Employment based projects for electrical power foundation degrees

The aim of this paper is to describe an exploratory study using an action research approach to improve student work based distance learners' independent research skills through an industrial project to increase their value to their employer. Students undertake a 20 credit industrial project with the key aim to develop on taught material and undertake independent research within the context of the work place. Although there were some good projects each year, a number of projects were not helping the students reach their full potential or adding value to their respective company's business. The ‘action research’ approach helped identify issues and put in place a number of remedial solutions as described in this paper.