Bridging the Gap from Brick-and-Mortar to Experience-Based Learning: Basis for On-the-Job Training Framework

A professional learning experience, such as allowing learners the chance to acquire new skills and explore and grow their career, with professional learning experiences, such as an internship or on-the-job training (OJT), is quite essential. The training provides learners practical, applicable work connected to their study or professional interests. One of the benefits of the program for learners is that they can get significant job experience in their chosen field of study. Internships offer experiential learning opportunities that are organized and monitored formally. Thus, internships are a sensible and practical way to obtain priceless work experience. Undergraduate students use and apply what they have learned in class, as well as acquire new skills, during this phase of the course. Accordingly, internships give students a great opportunity to network and create significant career connections before they even graduate. Internship or on-the-job training (OJT), is crucial in providing learners with the opportunity to explore and advance their careers as well as develop new skills. Thus, internships are a sensible and practical way to obtain invaluable work experience. The Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order No. 104, S. 2017 declares that the commission will mandate student internships and the development of strong academic ties between higher education institutions and industry, business, and duly recognized government and non-government organizations, including civil society organizations, to promote and equip students with employable skills and attitudes. Since the corporate landscape is constantly changing, the 14-year internship program at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela College of Business Administration is to stay up to date with current requirements and challenges facing the business world. The study focused on 411 students and employed a quantitative-descriptive research methodology using a census sample technique. The primary respondents were academic advisers and supervisors of host training establishments. Anchored on the COLE Framework, to bridge the gap from brick-and-mortar to experience-based learning of students, the following weighbridge, which focused on job knowledge, quality of work, dependability, initiative, organization, industry, and attainment of objectives for learners’ performance and attitude toward work and the establishment, punctuality, cooperation and teamwork, decorum, and communication for behavior were used.