
Undergraduate students can use the online store to apply for insurance cover under the Universitys business travel scheme
for course-related journeys which includes placements: http://store.bath.ac.uk

3. Unit requirements placement assignments

Unit title: Industrial placement
The industrial placement unit is a standard thick sandwich placement requiring the award of 60 credits to pass the year. Your
academic supervisor/tutor or unit convenor will determine whether the placement has been satisfactorily completed and
learning outcomes met for the award of credits.
Unit codes:

Chemical Engineering - CE30115

Civil Engineering - AR20384
Electrical/IMEE Engineering - EE20062
Mechanical Engineering - ME20120

Unit aims: To consolidate and complement the theoretical content of engineering knowledge with experience of industrial,
research or business practice whilst encouraging self-development and employability skills.
Unit learning outcomes: On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to demonstrate an enhanced
understanding of the nature, process and challenges of industrial, research or business practice whilst developing their
technical and interpersonal skills.
Essential documents, which form the record of your placement:

3 x Interim progress reports

Personal objectives & learning outcomes (POLO)
Final placement report
Placement poster
Logbook

Submit reports, POLO & posters via the Engineers on Placement Moodle course where you will find:
Templates and formats for these documents
Dates the reports are due
Interim progress reports
Report writing is an essential requirement for engineers. These reports should be a concise summary of your placement
activities and keep us informed throughout the year of your activities. The reports are to be written in an impersonal
style avoiding I & We (tips on Moodle) and should occupy approximately two to three sides of A4. In order to maintain
company confidentiality discuss the content with your placement company supervisor/mentor, giving them an opportunity
to comment before giving their clearance. We are keen to know about your experiences and whether you are happy in your
placement company. If you feel you cannot express this in your report then contact your Placement Officer so we have a true
idea of how the placement is going. We really do want, and need to know. The structure of the report is outlined in more
detail in Appendix 1.
Personal Objectives & Learning Outcomes (POLO)
Students are required to complete POLO forms as part of their assessment. Forms should be completed at the start (POLO1)
and end (POLO Final) of the placement.
Throughout your career you will be required to take part in appraisal schemes such as Personal Development Plans (PDP)
or Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This is an established part of working life whatever you do. These schemes
are a structured and supportive process undertaken so that an individual can reflect on their own learning, performance or
achievement and plan their training and personal career development.
5

Your placement organisation will probably have their own PDP/CPD/appraisal scheme which you will be a part of. The
University will not have the right to access these and the POLO can work alongside company schemes.
What is POLO for?

Enables you to assess your skills at the start of your placement and record how you develop
Encourages you to identify strengths and weaknesses and lets you take active control
Aids critical reflection and provides ideas to look for useful learning opportunities
Helps you plan a timescale to address areas for development within the placement time frame
Opens a dialogue with your supervisor about setting goals to be achieved
Forms a record of achievement of your competencies and skills for the future
Provides a source of discussion with your University visitor.

How does it work?

Placement learning should have a structure and some goals/objectives that can be measured. POLO is the start of this process
and enables you to think about and assess your current skills and how you develop further throughout your placement.
Follow the simple instructions on the POLO documents and assess your current skill level using the Personal Capability
Levels table in Appendix 1 of the POLO form. Discuss your placement objectives with your work supervisor as they should
be aware of what you want to achieve and may be able to advise you and make suggestions on how goals can be realised.
Submit POLO1 as directed by your Placement Officer which is usually within the first month of your placement. Your visiting
academic supervisor will discuss your objectives and progress during their visit.
You should be able to show clear progression throughout the placement represented by the capability level you give yourself
or evidence of why this has not been achieved. We would expect students to rate themselves at level 1 & 2 at the start,
progressing to level 4 or 5 by the end of the placement. Evidence of why and how you have rated yourself can be given in
each section on the form. Be honest, and if there are areas where you havent achieved your goals, for whatever reason,
then document this for the future this is your personal document.
How do you benefit?
Promotes continual reflection on achievements and an action plan for your development.
Encourages self-directed learning and enables you to think about your goals.
Enables you to compile competency examples and proficiency levels as evidence of skills in your CV, future graduate
applications and interviews.
A resource for your department to be able to write a reference for your future employment.
Increased confidence in your abilities and employability.
POLO language explained
Competencies
These include the interpersonal skills of self-management, communication, team work, leadership, time-management,
organisation, comprehension, problem solving, flexibility/adaptability, initiative and independent working.
Engineering principles
Ideas, rules or concepts that need to be kept in mind when solving an engineering problem. Conduct appropriate research,
and undertake development of engineering solutions. Technical judgment whilst applying theory to real situations.
Engineering practice
Good engineering practices (GEP) is a term applied to engineering and technical activities that ensure that a project meets the
required quality and validation as expected by the relevant regulatory authorities including environmental and sustainability
factors. Bringing about continuous improvement through quality management. Managing and applying safe systems of work
and developing knowledge of hazards and good practice.

Technical achievement
Using engineering knowledge, theory and skills to produce results. Developing new ideas, technical solutions and new
designs with an awareness of emerging technologies.
Within engineering disciplines the accredited institutions IMechE, IChemE, IET and ICE use similar competencies and
requirements to ensure that engineers progress through a process of life-long learning and career development. Documenting
evidence of competence is good practice and a requirement for progression to chartership.

Final Report
A comprehensive report which summarises the years experiences and your development. The final report should be
approximately 5,000 words long or ideally about 10 pages.
You must take into account that your report will become important to you in your future chartered engineer progression
and a vital asset in your job applications and career development. Therefore, the presentation and style is as important as
the content and must be in an easily read and referable form. Final reports should also be written in an impersonal style
avoiding I & We (tips on Moodle) as though writing a technical paper. However, you can write your reflective summing up,
the benefits and acknowledgements in the first person. These are the sections describing what you enjoyed with comments
that are personal to you and reflect on your experiences. Use the POLO document to help you with your structure as the
guideline objectives are common to the professional institutions.
Assignments, projects, training courses, achievements and engineering processes can be described using the layout on the
Final Report Format Sheet (Appendix II). More detailed technical information and full reports can be included in Appendices.
As an employee of the placement company you must also submit final reports to your industrial supervisor and have them
appropriately cleared. Reports will be freely available and read by academics, staff and students (with the exception of
Chemical Engineers) therefore we cannot enter into any confidentiality agreements. Ensure that you complete your final
report well in advance of your end date so the report & POLO can be cleared by your supervisor and submitted in time for
1st September.
Your academic supervisor will give you feedback via the online Industrial Placement Information Database (IPID) at
www.bath.ac.uk/mech-eng/projects/fac-IPID
Reports should include:
Cover sheet
Summary
Table of contents
Lists of symbols and acronyms
Introduction
Clearly headed sections rather than uninterrupted text.
Conclusion/reflection
Acknowledgements
Appendices (optional)
Posters
There are detailed instructions and guidance notes on how to approach and create your poster on the Engineers on Placement
Moodle course. This includes:

Guidelines booklet
Templates
University of Bath logos
Past examples

A poster competition with prizes sponsored by industry is organised for your return in October. Submit your poster on
Moodle by 1st September at the end of your year in industry. The posters will be displayed in the departments and this is
your chance to promote your year out and receive recognition for your years work and experience.

Logbooks
This is your daily record of observations, actions and information written as the events occur and should be started on day
one of your placement. It will become an invaluable record of your year for writing reports and for future chartership by
engineering institutions. Your log book should be constantly to hand and it can be in rough form but must be sufficiently
legible for your supervisor or tutor to see and for you to refer back to. Record information such as notes of meetings, design
ideas, rough calculations on a daily basis. If you keep an electronic logbook it must be accessible for your supervisor and
University staff to read.
A loose leaf work file can be used to supplement a logbook and used on the same basis as a collection of information,
instructions, diagrams, calculations, drawings, notes on your company, organisation, training and experiences.

Awarding credits and passing the year

As a Standard Thick Sandwich Placement your academic supervisor will determine whether the placement has been
satisfactorily completed and learning outcomes met for the award of 60 credits.
You must submit at the end of your placement by 1st September at the latest:
Final report
Personal objectives & learning outcomes (POLO)
Placement poster

Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS)

This scheme is run by the IMechE for Mechanical Engineers and your placement company may be using this system. Follow
the format given to you by your MPDS mentor and submit MPDS reports as the interim reports and a final report to the
University.

Placement duration
Placement contracts should be for 12 months. Many students extend their contract to a full 15 months before they return
to University. The minimum period you can work is 9 months but this needs to be agreed with the Placement Office. If, in
exceptional circumstances, you have to leave your placement company early you can make up the time at another company.
The minimum amount of time allowable at a company during the year is 3 months. The idea of a one year placement is to
stay at one company to fully integrate and become a contributing member of the team and the placement year should not
intentionally be divided up.

4. Academic visits
If your Placement is in the U.K., you are entitled to a visit. If you are placed overseas, you may still receive a visit or a Skype
call. Your allocated academic or Placement Officer from the Faculty of Engineering, who may or may not be your personal
tutor, will visit you. You should contact them to arrange the visit. If placed with other students the academic will visit the
whole group. The purpose of the visit will be to see if the work and tasks that you are undertaking are appropriate to your
degree, to discuss objectives, progress and learning outcomes (POLO) and to build a good working relationship with the
company.
The visit should be made between 3 to 6 months giving you time to settle in. Most academics will be available during
vacations and January exams, when they do not have teaching commitments. The visit is primarily to monitor your progress
and welfare and assess the quality of the placement experience. However, it is also a means of registering the Universitys
presence with the company for continuing and future placements, projects and research and developing good relationships.
It is an opportunity for academics to meet with engineers in industry.
Arrange a suitable date and time with the visiting academic, ensure that your supervisor will be available too. Inform the
companys Human Resources Department and your Placement Officer that a visit is being arranged. You should meet
the academic on arrival and arrange to show them around the site having obtained the correct permissions and security
clearances in advance. Include in the tour your own office/work station. The tour is a great opportunity for academics to
understand your knowledge and how you are progressing but equally a chance to meet a number of other people within the
company at all levels. Academics can be introduced to a whole range of staff on the tour not just senior management and
engineers. This insight into the company will help when discussing your progress or needs with the supervisor.
The visitor may have travelled some distance and given up a whole day so make sure the visit is worthwhile and that they
see more than just a meeting room. If a site tour is not viable or for security reasons you have to conduct the whole visit
in a meeting room, it is a good idea to prepare a presentation for your visitor. This will enable the visitor to understand
the company and your role. If there is more than one student at the company you can get together to do this before your
individual meetings. This format has worked well in the past. For one to one meetings you can run through your presentation
on a lap top. A visit should take about an hour for one student, but longer for a larger site including a tour, or more students.
When organising the visit arrange refreshments or a simple sandwich working lunch in the canteen when the academic can
meet your supervisor. The visitor will want to discuss your Personal Objectives & Learning Outcomes (POLO), the interim
reports and your logbooks.
VISIT CHECKLIST
Contact your academic supervisor in good time to arrange your visit in the first 3 to 6 month period
Arrange security clearance so the visitor can get beyond reception and see interesting areas of the business if
possible
Make sure your supervisor/supervisors are available
Prepare a short presentation if this is the easiest way to convey what you and the company do
Make arrangements for refreshments coffee or sandwich lunch
Where there is more than one student at the company each student will need a separate meeting but you can
come together over refreshments and tours
Have a copy of your POLO and logbooks/diaries ready to discuss
Make an itinerary in advance for all parties so they know the plan and order of the visit
Send your visitor a parking permit, site map or instructions for arrival and where to report
9

5. Conclusion
You have chosen to undertake a year in industry and your Placement Officers wish you well. We hope that your experience
will enhance your studies when you return to University and your personal development. We are here to help you and the
placement team will be in the office throughout the year. Do not hesitate to contact us and above all enjoy the experience.
Alison, Rachel, Felicity, Sarah and Emma
Placement team
Faculty of Engineering and Design.

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Appendix I - Interim Report - Cover Sheet

Company Logo

Industrial Placement
Interim Progress Report <Number>
Students Name
Degree Programme
University of Bath
with
Company Name
Department
Location/address/postcode
From (date)

To (date)

Industrial Supervisor(s): Name (1)

Address
Email
Tel. no.

Name (2)
Address
Email
Tel. no.

Personal tutor.
Assigned academic supervisor for placement year if different from above..........................
Placement officer:

11

Interim report format

Do NOT submit the cover sheet as a separate document. Name the file correctly or it will be rejected:
Surname_Forename_Username_Discipline_Company_IR1_14-15
Please submit in pdf.
(All should be written in the an impersonal style avoiding I & We, apart from the conclusion)
1. Cover sheet
2. Summary (A brief introduction on the topic of the report)
3. Table of contents (optional on short interim reports)
4. Lists of symbols and acronyms
5. Introduction
Your first interim report should open with a paragraph that briefly informs the reader of your placement company, department, location and nature of business, together with an outline of your departments activities and broad nature of the
work you will be associated with.
6. Main content - work, projects, assignments
Break down into clearly headed sections. Comment in this first report on the company introduction and familiarisation
programmes and any specialist training received, the assignments and projects you have started/completed and what you
expect to do in the future. In subsequent interim reports you can summarise your tasks and achievements, including any
completed assignments and reports you have issued, visits to other sites, customers, suppliers, meetings and presentations
you have contributed to, and especially your contact with other departments and experiences in working with other members of staff. You will find that your logbook information is a valuable asset in preparing these reports and you will start to
build up the background to your important final report. Put together they will also show a progression of your development during the placement.
7. Conclusion/reflection on the placement
Describe how you are benefitting from the placement, e.g. technical skills, understanding engineering, research or business practices, personal & business relationships, team working, personal development, report writing. Include a reflective
element about what you are enjoying. List any extra-curricular activities, sports, clubs the company provides.
We are keen to know about your experiences and whether you are happy in your placement company. If you feel you cannot express this in your report then contact your placement officer so we have a true idea of how the placement is going.
We really do want, and need to know.
(This section can be written in the first person.)

8. Acknowledgements
Acknowledge those who advised, guided, assisted or inspired you.
9. Appendices
Any reports, technical information, courses, training and drawings you are allowed to keep and wish to submit.
Report feedback from your tutor/assigned academic can be viewed by logging in to the Industrial Placement Information Database (IPID):
www.bath.ac.uk/mech-eng/projects/fac-IPID

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Appendix II - Final Report - Cover Sheet

Company Logo

Industrial Placement Report

Students Name
Degree Programme
University of Bath
with
Company Name
Department
Location/address/postcode
From (date)

To (date)

Industrial Supervisor(s): Name (1)

Address
Email
Tel. no.

Name (2)
Address
Email
Tel. no.

Personal tutor.
Assigned academic supervisor for placement year if different from above..........................
Placement officer:

Summary:
10 line summary of placement year

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Final report format

Do NOT submit the cover sheet as a separate document. Name the file correctly or it will be rejected:
Surname_Forename_Username_Discipline_Company_FR_14-15
Please submit in pdf.
(All should be written in an impersonal style avoiding I & We apart from the conclusion.)
1. Cover sheet
2. Summary (on cover sheet)
3. Table of contents
4. Lists of symbols and acronyms
5. Introduction
Your placement company, department, location and nature of business, together with an outline of your departments
activities and broad nature of the work you were involved in.
6. Main content - work, projects, assignments
An easily read summary of the years activities with clearly headed sections, ideally no more than 10 pages long or about
5000 words. This should include an overview of training, tasks, research, projects and engineering processes/skills. Describe visits to trial sites, customers, suppliers and summarise activities. Detailed technical information, tables and diagrams should be added to an Appendix if relevant.
7. Conclusion/reflection on the placement
Describe how you benefited from the placement, e.g. technical skills, understanding engineering, research or business
practices, personal & business relationships, team working, personal development, report writing. Include a reflective
element about what you enjoyed and gained from the year. List any extra-curricular activities, sports, clubs the company
provided.
(This section can be written in the first person.)

8. Acknowledgements
Acknowledge those who advised, guided, assisted or inspired you.
9. Appendices
Any reports, technical information, courses, training and drawings you are allowed to keep and wish to submit.
Report feedback from your tutor/assigned academic can be viewed by logging in to the Industrial Placement Information Database (IPID):
www.bath.ac.uk/mech-eng/projects/fac-IPID

14

Final report FAQs

Ideally no more than 10 pages long or about 5000 words.

An easily read summary of the years activities using the format provided.
Engineering reports should be PRECISE and CONCISE!
The cover sheet must have a summary in the box.
Written in an impersonal style avoiding I & We as any other scientific paper although the conclusion and reflective
summing up can be written in the first person.
Full accounts of projects/diagrams/events can be added as appendices.
Submit the report as an assignment on Engineers on Placement Moodle course.
The report can be used after you graduate towards professional chartership and graduate job applications.
Keep your log books safe for your own reference as they may be requested by the professional institutions.
The report is not marked and does not count towards your degree.
For the award of 60 credits the placement must be satisfactorily completed and learning outcomes met by submitting
the Final report, POLO and a Poster otherwise the placement will not be recognised or registered on your transcript.
The report will be saved by the University for 5 years.
The report must be approved by the company for security/confidentiality checks before submission.
The report will be freely available for any student or academic to read (with the exception of Chemical Engineers
reports) and must not contain confidential material. We will not enter into Non Disclosure Agreements (NDA).
Even if you did not complete a full year still write a report about your experiences and explain what happened.

Final Reports, POLO & Posters can be submitted during July and August (lastest deadline 1st September) on Moodle. Make
this deadline clear when obtaining clearance from your supervisor. It is much easier to achieve this while you are still
working at the company think and plan ahead.

15

Appendix III - POLO form example

(There are two POLO forms with a similar format - POLO1 and POLO Final available to download from Moodle)

Personal Objectives and Learning Outcomes 1 (POLO1)

You MUST complete this form within the first month of your placement and upload it on to Moodle.
Student Name (first name family name):
Student Number:
Name placement supervisor/manager:
Placement provider:
Start date of placement:
Unit code:
Unit title & number of credits:
Degree programme (unit & teaching provider):
Unit Description:
Aims:
Learning outcomes:
Skills:

Introduction

The POLO forms are an essential part of your personal career management. It is vital that you become actively
rather than passively involved in setting your development targets, and that you learn to reflect on your work and
experiences.
You need to set clear and realistic goals for your placement. The POLO forms are to help you in planning your
development over the course of your placement, recognising those areas needing more development, thinking
about the opportunities available to you, and ensuring you make the most of your placement.
You first need to think about the skills you are taking into your placement and rate yourself accordingly to the
capability levels shown in Appendix 1. Note that for rating of 2 or above, you are expected to enter a short
statement outlining why you have graded yourself at this level.
You should then think about what development you want to gain during your placement and set these as
objectives.
You should set timescales for achieving your objectives, as this is an important aspect of ensuring you find the
relevant opportunities to fulfil your potential by the end of your placement.

Brief overview of the company/institute and department you are placed in:
Summary of your role and responsibilities:
Summary of your current and upcoming work, projects, assignments:
What are your overall expectations of the placement?
Which aspects of your degree do you hope to be able to use on your placement?

16

Engineering Principles, Practice & Achievement:

Level of capability at
The ability to apply an understanding of theoretical, methodological, empirical and practical
start of placement:
knowledge and skill, to the solution of problems. The ability to select and successfully apply
appropriate principles, methods and techniques to placement tasks and reflect on their
Enter 1-5
application.
Supporting statement/evidence: For ratings of 2 or above, enter a short statement describing why you have graded
yourself at this level.
Personal development goals: Enter a short statement describing what goals you want to achieve in this capability area
during your placement.
How you will achieve these goals and any specific timescales set: Enter a short statement as to how you will achieve
these development goals and the timescale in which you wish to have improved the capability and whether you will
need any extra support to achieve this.

Communication and Networking:

The ability to communicate ideas by giving a complete and concise account of a situation in a
variety of ways.
(e.g. telephone conversations, participation in meetings, delivering presentations, written
reports & documentation, liaising with personnel of different levels and forming a professional
network of contacts.)
Supporting statement/evidence:

Level of capability at
start of placement:
Enter 1-5

Personal development goals:

How you will achieve these goals and any specific timescales set:

Teamwork:

The ability to work well in a team, establish good relationships with colleagues, clients &
suppliers.
(e.g. effective listening, effective teamwork, ability to gain co-operation of others, negotiation,
self-confidence.)
Supporting statement/evidence:

Level of capability at
start of placement:
Enter 1-5

Personal development goals:

How you will achieve these goals and any specific timescales set:

Problem solving & Independent Learning:

The ability to understand and interpret instructions, grasp new ideas and concepts, put forward
innovative solutions, identify and adopt appropriate learning methods and strategies.
(e.g. identify and analyse problems, evaluate solutions, and decision making).
Supporting statement/evidence:
Personal development goals:
How you will achieve these goals and any specific timescales set:

17

Level of capability at
start of placement:
Enter 1-5

Self-Management & Organisation:

The ability to work independently, control and direct own training, take on responsibilities,
understanding importance of planning and scheduling, and having the flexibility to respond to
changing circumstances.
(e.g. organising own time, prioritising tasks, assuming leadership, using initiative,
understanding impact of timescales, project planning, developing own work timelines and
deadlines.)
Supporting statement/evidence:

Level of capability at
start of placement:
Enter 1-5

Personal development goals:

How you will achieve these goals and any specific timescales set:

Strategic Awareness:

Understanding of the organisational vision and strategy, and how your work fits into the wider
picture.
(e.g. understanding the impact of your work within the company/sector, appreciation of the
financial and budget implications of your tasks/project.)
Supporting statement/evidence:

Level of capability at
start of placement:
Enter 1-5

Personal development goals:

How you will achieve these goals and any specific timescales set:

IT Skills:

Knowledge of industry/sector-specific IT applications as well as general IT skills.

(e.g. simulation software, design packages, database applications, financial applications,
reporting & analysis tools, etc.)
Supporting statement/evidence:

Level of capability at
start of placement:
Enter 1-5

Personal development goals:

How you will achieve these goals and any specific timescales set:

It is your responsibility to complete this form and then discuss your objectives with your
supervisor.

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Appendix 1: Personal Capability Levels

Level
1

Descriptor
Foundation

Intermediate

Adept

Advanced

Highly
Advanced

Examples of Capabilities
1. Usually communicates information clearly and concisely, using appropriate language.
Listens actively, checking their understanding of others comments.
2. Supportive and collaborative team member. Shares information and keeps team informed
about progress with work tasks.
3. Knows who to ask for help and asks questions to resolve issues. Identifies improvements
to working practices for own tasks.
4. Finishes tasks as directed and takes care to do a good job. Checks with supervisor that
their work is satisfactory and gets help if they need it.
5. Aware of the strategic direction of the organisation. Recognises how their work connects
to others.
1. Clearly explains ideas and arguments. Adapts communication style to match the needs of
different people or audiences. Listens to and considers others ideas and perspectives.
2. Actively builds positive relationships with other team members and clients, and supports
others in difficult circumstances. Contributes pro-actively to team discussions and works
effectively with other team members to carry out tasks.
3. Researches and analyses information relating to own work tasks and responsibilities.
4. Works independently on routine tasks and takes personal responsibility for satisfactory
completion of tasks. Manages own time and workload effectively.
5. Understands and supports the organisations vision, mission and business objectives.
Recognises how own work contributes to the achievement of team and section goals.
1. Identifies and focuses on key points for different audiences. Is sensitive to own and
others non-verbal cues. Enables others ideas and viewpoints to be heard, and discusses
them credibly and thoughtfully.
2. Ensures that other team members are informed of relevant issues. Actively builds cooperative networks and identifies further opportunities to work collaboratively.
3. Assimilates and evaluates information from multiple sources. Identifies interrelationships
between issues and thinks laterally. Identifies and shares business process improvements.
4. Develops own work plans to deliver project objectives, taking into account agreed
priorities. Shows initiative, and responds positively and flexibly to changing circumstances.
5. Recognises how own work contributes to the achievement of organisational goals.
Promotes a shared sense of direction within the team.
1. Communicates in a clear, condent and articulate manner. Able to translate technical
and complex information appropriately for different audiences. Anticipates and identies
relevant stakeholders expectations and concerns, and can address them persuasively.
2. Shares lessons learned across different teams or business units. Consults with colleagues,
clients and stakeholders, and responds appropriately to their needs and expectations.
3. Takes account of the organisational context when exploring new problems and ideas.
Analyses issues critically and uses lateral thinking to develop solutions.
4. Proactively monitors project progress and adjusts plans as required. Persists with
achieving objectives even in difficult circumstances.
5. Identies the relationship between organisational goals and operational tasks. Clearly
communicates organisational goals and objectives to others.
1. Communicates in a highly articulate and influential way, anticipating the position of
others, and responding appropriately. Encourages debate within the organisation and
promotes the organisation externally.
2. Builds collaborative networks of key individuals both internally and externally. Identifies
and develops mutually beneficial solutions to shared problems.
3. Engages in high-level critical analysis of complex problems. Develops creative solutions,
taking into account any wider organisational and sector-wide implications.
4. Anticipates the impact of any changes in the business or sector on project objectives, and
adapts plans appropriately. Sets high goals and acts as a professional role model for
colleagues. Actively seeks, reflects upon, and acts on feedback on own performance.
5. Has strategic influence in the organisation. Engages others and generates commitment to
organisational strategies.
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NOTES

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