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Industry-Based Learning (IBL) Program

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The Faculty of Business and Enterprise, through its accredited Bachelor of Commerce program, offers Industry-Based Learning (IBL) opportunities.

IBL is a well established program with well researched benefits for students and employers. Our program promotes partnerships between Swinburne and industry. We are committed to developing strong links with industry.

Our IBL program is unique in that it is selective and only high calibre students are accepted. The IBL placement experience is optional but all students are encouraged to participate if possible.

Our flexible IBL program offers employers the opportunity to source productive, motivated and enthusiastic students. We have a long and successful history of IBL and know how to make the program work for you.

Due to Australian government regulations, optional Industry-Based Learning is currently not available to international students.

1. Selection Criteria

  • In order to be eligible for IBL registration, students must have completed at least 50% of their program of study. Bachelor of Business students should have completed the equivalent of 12 units or 150 credit points, whilst Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Arts (Language) students will have completed 16 units or 200 credit points prior to registration. Students should note that in general employers prefer students who have completed at least 67% of their program of study.
  • Local students with a Pass average in the preceding semesters of study can register for IBL placements, but as a general rule, employers tend to prefer students with at least a 60% average.
  • Pathways students who meet the above conditions may register for IBL at any time, but must complete at least one semester of study with the FBE prior to commencing an IBL placement.
  • Students who are enrolled in Business subjects and whose Faculty has an accredited IBL program, may apply for an IBL placement in the Faculty of Business and Enterprise.
  • The availability of the program will depend on the number of industry placements available. Acceptance or an expression of interest in an IBL placement does not guarantee an industry placement.
  • Students, who have less than 4 subjects to complete in their degree/s, are not eligible to undertake an IBL placement.

2. Benefits of IBL

  • IBL provides students with six months' or one year's worth of work experience over other students upon graduation. It provides a competitive head start.
  • IBL assists in understanding and appreciating the complexity of the work environment.
  • IBL provides financial freedom through the opportunity to earn and save money.
  • IBL allows both technical and non technical skills to be developed
  • Academic performance often improves following the IBL experience
  • IBL provides the opportunity to experience particular areas of the chosen discipline to assist in:
    • Selection of final year subjects; and
    • Future career decisions

3. What assistance is provided by Swinburne?

  • Students selected onto the IBL program are assisted by the Professional Practice Office to find available industry positions. These positions are sourced by the Professional Practice office of the Faculty of Business and Enterprise and made available to all eligible IBL students.
  • The Faculty of Business and Enterprise will arrange IBL Employer sessions where students have the opportunity to hear about prospective IBL positions and the IBL experience.
  • The Faculty will provide opportunities for workshops on resume and cover letter writing and interview techniques.
  • The Faculty assigns an academic member of staff to each placed student. The staff member acts as a mentor to the student and will have regular contact with the student by means of telephone calls and visits to the student's workplace.

4. What is the cost of IBL?

Enrolment in the IBL program by submitting an expression of interest is at no cost to the student. Once a student receives an industry placement, their status changes and the General Service Fee is calculated accordingly. In addition, the IBL Student Contribution Fee is charged.

Students enrolling in an Industry Based Learning (IBL) unit will incur a Contribution Fee of:

  • $3,000 fee for a full year IBL placement or
  • $1,500 fee or a semester IBL placement

Part-time IBL placements for 12 months will incur a Contribution Fee of:

  • $1,800 fee for 3 days or less (per week) or
  • $3,000 fee for more than 3 days (per week)

Students eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP will be able to defer this fee through the HELP scheme.

The IBL Student Contribution Fee is not applicable for a student who undertakes an IBL placement overseas. No GSF applies when undertaking IBL overseas.

5. Assessment Criteria

Students, once placed, must enrol in the IBL subject for the Faculty of Business and Enterprise. This also applies to students enrolled in double degrees or degrees across two Faculties of Higher Education Division. The appropriate IBL course code is always the code of the Faculty that arranges the IBL placement.

Students on IBL placement are required to maintain a record of the type of work encountered, and their reflections on their personal and professional development. Students on placement must also submit written assessment. Students must achieve a grade of satisfactory on the report/s in order to obtain a Pass in the IBL subject. Assessment details are listed below.

The report/s must be submitted to the employer for endorsement prior to submission to the IBL Manager at Swinburne.

Diary and report guidelines are issued to each student before the placement commences.

6. Placement Information

IBL Enquiries

Mr Matt Leckie
Team Leader, Industry Engaged Learning
Partnerships & Industry Engaged Learning

T +61 3 9214 4705
F +61 3 9819 2117
mgleckie@swin.edu.au

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