Industrial Training

Student Guide

UNSW Engineering
The Industrial Training guide
provides all the information you
need to know so that you can
start your Industrial Training
placement and complete the
required assessments.

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Industrial Training Student Guide Checklist
To graduate and qualify for accreditation by Engineers Australia, all UNSW students must complete a
1. Have I completed the 4 prerequisite modules? 7. Have I received approval on my pre-approval
minimum of 60 days approved Industrial Training. This means that you will get some real work experience
q  Resume Writing application prior to commencement?
in an Engineering environment. You will also develop employability skills whilst gaining valuable contacts for
q  Interview Skills q Yes – You can start your IT. Remember to set work
your future career. If you are a Co-op scholar, your Industrial Training requirements will be completed in the
q  Career Development and Networking goals (in the Evaluation form) during your first week
Co-op program.
q  Workplace Behaviour and Health & Safety q No – Contact your School Administrator for further
information and instructions
2. Have I generated my Certificate of Prerequisite
Click directly on the subject 8. Have I written my reflection about this placement
Completion?
headings to be directed to and submitted it to Moodle?
q Yes – Email this certificate to your School
more information. Suitable Industrial Training q Yes – Good job!
administration to receive your group activity key
• Understand the q No – Don’t forget to write this while at each of your
Pre-approval process q No – Generate this certificate in order to access
placement pre-approval applications and Industrial placements and submit it to Moodle, or you will not
• Find out about the types of be able to complete your IT requirement
Training assessments
acceptable IT placements,
Checklist including Traditional, 3. From 2019, If you are an International student, have you 9. Have I completed the evaluation form with my employer?
Unpaid Traditional or
Complete this checklist to completed 17 Courses equal to 102 Units of Credit? The q Yes – Make sure your hours have been signed off
Non-Traditional.
track your progress with following formula applies: Courses competed >=(Terms q No – Be sure to set up a meeting with your employer
your Industrial Training studied*3) – 1 with a minimum of 6 terms studied in order fill out this form, and get the days you have
requirements! q Yes – You may have an opportunity to undertake worked signed off. This must be done for each
Industrial Training within one full term of study placement
from 2019
Recognition of 10. Have I accumulated 60 days from all of my IT
q No – Contact your School Administrator for further placements (maximum 3 placements can be counted)?
Prior Learning information and instructions
Completed some industry q Yes – You can start writing your report. You only
IT Rules experience prior to university? 4. Have I enrolled in my School group on Moodle need to write one report for all of your placements.
Your previous experience using the group activity key? Refer to Assessment for instruction
• Best time to undertake IT
• Duration must be relevant to your
q Yes – You now have access to submitting a q No – You need to find more placement(s) to ensure
• Time limit current program of study.
placement pre-approval application you have a minimum of 60 days
• Engineers Australia Stage
1 Competencies q No – Be sure to enrol, or you will not be able to 11. Have I submitted my IT report to Moodle?
• Insurance. access any of your assessment requirements
q Yes – As soon as you receive a mark of
5. Have I received my job offer? “Satisfactory” on your report, you’re done with IT!
q Yes – Congratulations q No – Submit your report on Moodle by the deadline.
See Moodle for more information
Tips q No – Refer to TIPS to find IT
How to find IT and 6. Have I applied for IT pre-approval with the
other useful sources.
required documentation?
Process to q Yes – Await approval confirmation
commence your IT
q No – Refer to Pre-approval and IT Classifications

Support and FAQs

Find out where to find
Assessment answers to your questions.
• Report instruction and
requirement
• When and how to submit
your report.

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IT Rules
THE COMPANY YOU ARE UNDERTAKING
STUDENTS NEED TO COMPLETE IT WITH SHOULD PROVIDE YOU WITH
PLACEMENTS WHICH FULFIL AT LEAST

5 OF THE WORKERS
COMPENSATION, PUBLIC
THE BEST TIME TO UNDERTAKE YOUR INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IS

DURING YOUR 2ND OR 3RD 16 ELEMENTS

MINIMUM
LIABILITY AND GENERAL
YEAR FOR UNDERGRADUATES 60 DAYS FROM THE ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA STAGE 1
COMPETENCY STANDARD FOR PROFESSIONAL PERSONAL ACCIDENT
INSURANCES
THAT YOU’RE ENROLLED IN YOUR ENGINEERING PROGRAM. IN TOTAL ENGINEER WITH AT LEAST ONE ELEMENT FOR
FOR MASTERS STUDENTS, PLEASE DISCUSS WITH YOUR EACH COMPETENCY (PLEASE SEE THE FORMAT
SCHOOL ACADEMIC IT COORDINATOR GUIDE FOR WRITING YOUR REPORT)
AS A MINIMUM

FOR THOSE WHO COMPLETED INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AT A PREVIOUS INSTITUTION

MAXIMUM OR WORKED IN INDUSTRY PRIOR TO ENROLLING AT UNSW, AN APPLICATION FOR
ONE PLACEMENT MUST MINIMUM DURATION FOR

3 PLACEMENTS
BE TRADITIONAL TRADITIONAL AND UNPAID
AND AT LEAST PLACEMENTS IS
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)
WILL COUNT TOWARDS
YOUR IT REQUIREMENT 30 DAYS 10 DAYS NOT ALL PRIOR LEARNING WILL BE RECOGNISED.
YOUR APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN YOUR FIRST TERM OF STUDY.

STUDENTS CAN
UNDERTAKE
EXAMPLES OF
1
PLACEMENT
2
PLACEMENTS
3
PLACEMENTS
MINIMUM DURATION FOR
NON-TRADITIONAL
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
NON-TRADITIONAL PART-TIME NUMBER OF DAYS
PLACEMENTS IS PLACEMENTS IS
OR CASUAL MINIMUM OF 5 DAYS FOR NON-TRADITIONAL 50 + 5 + 5
5 DAYS 2 EMPLOYMENT AND 10 DAYS FOR TRADITIONAL AND
UNPAID TRADITIONAL 60
50 + 10
40 + 20
40 + 10 + 10
30 + 20 + 10
OVER A CONTINUOUS 30 + 30 30 + 15 + 15
EXTENDED PERIOD 30 + 25 + 5

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What is suitable Industrial Training

IT IS INTENDED THAT
UNPAID TRADITIONAL
YOU WILL NEED TO APPLY FOR

PRE-APPROVAL YOU ARE EMPLOYED The work must involve a learning experience related to the EA Stage 1 Competencies.
You must demonstrate that the role allows you to achieve the learning objectives of Industrial Training
AT A RATE COMPARABLE TO YOUR QUALIFICATIONS through engagement with new learning, and NOT completing work that simply assists with the
BEFORE YOU GO OUT ON AND EXPERIENCE. ESTIMATE YOUR RATE VIA
ANY PLACEMENT FAIR WORK OMBUDSMAN PAY CALCULATOR ordinary operation of the business or organisation.
Additional requirements for Pre-approval process can be found in Further Information

YOUR EXPERIENCE WILL EXPOSE THERE ARE

YOU TO A RANGE OF

ENGINEERING 3 IT NON-TRADITIONAL
ACTIVITIES CLASSIFICATIONS If your placement is not with an employer, but you are gaining exposure to
INCLUDING TRADITIONAL, UNPAID
INCLUDING DESIGN, ANALYSIS, TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL professional practice, the placement may be classed as Non-Traditional.
EXPERIMENTAL AND ON-SITE ACTIVITIES.
As with traditional placements, you must be supervised by a qualified
engineer (or in exceptional circumstances, a discipline professional).

If your placement is not on the Faculty’s list of preauthorised non-traditional

placements, you will need to apply to your Academic IT Coordinator to have
the placement assessed and authorised.
TRADITIONAL You can only count a maximum of 30 days of non-traditional placement
Work experience in a conventional professional engineering workplace where significant technical towards your IT requirement. (unless otherwise stated)
engineering tasks related to the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies are undertaken. A list of approved Non-Traditional placements and additional requirements
You are supervised by a qualified engineer and paid for your time. for pre-approval process can be provided by your school administration.
It can be in form of technical engineering tasks, engineering-related tasks or engineering consulting.
Refer to Further Information for details.

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The process to commence Industrial Training Tips – How to find IT

OTHER USEFUL SOURCES

COMPLETE ALL E-LEARNING PRE-REQUISITE MODULES ON MOODLE BECOME A
LIST OF MEMBER OF
STEP 1

• Resume writing
• Interview skills
COMPANIES ENGINEERS
•
•
Career development and Networking
Workplace behaviour and Health &Safety OFFERING ENGINEERING AUSTRALIA
GRADUATE PROGRAMS AND GAIN ACCESS TO THEIR
VACATION AND GRADUATE
EMPLOYMENT HANDBOOK
STEP 2

APPLY FOR INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

PRE-APPROVAL VIA MOODLE

WATCH YOUR SCHOOL’S VISIT

EMPLOYMENT CAREERS AND
NOTICE EMPLOYMENT
STEP 3

ENSURE YOU RECEIVE APPROVAL FROM YOUR ACADEMIC

IT COORDINATOR PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT
BOARDS TO IMPROVE YOUR RESUME
AND INTERVIEW SKILLS

APPROVED
NEED MORE
INFORMATION
REJECTED INTRODUCTION
TO THE CONSULT

WORKPLACE ACADEMIC
Academic Coordinator or (DIPP1112) STAFF
Commence Re-apply for pre-approval WHO FREQUENTLY HAVE
School Administration to INDUSTRY CONTACTS
Industrial Training for a different placement A GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE
contact applicant WHICH PREPARES YOU FOR
FUTURE EMPLOYMENT.

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Assessment Support
For the Industrial Training requirement to be satisfied, the following requirements must be met.
ACADEMIC IT CO-ORDINATORS

TOTAL OF

420 HOURS GENERAL

EVALUATION MINIMUM WRITTEN ENQUIRIES
AND SELF- EQUIVALENT REPORT Chemical Computer Science Civil and

REFLECTION TO 60 DAYS
Engineering & Engineering Environmental
Engineering

TO BE CERTIFIED BY AN
EMPLOYER/SUPERVISOR

Electrical Mechanical and Mining

Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering
Telecommunications Engineering

Petroleum Photovoltaic and

Engineering Renewable Energy
Engineering

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Facts and Questions
Q What are benefits of IT? Q  hat does it mean that I have to comply
W Q  an I undertake interstate and
C Q What
 are some common types of IT?
The main reason engineering students need to do with the EA Stage 1 competency and reflect overseas opportunities? Any of these types of placements will have to demonstrate
Industrial Training (IT) is so they are well prepared for a it in my report? We encourage you to do so. You will need to provide how they reflect the Stage 1 Competencies, as you will be
graduate job in their chosen field. It provides the You must illustrate how you demonstrated the EA Stage 1 adequate information about the proposed nature of the required to write on these in your report.
opportunity to put what you have learned at university competencies during your work experience in your report. work so we can make sure it is suitable.
• Technical Engineering (Both office and field) – involve
to work in real-life situations.
For example, you secure a placement at a car company. For overseas opportunities, please be aware that workplace working in an office or hands-on field activities to solve
• First-hand experience working as an engineering If your work is related to sales and customer service, employment laws and safety standards differ from country engineering problems.
professional it’s most likely not acceptable. If your work is involved to country. It is crucial that you have adequate insurance • Engineering Consulting – professional engineering
• Apply your technical knowledge and engineering with sustainable, engineering car design, it’s most likely to cover your Industrial Training placement. service firms who provide independent services,
methods to real-life situations satisfying specific conditions in the EA Stage 1 expertise and technical advice to companies who
If you have secured approval for an international
• Work with other engineering professionals Competencies. require specialised engineering tools and support to
placement, it is recommended that you complete the
• Experience what it’s like to work in a professional solve problems.
Pre-departure requirements.
organisation. Witness the functioning and organisation • Research & Development – all projects associated
Q  an I combine multiple placements to
C
of business and companies with the Taste of Research Summer Scholarships, and
accumulate 60 days?
• Increase your technical, interpersonal and other non-traditional placements, must be submitted to
Yes, please see table. Note that only 3 placements in total the Industrial Training Coordinator in your School who
communication skills, both oral and written
can count towards your IT requirement. will consult with the Faculty Unit to approve the project
• Observe interactions of engineers with other
professional groups for Industrial Training.

• Gain contacts for future networking opportunities.

While the employers use IT to assess their potential future

employees, you will also have the opportunity to determine
if this is where you want your future career to be.

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Further information
Moodle Enrolment Key Time limit for IT completion Recognition of prior learning Insurance
Use this key to enrol in the Faculty of Engineering If you do not complete your Industrial Training requirement If you completed Industrial Training at a previous The company you are undertaking IT with should provide
Industrial Training Moodle course under “Self-enrolment during your program of study, you will not be able to institution or worked in industry prior to enrolling at UNSW, you with workers compensation and public liability
(Student)” (see image below): graduate. However, you have a maximum of 2 years to an application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) insurances as a minimum, not UNSW. It is necessary for
complete your Industrial Training requirement, after you must be completed prior no later than Week 13 for your you to check with the company that insurance is provided
Eng5tudent!
have completed your program of study, if required and first semester. Not all prior learning will be recognised, and the extent of coverage. Australian employers carry
approved by your Academic IT coordinator. it must be relevant to your program of study. workers’ compensation and public liability insurance
cover for paid IT.
If you are undertaking an unpaid IT placement, you may RPL is also known as credit transfer (undergraduate) or
be required to take out additional insurance as you are no advanced standing (postgraduate). If you are undertaking unpaid Traditional IT, follow the
longer enrolled in a programme of study. It is steps required. Insurance cover is provided if you are
To apply for RPL, forward the below to your School
recommended that you check with UNSW Insurance. undertaking work in Australia.
Administration:
Incomplete Industrial Training after this two-year period If you are undertaking an International placement, you are
• Recognition of Prior Learning application form
will result in the student needing to show cause as to why required register your travel with International SOS and
• Current Resume
they should be readmitted into their degree. prepare for departure with UNSW Global Education.
Best time to undertake IT • Description of duties, tasks and/or projects undertaken You may be required to take out additional insurance.
that relate to the RPL with amount of hours
An engineering student’s Industrial Training must happen at If there are any concerns regarding this, then you should
the same time they are enrolled in the program. Ideally this • Current contact details and educational qualifications
of Engineering supervisor that can confirm that the contact the UNSW Insurance.
should be in year 3 of full-time study. Your Industrial Training
doesn’t all have to happen in one stretch: ideally, your 60 student has undertaken the work and confirm the
days of engineering IT could be spread out over a year as number of hours of RPL applied for.
an engineering internship or over your summer holidays at
the end of the 2nd and 3rd years. Most of you would have
done work experience at high school, this is just the next
step up.

From 2019 International students are required to have

completed at least 17 courses (102 Units of Credit) after
6 terms of study to enrol into Industrial Training for a full
academic term (equivalent to a full-time study load).

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 Unpaid Traditional
Faculty of Engineering strongly does not recommend unpaid IT, however recognises that in some extenuating
circumstances, students may not be able to obtain paid IT. If you wish to pursue unpaid IT, it must involve a learning
experience related to the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies. Thus, you must be able to demonstrate that you
are in a role that will allow you to achieve the learning objectives of Industrial Training through engagement with new
learning, and NOT completing work that simply assists with the ordinary operation of the business or organisation. For
further information, refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Additional information for pre-approval. To apply for pre-approval of an unpaid placement, please follow the below
procedure. Please note: Students will only be able to undertake unpaid IT at the proposed organisation for a
maximum of 12 weeks (i.e. 60 days). Students must also only conduct IT that provides a learning experience.

Further information COMPLETE THE PRE-APPROVAL APPLICATION FORM AND

• A written statement and job description on company letterhead

Pre-approval of all placements Traditional

STEP 1
• Learning outcomes for Unpaid Industrial Training – filled out and signed by you
You will need to apply for pre-approval before you go out A traditional placement is work experience in a and your workplace supervisor.
on a placement. Failure to do so may result in not being conventional professional engineering workplace where • Engineering Industrial Training Risk Management Form – filled out and signed by
able to use your experience towards your Industrial significant technical engineering tasks related to the you and your workplace supervisor. Refer to Guide to completing a Risk
Training requirement. Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies are Management Form for instruction.
undertaken, you are supervised by a qualified engineer,
To gain pre-approval for your IT, your employer should
and you are paid for your time. Traditional IT can be in
provide you with a position description outlining the tasks
form of technical engineering tasks, engineering-related

STEP 2
and activities related the placement. You may also obtain
tasks, engineering consulting or engineering R&D.
a project outline or other information that allows you to
demonstrate that you are undertaking work that is relevant EMAIL ABOVE DOCUMENTS TO YOUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
FOR YOUR IT COORDINATOR’S SIGNATURE
to your field of study.

It is your responsibility to find appropriate IT. The COMPLETE THE PRE-APPROVAL

STEP 1

philosophy behind this is that the process of finding IT is APPLICATION FORM AND

STEP 3
nearly identical to that of finding a job as a graduate. A confirmation of employment
on company letterhead SUBMISSION
Pre-approval for traditional, non-traditional and unpaid
traditional placements can be applied via Moodle. Submit your application documents via Moodle
STEP 2

SUBMISSION

Submit your application

PRE-APPROVAL
via Moodle
• You will be informed via email if your placement has been approved. If your

STEP 4
employer requires a copy of the UNSW Certificate of Currency for Personnel
Accident and Public Liability, they must email [email protected]
• Students are advised to contact UNSW Insurance Department to ensure that
you are covered by the correct insurance
• You will be covered for Public Liability and General Personal accident
insurance by UNSW.

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Further information
Non-traditional Total hours Industrial Training written report
Non-traditional placements are all those that fall outside the If you are completing a placement that is considered non- Industrial training hours can be achieved by undertaking You can obtain a guide on how to format your Industrial
scope of traditional placements, but you still gain relevant traditional and is not on the list of preauthorised up to 3 placements. It is a requirement that all the hours Training report in Moodle.
engineering experience. As with traditional placements, placements, you will first need to apply for the placement are signed off by a supervisor and submitted via Moodle
At the end of your Industrial Training, you are required to
you must be supervised by a qualified engineer (or in to be authorised through your school administration. Once as part of your evaluation. Your Supervisor/Employer must
produce one report covering all your Industrial Training
exceptional circumstances, a discipline professional). Such the placement is authorised, you can start applying for IT submit this at the completion of your placement.
placements.
non-traditional placements include but are not limited to: Pre-approval through MOODLE. Your total hours must be a minimum of 420, which is the
equivalent of 60 days. • The report should be between 2000 and 3000 words
• Student-led Projects
• Submission will be open from beginning of O week and
• Research Placements (Taste of Research, research
opportunities at UNSW or other Universities) COMPLETE THE PRE-APPROVAL
Evaluation and Self-reflection closes 5pm Census day
• You will be informed by an email notification that your
STEP 1

APPLICATION FORM AND

• Domestic UNSW immersion programs You can obtain a template of the Self-reflection and
• An offer letter of acceptance report is satisfactory/unsatisfactory including feedback
• International UNSW immersion programs. Evaluation in Moodle.
into the program • You can see if you have completed the requirements of
• On commencement of each placement, make an industrial training by checking the completion box in
The Faculty of Engineering will maintain a list of • Program advertisement
appointment with your supervisor to agree on the goals Moodle or your Moodle grade book.
preauthorised non-traditional placements with their
that you wish to achieve whilst on your placement
associated credit durations which can be provided by
• At the end of each placement If you are a Co-op Scholarship student, they you can use
your school administration.
• Complete a self-reflection and submit to Moodle the Co-op report to submit via Moodle.
STEP 2

Additional information for pre-approval of non- SUBMISSION • Review your goals with your supervisor
traditional placements. If you complete a placement from
Submit your application • Ask your employer to complete your evaluation.
Grading
the list of non-traditional placements preauthorised by the
via Moodle Ideally this should be done in a meeting. You can Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
Faculty of Engineering, then you will apply for a non-
take along your self-reflection to compare responses
traditional placement pre-approval through your School.
and discuss areas of success and improvement.
• Supervisor to complete the total hours you have worked
• You must submit your evaluation with the total hours
worked, by uploading to Moodle assessment evaluation.

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