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Gippsland initiates new work placement program

16 November 2005

A new program developed at the Gippsland campus will see the university and business collaborating to give students practical work experience during their studies.

Gippsland Water is the first organisation to take up the challenge, announcing it will take two students next year as part of the Cooperative Education program.

The manager of marketing and public affairs at Gippsland, Mr Justin Kohlman, said the program would help employers retain young university graduates in the Gippsland region.

Students in the program would work with employers for up to seven months over three years, he said. The agreement is expected to help both students and employers.

Mr Kohlman said students would receive paid employment, extra training, academic credit and industry contacts, and employers would gain motivated staff.

Thirty-six students across most faculties applied to take part in the initiative, which starts next year.

Mr Kohlman said students would have a range of choices, such as on-campus or off-campus learning, so that the placement would not significantly affect their study.