Work Integrated LearningFaculty of Business and Law

2 3deakin.edu.au/buslaw/wil

The Faculty of Business and Law at Deakin University offers a range of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units designed to enhance our courses and maximise the employability of our students.

We also encourage our students to develop a broader understanding of the communities in which they work and live. WIL provides students with an opportunity to develop real-world professional skills required by employers, along with broader workplace ready attributes.

Deakin recognises the transition from university life to being an active and productive employee is a significant one. Our WIL programs seek to improve and expedite that transition, for the benefit of both employers and graduates.

Employers often report that, although students are professionally and technically sound, the development of workplace learning and ‘soft-skills’ needs to take place for a successful transition from graduate to work-ready and productive employee. By experiencing work culture and expectations first hand, students can complete their studies mindful of how theoretical learnings apply in the modern workplace.

Deakin has developed a range of options to suit almost any organisation. We have programs ranging from general skills to industry specific knowledge relevant to your profession. The programs cover both unpaid and paid options.

These opportunities are offered to students as a credit toward their degree or postgraduate qualification. The student must complete assessment tasks, which explore and recognise their understanding and interpretation of the work opportunity they have experienced. Students are encouraged to source their own opportunities.

We believe this is an important part of making our students ready for the job market upon graduation.

Work Integrated Learning

Business Internships / PracticumShort-term supervised roles (100-160 hours) allowing the student to experience first-hand how their theoretical learnings relate to real life work. These may be paid or unpaid, but must be undertaken in role relevant to their study in organisations with more than 5 employees. Available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Community Based VolunteeringOpportunities are undertaken with Not-for-Profit organisations. These are unpaid and not necessarily related to the student’s course of study. The aim of volunteering is to foster broader community understanding and social responsibility in our students.

Industry Based LearningArrangements are more formal and generally negotiated with or by the Faculty. These opportunities are only available to senior students who will work full-time in paid positions for between 3 and 12 months in roles directly related to their studies and graduate aspirations.

Team Based LearningIndustry problems, social enterprise challenges or competitions completed by small groups of students either on campus or in the host organisation.

Work Based LearningEnables students already in paid employment for 18 or more hours per week to add value to their current workplace by undertaking to solve an organisational problem.

WIL options

4 deakin.edu.au/buslaw/wil Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

By hosting a Deakin student your organisation will benefit from:

• The assistance of a motivated student whobrings the latest theory, techniques and newideas to your organisation.

• Support of WIL staff and promotion of yourorganisation to students and the wider Deakincommunity.

• Reduced or no cost contribution, depending onthe WIL program selected.

• Access to students, and an opportunity to seethem perform within your organisation prior tothem entering the job market

• at the end of their course.• Students available to assist on special projects.• A strategic partnership with Deakin University

and the Faculty of Business and Law.

‘I have been involved with the Industry Based Learning (IBL) Program with Deakin University for a number of years. The experience has been rewarding as it has enabled me to work with students that are not only professional, enthusiastic and passionate but also critical thinkers. Having a dedicated resource provides me with the ability to become more efficient and achieve business goals.’

IBM Australia

Do I need to pay the student? Not always. Under the Community Based Volunteering and Business Internship/Practicum models you can have a student work in an unpaid role. Unpaid roles are between 100 – 160 hours. The student receives credit toward their course which is considered appropriate compensation for unpaid work. Your organisation may also offer paid internships.

The Industry Based Learning model may be more appropriate for you if you are looking for a longer term arrangement. These are negotiated and approved for periods of either 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, and are undertaken as full-time paid positions where normal working conditions apply.

What if the student works more than the prescribed hours?Unpaid work is strictly limited to a maximum of 160 hours, for which the student is eligible for academic credit. Any additional hours should be considered a work arrangement between your organisation and the student in a private capacity.

What about insurance?In any unpaid position, either Community Based Volunteering or Business Internship, Deakin University’s insurance will cover students on approved placements.

What about Fairwork Australia?The Fairwork Act 2009 includes provisions aimed at protecting students from exploitation. In short, the Act prevents students being used as ‘free labour’, an issue that has historically concerned employers and universities alike. The Act contains a ‘vocational placement exemption’ allowing students to undertake some unpaid work as part of their university qualifications. More information is available at: fairwork.gov.au/pay/student-placement-and-unpaid-work/pages/default.aspx.

Where the student is participating in a University approved opportunity not exceeding the agreed hours, this is avalid work opportunity in line with the legislation.

Confidentiality disclosuresIt may be reasonable to ask the student to sign a confidentiality agreement based on the nature of your business, and the work they will undertake. Deakin is very familiar with issues of confidentiality, and the protection of intellectual property. It is an area our researchers operate in on a daily basis.

If you have concerns around non-disclosure or confidentiality arrangements please contact the Faculty, as we believe these can be simply and quickly resolved.

Frequently asked questions