Work-Study, A Matter Of Trust

Ilias Ghali and Mohamed Kasmi, Blackridge Group (Photo © Stephanie Jabardo / Silicon Luxembourg)

The work-study programme is an opportunity to gain professional experience while continuing to learn while continuing to learn as part of your studies. In addition, it allows you to put into practice the knowledge acquired in class. Ilias Ghali, Head of the Engineering Department at Blackridge Group and Mohamed Kasmi (student) agreed to share their respective experiences with us.

Why did you choose to do a work-study programme?

M.K. I am currently doing my 2nd year of Bachelor’s degree. These three years of the Bachelor’s degree are offered on a work-study basis. They allow me to acquire all the necessary skills in order to implement them in the framework of the work-study programme. I have therefore chosen to bring my acquired skills and my know-how to my host company.

How did you find your work placement?

M.K. I found my internship through a spontaneous application.

What are your plans at the end of your internship?

M.K. Today, I have two choices. First of all, I would like to continue my experience within the BlackRidge Group. Indeed, the work environment, the proximity to colleagues, the human contact and the support of student candidates and it is difficult to see myself leaving such a work environment.

The second possibility, following the Innovation and Entrepreneurship training that I followed, is to have all the keys in hand to set up my own company.

What advice would you give to future interns?

M.K. You have to be willing to take risks. We are going from student status to employee status in a company. We are therefore required to manage projects, work independently, make proposals, etc.

For example, when we encounter difficulties, don’t hesitate to ask the right questions and find solutions. Your tutor will appreciate this professionalism and will trust you throughout your work-study programme!

Why did you choose to integrate a student in your team?

I.G. Our communication and development department is growing. We advise all departments. In addition, as I already lead student projects, I found it interesting to pass on my knowledge, my skills and also my passion for my job, in order to give them the keys to better understand the business world.

What do you expect from a student?

I.G. What made me choose Mohamed was his interpersonal skills. For me, interpersonal skills are the most important skill when you work in a profession that requires interpersonal skills and service. The tutor is responsible for developing the technical skills acquired in class. A good student must be motivated and curious, but also rigorous to succeed in combining the demands of the company with the courses.

In your opinion, what are the advantages for a young person to study under a sandwich course?

I.G. A work-study student is an employee of the company who goes on a training course a few days a month. In contrast to an internship, where you can carry out a long-term mission on a full-time basis, a work-study student must alternate and learn how to juggle different priorities. 

The real advantage of studying under a sandwich course is to think like an employee who has to manage priorities, carry out several projects at the same time while organising yourself around the times when you are absent from class. By being an integral part of the team, the student also learns how to deal with people, and how to behave according around the people they deal with. 

These aspects are not part of the courses and that can be a real shock when you arrive in your first job. My mission as a tutor is therefore also to prepare the student for the different postures, the messages to convey, the tone to use.

What advice would you give to a student to become the “ideal” work-study student?

I.G. The “ideal” work-study student? Does the “ideal” tutor exist? There is of course a foundation: motivation, ability to adapt, empathy, willingness. I would rather talk about an “ideal” collaboration.

In fact, for a successful work-study programme for both parties, it is important to build a relationship of trust. The student must be able to make proposals and the tutor must be able to listen and adapt. This allows both parties to learn from one other and achieve their respective goals.


About Blackridge Group:

Rethinking the work experience for sustainable performance. We help HR and IT leaders and IT leaders to drive transformation in their organisations, regardless of size, and improve productivity with our global, connected HR platform.

Your talent. Our solutions! Whether you’re a growing small business or a large enterprise looking to transform itself, since 2015 our mission has been simple: to offer you the solution that will allow you to reveal the potential of each of your talents. Our HR platform is designed for global organisations with local needs. It allows you to consolidate your data into a central HR foundation while addressing local needs in terms of training, performance and competency management, and recruitment.

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