Work placement allows school and TAFE NSW students to develop industry-specific skills and generic work skills in the workplace whilst completing the NSW Higher School Certificate. Host work placement employers assist schools and TAFE NSW colleges to prepare young people for the workplace by providing meaningful workplace learning opportunities. Host work placement employers are acknowledged by the wider community as highly valued contributors to the next generation of the Australian workforce.

Work Placement Made Easy has been developed to support host work placement employers before, during and after work placement. Developed by Workline Employment Penrith for the NSW Department of Education and Training, Work Placement Made Easy provides simple and practical tips for host employers to enhance the quality of the work placement experience for students, employers, workplace supervisors and workplace employees alike.

Work Placement Made Easy is supported by the State Chamber of Commerce (NSW), Australian Business Limited and the Australian Industry Group.

Host Employer Information Leaflets

The Work Placement Made Easy materials include a set of nine double-sided host employer information leaflets that outline simple ways that employers can prepare their workplace for work placement. The information leaflets include:

• The Summary - a summary of the top tips and advice from the nine leaflets before, during and after the work placement
• The Business Case - an outline of the benefits of work placement for students and for businesses
• Getting Ready - advice for employers when preparing for work placement
• Checklists - simple information for employers when preparing for work placement with particular consideration for student induction and student safety
• Day One Induction - shows the importance of the induction for students and for businesses and provides advice on developing a suitable induction for students
• Motivation and Encouragement Tips - provides simple and practical solutions that encourage and motivate work placement students
• Frequently Asked Questions - gives simple answers to some of the most common questions that host employers ask about work placement
• Last Day Wrap - offers advice and practical tips for employers to ensure that the work placement finishes on a positive note for students and for businesses alike
• Student Safety - practical advice for employers in ensuring that student safety is a priority so that students and employees are 'work safe'

Student Work Placement Journals

In addition to the leaflets, a set of Student Work Placement Journals have been developed for students to use during work placement. The journals have been developed with the support of teachers, host work placement employers, work placement coordinators and vocational education consultants from the Sydney Region of the NSW Department of Education and Training and the Sutherland Business Education Network.

The journals include further tips and support for host employers, including possible tasks that students may be able to undertake and an 'audit' of the student's skill level and experience. Tasks for host employers (such as checking and signing the journal each day and completing the Student Evaluation form by the end of the placement) are clearly indicated in the journal. Teachers may find the journals useful when preparing students for work placement and in considering tasks and activities to be undertaken during the placement.

Student journals have been developed for the following courses:

• Business Services
• Construction
• Entertainment
• Hospitality
• Retail
• Metal and Engineering
• Primary Industries
• Information Technology
• Furnishing

CD-Rom & Print Copies

Your local work placement coordinator has copies of the Work Placement Made Easy CD-ROM as well as printed copies of the host employer information leaflets.

The Work Placement Made Easy CD-ROM includes the host employer information leaflets, student work placement journals, work placement support links and a brief but informative video for employers introduced by Margy Osmond, Chief Executive, State Chamber of Commerce (NSW).