Workplace learning provides students with the opportunity to connect school to a real workplace setting. It enables achievement of curriculum outcomes and enhances the vocational, educational and social development of secondary students. Workplace learning programs include work experience and work placement for HSC vocational education and training (VET) courses.

Work Placement
Work placement is a component of most of the courses delivered, providing students with the opportunity to meet people in industry, network, and apply the skills and knowledge they have gained in the classroom to a real workplace setting.

For most courses work placement is a mandatory NESA requirement for the HSC; and for some courses, work placement also forms part of qualification requirements. If a student does not complete the work placement requirements, they may jeopardise their HSC. In addition, if work placement is part of the qualification, students will jeopardise the completion of the full qualification.

The table below captures work placement requirements for each course (please note, the hours below are not reflective of those required by students participating in a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT), these are addressed in the SBAT section.

Course Is WP a NESA Requirement Is WP a qualification requirement Minimum Hours
Automotive Yes No 70
Business Services Yes No 70
Construction Yes No 70
Electrotechnology Yes No 70
Entertainment Industry Yes No 70
Financial Services Yes No 70
Hospitality Yes Yes 70
Human Services -Individual Support & Allied Health Yes Yes 120
Human Services -Health Services Assistance Yes Yes 80
Information & Digital Technology Yes No 70
Primary Industries Yes No 70
Retail Services Yes No 70
Tourism, Travel & Events Yes No 70
Active Volunteering Yes Yes 20
Baking No No N/A
Beauty Services – 240 hour course Yes No 35
Beauty Services – 360 hour course Yes No 70
Community Dance Theatre & Events No No N/A
Creative Industries No No N/A
Early Childhood Education & Care Yes Yes 160
Fitness – Statement of Attainment Yes No 35
Fitness – Certificate III Yes No 70
Furniture Making Yes No 35
Hair or Beauty Services No No N/A
Hairdressing (SBAT only) Yes Yes 100 days
Salon Assistant Yes No 35
School-Based Education Support Yes Yes 100
Skills for Work & Vocational Education No No N/A
Sport Coaching II & III Yes Yes 35
Workplace Skills No No N/A

Work Experience
Work Experience may be available to students. Given students are not trained in the industry area, during work experience, students observe work, and may shadow people in the workplace to gain a greater understanding of what it is like to work in the industry. If students are interested in participating in work experience, they must talk to their school to see if it is a possibility.

Insurance
Three separate policies provide work experience/placement cover for students, schools and employers involved in Work Experience and Work Placement activities.

1. Student Personal Accident
AIG Australia Ltd [Student Personal Accident] Policy

2. Work Experience/ Work Placement Public Liability Insurance Policy
Ascot Group as lead insurer Insurance Work Experience/ Work Placement Public Liability Insurance Policy – Catholic Schools New South Wales manages this policy on behalf of Diocesan Offices.

3. Professional Indemnity cover for Healthcare Assistants
Vero Insurance Limited Professional Indemnity Cover for Healthcare Assistants – Catholic Schools New South Wales also manages this policy on behalf of Diocesan Offices.