Employers are looking for graduates with work experience who can quickly play a significant role and help the organisation achieve its objectives. Undertaking a work placement component as part of your UniSC degree helps you prepare to meet these expectations.

Workplace Learning (WPL) is an elective course that provides a valuable transition from university to your professional life. WPL provides an opportunity for students in the final year of their program to obtain academic credit for a course at university at the same time as gaining valuable experience in the workplace. WPL provides the opportunity to put theory into practice, develop a range of essential skills sought by employers, establish a work history and create networking contacts.

Opportunities

Students undertake a diverse range of placements according to their program, career path and interests. Placements may be undertaken either locally, interstate or overseas according to your program and placement availability.

Placements are available in the following areas:

• Science, Animal Ecology, Environmental Science and Environmental Management
• Information Technology and Computer Science

Visit Managing your progression for instructions on how to check whether you have room in your program for a WPL course.

Science, Animal Ecology, Environmental Science and Environmental Management

A work placement presents a valuable opportunity to gain essential practical experience for your future career or further studies. This transformative workplace learning internship allows you to apply diverse knowledge and develop skills such as laboratory techniques, data analysis, fieldwork, and research design. Ultimately, it enhances your employability and paves the way for a successful career. Science placements are based upon your major, career path or interests. Animal ecology, environmental science, and environmental management placements can range from regional and state government departments, community groups, mining companies, and consultancies to animal rehabilitation. Students are required to seek their own host organisation.

Information Technology and Computer Science

A workplace learning internship in Information Technology and Computer Science is a pivotal opportunity for students already immersed in these fields. By gaining hands-on experience, collaborating with professionals, and applying your skills in real-world scenarios, you can bridge the gap between theory and practice, enhance your technical expertise, and gain a competitive edge in the industry. Embrace this transformative experience to shape a successful career and cultivate valuable industry connections.

Students should seek their own organisation for placement or request assistance from the Course Coordinator at SSTE_WPL@usc.edu.au and Placement Officer at TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au.

Continuing placement partners include

• Biodiverse Environmental

• Department of Environment and Science

• Ecollaboration Ltd

• iDcare

• Mallow Sustainability

• Marine Discoveries

• Moreton Bay Regional Council

• Sunshine Coast Environment Council

• Symbio Laboratories Pty Ltd

• Tonkin & Taylor Pty Ltd

• Wildlife HQ Zoo

Placement structure 

Students undertaking WPL have the option of completing work integrated learning appropriate to their discipline area in the form of industry work placements. Common durations of the work placements are:

• 96 hours for WPL310
• 192 hours for WPL320

Students need to seek their own organisation for placement, and can ask for advice from the Course Coordinator at SSTE_WPL@usc.edu.au or Placement Officer at TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au after they submit their expression of interest form through Sonia Online.

Expression of Interest forms for domestic placement are required to be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to the respective session or semester commencing.

Expression of Interest forms for International placement are required to be submitted at least 6 months prior to the respective session or semester for placement.

Applying for placement

To express interest in WPL placement courses please log into your Sonia Online account under the Science and Technology Discipline.

Placements can be undertaken during semesters 1 and 2 as well as sessions 1, 5 and 8.

Please complete the following steps, available by logging into Science and Technology Sonia Online.

1. Complete a Expression of Interest (EOI) form (due 8 weeks prior to the start of Semester or Sessions). This form allows you to (1) Tell us if you have already found a host, and are ready to request to enrol; (2) Find specific information regarding hosts that UniSC has agreements with, or (3) Ask for advice in finding a host.
2. Complete a Request to Enrol form (due 4 weeks prior to the start of Semester or Session) – To be submitted once you have finalized your host, activities and placement dates. To be approved, the course coordinator will review your activities and confirm they meet the learning objectives of WPL, which are to “Identify, construct and apply personal and professional discipline specific competencies appropriate to your workplace setting”

3. Complete a Placement disclosure statement (due 4 weeks prior to the start of Semester or Session)

Remuneration and insurance

All WPL placements should be unpaid. No remuneration or payment is made by the host organisations to the students or to the University for hosting a student. Students undertaking an approved placement are covered by the University’s insurance policies. If you intend on being paid by your placement site, you must disclose prior to commencement to the Course Coordinator at SSTE_WPL@usc.edu.au and Placement Officer at TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au.

Sonia Online Mandatory checks

Each placement has inherent requirements that may be specified by the host organisation and/or UniSC to enable you to undertake placement. Requirements may include but are not restricted to construction card, criminal history check, immunisation, current first aid certificate and Blue Card (working with children check).

Assessment 

Students are required to set learning objectives and maintain a daily reflective journal on their placement experience which will be assessed by the WPL Course Coordinator. Your placement supervisor will also complete a report on your activities and performance.

International Opportunities

Short Term Study Overseas placements require 6 months notice. Interested students must have a GPA4.5 or higher, must contact the WPL Course Coordinator at  SSTE_WPL@usc.edu.au and Placement Officers at TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au within this time-frame.

More information

For more information on how to apply for a WPL course visit Sonia online.

Contact

WPL Staff are available by appointment only. Contact your Course Coordinator using your UniSC student email at  SSTE_WPL@usc.edu.au, please include your Program, year level, Semester or Session you wish to enrol in and which WPL course you intend to complete. Alternatively, students can contact TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au to register their interest or request further information.