WORK-BASED LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION: THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS AND SYLLABUSES

Abstract. Article presents and discusses the introduction of work-based learning (WBL) in higher education in Croatia through analysis of national, university and faculty-level policy documents. A work-based orientation while developing study programmes occurred in the context of the education system’s inefficiency when it comes to employment opportunities. The presented research attempts to understand how universities implement public and educational policy guidelines on work-based learning regarding study programmes and learning outcomes. To that end, we analysed strategic documents from a large university in the southern part of Croatia that served as an exemplar of the current state of work-based higher education in Croatia. We conducted reflexive thematic analysis of key strategic documents and syllabi to develop knowledge with respect to the implementation of WBL. Keywords: Work-Based Learning, Educational Policy, Educational Strategies, Higher Education, Thematic Analysis.