2016 good practice report: work integrated learning (WIL)

This report identifies good practices in work-integrated learning (WIL) in Australia through a systematic review of current approaches in universities in Australia and elsewhere. The report draws on three sources of evidence: a review of contemporary Australian and international literature; an updated review of WIL projects funded by the Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) since 2011; and case studies derived from practice around WIL implementation. The report focuses on answering the following questions: What is WIL? What evidence is there that WIL experiences have improved graduate...  [+] Show more

This report identifies good practices in work-integrated learning (WIL) in Australia through a systematic review of current approaches in universities in Australia and elsewhere. The report draws on three sources of evidence: a review of contemporary Australian and international literature; an updated review of WIL projects funded by the Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) since 2011; and case studies derived from practice around WIL implementation. The report focuses on answering the following questions: What is WIL? What evidence is there that WIL experiences have improved graduate employability? How are WIL programs organised? What are some examples of good practice? What are some of the issues around implementing WIL across a university? The report provides a synthesis of information around six themes: (1) WIL defined, models and benefits; (2) approaches to WIL; (3) curriculum matters; (4) student experience and managing diversity; (5) partnerships and stakeholder management; and (6) conclusions: characteristics of effective WIL and recommendations.

Edited excerpts from publication.