CHOICE EMPLOYER. Enhance - Educate - Develop.

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1 EMPLOYER OF CHOICE Enhance - Educate - Develop The Employer of Choice Program is a mutually beneficial relationship between the School of Property, Construction and Project Management (PCPM) at RMIT University, industry employers and property, construction and project management students. The Program is designed to offer students who are seeking employment the opportunity to gain structured employment experiences in industry that will enhance their academic program of study. The program is also designed to offer employers preferential access to students and greater knowledge of student capability and development throughout their education program. The program will better prepare students for their post graduation careers. The program is also aimed at addressing some of the problems the School and students are experiencing with less structured part time employment of students. These problems include: students engaging in full time work while undertaking full time study (causing stress problems for students and poor educational results), lack of students commitment to their study including poor attendance at classes, some employers placing their short term commercial needs ahead of the long term educational and professional needs of students. The aim of this program is to establish and enshrine best practice among employers and students. It also provides recognition of employers who participate in the program. The list of employers participating in the program will be available to all students. Students are not obligated to participate in this program and they may choose to seek employment through other means. Student Employee: A student employee is a student in paid position in a relevant professional field. The aim is for the student to gain structured supervised practical experience that will benefit their education. Industry Employer: This refers to the employer of the student who participates in the Employer of Choice Program as a partner with the School and mentor to the student s education and professional development. Administration: The Employer of Choice Program shall be administered by the School of Property, Construction and Project Management. Outcomes of the Employer of Choice Program: Provide linkages between RMIT students and employers that provide high quality structured work experience. Ensure that students work with employers who support University work by ensuring students attend class and participate fully in assessment exercises. Familiarize students with the industry and industry operations. Allow students to undertake various professional tasks in the industry under appropriate supervision. Expose students to management and communication functions performed within the industry. Aid students in acquiring specific skill sets which will enhance their value to employers and the industry.

2 PROCESS A successful Employer of Choice Program requires three elements: A goal oriented student with a desire to learn and to advance their education and professional career. An employer committed to student and professional development. Employers provide students with structured professional work experience that is complimentary (and does not compete with) to their education program. Continual care and attention by the School of Property, Construction and Project Management to student progress and sound educational and professional outcomes. Registration The School of Property, Construction and Project Management will maintain an Employer of Choice register. This register will be made available to students, staff and other interested parties. The School will also set up a system where employers of choice are able to advertise work experience, vacation employment, and full time positions to current students and alumni. The School will undertake not to publicise vacancies for employers who are not on the register. Employers may register with the School. The registration process will involve a discussion of the objectives of the program with employers with the School s Work Integrated Learning Program Coordinator (WILPC). This discussion will also include an explanation of how the employer intends to structure and administer the student employment. Where the employment includes for assessment work integrated learning component the structure of this employment and the assessment tasks will also take place. The employer will then be asked to sign off on the objectives of the program. Discussion will be held with employers on an annual basis. Employers are encouraged to keep records of structured student employment to inform these discussions. Visits and Coordination During the year, the WILPC, with the cooperation of the registered employer, will visit the students and employers. It is the program s goal that every employer be personally visited at least once every year. Evaluations Employers will be asked to provide an annual evaluation of the program. This will aid teaching staff in structuring the School s Teaching and Learning activities and the Employer of Choice Program. Students are asked to complete an evaluation of their employment experience as well. This will identify concerns that may need to be addressed regarding the program. Where the employment includes a for academic credit work integrated learning (WIL) component, the structure of this employment and the assessment tasks will also take place. The employer will then be asked to sign off on the objectives of the program. Students who choose to participate in a for academic credit employment will be required to establish a Statement of Goals prior to the WIL, to keep a daily WIL journal, prepare a written report on their WIL and present a review of their WIL experience. As part of the academic credit process it will be necessary that employers complete an evaluation on the student in WIL. Employer/Employee Relationship Every effort should be made between the student employee and employers to reach a mutually satisfactory arrangement, as per the normal avenue of the workplace policy and procedures. The School will not become involved in the employer/employee relationship during the actual internship.

3 RESPONSIBILITY AND BENEFITS Responsibilities of the School of Property, Construction and Project Management Maintain an academic program which meets university requirements. Maintain a strong link with industry to ensure that the School of Property, Construction and Project Management meets industry needs on a continuing basis. Provide opportunities such as industry events, company information sessions and networking opportunities for students and employers to become acquainted with each other. Re-evaluate the Program and its compensation rates anually, and to provide literature which explains the specifics of the program. Identify a staff member of the School to coordinate the Program and serve as a resource to both students and employers. Evaluate and monitor for academic credit work integrated learning, assuring that all requirements are being met for university grade and credit. Responsibilities of the Industry Employer Provide meaningful work experience for each student employee. The student should be exposed to a range of appropriate professional experience. Identify a person within the employer s organisation with who the student can maintain contact with, and receive guidance from, throughout the employment duration. Conduct an orientation that will introduce the student to the employer s organisation and the student s place within the organisation. Conduct a briefing for the student s direct supervisor in the employer organisation on the program and its objectives. Provide the student with a description of the work activites planned for each work period and the goals of these work activities as related to the student s educational objective. Be available to discuss the program and submit a written evaluation of the program to the School. In the case of a for academic credit work integrated learning employment provides a written evaluation of student performance. Provide an objective plan for the employment experience. Responsibilities of the Student Employee Represent the School well in the work experience employment. Communicate regularly, both orally and in writing, as required by the School regarding the work experience. In the case of a for academic credit work integrated learning employment, participate in and complete all requirement and assignments for credit and provide a written report of the work integrated learning experience performance. Provide an objective plan for the employment experience. Benefits of the Employer of Choice Program: To employers: Preferential access to students Ability to advertise positions to students directly Endorsement from the School in relation to the quality of work experience and employment offered Opportunity to contribute directly to student education and professional development To students: Employment that supports their educational and professional development Access to high quality industry experience that can best be acquired outside the university classroom Access to committed leading employers To PCPM: A quality employment experience for students Student employment that emphasizes professional and educational development Relationships with employers that will place educational development at the forefront of the employment experience Relationships with employers that will help develop appropriate for credit work integrated learning opportunities for students

4 REGISTRATION Code of Conduct The Code reflects our commitment to working together to promote an ethical, just and responsible work environment for all members of this program. The Code empowers us to carry out our respective roles and responsibilities in a way that promotes a better working environment for everyone. School of Property, Construction and Project Management Creating an environment which fosters and encourages change, growth and trust Dealing with all matters in a consistent, prompt reasonable and non-discriminatory manner Ensuring our words and actions reflect our values Industry Employers Making our workplace one that embraces the principles of the program Ensuring that ongoing feedback, support and guidance is provided to students and the School Maintaining a professional and safe environment for all employees Ensuring that students are provided with adequate time to attend classes Student Employees Ensuring that, to the best of our ability, we commit to seeing a task through to the end Having pride in out work and our workplace Doing what we will say we will do, fulfilling our promises and commitments Work Integrated Learning Program Coordinator Ben Bucknall Building 8, Level Swanston Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia Tel Fax ben.bucknall@rmit.edu.au Acknowledgement The material in this document was developed by the School and is based on material obtained from the Building Construction Department at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA. A subcommittee of the School Advisory Committee comprising Ewen McDonald, Graeme Parton, Jim Moschoyiannis and Peter Lambden provided advice on this document. Enjoy preferential access to engaged and motivated student employees, and register your interest in the program To ensure the benefits of structured educational and professional development for students employees, the School will endeavour to only advertise positions of work from employers who are part of the Employer of Choice Program. In the future, all employment positions to be advertised to students by the School will be handled by the Work Integrated Learning Program Coordinator (WILPC). If you have any queries about the Program, or would like more information on skills and capabilities of students, please contact the WILPC. After registering your interest, you will be contacted by the WILPC to discuss how your organisation, the School and its students can work together to create an enriching employment environment. Nominated contact name:... Department/Title:... Company: Postal Address: City:... State:... P/C:... Tel:... Fax:

5 Employer of Choice Program What is it? The Employer of Choice Program is a social contract of sorts, a mutually beneficial relationship and understanding relationship between the School of Property, Construction and Project Management at RMIT University, industry employers and property, construction and project management students. It has developed by the School, with advice provided by the School Advisory Committee. The Program is designed to offer students who are seeking employment the opportunity to gain structured employment experiences in industry that will enhance their academic program of study. The program is also designed to offer employers preferential access to students and greater knowledge of student capability and development throughout their education program. The program is also aimed at addressing some of the problems the School and students are experiencing with less structured part time employment of students. The list of employers participating in the program will be available to all students on the School s website. Students are not obligated to participate in this program and they may choose to seek employment through other means. There are many benefits that will arise from this Program. Employers registered in this Program will receive preferential access to students and the ability to advertise positions to students directly along with the opportunity to contribute directly to student education and professional development. Employers will be expected to provide meaningful and supervised work experience for each student employee, exposing them to a range of appropriate professional experience. Students will benefit from employment that supports their educational and professional development and access to high quality industry experience and committed leading employers. Creating and maintaining relationships with employers that will place educational development at the forefront of the employment experience will be incredibly beneficial for the School. The School will support this Program by maintaining an academic program that meets industry needs on a continuing basis. The School will also provide industry events and opportunities to network for students and employers to become acquainted with each other. What does it mean for the School? This Program is about streamlining the way the School interacts with student employers, and providing a better educational and professional experience for all parties. This is in no way an attempt to poach existing relationships between staff and industry, but a way to strengthen them. This will mean a few changes in how the School communicates with employers and the advertising of employment positions to students. At this time, there are no planned changes to the way work placement works for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Property). Who is managing it? The School will soon appoint an academic staff member to assist in the co-ordination and communication of this program. They will be able to assist employers with the structure of student employment for academic credit gained in work integrated learning (WIL). The maintenance and administration of the database of Employer of Choice registration is currently being conducted by the marketing officer, Ben Bucknall. Offers of employment are sent out by undergraduate administrative coordinator, Jenny Balzan. Basic information about the Program will be provided on the School s website, and will provide contact details for those involved in managing the Program.

6 Process To ensure that students receive employment with employers that have an understanding of a structured work experience, the School will only advertise positions by companies who register with the Employer of Choice Program. We hope that in the future, all expressions of interest to advertise positions of employment to students will come directly to the work integrated learning program coordinator (WILPC). This will undoubtedly create a period of transition, with the aim to create a simple flow of communication between employers, students and School. This is an important process to make certain that employers are aware of the capabilities of our students, their responsibilities of employment, the benefits of structured work experience and to create knowledge of the industry s needs from students from the School s programs. Current process for advertising employment positions to students: Employer contacts School Reception Academic Discipline Head UG admin coordinator advertises position Future process for advertising employment positions to students: Employer contacts WILPC WILPC confirms EoC participation WILPC and UG admin coordinator advertises position The WILPC will contact (or be contacted by) employers interested in the Program and work with them to create an understanding of the benefits, responsibilities and outcomes of the Program. This will also provide a link of communication and contact between the School and employer to aid the supervision and development of student employees, and to discuss future needs, skills and capabilities. The registration of employers will be managed by the WILPC, through written and verbal correspondence. Details and information about each Program participant will be kept on a database, maintained by the WILPC. Employers will be provided a template document that they may use to alert the School of employment opportunities for students. Employment positions will be advertised to students in relevant programs by . There will be future opportunities to expand upon this through other communication channels, such as screens in the student lounge, job posters and career nights. Networking events will be held for registered employers to network with students, and expose our students to the opportunities opening up in industry. The WILPC will review each participating employer once a year, to ensure they are following the Program guidelines, provide assistance and direction and gather feedback on the Program. This feedback will be analysed and discussed to decide on any changes that may need to happen to the Program, and provide extra direction to compliment the School Advisory Committee on industry needs.

7 Script The following are example scripts you can use when you need to provide information about the Program to employers and students. Treat them as a guide, rather than a word-for-word script, to help you provide accurate and relevant information to help understanding about the new program and processes. Communication to Employers: If you are contacted by an employer who is wishing to advertise a position of employment to our students, you can let them know of the Employer of Choice Program and the new process the School is adopting by saying the following: Thankyou for expressing your interest in providing employment opportunities to the students at RMIT University. To better ensure the quality of work place learning, the educational and professional development of our students, and the benefit to the employer, the School of Property, Construction and Project Management have created an Employer of Choice Program. The School will only advertise employment positions to students from employers who register in this Program. Would you like me to forward you on to the program coordinator to explain more? Feel free to forward these calls through to the WILPC. The role of WILPC is currently being filled by Ben Bucknall. If the WILPC is unavailable, please direct them to the School s website, or take down their details so the program coordinator can make a follow up contact. Information to get: Date Name Company Address Telephone Communication to Students: If a student makes a query about the Program, please say the following: The School has developed a Program that designed to ensure employers provide students with structured work experience that is complimentary to your education program and professional development. You will have opportunities to meet, network and receive advertisements of employment positions from employers participating in the Program. The list of employers participating in the program will be available to all students. You are not obligated to participate in this program and you may choose to seek employment through other means. Students may seek additional information from the School s website and their teachers. Encourage them to speak to the WILPC about the Program, its benefits and responsibilities to the student.