Bundaberg State High School offers a work experience program which provides a formal arrangement whereby students participate in activities at a place of paid or voluntary work.
Students currently participate in Work Experience in the follow contexts:
• Year 10 Work Experience Program
• Years 10-12 Special Education Program (SEP)
• Ignite transition to work program
• Students from years 10-12, who wish to participate in Work Experience outside of curriculum or programs.
Work experience is the short term placement of students with businesses and organisations to provide insights into the industry and the workplace in which they are located, and is unpaid. Whilst undertaking work experience, students will observe different aspects of work within their chosen industry and may assist with tasks allocated by their supervisor, but should not undertake activities which require extensive training or expertise.
Students must be at least 14 years old and participation should not disadvantage students with regards to the rest of their education program at school. Participation in work experience can be on selected days or half days over a specified period of time, or each day of the week for a specified period.
Students can be placed on work experience up to a maximum of 30 days in a calendar year, however it is recommended that a student should not stay with the one placement provider for more than one semester.
The Principal, in consultation with the parent/carer and student, may approve work experience of more than 30 days for a student with disability.
The insurance cover for Work Experience students has certain restrictions and activities precluded from cover, and these activities may not be undertaken during Work Experience. The insurance policies cover students undertaking Work Experience placements in Queensland.
Work Experience Process: 1. Student induction into Work Experience program by Pathways Officer The student meets with the Pathways Officer to discuss possible Work Experience options. During this appointment, the Pathways Officer will give the student a Work Experience Application pack and discuss: - Purpose of the placement – e.g. general industry insight or a work trial
- Alignment to the student's pathway and goals
- Alternative pathway options that support the student's career interests
- Suitable dates and timelines – including that:
- Work experience is not available during school holidays
- Dates must consider assessment requirements, classes missed, current progress and the student's ability to keep up with schoolwork
- Work Experience Orientation that must be completed by students
- Required risk assessments for the proposed placement and any special requirements (e.g. White Card) and realistic timelines to achieve these
- Documentation required and when it must be returned
- How to approach potential employers
- Process for returning fully completed applications
- The need to communicate outcomes back to the Pathways Officer
- The importance of using strong organisation and communication skills – e.g. regularly checking emails for updates on the application
2. Student Applies The student discusses a work experience placement with an employer and submits a Work Experience Application to the school. 3. Workplace Consultation & Risk Assessment The school consults with the work experience provider to: - identify the proposed work tasks
- identify workplace hazards and existing control measures
- confirm supervision, PPE and workplace induction requirements
- request relevant workplace WHS documentation, including an Enterprise Risk Assessment (where available),
- Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), task-specific risk assessments and safe operating procedures.
This information is used to complete the Bundaberg State High School Work Experience Risk Assessment, which is reviewed and signed by the work experience provider. 4. Work Experience Agreement Using the proposed work tasks identified in the completed risk assessment, the school prepares the Work Experience Agreement. The agreement is then signed by: - the work experience provider
- the student
- the parent/carer (where required).
5. School Approval The Principal reviews the completed Work Experience Application, Work Experience Agreement, School Work Experience Risk Assessment and supporting workplace WHS documentation, before determining whether the placement can be approved. 6. Placement Approval & Commencement A work experience placement is not approved until both the Work Experience Agreement and the Bundaberg State High School Work Experience Risk Assessment have been completed and endorsed by the Principal. Once approval has been confirmed by the school, the endorsed documentation is distributed to the work experience provider, student and parent/carer, and the student may commence the approved placement. Department of Education insurance applies only to the approved placement and approved work activities. During work experience, the student will: - Undertake a workplace induction with their nominated supervisor on the first day
- Complete the Student Evidence Handbook during the placement
- Follow all school and provider expectations, including Work Health and Safety (WHS) requirements
- Contact the employer if they are unable to attend Work Experience
- A parent/carer must also notify the school of any absences
The employer will: - Complete the Induction Checklist and email a copy to pathways@bundabergshs.eq.edu.au
- Notify the school of any student absences during the placement
7. After the Placement - School will review the placement with the student.
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