School of Accounting
Cooperative Education Program
(Work Integrated Learning)(WIL)
A QUICK GUIDE TO COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (EMPLOYERS)
What is Work Integrated Learning?
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is the term given to an activity or program that integrates learning with its application in the workplace. WIL activities vary in objectives, format, structure, length, formality, assessment and outcomes. Examples of WIL activities include program related mentored employment, research projects, simulations and enterprise initiatives.
RMIT University’s School of Accounting operates the mentored employment model as part of its undergraduate accounting degree. All full time students enrolled in the Bachelor of Business (Professional Accountancy) degree undertake a four year degree program comprising two years of study, six or twelve months of discipline related work experience and a final year of study.
The third year WIL activity ‘sandwiched’ between periods of study is called Cooperative Education. The World Council and Assembly on Cooperative Education define this concept as follows:-
‘Cooperative education is a strategy of applied learning which is a structured program, developed and supervised by an educational institution in collaboration with one or more employing organisations, in which relevant productive work is an integral part of a student’s academic program and is an essential component of that final assessment’.
Benefits to employers
- Affordable Quality
Access to high quality expertise at a pre-graduate salary; most salaries are in $30,000-$42,000 pa range
- Staffing Flexibility
Increase staffing flexibility by using students to undertake special projects and to ease problems created by prolonged absences (long service, sick and maternity leave)
- Pragmatic and Flexible
Access to bright, motivated and enthusiastic people eager to bring new ideas to an organisation
- Preview Prospective Graduates
Preview potential graduates without the long-term commitment to appointment
- Business Exposure
Assist in the development of future business managers of quality and experience attuned to the real needs of business
- Links with RMIT University
Establish a business link with RMIT, exposing your business to a generation of accountancy students ensuring the continued relevance of the program through close collaboration with business educators
Business Report
The major part of the assessment for students participating in the Cooperative Education program is the business report. The topic of the report is decided by student in consultation with the Academic Mentor and the employer.
Placement guidelines
Participation of employers varies between organisations. However, at a minimum, employers are requested to provide:
- A position description when advertising the vacancy
- Normal employee benefits and conditions, including pay at an appropriate industry rate; (generally around $30,000 - $42,000 pa)
- Adequate training/supervision to perform tasks of the position
- Supervision of the student to monitor progress and liaise with the Academic Mentor, as required
- Support to assist student in meeting the needs of the assessment
- Participating in feedback on the student at the end of the placement
- Make students aware of the Occupational Health & Safety policies of the organisation
While students are on their placement, the Academic Mentor will provide assistance and academic advice in two visits to the workplace (for placements within Victoria). These visits form part of the student’s assessment.
Student capabilities
Students must complete the major part of the first two years of study to be eligible for CooperativeEducation employment. This covers studies in Introductory Accounting, Business Statistics, Business Computing, Macroeconomics, Commercial Law, Corporate Accounting, Company Law, Auditing, Taxation, Cost Management and Management Accounting and Business.
Student capabilities gained from their study and of particular relevance to employers include:
- A sound background in the core accounting subjects of financial and management accounting, including auditing. This has led to employment in such activities as:
- Preparation of financial reports
- Maintenance of company accounting records and registers
- Management and performance reporting
- Performance of audit duties
- Completion of tax returns
- Maintenance and reconciliation of debtors and creditors
- Performance of administrative duties, eg in superannuation schemes
- An understanding of business gained through studies in related disciplines such as economics, finance, business law and computer applications
- Communication skills, both written and oral
- An enthusiasm to apply the theory learnt on course to real situations in the work place
- Talents extending beyond the course also include a range of language fluencies; our students come from all over the world with a high percentage from Asia
Students should also develop relevant competencies, expand technical skills and knowledge required by the position, and enhance interpersonal skills in order to facilitate effective team membership and communication, develop the ability to work independently, enhance career focus and employment prospects, improve self organisation skills and identify the relevance of work to continuing education.
Students undertake an extensive preparation program during their second year of study covering issues such as resume and interview preparation, career paths in accounting and recruitment strategies.
Employment guidelines
Most students are employed for 12 months but six-month placements are possible.
A Cooperative placement must:
Be full-time (35-40 hours per week)
Include experience with an office / accounting system
Provide supervision by an experienced manager
Meet current minimum employment requirements regarding rate of pay and employment conditions
Employers’ Guide to the Cooperative Education Process: Step-by-Step
There are two main recruitment periods during the year. Generally employers provide a position description for distribution to eligible students or at a minimum, details of their application and recruitment process. Hard copy applications can be collated through the School and forwarded. Alternatively students can apply via email to employers or via an online process.
(Please see Employers’ Calendar for relevant dates)
1 In Semester 1 prior to Cooperative placements (mid-year or end-year), students attend the Cooperative Education Preparation Program where they are introduced to resume writing and interview skills
2 Employers confirm placements andprovide jobs descriptions to Industry Placement Coordinator
3 Students apply for placements. Applications generally submitted to Industry Placement Coordinator
4 Applications forwarded to employers
5 Employers arrange and conduct interviews with students
6 Employers inform students of the outcome of interview
7 Students formally accept or decline offers of placements by deadline
8 Students commence their Cooperative placement
9 Students decide on the topic for their business report
10 First Academic Mentor visit1
11 Students begin work on their business report
12 Second Academic Mentor visit (12 month placements only)
13 Students submit completed business report to Academic Mentor by deadline
14 Cooperative placement ends
15 Employer provides feedback to student
16 Students return to university to begin final year of degree
1 The Academic Mentor can only visit students in Victorian placements only.
Students in interstate/international placements may receive mentoring via telephone, letter or email.
Registering as a Cooperative Education Employer
If you are interested in becoming one of our valued employers, please contact the Industry Placement Coordinator, Bronwyn Jones, for further information or if you have any questions.
Further Information:
Bronwyn Jones
Industry Placement Coordinator
Telephone: 03 9925 5718 Facsimile: 03 9925 5741
Email: Website:
RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne VIC 3001
A QUICK GUIDE TO COOOPERATIVE EDUCATIONSchool of AccountingPage 1