The Department of Engineering’s unique Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program is designed to prepare the next generation of engineers for the workforce, and supply Victorian industries with a graduate pipeline and skilled workforce capability.
Students undertake a six-month placement with a company, learning on the job while simultaneously completing a capstone project. A $10,000+ industry-funded scholarship provides financial support.
The result: The Department of Engineering achieves 95% in overall employment outcomes for graduates, with 90% employment for regional students employed post-placement.
Read on to hear about the WIL experiences of some of our students.
Dasun Weerasinghe is a fourth-year Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) student at our Bundoora campus.
“I am undertaking my WIL with CMP Consulting Group Pty Ltd, an engineering consulting organisation with a specific focus on the water industry. I am involved in a range of work including helping with tendering processes, after-construction drawing updates, and structural and pipeline designs that comply with Australian standards. For my capstone project, I am working with the sustainability team, developing my knowledge about sustainability and carbon footprinting from an industry leader, Mandhy Senewiratne.”
My classroom study has equipped me with the knowledge I will need as an engineer. Now I am building on those skills in WIL, which has given me to opportunity to learn more about the engineering industry and what to expect. I work with people from different disciplines, and I have realised how important it is to be able to work in a team and communicate information accurately.
WIL is helping me transition from being a student to being an engineer. I am confident that my placement will make me more competitive when I join the workforce. I would like to continue to work as a civil engineer in the water industry when I graduate, and, one day, further upskill with postgraduate study.”
Elise Hor is in her final year of our Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Industrial) at our Bundoora campus.
“I am completing my WIL placement at A.G. Coombs in Moorabbin, building services specialists for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. My research project investigates how we can optimise current integrated prefabrication practices, and standardise design and manufacturing procedures for air conditioning units.
I have gained new skills and knowledge during my WIL placement, such as learning how to use different software, and I have been able to go on-site to see my work come to life.
Diving head-first into life as a professional engineer has been a fantastic experience, and one that will jump-start my career. I have enjoyed taking on new projects in collaboration with other companies and seeing satisfying results. I learn new things every day. And, industry professionals are by my side, every step of the way, to help guide and challenge me.
I am passionate about innovation, design and science, which is why I love engineering. It is a part of everything. It is a career which improves civilisation while also enabling new opportunities. I am looking forward to graduating and pursuing a career in this field.”
Lauren Ranisavljev is a fourth-year Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) student at our Bundoora campus.
“My WIL placement has been with Stantec, an engineering consultancy company based in Melbourne. I have been working alongside the water team where I have focused on wastewater treatment sites, and designing pipe works for existing services.
I have learned first-hand how essential it is to be able to communicate with clients, your team and your colleagues. It has also been a fantastic opportunity to network with a wide range of professionals in my field. I have enjoyed working in a team and going on-site to experience new and different aspects of engineering.
WIL has opened my eyes to what I want in my future career, and the steps I need to take to achieve it. I am excited to be returning to Stantec in 2022 as a graduate civil engineer.”
Matthew Peel is a fourth-year Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Industrial) student at our Bendigo campus.
“My placement is with Albury-based Milspec Manufacturing, where I am working in production support and design in both electrical and mechanical engineering. I have been part of a wide range of projects including defence subcontracts, infrastructure cabinetry and waste management.
My placement has provided me with invaluable professional experience in engineering. Because I have received hands-on feedback in these real-world projects, I have been able to hone the skills I have learned throughout my degree, like technical drawing and modelling. It has been very satisfying to see significant projects through to completion.
I have also discovered a real interest in the defence industry. Defence requires a high level of function and high manufacturing standards. I would like to continue working in this sector when I graduate.”
Find out more about our engineering degrees. Find out more about the Department of Engineering on our website and LinkedIn.
Watch the video below to learn more about our WIL program.
