To diffuse a common misunderstanding from the beginning, Structured Work Place Learning (SWL) is NOT Work Experience.
They are however similar in operation. Both involve the generosity of a business to host a student or course participant for a nominated period of time. And, it is fair to say that both provide the participant with the opportunity to become involved in a workplace and learn.
Structured Work Placement is the required on job learning opportunity which students accept as part of a Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) accredited training Program (usually referred to as VET (Vocational Education and Training).
As part of this course the student will be required to demonstrate certain competencies with skills through the tasks they undertake on the job or associated theoretical knowledge. The on-job supervisor or the course trainer will be required to acknowledge the acquisition of tasks through signing a log book.
On the other hand Work Experience is commonly undertaken by most secondary school students as part of the Work Education curriculum (usually Year 10 and/or Year 11) or stand alone Work Experience opportunities which schools will promote. Usually this means that the student has little or no assumed knowledge or skills and therefore the learning taking place on the job is predominantly targeted to routine tasks and observation.
VET courses are offered through the school curriculum and the variety of VET curriculum varies according to schools and/or regional courses.
The length of SWL requirements vary from course to course and usually range from 1 week to 4 weeks.
