Responsibilities and Obligations

Student Responsibilities

Prior to starting VP:

• Find a host willing and able to meet the Host Responsibilities

• Ensure VP is voluntary, i.e. not paid, unless already employed in the industry

• Complete, sign and return the Vocational Placement Agreement.

During VP:

• Do not hinder or disrupt the operations of the host

• Understand and observe the host's privacy and be respectful of their operations and regulations

• Comply with and uphold Strategix’s rules, regulations and ethics

• Complete activities in a timely manner

• Book and report all visits and activities to the ‘supervisor’ at the host location

• Record your attendance and ask your supervisor to verify your attendance

• If asked by the host, provide a summary of any changes or suggestions you would recommend based on your time with them

• Ensure all relevant sections of the VP assessment/s are completed.

Host Responsibilities

• Provide a safe environment for students to complete activities

• Provide an onsite mentor/supervisor

• Mentor/supervisor is to verify the satisfactory completion of VP tasks and assessments

• Provide information and assistance to the student to complete activities

• Provide the required activities as per the training package and VPassessment/s.

Trainer/VP Coordinator Responsibilities

• Ensure students have successfully completed VP for the required units of competency

• Provide support to the employer and student as required.

Participate in Vocational Placement

STEP 1: Induction

During induction, you will be informed of the VP requirements, including but not limited to:

• Requirements to have a current Police and/or Working with Children Check

• Attendance requirements

• Time limitations to completing VP

• Host employer dress requirements

• Information on Vocational Placement Agreement forms.

STEP 2: Student Preparation

1. Obtain a Police and/or Working with Children check. You must update Strategix with its details when it comes through

2. Meet with suitable hosts to secure a location to complete your placement. Refer to the Find a VP Host section below for tips

3. Read and sign the Vocational Placement Agreement Form and provide it to your host employer to also sign it. Upload the completed Form to your learning and assessment portal as instructed. This must be done before you start VP

4. Provide your host with a copy of your Police and/or Working with Children Check (where required)

5. Read through the VP assessment requirements on your assessment and/or learning portal

6. *Certificate III Individual Support students only: Individual support students must complete instruction in manual handling covered in the workplace health and safety subject and on the practical days. Failure to attend both of these days may mean that you cannot start VP on the scheduled date.

Please note: The placement of students in VP is at the trainer’s discretion. The trainer may postpone your VP if they feel that you do not have the necessary foundational knowledge and skills to complete VP successfully and safely.

STEP 3: Attend and Complete VP

• Attend VP as scheduled in the Course Release Schedule

• Ensure the following is completed:

  • Attendance Record

  • Student and Mentor Declaration/s

  • Task Logs / Projects.

• Follow all obligations set out by Strategix and the host, e.g. code of conduct etc.

• Complete VP within 10 weeks of the last class date or you may be withdrawn from the class, unless previously negotiated with and approved by Strategix management.

Find a VP Host

Start Early: Start looking for a vocational placement host early. It is recommend that you don’t leave it any later than 6 weeks (even this may be a stretch to get in the door for some locations). Other students from other organisations are also looking for placement and some may be booked many months in advance.

Get Help: Ask your family, partner and/or friends who work within the relevant industry sector if their workplace takes students for vocational placement.

Treat it Like a Job Interview:

• Prepare a resume titled Vocational Placement Request (unpaid)

• Include a letter with your resume (we have a letter template which you can use)

• Dress smart

• Go to the organisation of interest to you, don’t phone

• Request to see the manager/supervisor.

If you don’t hear back, go back and follow up. Ask if they have had time to review your request and if it is somewhere you really want to be, leave another copy of your resume.

What to Say and Do: When meeting with the manager/supervisor at the organisation of interest, explain the following:

• You are a full-time student and require vocational placement to complete your studies

• You are a volunteer, so no wages or employment contracts are required

• Strategix provides all insurance (Liability, Workers Compensation Insurance and Public Indemnity)

• The mentor will be required to sign off on attendance while on VP and verify the tasks/projects completed by you

• Information/processes which you may be exposed to or collect or collate information for will be and is kept confidential and will not be used inappropriately or released to unauthorised parties.

If you get limited hours you can still complete your placement, it just may take a little longer to complete. Sometimes, if you are doing real well, they will look at increasing your hours.