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About the Work Integrated Learning Program
Our Work Integrated Learning program provides students with career-building educational experiences in work environments by enabling connectivity between employers, students and universities.
The free service facilitates university student internship placements for your business. The objective is to provide tangible outcomes on projects that your team may not have the time to tackle.
Our network of tertiary organisations and students covers a range of disciplines including:
Science
- Data Science
- Computer Science
- Cyber Security
- Software Engineering
- Financial Mathematics
- Actuarial & Financial Services
- Predictive Analytics, Mathematical Sciences
- Industrial & Applied Mathematics
- Industrial Optimisation
- Physics
- Chemistry
- BioChemistry
- Extractive Metallurgy
- Environmental Science
- Geology
Engineering
- Chemical
- Civil & Construction
- Electrical & Electronic communication
- Industrial & Systems
- Mechanical
- Mechatronic
- Petroleum
We connect you to the right student for your business by:
- Helping businesses define a project or role in the workplace that provides the student with an opportunity to apply discipline knowledge in a real workplace setting, in line with requirements under the Fair Work Act’s Vocational Placement Guidelines.
- Connecting employers to suitable students enrolled in a WIL unit as part of their course.
- Providing ongoing support to your business throughout the placement.
Placements can be unpaid with insurance covered by the university. We find that students in science and engineering disciplines are in high demand and many employers offer a paid placement.
What’s involved?
Students can be engaged for an internship or project to be completed at your workplace, virtually from home or in an on-campus group.
There are three key elements to consider when defining a Work Integrated Learning project:
- Students are available for placements of between 100 and 150 hours in line with their enrolled unit requirements. This can be completed either in a block or up to a few days per week over the course of a semester. Placements can start at any point during the year.
- The project must have a defined objective with a student learning outcome but should also encompass activities that a graduate would be expected to complete in that role.
- As this is primarily a learning experience for the student, they must have a workplace supervisor with knowledge or expertise in the area of the project. The supervisor must have the knowledge to guide the student through their project or day-to-day role accurately.
FAQs about the Work Integrated Learning program
How many hours of work are in the placement?
100 hours
By agreement, students can complete up to 150 hours – i.e. if a student is working on a specific project and the student wants to provide additional hours to complete their tasks.
What wages do we have to pay?
WIL placements can be unpaid as students are obtaining course credit as they are enrolled in a corresponding unit and the work experience contributes towards their unit requirements.
If you wish to pay the student for their placement, the student will need to be provided with an employment contract and the relevant award minimum rates would apply. You can speak with your human resources team or consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or Wageline for further advice. CCIWA Members can contact our Employee Relations Helpline on 08 9365 7660.
When can a WIL placement start?
Anytime!
Once you have found your WIL student, discuss when the placement will start, and agree on working hours.
Students are able to enrol in the WIL placement unit in semester one, semester two and summer school, allowing students the flexibility to work with you all year round.
How does the WIL placement benefit the student?
A WIL placement provides students with invaluable workplace experience, allowing them to enter the workforce with confidence once they graduate.
In addition, the WIL placement provides students with course credit (as an enrolled unit) towards their degree.
Can I employ the WIL student after their placement?
Absolutely!
The WIL program is a great opportunity for employers to identify future talent and we love to hear of students being offered permanent roles after (or even during!) their WIL placement.
Who is responsible for insuring the student during the WIL placement?
As the placement is part of students’ university courses, the university or educational institution is responsible for insuring the student. Our team will work with the university to confirm all the paperwork is taken care of.
What do we need to do to get a WIL student?
The process starts by speaking with one of our WIL advisers. Our team will identify with you the work that will be completed during the placement to confirm that it is consistent with the WIL program objectives. The WIL adviser will conduct a site evaluation and the university will require that you complete a due diligence review and sign a field work agreement. This ensures all legal and insurance matters are covered prior to a student commencing their placement.
The WIL adviser will interview potential students and only refer students to you that meet your specifications and are likely to be a good cultural fit. You will then interview the student(s) prior to the placement being confirmed.
During the placement, you will need to provide the student with appropriate work and supervision. On completion, you will be asked to complete a host appraisal form which will form part of the student’s assessment for the corresponding unit they are enrolled in.
When will the student be able to work their placement hours?
This is really up to you and the student to agree on.
Ultimately, how the hours are worked is up to your business requirements, ability to supervise, and the student’s availability.
For placements during semester one and two, most placements agree on 1-2 days per week, taking into consideration the student’s study schedule and other commitments.
For placements over the winter or summer break, students generally have more flexibility and are able to complete the WIL placement by working up to full-time hours in a block until the minimum 100 hours have been completed.
Can the WIL student work on site?
Yes.
As long as it works for the student’s schedule and commitments, site-based experience offers students great work experience and is fine to include in their placement.
Why would I want to take on a WIL student?
The WIL program offers great benefits to both the student and the employer.
For the employer, it is a good opportunity to gain insights into current training and development of students that are entering the workforce, as well as offering a fresh set of eyes to bring new perspectives to projects and workplaces.
You are also gaining early access to the talent pool emerging from university and are able to secure talent in your pipeline long before anyone else is able to meet with them.
What kind of supervision do I need to provide?
A WIL placement is a learning experience for students, so it is essential that they are working under the supervision of someone with knowledge, experience and skills in that area.
For instance, a business that needs a marketing project completed will need to have a marketing professional who will guide and support the student throughout their WIL placement.
What type of work does the student need to be working on?
Typically, WIL students complete a specific project or scope of work in line with their area of study.
A WIL placement is intended to provide students with an opportunity to learn more about their profession while they are still a student. The work they are asked to do needs to be consistent with that intention.
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Work Integrated Learning – Internships
Telephone: (08) 9365 7660
Email: [email protected]
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The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA) acknowledges the traditional custodians of Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past and present.
