Business Economics Practical Training
The extent of practical training is 30 credits and altogether 20 weeks. More detailed information concerning practical training is given in the instructions for practical training.
1. General information
The study program of a Bachelor of Business Economics includes practical training, during which the student gains work experience and is able to practice the skills acquired in the studies in a real working environment. Work experience is gained during the summer months between the academic years of study and/or at the specific time reserved for training in the study program. The student has the main responsibility for finding a suitable training position for himself/herself.
2. Goal
The goal of practical training is to provide the student with the opportunity to apply the theoretical content learned into practice and to develop his/her ability to work independently. The training supports the student in understanding his/her area of specialization in the study program. The training aims to develop the student’s skills and increase his/her understanding and knowledge of working life as well as to also prepare him/her for working in a position compatible with the field of study and also to support and complement the student’s study program. In order for the student to reach these goals, it is recommended that the student would participate broadly also in planning-and development tasks.
3. Supervised training
The practical training is always supervised.
The supervised practical training internship includes training instructions, an internship plan and agreement drawn up by the student as well as a training report and an employment certificate. The instructing and supervising of the trainee is carried out by the employer.
4. The scope of the placement
The placement period is 30 cu or 20 working weeks in total.
It is possible to draw up a recognition and validation of prior learning procedure application (RAVPL) if the student has relevant prior work experience.
1. Training carried out as one placement (30cu)
If a student carries out the practical training as one placement, the work needs to be done as one block carried out at one period of time in one organization and it must be the kind of work that matches the specialization studied. Before starting to work, the student must get a confirmation from the teacher supervising the traineeship.
The training must be carried out during the period of studying in the degree program at the times reserved for training.
2. Training carried out as two blocks (e.g. 15 cu+15ocu, or 10cu and 20 cu)
A student can carry out for example 10 cu after in the first summer after the first year of study. Then the student applies for the confirmation after carrying out the training. The training must be a full time job. (36 h/week according to the collective agreement in the field) If the weekly working time is shorter, the number of working hours must be at least 720 hours. In such a situation the number of working hours must be mentioned in the employment certificate. Such a situation is possible if the internship is carried out part-time during studies.
5. Timing
The time for the internship is from the second year spring (late April) to the middle of the third year autumn semester. Studies begin in early September.
Another option is to carry out one block of the training in the summer between the first and second study year (it must be at least a four-week period.
6. The Work Tasks of a Trainee
It is recommended that the work tasks of a trainee match the area in which student is specializing in his/ her studies.
If the work tasks are different from those agreed on, the supervising teacher must approve the new work tasks before the training is started or continued.
7. Internship plan and agreement
The intership plan and agreement form must be filled in before the internship starts and this form must be submitted to the supervising teacher.
The student plans the professional growth goals for the training period. The parties of the agreement are the student, the organization where the training takes place and Vaasa Universities of Applied Sciences.
It is recommended that the training is partly done outside of the student’s home country, so that international skills can be developed. Those studying in a study programme carried out in English must carried out some of their training abroad or study abroad for at least one semester.
8. A Report
If the training is carried out in more than one block, the report is written on the longer training period that has elements of the student’s specialization
9. The Application Process
The application form together with a copy of an employment certificate and the training report are turned in to the supervising teacher, who then checks the report and the required documents and after approval enters the credit units gained into the study register.
International Business
- export-import activities in a company specializing in foreign trade
- purchasing, selling and marketing duties in foreign trade
- duties in forwarding, transport and customs clearance
- duties connected with international settlements and finance in banks and financial institutions
- duties connected with foreign trade associations, chambers of commerce, export chains, EU-embassies and corresponding organizations
The purpose of the report is to give the students an overall view on how they have succeeded in putting their knowledge and skills into practical use, as well as on what remains to be learnt. The report informs the teacher responsible for practical training about the students’ experiences during practical training and provides valuable information for the development of teaching.
Structure
The actual contents of the report on practical training may be informal. Use the layout standard taught at school. The report is required only after the main period of professional practical training.
The minimum length of the report is 5 pages (appendices excluded). You can include the following topics in your report:
Contents
Information on the company / organisation:
- contact person and department
- general information on the company and organisation
- turnover, markets, customers, competitors, products / services, etc.
- other interest groups: suppliers, owners, etc.
- number of personnel, recruitment, training, leisure activities
- resources (computer hardware, software, machinery, etc.)
Information on the student’s practical training:
- training period (dates), main duties, other duties
- how you were received in the company, how you were shown / taught what to do, work methods
- resources (computer hardware, software, machinery, etc.) that you were using in your duties
- what you learned and how you could put your knowledge and skills obtained at school into practical use
- general impressions
Self assessment:
- reflections about achieving the objectives set for the training period
- if the objectives were not achieved – reasons
You must remember that you cannot include any confidential information in your report. The employer’s contact person will read and sign the report before it is submitted to the teacher responsible for practical training.
Approval
The report must be submitted to the teacher within one month after the end of the practical training period, at the latest. Practical training is not considered completed until the report has been submitted and approved.
