WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING

INSERT RELEVANT SCHOOL INFORMATION

INCLUDING CONTACT DETAILS

Thursday, September 27, 2018

RE: <insert student name> [RMIT ID: <insert student number>]

Dear <contact name>,

Students of the <name of program> program at RMIT University are required to complete a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) activity <of a minimum X hours (delete if not applicable)> as part of their vocational learning development. <Initial research, contact and negotiation with potential host organisations are the responsibility of each student, and it is expected that they will have targeted their applications accordingly. (delete if not applicable)

This WIL activity will require students to articulate their professional and personal development goals with clear evidence of progress and feedback from self, peers and their academic and workplace supervisors.

As host organisations needs vary, we are flexible about the type of work given to our students, but it must relate to the program material in some way. Duties should be agreed upon by the host organisation and RMIT before the WIL activity commences. Students must be able to apply discipline-specific knowledge and skills in a work context. Such skills may include:

<Provide a list of skills that students develop in the course of their studies in the program.>

<List as many as are appropriate.>

<They should all be skills that students would reasonably expect to practise in a professional situation, both general and specific.>

The duration of the WIL activity may be arranged in a way that best suits both student and host organisation. It may be that the student works for <X weeks full-time>, or one day per week for several months, or so on. We are willing to accept any arrangement that fulfills the <X-hour> requirement.

Students within the program are <background of program students> and will have considerable skills in <program-related skills and aptitudes>. Our students are eager to develop their <industry or community>-related skills by working with established colleagues in the <industry or community>. In so doing, they will add considerably to their work-related knowledge and experience.

As a participating host organisation, you will benefit by gaining an additional member of your workplace and their contribution to your workplace projects to add value to the work of your organisation. Each WIL activity will also help to build the important relationship between partner organisations, students and academic staff at RMIT University.

Workplace supervisor

We ask that a member of your organisation act as a supervisor to the student when undertaking a WIL activity. This role involves acting as a mentor to the student, offering appropriate support and guidance to facilitate a successful outcome to the WIL activity for the organisation and the student. This includes:

  • advising the student of your organisation’s OH&S requirements, and discussing your equal opportunity and other related policies with the student
  • providing performance feedback to the student throughout the placement
  • informing other employees about the student, and the reason and purpose of the placement
  • contacting the RMIT course coordinator if any issues arise involving the student
  • participating in student evaluations and feedback, as required.

Course coordinators from RMIT will work with the workplace supervisor to explain and facilitate this process.

Insurance

All WIL activities require insurance coverage. The exact type of insurance coverage will vary depending on whether the WIL activity is Higher Education or TAFE and paid or unpaid. The course coordinator from RMIT will be able to more fully explain the specifics of the insurance coverage.

Student wages on a WIL activity

The Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act) requires that students are paid at least the minimum wage for work experience undertaken within organisations unless the work is undertaken as a vocational placement or is classified as voluntary work.

For a WIL activity to meet the requirements of a ‘vocational placement’, it must be undertaken as part of a subject or a course or alternatively, be classified as voluntary work. The consequences of an unpaid WIL activity not falling within these exemptions under the Act is that the student is deemed to be an employee and is legally entitled to at least the minimum wage.

The course coordinator from RMIT will be able to assist and guide you in terms of payment for the specific program discipline and WIL activity. Host organisations are also encouraged to review the guidelines around unpaid internships and work experience to structure their internships appropriately. Information is available at:

RMIT contact

The course coordinator for WIL activities in our program is: <name of supervisor>. You may reach me at <contact details> should you have any further queries.

Yours sincerely,

<Your name>

<position>

<contact details>

Document: Proof of enrolment lettert.docx
Author: Natalie Colton
Save Date: 25/11/2013
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