In order to complete the required hours, students must understand they will be expected to work the hours of the industry and each individual employer will determine the hours which the student will work. This may include early starts, split shifts (i.e. 10am – 2pm & 5pm – 10pm on the one day) and evening work. Workplace learning activities are to take place during school term time as part of an ongoing educational program, except in the first and last week of each term.
The time allocated for lunch or dinner breaks is not to be included in the total number of hours worked. For example, you would need to work 9am – 4.30pm in order to take a half-hour lunch break, and fulfil the requirements of a seven-hour day. Students should negotiate meal breaks with the host and should be provided with a break appropriate to the hours worked. Employers are required by law to provide breaks after 5 hours work.
The activities which students are prohibited to perform are:
Serve alcohol
Use dangerous machinery
Air travel on charter flights and aircraft other than those providing a regular public transport service.
Travel by helicopter
Travel outside the 12 nautical mile limit at sea
Scuba and deep sea diving
Any work of a sexual or explicit nature
Attendance at abattoirs
Work on roofs or roof cavity
Work where asbestos is present
High risk construction work
Demolition sites
Excavation sites
Activities that require a license that a student does not hold.
Use certain construction machinery unless suitably trained, instructed and supervised
If you have any problems or questions please contact us.
The assessment of the student’s level of competency is monitored using a variety of formats, most commonly by means of a combination of the employer’s observations and report, which is completed at the end of the workplacement, and the teacher’s observations and assessment processes.
In the event of a student being injured or involved in an accident whilst at the workplace, or whilst travelling to or from it, appropriate first aid or emergency care procedures should be immediately sought. As soon as practicable the student’s teacher, South West Connect and the student’s parents / guardians should be notified.
The student will need to supply a School Accident Form which must be completed and forwarded to South West Connect and the school. Students must ensure correct information is completed on these forms for insurance purposes.
The following procedure should be followed where a student is injured during a placement, including travel to and from the place of work.
The student receives the necessary medical attention. Note: Students are volunteers, not employees, such claims SHOULD NOT be classified as Workers’ Compensation.
Contact the school and parents/ guardians immediately after Step 1.
The parent or caregiver claims upon his or her Medicare and / or private health fund.
The parent or caregiver then forwards to the school advice of the amounts not covered from health fund, together with supporting documents including accounts showing amounts paid by the health fund.
The principal should copy all documents and follow the procedures required by their school system for appropriate action.
What is the host’s role in workplacement?
The employer’s role is to identify potential workplace opportunities prior to the commencement of the students.
Ensure that employees understand the purpose of the workplace learning activity.
Provide students and their co-ordinator with details of arrangements for the first day.
Appoint an appropriate supervisor for the student.
Provide a safe working environment.
Negotiate a structured learning situation for the student.
Negotiate the outcomes to be addressed and the competencies that can be covered.
Plan a training program that addresses the outcomes and suggest the approximate time required.
Monitor the progress of the student.
Complete the employers’ section of the student’s workplacement booklet.
Communicate with the supervising teacher as necessary during the workplacement period.
Notify South West Connect if the students do not turn up when they are supposed to.
