Vocational placement (VP) provides you with the opportunity to undertake practical training and to gain the experience required to demonstrate competency against the outcomes of a nationally recognised qualification.
You are required to complete VP in a suitable workplace. A suitable workplace is an organisation that operates in the relevant industry sector that you are studying (e.g. youth work, early childhood, etc) that has the resources, facilities, equipment and range of work required to complete the tasks as outlined in the VP assessments.
Unless you are currently working or volunteering, it is recommended that you do not begin VP until after you have completed your first unit of study. This gives you time to:
Organise Policecriminal history, Working with Children Checks and/or other checks, as applicable
Learn core knowledge and appropriate workplace behaviours prior to placement.
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VP Requirements
Requirements
The following is a list of the potential checks and steps you may be required to take before starting VP. Please note, each course has different requirements and not all of the requirements listed below will be relevant to your chosen course:
Obtain a National Police criminal history Check: Strategix will organise this on your behalf and at no cost to you, where required
Complete a Working with Children Check (WWCC): Each state has their own requirements and process, please refer to Working with Children Applications Information Sheet for instructions. You will need to provide evidence of your completed WWCC to Strategix before starting VP. Refer to your learning and/or assessment portal for details
NDIS Worker Screening: Each state has their own requirements and process. Please refer to the NDIS Worker Screening Applications Information Sheet for steps on how to complete this check. Once clearance is gained, Strategix will unlink you from their organisation and you must provide your Host with evidence of the relevant check before starting VP
Flu vaccination: Where it is a requirement of your course, you must organise to receive the flu vaccination. It is available from most Doctors and Chemists. Please consult your General Practitioner before arranging or booking a flu vaccination. You must email a copy of your Vaccination Certificate to Strategix and provide a copy to your VP host
COVID-19 vaccination: Where it is a requirement of your course, you must prove that you are fully immunised before starting VP (including boosters). If you are not already immunised, please consult your General Practitioner before booking the vaccination. Students can check their eligibility for the vaccine here. More information can be found here. You must email a copy of your Vaccination Certificate to Strategix and provide a copy to your VP host.
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VP Course Specific Requirements
Course-Specific Requirements
The following table outlines the VP requirements for each coursethat Strategix delivers:
Course
Vocational Placement Hours/Time
Trainer Support on VP
National Police criminal history Check
WWCC
NDIS Worker Screening
Flu Shot
COVID-19 Vaccination
Certificate II Courses
Cert Certificate II in Hospitality
5 services
Not required
Not required
Not required
Not required
Required
Cert
12 services
Trainer visits with students and hosts while on vocational placement (usually weekly) to confirm progress and assist with learning.
Certificate II in Health Support
Task-Based
May be required
May be required
May be required
May be required
May be required
Cert
Certificate II in Community Services
20 hours
May be required
May be required
May be required
May be required
May be required
Certificate III Courses
Cert Certificate III in Hospitality
36 services
Not required
Not required
Not required
Not required
Required
Cert
Trainer visits students and hosts as needed and follows up on progression of student regularly.
Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Task-Based
May be required
May be required
May be required
Required
Required
Cert III in Individual Support* (Ageing)
120 hours
Required
May be required
Required
Required
Required
Cert
Certificate III in Community Services
20 hours
Certificate III in Individual Support* (DisabilityAgeing)
120 hours
Required
May be required
Required
Required
Required
Cert III in Early Childhood Education and Care
120 hours
May be required
Required
May be required
May be required
May be required
Cert III in School-Based Education Support
100 hours
May be required
Required
May be required
May be required
May be required
Individual Support - Disability
VP Coordinator visits students while on placement to offer support and feedback (1-3 visits).
Trainer follows up on progression of student regularly.
Note: VP can be completed interstate if necessary.
Certificate III in Individual Support* (Disability)
120 hours
Individual Support - Disability Skill Set
Task-BasedRequired
May be required
Required
Required
Required
Cert Certificate III in Community Services
20 hours
May be required
May be required
May be required
May be required
May be required
Early Childhood Education and Care
120 hours
Student organises for trainer to visit while on placement to conduct skills observations (1-3 visits), provide feedback and follow up on progress.
Certificate III in School-Based Education Support
100 hours
Certificate IV Courses
Cert Certificate IV in Disability
120 hours
Required
May be required
Required
Required
Required
Cert
Trainer visits students and hosts as needed and follows up on the progression of student regularly.
Certificate IV in Ageing Support
120 hoursRequired
Not required
Required
Required
Required
Cert Certificate IV in Youth Work
Task-BasedMay be required
Required
May be required
May be required
May be required
Diploma
Level
Courses
Dip Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
280 hours
May be required
Required
May be required
May be required
May be required
Dip
Student organises for trainer to visit while on vocational placement to conduct skills observations (1-3 visits), provide feedback and follow up on progress.
Diploma of Youth Work
100 hours
May be required
Required
May be required
May be required
May be required
Dip
200 hours
Trainer visits students and hosts as needed and follows up on the progression of student regularly.
Diploma of Community Services
100 200 hours
May be required
May be required
May be required
May be required
May be required
Dip
Diploma of Nursing
400 hours
Required
Required
Required
Required
Required
*Students in South Australia may also require the Aged Care and/or the Vulnerable People checks.
Trainers visit with students and hosts while on placement to review progress (ranges depending on placement arrangements, but is usually weekly visits), offer support and assist with learning.
Note: Hosts may also have their own requirement/s.
Key:
Task-Based – Students are required to complete the tasks, the time required to do so may vary so there are no minimum time frames
Required – Industry standards require this check
May be Required - Students may require depending on the services provided by the Host Employer, the requirements of each State or Territory government and the host’s specific requirements. Please check with your Host Employer prior to starting VP
Not Required – Not required for this VP.
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VP Insurance
Insurance
Students will be covered by Strategix’s insurance arrangements while on VP and only during the hours as agreed upon by the host and student. Insurance coverage will only take effect after Strategix has received the signed Vocational Placement Agreement. Currently employed students will fall under the insurance of their employer.
If the Vocational Placement Agreement is not completed before starting VP, any VP-related assessment you complete, prior to Strategix receiving the Agreement, will not be recognised and you will not be covered under Strategix’s insurance in the event of a workplace accident.
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VP Responsibilities and Obligations
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.
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VP Participate in VP
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
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criminal history 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
Obtain a
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criminal history and/or Working with Children check. You must update Strategix with its details when it comes through
Meet with suitable hosts to secure a location to complete your placement. Refer to the Find a VP Host section below for tips
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
Provide your host with a copy of your
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criminal history and/or Working with Children Check (where required)
Read through the VP assessment requirements on your assessment and/or learning portal
*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.
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VP Find a VP Host
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. Course Coordinator will send this to you)
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.
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POLICY
Vocational Placement Policy
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There are four (4) main stakeholders in a VP program:
Stakeholder
Role/Responsibility
Student
Attend placement for the allocated times and duration
Display an appropriate attitude and behave in a manner that is in keeping with the accepted standards of the employer who is providing the vocational placement
Follow and abide by the organisation’s policies and procedures at all times
Contact the Host Employer and Strategix as soon as possible if unable to attend placement
Complete all necessary hours and tasks in line with the assessment requirement/s
Maintain privacy and confidentiality in relation to their VP.
Host or Employer
Volunteer Host (voluntary placement only)
Notify the RTO of any incident or accident involving the student, any actions undertaken and/or damages to property involving the student
Ensure payment will not be made to the student for the vocational placement
Contact Strategix immediately if there are any concerns in behaviour and/or unexplained absences by the student.
Employer (employed only)
Continue employment arrangements as normal while the workplace tasks are being completed.
Employer and Volunteer Host (employed students and voluntary placement)
Care for the students under Workplace Health and Safety legislation
Inform the student of the particular safety requirements of this workplace
Provide appropriate supervision for the student and will not ask the student to perform work that is prohibited by law
Provide exposure to and verify situations that will allow them to develop and demonstrate skills and knowledge
Make available resources, facilities and relevant equipment as stipulated in the Mentor Guide and as required for the student to complete the tasks.
Trainer/Assessor or VP Coordinator
Have the responsibility for managing the placement of students undertaking courses that require VP
Contacting and when possible, visiting potential host employers and building strong partnerships for continuity of student placements
Communicating with hosts on the progress of VP
Validate and verify the hours and tasks attached to the assessment/s.
Training Organisation
Provide appropriate opportunity and access to hosts for VP
Protect both the host and student from the risks associated with VP and the student's health and safety
Ensure the student has received a valid and sufficient experience to determine competence in the subjects and qualifications.
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PROCEDURE
Vocational Placement Procedure
Steps
Person Responsible
1
Inform students of requirements and expectations
Sales and marketing
2
Assign placements
Trainer and student
3
VP documentation
Trainer, Student, VP Host and Coordinator
4
Mentor guide
Trainer, VP Host and Coordinator
5
Final reminders prior to placement
Trainer
6
Complete VP
Student, VP Host and trainer
7
Submit assessment
Student and Trainer
8
Marking and feedback
Trainer
9
Finalisation of VP
Trainer and Course Coordinator
Inform Students of Requirements and Expectations
Strategix’s marketing material and funding facts sheets contain information on the requirement for VP within a course. Prior to Before starting and at the beginning of the course, students are informed of all requirements to be completed before starting VP, including:
The students, VP coordinators, business development team and trainers/assessors are to work with students to source potential VP hosts. Placement details are to be confirmed with the student. The placement of students needs to happen in a timely manner, so students are not disadvantaged by having to wait outside the designated time to complete their placement hours. Required resources and facilities are listed in the relevant Training and Assessment Strategy.
Where a student maintains permanent employment within the industry being studied, they are to gain confirmation from their employer of their intent to complete the tasks as part of their employment.
VP
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Host - Letter Template
The Course Coordinator will need to open this template in WORD not Google docs. Download and open this template
View file
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Introduction Letter Vocational Placement Host - v2 EDS.docx
to write the Course Coordinator’s full name at the bottom of the first page. Then SAVE and rename the document. The Course Coordinator will then send this to the student who will then give the letter to some potential VP hosts.
VP Documentation
Students must submit/upload all VP documents before commencing placement, these may include industry-specific clearances and the VP Agreement. Access the Working with Children Applications Policy and Procedure to determine the specific requirements for child-related works. Access the NDIS Worker Screening Policy and Procedure for further instructions for students and staff coming into contact with NDIS clients.
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VP Agreements are mandatory for all students. They are to be completed by the Host and the Student and then uploaded into the LMS by the student. The student is required to agree to the terms and conditions of the VP along with the host. Strategix will approve the VP Agreement by marking the assessment as competent in the LMS or and by sending the Mentor Guide to the host (see below).
Mentor Guide
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All hosts/employers must receive a Mentor Guide. The Mentor Guide provides hosts/employers with the information required to provide quality and meaningful placement in accordance with training package rules. The guide is sent via aXcelerate or is provided automatically to Hosts after they have signed the digital Vocational Placement Agreement Form.
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aXcelerate email instructions for paper-based Agreement Forms:
aXcelerate email instructions for paper-based Agreement Forms:
Locate host profile (if not found, create using the details on the VP Agreement Form)
Select the Vocational Placement Mentor Guide template
Enter the student’s name in the field provided
Save and email
Upload the relevant Mentor Guide under the Attachment(s) section
Save and send to the host
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Final Reminders Prior to Placement
One week prior to placement, the trainer goes through the following with the students:
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Instructions on completing the VP activities
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Ensure VP agreement is uploaded or received
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Vocational Placement book distributed or VP activities released in the LMS
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Final Reminders Before Placement
One week before placement, the trainer goes through the following with the students:
Instructions on completing the VP task logs, projects, skills observations and attendance hours
Ensure the VP agreement is uploaded or received
Distribute the Vocational Placement book or release the VP activities in the LMS
Scan or take a photo of the student’s criminal history check/working with children check and upload it to aXcelerate. The host employer is provided with a copy of each check
While on VP, students must abide by the code of conduct as set out in the Student Handbookand maintain standard employment conditions
Contact your trainer or Strategix immediately if they have any concerns or issues during vocational placement or are involved in an accident or incident.
Support During Placement
While the student is on placement, the student continues to receive support and assistance as needed from the trainer and/or VP Coordinator by reviewing and marking vocational placement assessments, conducting workplace visits where needed (Refer to the Course-Specific Requirements Table) and following up regularly (recommended bi-monthly) with the student to confirm progress and identify any additional learning opportunities. Students can also contact their trainer by email or phone at any time during placement to discuss concerns or questions.
If the student is not progressing as expected, the trainer will discuss any concerns with the Host/Mentor and then arrange for further training before re-engaging with placement. Re-training can include:
One-on-one training on campus with the trainer
One-on-one training on placement with the trainer or VP Coordinator
Re-attending relevant on-campus classes
Participation in foundation skills training
Referrals to other services, as needed.
Complete Vocational Placement
Students are required to complete their VP in the time frames as negotiated in the Agreement and complete all assessment activities. The Attendance Log must be signed off by the supervisor progressively. While on VP, the students must abide by the code of conduct as set out in the Student Handbook and maintain standard employment conditions.
Any issues during placement should be raised directly with the training manager.
Trainers and VP Coordinators are responsible for following up on student progression. This should be completed on a bi-monthly basisOnce completed, the student will submit their assessments (digital) or return to the campus to hand in their Vocational Placement book to their trainer. The trainer will then review the assessments for completeness and sufficiency and mark accordingly.
NOTE:If a student’s host does not have all requirements available as stipulated in the Mentor Guide, the student may be required to complete further VP with another host. If this is the case, repeat all steps in this procedure.
