For library students the industry placement provides an opportunity to apply their theory and skills in an ‘real-life’ industry environment. Student placements are consistently ranked as the most important and useful part of students’ formal studies. While the placements are highly valued, they are also resource heavy for education providers, industry hosts and the students. Concerns have been raised with ALIA, through the accreditation processes, and from direct feedback from hosts and students about the consistency and quality of student placements.
To support all parties, the ALIA VET Placement Guidelines have been developed. The Guidelines are intended to provide a ‘best practice’ model for VET LIS course providers, the host organisations and students with the aim of achieving the best possible industry-relevant experience for the students. This revised and updated version of the Guidelines is aligned to key national resources, and they will serve as benchmark indicators of ‘best practice’ that can be used ALIA VET Placement Guidelines to strengthen placement practices. The Guidelines will also be used as a key resource by ALIA during course accreditation and should result in greater consistency across Australia.
The Guidelines include useful models for evaluation of student placements, and for evaluation by the industry placement coordinator, with examples being kindly provided by TAFE NSW Ultimo and TAFE SA Adelaide.
Thanks are due to the following members of the working group who highlighted key areas that needed to be covered in the Guidelines and also provided practical examples: Julie Barkman, Jo-Ann Bathurst, and Sharon McGregor, TAFE NSW Ultimo; and Jeannine Hooper, volunteer, formerly TAFE SA Adelaide. The working group was supported by ALIA staff Lisa Lynch, Heather Brown and Trish Hepworth.
Read the Guidelines