Guide to Industrial Experience

Purpose Of These Notes

This set of notes has been prepared to guide you in your study program associated with industrial experience. The notes set out general information and requirements and present guidelines for the preparation of your Industrial Experience Report.

Background Of Requirements

The Institution of Engineers requirement for an industrial experience component of at least 12 weeks duration for engineering undergraduate courses has been in place for many years. To quote from the Engineers Australia (EA) document on Accreditation:

"Engineers Australia requires that students aggregate at least 12 weeks of relevant practical experience during their engineering courses. This will normally be obtained through paid employment during vacations. Educational establishments must ensure that this requirement is fulfilled as a necessary part of the course leading to the degree.

Practical experience should complement the formal studies of the course and ideally should contain several different types of experience. At the end of each component of experience the student should be required to prepare a brief critical appraisal of the situation in which he/she was working and to submit this for assessment, together with certification by the employer or his/her representative of the tasks undertaken by the student."

Responsibility For Industrial Experience

At present the responsibility for industrial experience lies with the Faculty, as the completion of at least 12 weeks industrial experience is a formal part of I.E.Aust. accreditation requirements. A record of the industrial experience obtained by each student as he/she progresses through the course is kept by the Faculty to ensure that these requirements are met before the student graduates. Students are encouraged to seek their own industrial experience employment opportunities however the Careers Service may also be able to assist some students in obtaining opportunities for industrial experience. You must remember that the University's Insurance cover for Public Liability and Professional Indemnity extends only for a total of 12 weeks.

Insurance Cover For Students

Please note: further information on all insurance cover is available within the Risk Management Unit

Personal Accident Insurance

The University does not provide personal insurance cover to students. All students are covered by Medicare for accident and illness. The University has a personal accident cover for students engaged on practical placement/work experience authorised by and under the control of the University.

In addition, the Sports Union currently has in force an insurance policy for all students on a 24 hour day basis 365 days a year. This insurance covers students for injuries incurred as a result of their University program or campus-related activities. It is an accident cover only and does not cover illness. Questions regarding this insurance cover should be directed to the Sports and Recreation Officer in the Sports Union.

Public Liability Insurance

The University has a public liability insurance policy which protects the University, any employee or any person for whom the University may be responsible against claims which may be brought by third parties or injury to third parties and/or damage to third party property in those instances in which the University may be proven legally liable. In addition, coverage is extended to sponsoring employers who accept students on experience placement which is a formal requirement of their course.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

This policy indemnifies The University of Newcastle against legal liability for claims by third parties for breech of professional duty by an employee or any person for whom the University is responsible (eg students) by reason of negligent act, error or omission in conduct of University business.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Students who are not being paid by the University in relation to work experience etc, are deemed not to be employees of the University. They would therefore not be entitled to cover under Workers' Compensation Insurance.

All insurance policies contain exclusions, conditions and excesses. Insurance claims will therefore depend on individual circumstances of each case. Any questions in relation to the above should be directed to staff of the Risk Management Unit

All engineering students undertaking unpaid work experience to fulfil the industrial experience requirements should notify the relevant Industrial Experience Co-ordinator or the Head, Careers and Student Employment Office. This is a requirement under the University's insurance cover.