Industry-Based
Learning Frequently Asked Questions
Is Industry-Based
Learning paid, and at what rate?
An important feature of IBL is the fact that it is paid at a rate appropriate
to the level of duties being undertaken in the placement. For most positions
the salary offered is around 70% of a graduate salary in that sector
or job. There are variations to this in individual disciplines and industry
sections.
Is it full-time?
Placements are usually offered as full-time positions.
How long is a placement?
Placements are usually offered for either 6 or 12 months. In some courses
a total of 12 months is required for recognition?
Can I be placed overseas?
Students are encouraged to undertake overseas placements where these
are available. The number of available placements is likely to increase
as more links with overseas University partners are developed.
Where are placements offered in Australia?
Placements are offered by employers in the Melbourne Central Business
District, metropolitan and country areas of Victoria. Places may be
offered interstate.
What types of organisations participate?
IBL is offered in a wide variety of organisations including the Government
and Non-Government sectors, small to large companies and local and international
companies.
Who determines what my duties are while on placement?
The host organization usually provides a position description or duty
statement outlining the nature of work to be undertaken while in the
position. Positions are related to an area of study or discipline.
Who determines whether a prospective placement is appropriate and meets
IBL requirements?
The IBL Coordinator for each course will confirm whether a job offered
by an employer is appropriate.
Can I expect a formal employment contract?
In many cases, IBL employers prepare contracts that are signed by the
participating student and employer. In other cases, letters of employment
offers are consistent with those normally issued to new employees in
the organisation.
Who usually finds the IBL placement?
Most are found by the Course IBL coordinators.
Can I find my own position?
Yes. Where students have ideas about or contacts for specific organizations
that may be deemed appropriate as host employers, students are required
to discuss this with their IBL coordinators before contacting any organizations.
Do all eligible students who want an IBL placement get one?
There are generally no guarantees of placements for all eligible students,
but every effort is made to place them.
When can I participate in IBL?
IBL is usually taken in the year prior to the final year of study. This
ensures that IBL students have the skills appropriate to the tasks being
set and that they have a chance to apply knowledge and skills learned
at University to practical situations. Study undertaken in the final
year is usually enhanced by the IBL experience.
Can I do IBL after I finish my studies?
No
Can I continue to study part-time while on placement?
In some courses, approval may be obtained to study one (or more) subjects
whilst on placement.
What support can I expect from the University while on placement?
Students on placement are allocated a Swinburne Supervisor by the University.
They will visit the students at their workplace and support them as
necessary. IBL coordinators are also available to discuss referred matters
should this be required.
Can any Swinburne student participate in IBL?
In most courses, entry into the IBL program has certain eligibility
requirements determined by the Faculty or Division. These are usually
based on academic results. At present students on temporary residence
visas are unable to undertake IBL placements in Australia, due to current
policies of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
International students may be able to undertake placements in their
home country, or elsewhere overseas.
What happens when I finish IBL?
Upon completion of a placement, students are normally expected to return
to complete their academic studies. Sometimes, where students are offered
further employment, (full or part-time) by their IBL host employer,
study may be completed part-time. This is negotiated between the student
and employer and is quite separate from the IBL placement. How part-time
study is arranged, is determined by University policy and provisions
relating to part-time study.
Is IBL a subject?
Yes, IBL has a subject code within the University which gives it subject
status, although in most cases it will not constitute one of the subjects
compulsorily required to complete a course. An IBL subject is passed/failed
based upon assessment and recorded in a student's statement of results.
Generally IBL is not a compulsory requirement for the completion of
the course.
Am I required by the University to undertake any assessable work whilst
on an IBL placement?
Yes. Satisfactory completion of IBL is subject to assessable tasks being
completed.
What University charges apply while on placement?
At present, there are no HECS fees for IBL. Students are required to
pay a reduced (part-time) General Service Fee.
What official recognition does the University
give to IBL?
A student who satisfactorily completes the IBL requirements will get
acknowledgment on their testamur when they graduate. IBL results are
also noted on students' statement of result at the end of the IBL year
acknowledging the satisfactory completion of IBL for that course.
Please Note:
Employer Responsibilities
- Provide and maintain
a working environment that is safe and without risk to health in accordance
with legislation.
- Maintain a challenging
work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment
and related victimisation.
Responsibilities
of Swinburne University of Technology
- Assist (facilitate)
students to find a workplace where students are not exposed to unlawful
discrimination, harassment, victimisation or health and safety risks
arising from the Industry-Based Learning placement.
Student Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities - during the Industry-Based Learning placement:
- Immediately notify
the Industry-Based Learning coordinator of any concerns in relation
to discrimination or harassment in the workplace.
- Co-operate with
the host employer with respect to action taken to ensure the health
and safety or welfare of any person at the workplace.
- Remain in your
Industry-Based Learning placement, withdrawing only after consultation
with, or approval from, your Industry-Based Learning Co-ordinator
unless the issue involves an immediate threat to your health and safety.
