The primary role of the Business and Law Centre for Work Integrated Learning (WiL) is to assist students in preparing for employment. 

Our highly skilled staff negotiate with industry professionals to develop and manage suitable positions for Faculty of Business and Law students.

Workplace Programs

The Centre coordinates workplace learning in three areas:

• Cooperative education offers a year of paid, full-time employment (minimum 40 weeks) as the third year of a four-year business degree. Students undertake a preparation program during the second year of study, and enter the workplace the following year. It is compulsory for Tourism and Hospitality students.
• Business integrated learning (BIL) recognises industry-based experiences such as relevant project work, part-time employment, a holiday job or even voluntary work undertaken while completing your qualifications in all Business courses (except Hospitality and Tourism Management, where Co-operative Education is a requirement). BIL is mandatory for students undertaking Event Management courses.
• Professional legal practice is 150 hours of activities related to the legal profession in one or more work environments. You gain on-the-job experience within the legal profession or broader work settings, such as business, government, community organisations, and parliament. Roles can vary from seasonal clerkships to project work and other paralegal roles.

Read accounts from our 2011 Work Integrated Learning Award Winners on the value of their 'on-the-job' experience.

Information for Employers

Partnering with VU for WiL offers many benefits. Some of these include gaining cost-effective, temporary employees and the ability to preview potential job candidates which lowers your recruitment costs. Contact our staff to discuss the benefits for your particular business.

Discover how our WiL students can contribute to the following areas:

• Accounting and Finance
• Hospitality, Tourism and Events
• HR Management
• Information Systems
• Law
• Logistics, Trade and Transport
• Marketing and Retail Management
• Music Industry

Hear from Paula, an employer who has participated in the WiL program:

Read video transcript of Paula's experience

Read accounts from our 2010 Work Integrated Learning Award Winners on the value of their 'on-the-job' experience.

Information for Students

Participating in WiL gives you an advantage in the highly competitive graduate market. You will be equipped with the skills to play a productive role in any organisation.

Register online to participate in the Faculty of Business and Law Work Integrated Learning Program.

If you are already registered with WiL, or are currently working as part of the program, you can login to access further information.

Hear from Kosta, a past student, about his WiL experience:

Read video transcript of Kosta's experience

See more testimonials, or read accounts from our 2010 Work Integrated Learning Award Winners on the value of their 'on-the-job' experience.

Student societies and associations

Current students may like to look into joining the following societies and associations:

The Finance and Investment Students' Society (FISS)
FISS was founded to enhance the university experience of VU Business students. To achieve this FISS offers personal and professional development opportunities, seminars with industry speakers and social events.

Financial Services Institute of Australia (FINISIA)
Offering tailored memberships to VU Banking and Finance students, Finsia’s continuous learning and professional development programs ensure that members maintain a competitive edge, keep pace with a changing landscape and stay abreast of industry insights. Some of the benefits of a Finsia Membership include:

• access to our career services
• professional development programs and interest groups
• publications and information resources

Contact us