FAQs

Talk to the Work Experience Coordinator or your VET teacher about what activities you can do. Any activity involving risks to your health and safety need to be carefully assessed before approval is given.

Some jobs also require you to know about specific Work, Health and Safety (WH&S) before you can work in the workplace. For example, to be on a building site, you have to have successfully done the General WH&S Induction Course for Construction. Similarly, to take part in any VET work placements, you must have done some WH&S training in the course beforehand.

This will vary – check with the Work Experience Coordinator re: your situation.

It is usually better not to work with your family in case you get treated differently because you are a family member. It is also better to go somewhere different so you can learn some new skills. You can discuss this with the Work Experience Coordinator if you need to.

You will have to plan your own way to and from work and meet your own travel costs. Check with the Work Experience Coordinator about this.

NO. because you are a volunteer worker, any payment affects our insurance arrangements with the employer (the only exceptions to this are School Based Trainees or Apprentices).

When you are undertaking workplace learning, you are a representative of our school and we have high expectations of you. The following list outlines these expectations:

• behave like a new employee
• follow the rules of the workplace
• dress appropriately for the workplace
• carry out any directions given by your workplace supervisor, especially about safety
• show enthusiasm, initiative and smile
• ask questions if you are not sure about something
• ask for another task when you have completed what has been set for you
• be polite, courteous and well mannered
• listen to instructions
• be willing to learn
• be on time every day
• contact your workplace supervisor and the Work Experience Coordinator if you cannot attend work for any reason (if you are sick etc).
• attend your placement for the normal hours of that business (unless you have negotiated otherwise)

Not normally, but…..

• you may be asked to keep a journal of your experiences
• you may also be asked to conduct some research while you are there. For example, find out about WH&S, work practices, the role of unions, duties of employees etc.
• work placement students may have some industry specific work skills (competencies) formally assessed while they are in the workplace

Let the Work Experience Coordinator or your supervising teacher know as soon as possible. Remember that this is a new experience and you may find that things get better after a day or two. Talk to your supervising teacher if you are having any problems.

Of course you will want to tell your family and friends all about your workplace. This is fine, however you must remember that the client and business information of your workplace is private. You must not talk about those things to anyone. If you are unsure, talk to the Work Experience Coordinator or your workplace supervisor about what you can and can’t talk about outside of work.

• refer to your emergency procedures card
• let your employer and the school know as soon as possible
• you are covered by insurance if you get hurt at work or while travelling to and from work, as long as you have completed all the work placement paperwork before you start the placement. You may not be covered if the injury or damage was your fault or if you did not obey clear instructions

Contact Details

Careers and Pathways Coordinator:
Mr Christopher Garrett
2 McKenzie Road
Woombye QLD 4559

Email: pathways@ncc.qld.edu.au

Work Experience:

• gives you a taste of the world of work
• usually undertaken in Year 10 (and sometimes Year 11 or 12)
• involves observing and carrying out tasks nominated by your supervisor
• gives you a chance to experience working life
• helps you learn about what employers expect, what responsibilities people have and what skills are valued in the workplace
• helps you learn how businesses work

Work Placement:

• a planned and compulsory part of many QCE VET courses
• involves you participating in the industry relevant to your studies
• lets you practice and develop skills you learn off-the-job at school or TAFE
• lets you learn specific skills or competencies on-the-job and agreed beforehand by the school and the host employer
• helps you find out more about employment and training opportunities in the industry
• contributes to your QCE and a nationally accredited qualification recognised by industry