Back to 2011 VET Handbook

Structured Workplace Learning (SWL)

Most VET Programs require students to complete a Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) component with an employer that is directly related to the industry connected with the VET program training. SWL placement provides on the job training and mentoring that develops the students’ technical and generic employability skills .

The length and timing of the work placement depends on the course. In most cases it is 5-days during the school holidays or one day per week throughout a school term.

Youth Connect will support VET students from schools which are members or the VET Connect School Cluster or schools which will enter a fee-for-service agreement with sourcing a work placement. Youth Connect staff will visit VET classes and provide a Work Placement Induction session. There will also be individual support for students should it be required. All sections of the form must be completed and signed before structured workplace learning commences. A fully signed copy must be posted or faxed to Youth Connect prior to the work placement. One copy is to be forwarded to the Employer and one to the Student, or if the Student is under eighteen years, to the Parent of the Student. The Principal should retain the original copy.

All sections of the form must be completed and signed before structured workplace learning commences. A fully signed copy must be posted or faxed to Youth Connect prior to the work placement. One copy is to be forwarded to the Employer and one to the Student, or if the Student is under eighteen years, to the Parent of the Student. The Principal should retain the original copy.

The original form must be signed by:

• The Employer
• The Principal or Acting Principal of the school
• The Student
• A Parent or Guardian of the student
  (if the student is under eighteen years of age).

Please note that if Youth Connect does not receive a fully signed copy by fax or mail, the student’s work placement will be cancelled and the student will be responsible to source their own work placement.

Any variations or amendments made to the arrangement form need to be countersigned by the Principal, the Employer, and the Student and, if the student is under eighteen years of age, a Parent of the Student.

SWL arrangement forms must be held for a period of at least five years in a bound register by the Principal of the school in which the student is enrolled.

The updated SWL Arrangement Form (ministerial Order No.55) is available from the DE&T schools website http://www.education.vic.gov.au/sensecyouth/careertrans/ worklearn/structuredlearning.htm