Services to business

Practical Learning in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law

La Trobe University’s Strategic Plan and the Faculty Operational Plan supports the delivery of learning that engages students in the real world and allows them to link learning achieved at university with real world problems and challenges.

Professional accrediting and non-accrediting bodies also endorse the need for such learning as a way to better prepare students for the work force they will enter upon graduation.

The Faculty offers a variety of practical learning opportunities to students designed to give them a competitive edge on the job market. These are classified as Work Integrated Learning (WIL) or Experience Based Learning opportunities (EBL).

Benefits of WIL and Experience Based Learning

Employers have been calling for university graduates to be more work ready for many years. By participating in WIL or Experience Based Learning activities, industry partners can take an active role in the development of well rounded graduates and suitable future employees.

Other benefits for employers include:

  • Lifting company profile amongst a targeted student cohort – become an employer of choice
  • Promoting employment opportunities to a targeted student cohort
  • Recruiting pathway – opportunity to trial a potential employee without obligation
  • Introducing new project tasks that have previously not been introduced due to staffing resources 
  • Providing existing staff with opportunity for professional development via mentoring a student
  • Opportunity to bring fresh ideas into the team, offering a different perspective
  • Developing pathways with La Trobe University, involvement in the development of university curriculum
  • Developing a pool of future recruits
  • Cost effective method of delivering project / business solutions
  • Completing existing project tasks that have previously not been completed due to staffing resources

Expectations of employers

Expectations will differ depending on whether industry partners are participating in Work Integrated Learning or Experience Based Learning activities with the Faculty.

However, one factor will always remain constant – all activities need to provide a meaningful learning experience to students by using real-world industry problems and examples that are relevant to the specific field of study.

Expectations

  • Orientation session prior to placement
  • Specific project brief/clear direction 
  • Industry standard projects
  • Adequate supervision, guidance and mentoring  
  • Regular feedback to students on their performance
  • Suitable workspace and equipment for students to do their best work and achieve optimal results
  • A workplace that meets OH & S standards
  • Recognition that quality students will come from a variety of backgrounds – i.e. local/international students, mature age students, part time/full time study load – and be open to the knowledge and experiences all cohorts can bring to the organisation 
  • Support site visits from Subject or WIL Coordinators where requested
  • Keep Subject or WIL Coordinators informed of any issues that arise during placement 

Insurance

La Trobe University annually renews an insurance policy which covers students who are on unpaid placements.  Industry partners who wish to pay students for their WIL activities should be aware the student will then need to be covered under the organisational insurance policy.

The Information for Prospective Employers for Students on Work Placement document will explain what kind of insurance coverage is provided.

The WIL or Subject Coordinator will ensure the relevant paperwork is completed, with copies sent to the employer for their records. The insurance process is not time consuming, generally all that is required of employers is a signature.

Industry Partners

Our students engage in WIL and Authentic Learning activities with business, government and the not-for-profit sector.  

Organisations who have been involved with the Faculty: 

 

Accounting

Event Management

Human Resources Management

Logistics

Management

Marketing

Sport Management

Tourism and Hospitality Management

How you can be involved

Practicum Subjects

Practicum subjects  involve students spending a defined amount of time within a workplace for  educational purposes i.e. students will be expected to complete assessment  based on their experience in the workplace. And will generally spend between  150 – 200 hours in the workplace. The Faculty offers a broad range of practicum  options to students. Involvement in practicum subjects can be a cost effective  method of delivering business solutions.                         

Industry Projects                

An industry project  will have a set timeline in which to complete a task. Ultimately, students will  utilize skills around planning, organising and managing resources within a  practical business setting working on a project related to the discipline of  study. Many organisations are able to introduce new projects and complete  existing projects with the added student resource. Time spent on industry  projects may vary and is as negotiated between student and host.            

Internships                 

An internship enables  a student to be placed in a workplace as a temporary and supervised employee,  receiving on the job training within their chosen profession while still  attending university. Internships will usually be completed in block mode (5  days per week) over the period of a few months. Depending on the workplace,  internships may be paid or unpaid. Internships are a great way to introduce  fresh ideas into the team. Internships are increasingly resulting in ongoing  employment arrangements between students and industry partners.          

Mentoring/Shadowing                 

Experience, skills and  a desire to help are among the most valuable assets in a mentoring relationship  rather than age or title.  Mentoring in  business organisations can be an informal or formal process. Mentoring a  student provides existing staff with a significant professional development  opportunity.          

Guest Lectures                  

Normally guest  lectures are chosen because they are considered an expert in their field. Guest  lecturing brings added knowledge and a different perspective to the discipline;  it provides another dimension to lectures or tutorials, enhancing the student  experience. Providing your services as a guest lecturer is a very cost effective way to lift company profile amongst a targeted group of students.              

Field Visits                 

Field visits allow  students to observe and ask questions of professional and industry  practitioners in the work place i.e. this allows students to participate in an experience  based learning activity that links theory with practice. It also provides a  link between the student and the profession that is not available in the class  room. Field visits allow the organisation to promote employment opportunities  to a relevant student cohort.              

Other                

We are open to your  suggestions!  Please let us know if there  are other ways you would like to engage with students from the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law.              

Available study areas

  •               
  • Accounting    
  • Business       
  • Economics      
  • Event  Management   
  • Finance  
  • Human Resources  Management         
  • Law               
  • Logistics           
  • Management               
  • Management Information Systems          
  • Marketing                
  • Sports Management
  • Tourism & Hospitality Management          
 

Contact the Work Integrated Learning Team for more information or complete the  Industry Engagement Form [DOC 390KB]

 

Discipline area contacts

Marnie Long

Accounting, Hospitality Management, Tourism Management, Sport Management, Event Management 

Work Integrated Learning Coordinator 

Gail Quirk

Law, Marketing, HRM, Management, Finance, Economics 

Work Integrated Learning Coordinator 

Work Integrated Learning Industry FAQ’s

How much time do I need to commit to WIL?

Your time commitment to WIL is  dependent on the subject area you would like to be involved with - different  subjects will have different time requirements. The amount of time students  spend in the workplace can range from 25 hours to 200 hours and many more for  structured internships where students will work 5 days per week for 2 – 3 months.

There will be some reporting,  supervising and mentoring requirements for all student placements, although  this will be minimal. It is not expected that students will need to be  supervised throughout the entire duration of their placement. The involvement  of staff from your organisation will vary depending on the project/work that is  set for students to complete. These terms will be discussed with you and agreed  upon prior to the placement of students within your organisation.

Keep in mind that we  can customise WIL to your requirements, for more information contact a member  of the WIL team.

Am I expected to remunerate students for their services?

No. It is a condition of coverage via the  La Trobe University insurance policy that students are not to receive payment  for services rendered whilst on placement. This is regardless of whether the  placement is undertaken as part of a course or has been independently arranged  by the student. However, should you wish to remunerate students, you will need  to acknowledge acceptance (in writing) that student activities will be covered  by your organisations insurance. I.e. A separate employment contract will need  to be entered into directly with the student.

What types of organisations participate?

All types of organisations can benefit  from participation in WIL. Currently a wide range of not for profit,  government, corporate industry, small/large and local/international companies  are participating in WIL activities with the Faculty. All that is required is  the identification of a suitable project for students to work on (that is up to  industry standards and related to the appropriate field of study). We  understand that staff resources are often stretched as is designated office space however, at minimum a staff member to act as a mentor will be required.  

If office space is not available students can work off site.

When are students able to undertake WIL?

Generally  placements will occur within the academic calendar if they are undertaken as  part of a course.

  • Summer School, early  January – mid February
  • Semester 1, late  February – early June
  • Winter School, July,  and
  • Semester 2, late July  – late October

However,  the Faculty is able to accommodate placements that run outside these times,  such as summer internships. Employers are advised to contact the Subject or WIL  Coordinator should the placement need to run outside these time frames.

Students organising  their own placements (not as part of their studies) are free to undertake work  placement at any time.          

Who determines what the duties are while students are on placement?            

You do!  However, the scope of the project will need to be approved by the student’s  Subject Coordinator to ensure that it fits with the overall academic  expectations of the placement. It is expected that any work allocated is  industry standard.      

Are students expected to undertake any assessment related to placement?             

If the  placement is undertaken as part of a student’s course there will be some form  of assessment attached. The student should discuss any relevant assessment with  you prior to the commencement of placement. This will assist in the allocation  of relevant duties.            

What support do students receive from the Faculty while on placement?             

Where possible either the Subject or WIL Coordinator will visit  students during their placement. You can help facilitate this process by encouraging  students to arrange the on-site meeting which will also provide a good  opportunity for you to give feedback to the university on student progress and  suggestions for future improvement of the placement program.         

Coordinators  will also be available to assist students via email, phone or at scheduled  meeting times to provide other support as required. E.g. provide guidance to  assist students in meeting project goals set by the industry partner.        

What obligations do I have to a student who is not meeting expectations?           

Students should be provided with constructive feedback  and guidance in the same manner as paid employees who are underperforming. You should  also be aware that support from the Faculty for both students and industry  partners is also available should difficulties with students arise. We take our  partnership with you seriously and will act quickly if a student is not  performing to our shared expectations.           

Does the organisation have a say regarding who is selected for placement?           

Selection  of candidates for placement depends on the subject for which the placement is  arranged. Some Subject Coordinators will involve industry partners in the  process while others will conduct their own application and interview process  and match students up to industry partners. In other instances the industry  partner will be given the opportunity to manage all aspects of the selection  process.           

Please  let us know your desired level of involvement.          

What happens if we want the student to continue working for us after the placement has finished?            

A growing  number of students gain graduate employment as a result of their WIL placements. Once students complete their program requirements in relation to WIL, you are free to negotiate any future arrangements directly with students. Some students continue full time with their WIL industry  partner and apply to complete their degree on a part time basis. Others may  work part time while completing their studies, while others still, return to  full time study with the promise of graduate work after completing final year.