WIL program takes students one step closer to their dream careers
19 June 2012
Nicky has achieved her dream job at Netwireless as a result of WIL.
Securing your dream job has never been easier - that's what Kangan Institute information technology graduate Nicky Monk discovered after clinching a full-time position at Netwireless as a result of a work placement at the company.
Nicky, who lives in Sunbury, had participated in the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program as part of the Advanced Diploma of Information Technology (Network Security). The program offers students an opportunity to complete an industry placement and work on real life projects, with on-going support from Kangan Institute's Information Communication Technology (ICT) department.
After completing a placement at Netwireless, Nicky was offered a full-time position as mobility IT network technician. Her new responsibilities consist of designing wireless network infrastructure, conducting site surveys and configuring equipment including routers, access points and wireless LAN controllers.
"Most companies require you to have some work experience which classroom learning alone cannot offer," she said.
"By undertaking the WIL program, I was given the opportunity to prove myself within Netwireless and therefore was lucky enough to gain full-time employment."
The twenty year old highly recommends the WIL program to anyone hoping to gain the practical skills and self-belief to achieve their desired careers.
"The work placement helped me to gain the experience that I would not be able to achieve from study alone and it gave me the confidence to be able to achieve something by myself," Nicky said.
The ICT department has placed more than 100 students into workplaces since implementing the WIL program, with many students securing full-time employment following their placement.
Tashara Roberts, teacher at the ICT department, said that the WIL initiative offers students a greater chance of gaining employment at the end of study.
"Through practical workplace experience, students learn real life practical skills and these are skills that cannot be gained from any educational facility," she said.
"This gives Kangan Institute students an edge on other IT graduates. They are more likely to be shortlisted at the end of their work placement and many of our students have gained successful career outcomes this way."
ICT students participating in the WIL program may be in the process of completing either a diploma or advanced diploma program. To find out more or to participate in the program, please click here.
