A structured work placement is a mandatory component of HSC VET courses. It provides an opportunity for students to develop and demonstrate industry-based knowledge and skills. Parents and students need to be aware of the mandatory nature of this component of the course.

In many areas, structures are already in place for coordination of work placement. This usually allows teachers to work through one person to arrange work placements. Often work placement sites have been used before and supervisors are well versed in requirements of the student work placement program.

Each course requires students to use specific resources or equipment in order to meet syllabus requirements. These requirements are set out in the Industry Curriculum Frameworks Information Package (ICFIP), available in all schools. In some cases, schools will not have these resources or equipment on site, however, access may be obtained through a work placement with a suitable employer who has the resources required.

Access to resources can influence school decisions about the

• structure and content of a work placement


• type of establishment sought for a work placement.

Some workplaces may be able to offer training and assessment for specific equipment or for units of competency that are beyond the scope of the school.