La Trobe University
Science, Technology & Engineering
IT Industry Learning Schemes

Computer Science & Computer Engineering, Bendigo

IT Industry Based Learning Schemes
Scheme Industry Based Learning (IBL) Industry Experience (IY) Minor Project (MP)
Year started 1995 1998 2008
Academic credit 4 subjects (60 CPs) 2 subjects (30 CPs) 1 subject (15 CPs)
Duration 2 x 20-week placements academic year (2 x 13-week placement) One semester (13 weeks)
Type of Industry Partner (IP) Corporate citizens: currently
  • Bendigo Bank
  • Powercor
  • Integrating Technology
  • MakinITEzy
 Any Any
Uni/IP relationship Formal contract IBL coordinator assists IPs in planning of programs, visits, invites to award nights, etc. IP draws up student development program (IT work, supervised)IY Coordinator may visit from courtesy, but not for monitoring purposes. Student employed by IP for eight hours per week (casual) – IT work, supervised
IP/student relationship Scholarship provider Employer Employer
Student selection Applications invited from students at the end of Second Year, Third Year if double degree student (minimum grade point average of 65); Uni/IP staff conduct selection interview; automatic scholarship recipient if in BIT (Prof) course (ENTER score: minimum 80) Candidates eligible at end of Second year of IT course. Students obtaining IT employment must apply to have work program approved Candidates eligible at end of First year of IT course. Students obtaining IT employment must apply to have work program approved

Financial arrangement

 IP funds students' scholarships through contract with University (tax free – ATO class ruling CR2004/94) Student is IP's salaried employee Student is IP's casual employee

Course restrictions

 Student normally expected to do no other formal study or work while IBL No restrictions No restrictions

Type of project

 Two twenty-week structured placements, normally each with a different IP. Any Any

Uni supervision level of students

 Weekly email journal reflecting on the learning experience; IBL Coordinator makes regular site visits Weekly email journal reflecting on the learning experience Student meets weekly with university supervisor
Assessment Presentations, reflective diaries, report.  IP's evaluation contributes. Presentations, reflective diaries, report.  IP's evaluation contributes. Presentation, project documentation, report.
Benefits
Stakeholder Industry Based Learning Industry Year Minor Project

Industry Partner
  • Fresh skills and enthusiasm
  • Tax deductibility of money component
  • Check out best students as future employees
  • Timely availability of successful job candidate
  • Potential for University assistance if student has problems
  • Opportunity to quickly fill casual positions
  • Increased opportunity to attract local graduates

Student
  • Tax-free scholarship linked to CPI (currently ~$17,500), plus accommodation subsidy if student placement is in Melbourne (currently ~$3000).
  • Experience helps to differentiate student from others on graduation
  • IP becomes at least a source of references, maybe a future employer
  • Increased confidence and awareness of career options
  • Salary
  • Academic credit while fully employed
  • Real employment experience gained, with academic benefits
  • Increased confidence
  • Increased probability (given that they have chosen to start work before graduating) that student will complete degree
  • Casual employment
  • Real employment experience gained while studying with academic benefits
  • Increased confidence
  • Increased probability  that student will complete degree

University, staff, other students, community
  • Promotes relations with industry partners
  • Feedback in presentations, and in subsequent classroom subjects, about observed current work practices
  • IP supports University administration costs (~$10,500 p.a. for one student – 40 weeks)
  • Promotes relations with industry partners
  • Makes student completion of the degree more likely
  • Helps provides skills in the region
  • Promotes relations with industry partners
  • Makes student completion of the degree more likely
  • Helps provide skills in the region
  • Increased attractiveness of IT courses to potential students