Real-world, hands-on experience key to all students’ success

Monday, 1 May 2023

Practical and professional experience placements have been a regular feature for students studying engineering, medicine, nursing and education degrees for many years, and today the University of Newcastle has announced that from 2023 onwards all undergraduate programs will include a placement embedded in a workplace.

Professor Alex Zelinsky and team

The University’s program is geared to providing hands-on work opportunities, which are embedded into degrees to give students an advantage from the moment they graduate. It’s expected that more than 7,000 University of Newcastle students will complete professional experience placements each year.

The roll out of work-integrated learning to all degrees is with good reason, with data from the Australian Skills Commission report in 2021 finding that 75% of employers look for experience before considering an applicant, while 40% of roles are given to someone known to the employer.

Newly appointed NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Member for Newcastle the Hon. Tim Crakanthorp MP launched the expansion of the program with Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO in what was Minister Crakanthorp’s first visit to the university since joining the NSW Government cabinet in early April.

Minister Crakanthorp said “There’s nothing that compares to on-the-ground the training, and the skills that students are going to gain through these placements are invaluable.

“When each part of our education system collaborates and works with industry the opportunities are numerous. I warmly congratulate the University of Newcastle for launching this program today and their time with me.

“My visit to the University today was all about showing that my focus as Minister will always be on teachers and students.”

The University of Newcastle is one of the first institutions in Australia to embed work integrated learning within all undergraduate degree programs. Offering embedded work placements will increase the number of opportunities for students and industry as it is added into every one of the University’s 168 undergraduate programs in 2023.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky said “We are absolutely committed to ensuring our graduates not only have access to study at an excellent university, but also believe in supporting them with a platform to go on to build incredible careers, no matter their area of study. We pride ourselves on teaching and preparing graduates who are ready for work.

“What this means for our students is that they will get the chance to graduate with a degree and take away real experience and build connections with employers in their area of study, which will help them find a job they love when their studies are complete.

“We are fortunate to have a strong network of supportive organisations and businesses that are passionate about providing our students with opportunities for real-world experience. In fact, we are the No.1 university in Australia for industry collaboration, so these connections will be invaluable for our students and industry partners.”

Find out more about University of Newcastle work integrated learning student success stories: www.newcastle.edu.au/engage/work-integrated-learning/success-stories

Industry partners and businesses that would like to talk to us about work integrated learning opportunities can connect with us at www.newcastle.edu.au/engage/work-integrated-learning


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