The Ballarat High School work experience program is a valuable opportunity for students to explore career options, develop employability skills, maturity and self-confidence.

Work experience is also about increasing student understanding of basic workplace skills, with students placed with employers primarily to observe and learn – not to undertake activities which require extensive training or expertise.

The allocated dates for work experience this year are May 2 – 6 which is week 2 of term 2. It is important that students act early to secure their placement and complete all associated paperwork.

All Year 10 students are expected to participate in work experience as it is part of the overall Year 10 school learning program.

Normal Year 10 classes will be suspended during that week and any students who are unable to find work experience will be expected to attend school where alternate class arrangements will be made.

Year 10 students studying Year 11 subjects are encouraged to speak to their teachers and obtain the work they will miss during the work experience week prior to leaving for work experience.

We have also been advised that due to the impact of COVID-19 Ballarat Health Services, St John of God Hospital and some aged care facilities have suspended their work experience programs until further notice, so these placements will be unavailable.

There are a number of steps associated with gaining a work experience placement and following the steps below will ensure all the paperwork has been completed correctly.

Students must complete their online Safe at Work OH&S modules so they have a basic understanding of workplace safety. These can be completed at school or at home.
MIPS staff will work with students with suggestions for placements but it is the student’s responsibility to contact the employer.
When a placement has been secured, the student takes the work experience arrangement form to the employer for signing and discuss any relevant information about the placement such as work hours, uniform, work duties etc.
The work experience forms must be returned to MIPS when signed by the student, the employer and parent. All forms must be returned by Friday 8th April, which is the last day of term 1.

Additional Information

Family and friend networks are one of the most common sources of finding a work placement, but students are encouraged to research their own options and contact employers by phone, email or visiting the workplace.
Students are able to complete work experience anywhere in Victoria but must have accommodation and travel arrangements approved by the school.
Students cannot complete your work experience with your current employer. i.e. McDonalds, KFC, K Mart, Coles etc.

Some common placements choices

Retail - clothing, sports stores, department stores, pharmacies, supermarkets, hairdressing, beauty/make up services
Business - IT firms, law firms, accounting, real estate
Trades – building, electrical, plumbing, painting, plastering, landscaping, tiling
Automotive – new car dealerships, independent repairers, diesel mechanics, motorcycle shops, farm machinery
Community Sector - primary schools, kindergartens, childcare centres, sporting clubs, disability providers, charitable organisations
Hospitality – cafes, hotels, restaurants (students cannot work in front of house operations where alcohol is served or gaming rooms)

If you have any questions about work experience, please contact Andrew or Ally in MIPS for further information.

Andrew Wallace 5338 9011 andrew.wallace2@education.vic.gov.au

Ally Dovaston 5338 9012 allyson.dovaston@education.vic.gov.au

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Ballarat High School Newsletter

Issue 3 · 04 Mar 2022

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