In summary

  • All students who enrol in an undergraduate course in 2021 will be given the opportunity to gain genuine industry experiences during their course
  • This will enhances our students’ employability by giving them a ‘foot in the door’
  • This renewed focus on Work Integrated Learning builds on Swinburne’s long-standing legacy of offering industry experience to students

Swinburne University of Technology has announced that Work Integrated Learning, made up of professional placements, internships or industry-linked projects, will be offered from 2021 to all Swinburne students enrolled in undergraduate degrees to enhance their employability and better match industry’s expectations.

All students who enrol in an undergraduate course at Swinburne in 2021 will be given the opportunity to be involved in genuine industry experiences during their course, providing them with confidence and clarity about their future, a ‘foot in the door’ and preparing them to thrive in the modern workplace environment.

Swinburne Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pascale Quester, said the renewed focus on Work Integrated Learning builds on Swinburne’s long-standing legacy of offering industry experience to students.

“Swinburne was one of the first universities in Australia to offer industry placements back in 1963 in partnership with GM Holden,” Professor Quester said.

“Swinburne will build on this legacy and be the university where solid industry experiences are more readily accessible for students.

“At Swinburne we are focused on investing in our students’ futures by aligning them to the very best partners in industry – across sectors like science, technology, business, IT and others. We believe incorporating meaningful industry experience provides a more seamless transition to the world of work, by leveraging the intrinsic value of learning-by-doing,” Professor Quester said.

Swinburne students share how industry experiences during their time at university equipped them for their future careers.  

High-achieving students will even have the unique opportunity to deepen their Work Integrated Learning experience by enrolling in a degree incorporating a paid, full-time work placement into their study program via Swinburne’s Professional Degrees.

Swinburne’s Professional Degrees set students apart from other graduates by helping them build the skills that future employers are looking for, gain a paid 12-month placement, and put their knowledge to the test in a modern workplace environment.

Swinburne’s Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Chris Pilgrim said industry leaders are calling out for graduates who are curious, think critically and can apply knowledge in practical ways.

“Swinburne has engaged strongly with industry and is focused on ensuring our graduates are ready for the challenges the workplace brings, while also offering valuable real-world teaching experiences in the workplace,” he said.

“We already work together with our industry partners, to offer a range of opportunities, such as industry-linked projects, placements and internships in most courses, including engineering, business and allied health degrees.

“From 2021, our Work Integrated Learning program will widen to provide all students with essential industry-linked learning experiences to ensure that they are job-ready with enhanced confidence to enter their desired industry.

“There is no doubt Australians are facing a lot of uncertainty with a narrowed job market and economic instability due to the COVID-19 situation, and this may continue for some time.

“The renewed focus on Work Integrated Learning in 2021 will benefit our students directly by creating closer connections between the world of work and the world of study. We are committed to doing all we can to set them up for success once they graduate,” Professor Pilgrim said.

Swinburne’s Work Integrated Learning experiences will be available to both domestic and international undergraduate students across IT, Science, Business, Engineering, Arts, Design, Health and more.

For out more information on 2021 Work Integrated Learning at Swinburne.  

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