Workplace Learning
Work Experience and Structured Workplace Learning
Students require access to a variety of workplace learning activities while they are still at school to assist in their development of a realistic understanding of the world of work. These include addressing employer expectations, developing employability skills, exploring possible career options, and activities aimed to increase their self-understanding, maturity, independence and self-confidence. Students can undertake workplace learning through work experience and structured work place learning.
Latest news
Revised guidelines (for students aged 14, and for all students aged 15+) have been developed to assist teachers in placing students in safe work experience arrangements. These update and supersede the previous document Guidelines for Work Experience Pupils Under 15 Years of Age in the Declared High Risk Industries.
Please see the following link for access to the documents: Occupational Health and Safety Resources
New Ministerial Orders have been made for Work Experience and Structured Workplace Learning, and all Arrangement Forms and employer guidelines have been updated.
- Ministerial Order 56 – Work Experience Arrangements, the Work Experience Arrangement Form and the Work Experience Employer Guidelines, see: Work Experience Manual, Legislation and Forms
- Ministerial Order 55 – Structured Workplace Learning Arrangements, the Structured Workplace Learning Arrangement Form and the Structured Workplace Learning Employer Guidelines, see: Structured Workplace Learning
Work Experience
Work experience is the short term placement of secondary school students with “host” employers, to provide insights into the industry and the work place in which they are located. Students are placed with employers primarily to observe and learn – not to undertake activities which require extensive training or experience.
For more information, see: Work experience
Structured workplace learning
Structured workplace learning involves students undertaking structured on the job training during which they are expected to master a designated set of skills and competencies related to courses accredited by the Victorian Qualifications Authority.
For more information, see: Structured workplace learning
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)
Schools are required to adequately prepare students for the risks and hazards they may face in the workplace. This page contains OH&S resources available to teachers to help prepare students for their placements, and links to guidelines, maps of recommended procedures and Hazards Fact Sheets. For more information, see: Occupational Health and Safety Resources
Resources for parents, students & employers
Links to information prepared specifically for parents, students and employers on workplace learning for school students in Victoria: Resources for parents, students & employers
safe@work
safe@work, is a web-based occupational health and safety program developed by the Department of Education that all work experience students have to complete before placement. This program will assist students in their preparation for work experience and increase their awareness of occupational health and safety in the workplace.
For more information, see: safe@work or safe@work User Guide