Melbourne School of Engineering

Assessment: practical experience

The completion of practical experience (vacation work) is not required for the award of the BE or BGeomE. It is no longer a mandatory Institution of Engineers (Australia) accreditation requirement.*

However, the Faculty endorses the view of its departments that work experience is a valuable contribution to students' professional experience. The Faculty will provide a certificate signed by the Dean of Engineering to state that a student has completed twelve weeks work experience, where this has been done, in accordance with the conditions as set out in the guidelines below.

*Vacation Work / Practical Work Experience remains a requirement of the BE and BGeomE for students who commenced their course in 1997 or earlier. Students who have been unable to complete twelve weeks work experience may apply for an exemption through the Dean.

Guidelines for Practical Work Experience (Vacation Work) Experience for BE and BGeomE students

1. Twelve weeks

The Faculty's endorsement of a minimum period of twelve weeks practical experience for Engineering and Geomatic Engineering students arises from the following considerations:

1. Students obtain some knowledge of how work is organised and carried out, and of the nature of the activities of professional people in the industry that they plan to make a career in.
2. Students come into contact with a different group of people from those whom they normally associate, thus broadening their horizons.
3. Students obtain some acquaintance with industry, of a kind not necessarily obtained after graduation, and some experience of having to do routine tasks under direction.

2. Nature of Employment

Employment is considered suitable if it offers a direct association with engineering activities. This may be in a relatively unskilled role, such as a labouring job, but there must be an opportunity to participate in practical engineering. However, practical experience may be approved in non-course related jobs if a student can show they have obtained some knowledge of how work is organised and carried out and that they have been able to work with others. Students must check that non-course related practical experience will be approved by consulting the Head of Department.

Overseas students may obtain relevant practical experience in their home country on the condition that proof is provided that the work was obtained. For example, as well as the employer endorsing the practical experience work form, the employer should state on a separate sheet the precise period of the employment, the nature of the employment and the professional qualifications of the supervisor.

3. Requirements

Before beginning a period of practical experience, students should ensure that their employment will be approved by consulting the Head of Department. In case of doubt, an application will be referred to the Dean.

4. Practical Experience Work Form & Departmental Reports

The practical experience form has been instituted so that some general assessment may be made of the nature and quality of the experience obtained, as well as to provide evidence that the requirements have been satisfied.

The practical experience form is available on-line [PDF 80kb] or from the Engineering Faculty Office. Completed forms should be submitted to the relevant departmental office. Students should also ensure they satisfy any additional departmental requirements.

5. Practical Experience Certificates

The Faculty of Engineering will issue practical experience certificates to students upon receipt of confirmation from their department that work experience has been satisfactorily completed.

Students may collect certificates in person from the faculty office, ground floor, Old Engineering building. Students will be sent an email to inform them when their certificates are ready to be collected.

Students may submit practical work experience forms at any time and need not wait until they have satisfied their degree requirements. A limit of one certificate per student applies, regardless of the total number of weeks of practical experience completed.

Enquiries

All enquiries regarding Practical Experience Certificates may be directed to the Faculty Office. T: (03) 8344 6703

Note

Practical Work Experience is a private arrangement between the student and the employer. Any queries concerning rates of pay should be directed to the University's Careers and Employer Liaison Unit in the Balwyn Spencer Building. Any queries concerning risk management for voluntary workers should be directed to the Risk Management Office.

Enrolled students have insurance cover from the University 365 days a year. Students should also check insurance arrangements with their prospective employers.