Work placement
Independent schools implement work experience or structured workplace
learning either as individual school programs or as part of a cluster
program. The cluster model is a partnership between Catholic and Independent
schools to implement Vocational Education and Training, Structured Workplace
Learning, work readiness programs and transition and career information.
The schools are generally geographically grouped together but also
choose to work together for historical or similar ethos/cultural/religious
reasons. Their aim is to maximize available resources, increase opportunities
for individual schools and students and to have a central base for employers,
training providers, industry and the community. Currently six clusters
of 50 schools work under this model, five in the metropolitan area and
the sixth in the south west of WA. Work placements are centrally organized
and managed in each cluster and monitoring of students in the workplace
is undertaken by both cluster and school staff.
Schools who do not operate within the cluster programs implement individual
school programs where the school finds the placements, manages the program
and monitors students.
Work experience is implemented in some schools, mainly for Year 10
students. These programs are entirely school based.
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
A wide range of VET programs are implemented as part of the schools’
cluster programs, individual school programs or a combination of both.
In order to maximize resources and provide flexibility and a wider range
of opportunities for students, school also access across-cluster programs
where possible.
Training is centrally organized and managed and student monitoring
is the role of both cluster and school staff. As with work placements
several schools operate individual school programs.
While there has not been a significant uptake in School based Traineeships,
VET in Schools has a strong uptake with a focus on completion of full
Certificates in a range of industry areas.
Schools can be contacted direct and are listed on the AIS (Association
of Independent Schools) WA website.
Fran van Riessen
Education Consultant – Vocational Education & Training
Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia
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