Information for Employer/Organisation

Industry- based Learning (IBL) Program

Industry-based Learning (IBL) allows students to work in industry in a role related to their area of study as part of the course. Deakin’s IBL program in Science and Technology offers students the opportunity to undertake an industry placement of between 3-12 months in a role that is relevant to their degree. The IBL placements are designed as elective units and are credited towards their course. The placements also come with an industry-funded scholarship.

The benefits of an IBL placement to an organisation:

Direct access to high calibre, work-ready graduates
Provide an organisation with additional resources for special projects and tasks within the workplace
Bring in a fresh perspective, new skills and innovative approaches to the current environment
The nature of the work is intended to be developed to provide valuable input into workplace operations
Cost-effective resource with no added on-costs
The IBL program has been used as a reliable system for potential graduate recruitment of key talent for organisations - “try before you buy recruiting”
Contributing to academic programs that shape the next generation of graduates
Opportunity to promote the organisation to students
Opportunity to develop research partnerships with the Faculty

Courses offered by Faculty of Science and Technology

Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical)
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics and Robotics)
Bachelor of Design (Architecture)
Bachelor of Construction Management
Bachelor of Design (Architecture) / Bachelor of Construction Management
Bachelor of Information Technology
Bachelor of Information Technology (Computer Science and Software Development)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Interactive Media)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Games Design and Development)
Bachelor of Information Technology (IT Security)
Bachelor of Network Engineering (new in 2012)
Bachelor of Biological Science
Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Bachelor of Forensic Science
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Bachelor of Environmental Management
Bachelor of Freshwater Biology
Bachelor of Marine Biology
Bachelor of Fisheries and Aquaculture (new in 2012)
Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science (new in 2012)

Placements

The Science and Technology IBL program aims to place students in organisations that are typical graduate destinations of their course. Organisations offering IBL placements are encouraged to assign students graduate-level work and present opportunities to work with and learn from professionals in their area.
Students gain unit credit towards their degree corresponding to the length of the placement. At the conclusion of an IBL placement the organisation is able to continue to keep the student working on a part-time capacity through direct casual employment or through a Cadetship.

Student Selection

Admission to the IBL program in Science and Technology is selective - the Faculty shortlists students who have expressed interest in undertaking an IBL placement based on their academic performance, career interests and a screening interview. IBL roles are then advertised to these students and the selection process follows a typical graduate recruitment format with organisations being able to interview short-listed applicants before making a final decision. Students who have passed the Faculty screening are also able to approach organisations directly and source their own placements.

Assessment

The IBL program aims to give students the opportunity to develop skills relevant to their discipline and get a broad exposure to the career outcomes available to them. The program also aims to teach students to manage their own professional development through a cyclical process of self assessment, goal setting, evaluation and reflection. To meet these aims the students must complete a series of assessment pieces before, during and after the placement. The students are solely responsible for this work. The performance evaluation that is driven by, and filled out by the supervisor, contributes to 40% of their mark when the student are undertaking an Industry-based Learning (IBL).

The student will be assigned an academic supervisor by Deakin University. The student has the responsibility to maintain contact with the academic supervisor every 40 hours of work through their logbook/diary. The students are responsible in managing this process. The academic supervisor will be available to assist the student with any issues that may arise.

Insurance

All students undertaking work placements are covered by Deakin’s Personal Accident Insurance, for injuries that they may receive, and Public Liability and Professional Indemnity, for damage/injuries that they may cause.

Personal-accident certificate of currency

Public-liability-host-employers

Student Personal Accident Insurance Policy

Student Placement Insurance Policy

Sponsorship cost

$8,100 + GST for a 3 month placement, payable to Deakin University, billed monthly, quarterly or as a single instalment. Students are not on the company payroll and contributions are likely to be tax deductible. Student is paid $1,350 per fortnight through the University in the form of a tax-free scholarship.

WIL facts & figures

Placement Offer

If you have a work based project that requires the knowledge and skills of a Science and Technology student in your industry please contact Ana Ferreira at ana.amaralferreira@deakin.edu.au for further information and a discussion. Alternatively you can fill out the Placement Offer and Position Description and return it via email to Ana.

Position Description and Placement Offer (PDF version)

Position Description and Placement Offer (Word version)

Sponsor/Host obligations

Providing the student an industry placement within the organisation in accordance with the role description provided.
Assigning a supervisor to the student for the full duration of the placement.
Giving the student graduate level work consisting of a variety of tasks with varying learning objectives and challenges as well as the opportunity to work within a team.
Ensure that the Occupational Health and Safety processes of the organisation are satisfactory for the role assigned to the student and the student is provided a safe work environment.
Provide early feedback to the University if there are any concerns about the placement.
Providing the student with constructive feedback on their performance midway through and at the end of the placement which will contribute to the student’s final mark.
Any variation to the placement dates should be communicated to the University at least 4 weeks prior to the end date.

Notes

All students undertaking work placements are covered by Deakin' Personal Accident Insurance, for injuries that they may receive, and Public Liability and Professional Indemnity, for damage/injuries that they may cause.
The student will be assigned an academic supervisor by Deakin University. The student has the responsibility to maintain contact with the academic supervisor every 40 hours of work through their logbook/diary. The students are responsible in managing this process. The academic supervisor will be available to assist the student with any issues that may arise.
The supervisor may visit the student during placement.
The student must complete a series of assessment pieces before, during and after the placement. The student is solely responsible for this work. The performance evaluation that is driven by, and filled out by the supervisor, contributes to 40% of their mark when the student is undertaking an Industry-based Learning (IBL).
There is no obligation on the part of the organisation to provide ongoing work to the student on completion of the placement.
Students are expected to observe the normal work hours and work days of the host organisation