What is it?

The Co-op Program integrates academic study with work experience. It has been developed based on feedback from Victorian employers who want to employ job-ready students upon graduation and to entice more good quality students to live and work in their regions. Similar programs have been run with great success in other states in Australia and overseas.

This Co-op program is being offered by Monash University in partnership with Gippsland Group Training Ltd (GGT). Monash University students will be recruited into the program to gain work experience while they complete their degree or course of study.

The program consists of academic study combined with periods of work experience in appropriate fields of business, industry, government, social services, non-profit organisation and other professions. The three work placements will take place over three years and will be accompanied by both academic assessment and extensive workplace training provided by Monash University.

Students who wish to enter the Co-op program apply prior to gaining a place at Monash University. They will then be interviewed by GGT and Monash University to evaluate their suitability. If the student is successful in the interview and then secures a place at Monash University Gippsland campus, they will start in the Co-op program immediately upon commencing their studies.

Students accepted into the program will undertake work placements with an industry sponsor. In addition, they are required to:

• Perform satisfactorily in the workplace, according to the host employer and GGT’s expectations;
• Produce projects and presentations about their work placements as part of the academic component of their course; and
• Fulfil all of the same academic requirements of other students completing the same degree.

Co-op aims to provide unique recruitment options for Host Employers and students, offering students the opportunity to sample different kinds of work, and employers the possibility of recruiting a graduate who has already proven their value in the workplace.

Which areas of expertise do the students have?

Monash University Gippsland campus is currently offering students from the following faculties the opportunity to participate in Co-op:

• Arts
• Art and Design
• Business
• Engineering
• Information Technology
• Science

Students within these faculties will develop a wide range of expertise depending upon their chosen area of study. For instance, Arts students may major in journalism, communications, social sciences and public relations, among other areas. Their particular areas of expertise will be matched to your needs.

Why become a Host employer?

Host employers are vital to the success of the Co-operative Education Program. They provide the necessary financial support and real workplace experience that students need to succeed in their chosen career. At the same time, their organisation benefits from the experience of hosting an undergraduate.

Some of the advantages for Host Employers include:

• The opportunity to assess students in your workplace and retain them for your long term recruitment needs;
• Flexible and enthusiastic employees who meet your business needs. Employers will be interviewed to determine their exact needs. A student will then be selected for placement who meets those employer needs. Students are selected not only for their academic qualities, but also demonstrated leadership and personal motivation;
• Ongoing support and advice from Monash University and GGT. GGT is a group training organisation with more than 1100 employees and over two decades of experience in catering to the needs of host employers. As a host employer, you will have access to the support of GGT field officers who regularly visit the student in the workplace during placements, and can answer questions or follow up on any concerns that you might have;
• Skilled undergraduate employees at competitive rates, and with none of the usual administrative hassles. Tax deductions may also be available to some employers.
• Networking opportunities with other host employers and people in your industry through functions organised for Co-op sponsors and host employers;
• The sense of satisfaction from having passed on your skills and experience to the next generation of young graduates.

What are the roles of Monash University and GGT?

Monash University Gippsland Campus and GGT are working together in a unique partnership to provide this opportunity to students and host employers. The roles of each organisation are clearly defined to ensure that the needs of students and host employers are met.

• Monash University helps to prepare students for employment, both indirectly through academic studies and directly through special workplace preparation events. Monash University has the final responsibility for the student’s learning process, and to this end will be involved in at least one meeting with each host employer and student in the workplace. Monash academics will support the student and grade academic projects related to the work placements.
  
• GGT is responsible for employing the students, paying their salaries and monitoring their progress on work placements. They also provide support in the workplace for students and Host Employers. As such, the host employer has no direct contractual relationship with the student – rather, they sign an Employment Agreement (at the back of this Manual) with GGT. Host employers receive an invoice for the costs of employing the student from GGT, and have a number of payment options.
  
  The advantage of this approach is that all of the administrative and contractual requirements in employing the student are managed by GGT. The host only needs to pay a single, monthly invoice. In addition, the host employer can change students if necessary, without any interruption to the Program. In the event that a student ceases employment with you, GGT will arrange a replacement.
  
  GGT is a non-profit company with more than twenty years experience in the employment and training of young people throughout Victoria.