Work based learning and the intellectual capital of universities and employers

This paper draws upon the extensive operating experience of work based learning programmes by the National Centre for Work Based Learning Partnerships (NCWBLP) at Middlesex University to identify the potential for work based learning to contribute to the intellectual capital not only of employer partners but also to the university. The paper argues that work based learning has the potential to provide the university with a unique opportunity to develop a new kind of knowledge based partnership. The characteristics of such partnerships are discussed with reference to the description of intellectual capital advanced by Stewart and the typology of work based learning put forward by Portwood.