• Workplace Learning, Albion Park
  
• Casual (school hours and school weeks)
  
• $38 – $40 per hour
  
• Workplace Learning assists young people transition to further education, training and employment

The role - Program Coordinator, Work Placement Program

You will be working with young people who are undertaking a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course as part of their HSC.

• Reports to: Program Manager
  
• Location: Albion Park, New South Wales
  
• Award: Labour Market Assistance Industry Award 2020 Classification: Employment Services Officer Grade 2
  
• Remuneration: $38.29 per hour plus 11.0% Superannuation
  
• Contract: 24 to 30 hours per week (negotiable). You will work during school hours during school terms

Note: Applications will be considered at the time they are submitted, and the position will be filled as soon as there is a suitable applicant.

The position is available from 6 November 2023. There may be an opportunity to work additional hours, as agreed, during periods of higher levels of business activity.

POSITION PURPOSE

The primary function of this role is to undertake Program Coordination for the Work Placement Program.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Securing work placement opportunities with employers, both current and those not currently involved in work placement. This involves directly contacting, visiting and following up leads with prospective employers and participating in targeted marketing activities with business networks, school and RTO (including TAFE) teacher networks, student family networks, current inactive employers and cold canvassing.
• Ongoing liaison with and support of School and RTOs, such as TAFE NSW, coordinators and teachers to ensure the work placement requirements of all their students are met.
• Conduct workshops for students to ensure they are work ready and can maximise their work placement opportunity.
• Provide training/orientation for VET Coordinators/teachers and host employers to ensure they understand the requirements of work placement and are clear on their responsibilities and obligations.
• Retention of existing host employers and recruitment of new host employers including following up of leads and cold canvassing.
• Retention of host employers through continued liaison and support to ensure their commitment and involvement in providing work placement opportunities.
• Foster, develop and maintain good working relationships with all stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other staff to actively promote Workplace Learning services.
• Contribute case studies & other relevant content for various reports & marketing collateral.
• Ensure that you adhere to all Workplace Learning Policies & Procedures & attend team & other meetings/functions as directed by the Executive Officer.
• Be accountable to the Program Manager & Chief Executive Officer and support other WL staff undertaking other duties as required.

KEY SKILLS

• Communication: Good verbal, non-verbal, listening and written communication skills together with the ability to persuade and negotiate with employers, teachers, parents and students.
• Work Independently and in a Team: Self driven to achieve required services and achieve outcomes. Contribute to the team meeting its goals and performance standards and provide back up and support to other team members to ensure peak workload demands are met. Proven ability to develop networks within local communities and the ability to liaise effectively between stakeholders in education, industry and community organisations.
• Planning & Organising: Good attention to detail, together with the ability to manage work flows several months in advance. Ability to work with minimal supervision to set priorities, manage caseload and meet deadlines to achieve targets/KPIs in a timely manner.
• IT Skills: Ability to competently use the Microsoft Office suite of programs and to quickly learn and use the WL database placement system (Pathways).
• Problem Solving: Negotiating and rescheduling placements as required and the ability to troubleshoot issues as they arise, involving teachers, employers, parents and students.
• Presentation Skills: Capability to delivery engaging presentations.

QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

1. Certificate III in Business Services and or Certificate IV in Employment Services and or Certificate IV in Career Development and or 2 – 3 years’ experience working with young people transitioning from school or unemployment to the workforce and or further education and training.
2. Working with Children Check clearance under the Child Protection Working with Children Act 2012.
3. Current NSW Drivers Licence and willingness and availability during normal business hours.
4. Australian Federal Police check.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal – Program Manager; Chief Executive Officer; Finance and Quality Manager; other Workplace Learning Program Coordinators and staff.

External – Education providers; Local businesses: Community organisations; Teachers; Careers Advisers; Vocational Coordinators; Students; Parents; Carers and families; Representatives from Government (Federal, State and Local) and Community members.

Workplace Learning (WL)– Why Choose Us

Workplace Learning recognises that guiding and supporting young people is a privilege and the work we do is both professionally satisfying and highly valuable.

WL values respect, integrity, accountability and continuous improvement in all we do.

What You will have in this Role

• The opportunity to make a positive difference
• Realistic workloads
• Clarity of role, responsibilities and boundaries
• Lived vision, values and purpose
• Capable leadership and management
• Concise and effective communication
• Safe environment

WL work culture is best described:

• Youth focused and aligned with a common purpose
• Committed to achievement of outcomes
• Team based
• Inclusive
• Friendly
• Adaptable
• Feelings of value and appreciation
• Zero tolerance to bullying and harassment

Working at WL

• 24-30-hour work week over 4 or 5 days (negotiable)
• Variable work hours (negotiable 8.30/9.00am – 3.00/3.30pm)
• Award Pay Rates
• Ongoing professional/career development
• Phone allowance or phone provided
• Employee Assistance Program
• Access to environmentally friendly pool cars for travel to clients
• Supportive, positive workplace environment
• Fun workplace events and functions

ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Illawarra Schools Workplace Learning Program Incorporated (WL) offers young people a variety of programs and support to assist them make a successful transition from school to work and / or further education and training.

WL delivers a range of services in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Shoalhaven, South Coast and Far South Coast regions.

WL is currently contracted to deliver three main school to work transition programs.

Work Placement: Students studying an industry based Vocational Education and Training (VET) course as part of their Higher School Certificate (HSC), spend a week in both Years 11 and 12 as voluntary workers in a relevant workplace, to develop industry specific skills related to that course.

Work placement is a mandatory HSC requirement for a range of courses including Automotive, Business Services, Construction, Electrotechnology, Entertainment, Hospitality, Information Technology, Primary Industries, Retail and Tourism & Events. During work placement, employers supervise students as they participate in the workplace and practice and extend what they have learnt in their off-the-job training at school or at other RTOs, such as TAFE NSW (refer to https://www.workplacement.nsw.edu.au).

Get Back in the Game (GBIG) – This program delivers services to support young people, aged 15 to 19, disengaged from education and training. The daily delivery of the Get Back in the Game Program within the Illawarra, Southern Highlands & Shoalhaven Region will involve:

• Working with young people, aged 15 to 19 years, who have disengaged from education to support them to make effective transitions into employment
• To provide individual client case management, mentoring, and training & employment brokerage services to re-engage them in education and training and/or
• Support their transition to sustainable employment.

Jobs Education Training Program (JET): Provides structured small group and one-on-one case management encompassing: career and transition to work planning; workplace readiness training, identification of students’ strengths and skills; identification of training and learning pathways available; facilitating workshops; and the development of a school to work transition plan.

In conjunction with these programs, WL also delivers a range of high-quality events, including:

• Illawarra Schools Career Expo
• Apprenticeship and Traineeship Information Sessions and
• Excellence in Vocational Education and Training Awards in all WL’s regions.