Throughout the industry placement units, students in the youth work courses will have an opportunity to gain practical experience by working with:
- non-government organisations (NGOs)
- non-profit organisations (NFPs)
- local and state government
- alternative education
- social enterprise
- youth services
- alcohol and drug services
- community camping /recreation programs.
Second Year Youth Work Placement
In the second year of the course, students focus on developing skills for engaging with diverse group of young people. As this is often the first industry experience students have had, the placement aim is to expand knowledge of the youth work sector to further understand industry practice.
The second year placement outcomes can be achieved via multiple placement experiences.
Past placements in second year have included the following types of work:
- development of anti-bullying initiatives
- developing and facilitating youth summits
- playing a key role in organising and attending camps
- delivering recreational / sporting activities
- organising youth week events
- supporting student welfare initiatives
- being involved with homework clubs.
Third Year Youth Work Placement
In third year, students enhance the skills and knowledge previously developed, requiring them to exercise a higher degree of autonomy and responsibility.
In this industry placement students complete 200 hours in the one organisation.
The priority is to have students involved in a placement that further develops their professional practice and engagement within the sector. This is a final year placement and, as such, the work completed will reflect the level of expertise that students are rapidly developing within their academic studies.
There is a wide variety of work / projects that students can be involved in while on placement, in negotiation with their agency supervisor.
Past placements in third year have included the following types of work:
- community consultation / youth needs analysis
- evaluation of program model and its impact on the participants
- development and implementation of peer education programs
- case management
- volunteer support and development.