Structured Workplace Learning Program for Businesses

Many businesses have recognised the link between vocational learning and the serious skill shortages faced in the inner southern region. Contributing to the training of local youth is a valuable investment into the future of your industry. The workplacements you provide will help VET students to gain a nationally recognised qualification and make successful transitions from school into the world of work.

Quality LinCS brings together all parties involved in the workplacement process. We are available for support at all stages of the SWL process to ensure a positive and rewarding workplacement experience for your business and the students.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are workplacements?
How is workplacement different to work experience?
What are the benefits to your business?
What is your role as a host employer?
What about payment?
What about insurance?
What are the legal obligations?
What happens if there is an accident?
What about confidentiality?
Interested, want to get involved?

What are workplacements?

Structured Workplacements (referred to as workplacements) are the on-the-job training component of Vocational Education & Training (VET) in Schools programmes available to Secondary Students.

Students who are undertaking vocational courses whilst completing their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), may be required to complete a nominal number of hours with a host employer.

Workplacements allow VET Students to perform hands on tasks in the workplace that are related to specific competencies within their course.

Structured Workplacements are often viewed by employers as one of the most essential parts of a VET course as they give students a real insight into the industry and allow host employers to remain connected to the training of the next generation of potential employees within their industry.

How is workplacement different to work experience?

Workplacement:

Students must be enrolled in an industry VET Course.
Involves Year 10, 11 or 12 students.
Develop skills relevant to the industry.
Students have a vested interest in their chosen area of training.
Students are motivated to practice their skills and perform hands-on tasks in the workplace.
Placement forms part of the assessment for a VET course currently being undertaken by the student.

Work Experience:

Students attend different businesses to observe the workplace.
Allows students to "test drive" careers to see what suits them best.

What are the benefits to your business?

The opportunity to reflect local industry needs and standards in education programs.
Recruit potential employees from the students you host, saving on expensive advertising and recruitment costs.
Develop the training and supervision skills of your staff.
Ensure sufficient skilled labour for the future of your industry.
Have meaningful work completed whilst developing skills in students.
Have an extra set of hands to help with entry level tasks.
Gain community goodwill for helping students improve their skills and increase their employment opportunities.
Personal reward - it is satisfying to know that you gave someone a head start into their career.
No financial outlay for business – your time and effort is all the investment required

What is your role as a host employer?

Host employers should aim to provide students with as many hands-on tasks as possible. Giving students meaningful work often gains the best results as the student will genuinely feel as though they have contributed to your business.

In the student’s workplacement journal, there is a list of suggested student activities that may assist you in planning tasks for the student.

A host employer must provide:

A safe working environment and any required safety equipment.
A workplace induction.
Meaningful tasks related to the skills in the student’s VET course.
A nominated Workplace Supervisor.

A host employer will also be required to record student’s progress in their workplacement journal and provide feedback about the student and the workplacement.

What about payment?

No payment or remuneration is required or expected to be made by employers to students whilst they are on workplacement. Any remuneration to a student will change the status of the student to 'employee' and make the host employer responsible for the provision of worker's compensation insurance.

What about insurance?

The Department of Education and Childrens Services (DECS) covers all secondary students attending public schools whilst on workplacement. Independent and Catholic Schools arrange insurance for all Private and Catholic school students.

These policies cover injury to the student as well as third party property damage caused by student negligence.

What are the legal obligations?

Your legal responsibilities relating to the duty of care are the same as for all persons in your employment.

However, the younger age and lower maturity level of school students generally requires a greater level of care than that of adult workers e.g., not leaving them alone to ‘mind’ the workplace.

What happens if there is an accident?

Seek medical help immediately.
Contact the student's emergency number.
Complete an accident report of the incident and forward to Quality LinCS.
Quality LinCS will forward the accident report to student's home school.

What about confidentiality?

Students must have a clear understanding of confidentiality before they can be assessed as 'work ready' by their teacher. If your organisation uses a standard Confidentiality Agreement for employees, you are entitled to ask visiting students to comply with your company policy.

Interested, want to get involved?

Contact Quality LinCS