Structured Workplace Learning Forum Western Local Community Partnership “Facilitation of SWL”

Why a Structured Workplace Learning Forum  Western Local Community Partnership (Western LCP) is funded to facilitate quality Structured Workplace Learning (SWL)  Based on Western LCP’s Structured Workplace Learning survey (2006) schools requested professional development on work readiness and industry engagement

Western LCP is focusing on: a) Providing resources for co-ordinators and teachers in preparing students for workplacement

Resources & preparation  A project officer for the following Local Government Areas: - Mooney Valley (Maria Cox) - Hobsons Bay (Greg Young) - Maribyrnong(Tricia Fidler) - Wyndham (Boyd Maplestone) - Brimbank(Dave Collett) - Melton Shire(Tania Sacco)

Resources & preparation  Classroom activities assisting students work readiness  Log books (VET subjects)  Websites  Act as a bank of information on workreadiness resources

Resources & preparation  Access to industry via Western LCP’s SWL website  Project officers can facilitate guest speakers  Project officers can facilitate industry visits  Regular electronic updates on employers wanting to engage with schools in relation to workplacement, guest speaking, site visits, apprenticeships/traineeships and industry-school projects

Western LCP is focusing on: b) Working with industry/employers to support quality SWL

Working with industry to support quality SWL  RICA - developing partnerships with large businesses and industry across the west metropolitan area  LCP – continuing to develop partnerships with local and medium sized businesses to support SWL and other school-industry engagement opportunities

Western LCP is focusing on: c) Facilitating training to groups of teachers on websites supporting workreadiness or industry engagement

Training for teachers  Western LCP project officers can provide training to groups of teachers on the following: –Western LCP’s SWL website – access, navigation and administration roles –Careers & work readiness websites (e.g. My Future etc.) –Workreadiness activities and resources for the classroom

Western LCP is focusing on: d) Providing forums for sharing work readiness activities from teachers across the Western Region

Forum & Workshops  Sunshine – 3 workshops at Western LCP office  Wyndham – 1 workshop in VCAL co-ordinators network meeting  Melton – 1 workshop in VET co-ordinators network meeting or earlier if requested

New criteria – what does this mean?  8 weeks notice after teacher approves on website  1 placement per student, per year  Workplacements can only be 1 week, 2 week blocks or one day a week for 8 weeks  Students can have up to 5 requests for placements  Year 10 & 11 only, no Year 12 students

Summary & Questions  Emphasis on quality SWL and partnerships  Western LCP focus on facilitating workreadiness and workplacement  New criteria for accessing Western LCP SWL