Work Integrated Learning Policy

PURPOSE

This policy outlines Leaders Institute’s (LI) approach to Work Integrated Learning (WIL).

SCOPE

All staff and students

PRINCIPLES

WIL is an intentional, organised, supervised and assessed component of a course that integrates theoretical learning with its application in a real-world workplace. This can include practicums, internships, clinical placements, fieldwork, and cooperative education. LI ensures that its WIL program:

• benefits students with respect to career development, graduate attributes, and outcomes;

• includes monitoring, supervision, and performance assessment of students;

• engages positively with industry as a resource for sustaining the relevance of award curricula, academic staff currency of practice, and brand reputation;

• is delivered through approved facilities and infrastructure to support student success, including diversity and equity considerations;

• is an assessable element of relevant courses;

• is designed and delivered with respect to disciplinary and industry requirements, as well as reasonable limits of resource capacity to ensure the feasibility and sustainability;

• meets ethical and legal requirements regarding the safety and wellbeing of students, academic staff, host organisations, and the public.

Agreements

WIL agreements are underpinned by a due diligence assessment to ensure compliance with all relevant legislative requirements:

• Student Placement Agreement will be signed between LI and the student;

• Placement Partner Agreement will be signed between LI and the host organisation. The Program Director will monitor WIL activities and the outcomes for students’ including transferable skills and work-readiness as an element of the WIL quality review program. The findings will be used to inform changes to academic processes relating to WIL activities;

• both LI and the host organisation must have professional liability and indemnity insurance for WIL programs.

  
  

PROCEDURES

Application

To be approved for a WIL program, students will apply using the documentation provided for the relevant unit. Typically, a student should have negotiated with their potential placement organisation prior to submitting documentation. The WIL program will only become formal when the documents have been fulfilled satisfactorily and have been approved by the relevant Program Director.

Engagement with Host Organisation

When a potential WIL opportunity is identified, an initial assessment is undertaken by the Program Director to ensure it meets all regulatory, equitable, and quality assurance requirements. LI then organises the WIL arrangement, including effective communication between the student, host organisation, and relevant LI staff. The Program Director will ensure that the host supervisor is adequately briefed regarding learning outcomes, requirements, and expectations, including attendance, participation, and relevant policy documentation. Students must be appropriately and adequately insured while undertaking a WIL program.

Workplace Health and Safety

LI ensures that the host organisation has appropriate WHS risk management systems and strategies in place. LI’s standard agreement for WIL and fieldwork outlines the obligations and expectations of the host organisation.

The student is responsible for immediately notifying their Supervisor (LI and/or host) if they have any concerns regarding workplace health and safety compliance, or in the instance of an incident, injury, or illness. The Program Director and student are responsible for ensuring that an online Injury, Illness, and Incident Report is lodged as soon as possible.

LI will ensure that students understand:

• the learning objectives, including outcomes, assessment, and attendance requirements; 

• circumstances under which a student may be considered to have failed an assessment;

• how to arrange reasonable diversity and equity adjustments;

• any applicable obligations relating to confidentiality; 

• circumstances under which WIL or fieldwork may be terminated by any party;

• who to contact should the student have any concerns; and

• relevant policies and procedures.

Supervision, Assessment, and Reporting

Assessment of WIL learning outcomes must be conducted by the Program Director in conjunction with the host supervisor. Where host supervisors provide feedback on performance of students, they must be briefed on academic assessment standards that apply to the assessment type. The Program Director is responsible for ensuring that the assessment is undertaken in accordance with Student Assessment Policy and the relevant marking rubric.

The host supervisor and the LI Program Director will conduct regular feedback sessions with the student, including written feedback addressing relevant criteria, and alert LI as soon as possible should a student’s performance be unsatisfactory. All WIL records are captured in an approved records management system.

Students who wish to lodge a complaint, grievance, or appeal should follow the Complaints, Grievances, and Appeals Policy.