Developing the workforce of the future

Employers participating in work integrated learning programs find the benefits run both ways.

Work integrated learning (WIL) provides opportunities for higher education students to apply the theory and skills they learn at university in a workplace. For students, the experience is invaluable and plays an important role in their preparation for the work force. For employers, the experience goes beyond altruistic outcomes; the student can – and often does – add demonstrable value to workplaces in small, medium and large businesses.

Partnership with La Trobe University

VECCI and La Trobe University are working together to promote Work Integrated Learning across Victoria. Visit La Trobe University to find out more.

Download the Work Integrated Learning Brochure 2011 document.

Case Study: WIL leads to great business outcomes

Careful planning leads to great outcomes for Shepparton employer and student.

When the Greater Shepparton City Council trialled a new workplace integrated learning (WIL) initiative from La Trobe University, it fi rst worked closely with the university to develop the project and set boundaries and methodologies that the student would work with. The project they agreed was one where the student, Geraldine Christou (who is completing a Bachelor of Business at La Trobe University’s Shepparton campus and is also an employee of the Council), would conduct a 12-week review of the decision-making processes around annual budgeting. It involved observing and working with the most senior executives of the Council, sitting in meetings with councillors and discussing strategically important matters such as rate rises and debt levels. The review also examined how the information then cascaded through the organisation to other levels.

WIL programs are available at all Victorian campuses: Albury/ Wodonga, Bendigo, Mildura, Shepparton and Melbourne.

Download the WIL Case Study - LA TROBE Victoria document.

Case Study: Find local talent through WIL

A commitment to employ locals is a tightly held business philosophy of environmental services firm, VDM Consulting, EcOz.

VDM Consulting, EcOz is based in the Northern Territory and has long recognised the importance of employing experienced local staff with fi rst hand knowledge of the region. The firm has extended this philosophy to its work integrated learning (WIL) student placement experience.

Download the WIL Case Study - CDU Northern Territory document.

Case Study: Create a new business line with WIL

 A student placement led to a new business line at Comunet.

When Damien Coyle fi rst walked into Adelaide-based IT services firm Comunet seven years ago to commence a work integrated learning (WIL) placement, he couldn’t have imagined where it would take him and, Comunet.

“While I was keen to impress, more than anything I wanted my project to be useful for the business,” Damien explained.

Download the WIL Case Study - FLINDERS South Australia document.

Case Study: Water-loving student's passion matches the business

DHI looks for local water-loving students for work placements.

Greg Stuart wasn’t joking when he claimed his staff love all water. “Our staff love the work they do and are very passionate about water, beaches, rivers, even sewers!” said Greg, whose job as Gold Coast Office Manager for DHI Water and Environment exposes him to more H2O than most people see in a lifetime.

Download the WIL Case Study - GRIFFITH Queensland document.

Case Study: WIL students learn all aspects of the business

Student learns all aspects of Yorkeys Knob Boating Club.

At Yorkeys Knob Boating Club at Half Moon Bay, 18kms northwest of Cairns, a student from James Cook University recently had, by most people’s measure, a work integrated learning (WIL) placement that others could only dream of. However the General Manager of the club, Stuart Vella, is quick to dispel any romantic notions that glamorise the hospitality and tourism sectors – even when the work is set against the sparkling backdrop of an endlessly beautiful Coral Sea.

Download the WIL Case Study - JCU Queensland document.

Case Study: "WIL students are fresh and energetic"

WorleyParsons welcomes WIL students without limitations.

One of the more interesting reasons engineering and resources services firm WorleyParsons cited for participating in work integrated learning (WIL), was a student’s ability to think freely. “WorleyParsons has a rich entrepreneurial history and from this we encourage a fresh, energetic outlook in the workplace,” said Warrick Kent, the firm’s Graduate Development Advisor. “As WIL students generally do not have prior work experience they are not inhibited by corporate norms; this enables them to see the potential difference they can make in the workplace,” he added.

Download the WIL Case Study - MURDOCH document.

Case Study: WIL students lighten the load

WIL student lightens the load at Lovedale Long Lunch.

The Lovedale Long Lunch has been a fixture on the calendar of food and wine lovers since its inception in 2002. It now attracts 20,000 guests to the New South Wales Hunter Valley wine region for a weekend of art, music, food and wine. The festival grows in popularity each year, however success can sometimes strain resources and for the 2010 Lovedale Long Lunch, organisers sought assistance from The University of Newcastle’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program.

Download the WIL Case Study - NEWCASTLE document.