What is Structured Workplace Learning?
Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) is a compulsory component of the School Based Vocational HSC courses that are recognised by both industry and the Board of Studies. It is a one week (35hours) mandatory Workplacement in industry to enhance skills learned in the classroom.
The Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) Programme provides students with a better understanding of the world of work and the opportunity to develop their technical and employability skills in any of the Board Endorsed Vocational Courses.
Download Framework Brochures
Automotive
Business Services
Building & Construction
Children's Services
Electrotechnology
Entertainment
Hospitality Commercial Cookery
Hospitality Food & Beverage
Information Technology
Primary Industries
Retail
Tourism
Metals & Engineering
Student Suggested Activities
Automotive
Business Services
Building & Construction
Children's Services
Electrotechnology
Entertainment
Hospitality
Information Technology
Primary Industries
Retail
Tourism
Metals & Engineering
Do students get paid?
Students do not get paid for Workplacement, they are volunteer workers. It is important that students are not paid as any payment to the student may invalidate insurance and indemnity arrangements.
Features of Structured Workplace Learning
- Students are supervised by an employer
- Students are able to participate in real work
- Students are expected to dress and behave in the same way as an employee
- Students are instructed and shown how to do certain tasks
- Students have the opportunity to practice skills learnt in the classroom
- Students are assessed in the workplace
- Insurance is provided for the students
Why Should Employers be Involved?
We recognise that employers have well developed current skills and experience within their industry which can provide opportunities to enhance young people’s learning.
Employer’s have the opportunity through Workplacement to:
- Address their current and future skill needs for their industry.
- Provide the opportunity for students to gain up to date knowledge that is relevant to the industry.
- Give students a chance to try out the industry.
- Provide a greater pool of candidates for recruitment of current and future vacancies. For example some employers have been so impressed with their Workplacement student they have offered students part time work or apprenticeships at the end of their HSC school year.
In addition to work related skills, students have the opportunity to gain other skills including:
- Communication skills in the workplace.
- Working in a team environment.
- Developing social and interpersonal skills.
- Enhancing students confidence and
- independence in the work environment.
Benefits of SWL for Employers
- Contributing to your community and raising your profile.
- Raising awareness of your business and ensuring students and their families become aware of your products and employee relations.
- Increasing understanding & awareness about the skill needs of your industry and business.
- Correcting out-of-date and inaccurate perceptions about your industry.
- Creating opportunities to contribute to School programs by providing practical industry experience.
- The opportunity to recruit school students whilst they are still at school through school based
- New Apprenticeships or part-time employment.
- Providing existing employees with management and training development opportunities.
Insurance and Indemnity
All employers participating in an approved workplace learning program are covered by insurance for injury to students that has occurred at an approved host organisation.
DET Employers' Guide to Workplace Learning
CEO Employers' guide to Workplace Learning
Proihibited Activities (2 pages)
Workplacement Host Forms
DET Host Forms (4 pages)
Sydney CEO Host Forms (2 pages)
TAFE Host Forms (4 pages)
2011 Employer Host Calendar
Download Workplace Documents
Accident Incident Report Form
Confidentiality Agreement
DET Student Placement Record (4 Pages)
Employer Evaluation of Students
Student Daily Workplacement Journal
Sydney CEO Student Workplace Learning Record (3 Page)
What Happens If
Workplacement Agreement
Workplacement Code of Conduct
Meet the Employer
Ron Mouk Auto & Smash Repairs
Ron Mouk Auto & Smash Repairs has recently joined the Structured Workplace Learning Program and is offering Workplacement opportunities to TVET (TAFE) students currently studying Automotive (Mechanical, Vehicle Painting and Car Detailing/Dismantling) as part of their VET course.
Ron Mouk Auto & Smash Repairs have being operating for over 30 years, servicing local motorists with insurance and private work that is professionally and diligently completed to meet industry expectations and various standards.
Ron Mouk Auto & Smash Repairs have been hosting students for a few years now, however, Ron Moukhallalati (Owner/Director), is looking forward to partnering with CBCC to facilitate and contribute to VET students and believes he will be able to reach a wider and more diverse community. Ron is interested for his business to help, support and assist a more multicultural demography here on.
Ron said “ Regardless of a students background and age, and as long as students are interested and motivated, they will enjoy and gain valuable hands-on experience working with us. The workshop is always busy with mechanical repairs, panel beating, spray painting, interior and detailing work.”
Ms Zeina Noureddine (Supervisor) commented that being involved with the Structured Workplace Learning Program is also very rewarding for the business. She highly recommends other employers to participate and to build a closer local community. It is a win-win situation of gaining extra help for the business to utilise, and assisting educational needs of our young people at the same time. Current staff members are getting a chance to refine their own mentoring, people management and time management skills, while some of these bright Workplacement students may very well be Ron’s new employees in the near future, once they have completed their studies and graduate at the end of the year.
CBCC encourages businesses and the community to support organisations that support our youth.
The Tree House Early Childhood Centre
The Tree House Early Childhood Centre has recently joined the Structured Workplace Learning Program and is offering Workplacement opportunities for high school students currently studying Children’s Services and Hospitality Commercial Cookery frameworks as part of their HSC/VET courses. Unveiled by the honourable, Prime Minister Julia Gillard on 10th July 2009, this brand new and striking long day-care facility represents the on-going commitment of Revesby Workers Club to local families and the diverse community.
According to Kym Cole (Centre Director), Tree House Early childhood Centre is a 90 place state-of-the-art child care facility that only employs qualified staff and has a high adult-to-child ratios. Operating between the hours of 7am to 6:30pm, staff serves a monthly rotating menu of high fibre, low fat, nut-free and salt-free meals (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea) to children from birth to school age.
The centre welcomes Workplacement students to assist staff in providing quality children development experiences, as well as assisting in food preparation of nutritious healthy meals in a clean and hygienic manner. There are different areas in the centre catering to infants/nursery (0 – 2 years), toddlers (2 – 3 years) and kindy/preschool (3 – 5 years), which students could gain hands-on experience in particular or all age-groups.
Hosting a student whilst on the Structured Workplace Learning Program is highly recommended. Besides providing opportunities for students to learn, it is also beneficial for staff members to develop and improve on various aspects of being a mentor and lead by example. Having extra people for children to safely interact with is always an advantage for developing young minds. The centre is also involved in other initiatives such as “Adopt a Nan or Pop” program for senior citizens to participate in nurturing a child.
CBCC encourages businesses and the community to support organisations that support our youth. If you would like more information regarding the range of services offered by The Tree House Early Childhood Centre, please call 02 9771 6883.
Bankstown PCYC
Bankstown Police and Community Youth Club (PCYC) is a charity organisation focused on delivering safe, fun and affordable activities to the youth of the Bankstown community. Cory Blake, (Manager) strives to deliver various positive experiences for all members, which ranges from sport and fitness classes, martial arts and boxing programs, to social gathering events, etc. PCYC often work with other providers to participate in other initiatives such as promoting healthier and more active lifestyles, as well as projects such as crime prevention endeavours, etc.
Bankstown PCYC has been associated with the Structured Workplace Learning Program throughout 2010 and has hosted students studying a Vocational Education & Training (VET) Course in Certificate II in Business Services. Students are exposed to the day-to-day operations of a small business, customer service, coordinating events, finance and reporting, etc. A typical Workplacement week would provide many opportunities for the student to gain hands-on experience and valuable insights into a professional working environment, with a strong focus on community collaboration and charity participation.
Cory said “The Structured Workplace Learning Program is a fantastic resource for a charity organisation such as PCYC. Volunteering is a crucial aspect of PCYC in its pursuit to supply essential services to the community. The enthusiasm from students brings great positive energies and fresh approach to their tasks at hand and developing new relationships is a great benefit to the club. I would definitely urge and recommend other businesses to participate in the program.”
With assistance from PCYC, Bankstown Council will be hosting a “Glow in the Dark” themed under 18’s dance event called “Deelicious!” on 18th of December 2010 at Revesby Community Hall from 7:30pm. Young people are invited to attend this event and celebrate end of the year with DJ’s and live bands.
Thank you to the team at Bankstown PCYC for your continued support of the Structured Workplace Learning Program!
Great Big Events
Great Big Events is an international Event Management company, specialising in the presentation of large scale sporting events with office headquarters in Sydney and London, and regional satellite office locations in Doha, Beijing, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Great Big Events has been in operation for 17 years and have hosted students studying Vocational Education & Training Courses in Entertainment for the past nine years.
Great Big Events has worked on major productions including every Olympic campaign for the past decade - Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic & Paralympic Games; the past three Commonwealth Games – Manchester 2002, Melbourne 2006 and currently in pre-production for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. Great Big Events has also delivered the past two instalments of the Rugby World Cup. Further to our marquee international event credits, Great Big Events has provided Sport Presentation and Event Production services for Cricket Australia, the Australian Rugby Union, Swimming Australia and Football Federation Australia. Cultural credits include Jubilee 2000; CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) 2002; FIFA Fan Fest; and FIFA Congress among others.
General Manager of Culture and Ceremonies, Jennie-Lee commented, “The work placement opportunities offered by Great Big Events allow students to gain hands-on experience into how an event production comes together from administrative preparation to event delivery. As an employer, a benefit of hosting students on work placement is that it allows our staff to have the opportunity to gain leadership and mentoring skills and showcase their own wares.”
Jennie-Lee added, “Workplace Learning is associated with the training and development of young people, and can bring in fresh ideas to our existing projects. I would definitely recommend the Structured Workplace Learning Program to other organisations in the Entertainment Industry. It’s also an opportunity to promote the industry and develop a greater understanding of your own organisation.”
If you have any queries regarding event production, please contact Kristy Doyle, Marketing and Communications Manager at Great Big Events on 9660 6133.
Thank you to the team at Great Big Events for your continued support of the Structured Workplace Learning Program!
Climbmax Constructions
Danny Rizk is the director of local construction company Climbmax Constructions. Climbmax Constructions has offices and building sites located in the South Western & Inner Western regions and have been in operation for the past eight years. Danny and his team of qualified trades professionals and administration staff have been ongoing supporters of the Structured Workplace Learning Program for several years, hosting students who are studying a Vocational Education Course in Certificate II in Building & Construction or Certificate II in Business Services as part of their
Climbmax Constructions specialises in the design, refurbishment and construction related services including architecture, drafting, building design, demolition, refurbishment and project management. Throughout 2010, Climbmax Constructions hosts up to four Building & Construction Workplacements per week at both their Padstow and Stanmore Construction Sites. During the 35hour Workplacement with Climbmax Constructions, students are exposed to the Building and Constructions industry by participating in duties that are hands on and calculative, managing the organisation of materials for a job site and assisting tradesman with the preparation for upcoming projects.
The organisation also hosts one student per week at their Padstow site for students studying Business Services. Students are exposed to certain duties within in the business/office environment including data entry, basic filing, photocopying, general administration and mail sorting.
Danny said “As an employer, the benefits of hosting a student whilst on Workplacement include the unique opportunity to be an inspiring role model for our youth, having access to future potential employees and being actively involved in the wider community. For a student, it opens doors to many possible opportunities in the industry and allows students to gain “hands on” experience. As a business owner I would definitely recommend the Structured Workplace Learning Program as it has benefited my organisation and will continue to do so in the future.”
CBCC would like to recognise Climbmax Constructions as an excellent locally based employer. Thank you Danny for your continued support throughout 2010 and your commitment to the students in the Canterbury Bankstown and Inner Western Sydney area.
Digital Finery.