Flinders’ Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is more than work experience. WIL has been developed with an understanding that we must meet the needs of both our students and industry partners, to produce an integrated learning experience that benefits everyone.
For industry, this means hosting WIL students who can, and often do, add demonstrable value.
As an industry partner, organisations can benefit from a dedicated resource to complete a project or task that boosts the business’ capacity; enthusiastic new talent with fresh ideas and new ways of thinking, who have been studying that specific field and its needs from a different perspective; a potential recruitment pathway, or an opportunity to talent-pool; and engagement with the community and one of the world’s leading universities.
Most industries can benefit from participating in work integrated learning. Some professional fields such as nursing, teaching and engineering have a long history of structured work integrated learning associated with professional accreditation requirements, but it is increasingly becoming a feature of higher education courses across all fields.
Flinders is dedicated to producing enterprising graduates who have the skills and knowledge to become lifelong contributors to society and can enter the workforce as career-ready professionals.
To do this, we need to ensure our students have practical, industry specific experiences that cover everything from communication and team work, to critical thinking and problem solving.
For more than 20 years, REDARC Electronics has fostered a strong relationship with Flinders, taking on WIL students, heavily investing in research and development, and employing graduates who have gone on to play an integral role in the growth of the company.
Anthony Kittel (DUniversity ’18), CEO and Managing Director of REDARC believes the partnership is much more than just an avenue to hire – the collaboration pushes both parties to constantly improve and lead the way to progress engineering in South Australia.
“We want our business to stay at the forefront of technology, so being able to employ undergraduates is critical,” he says.
Developing solutions to high-stakes problems means graduates really need to hit the ground running – something that REDARC employee of three years, Hayden Archibald (BEng(Robots)(Hons), MEng(Elect) ’21) believes was possible thanks to the practical learning approach to his Flinders degree.
“My 20-week industry placement, which I think is very unique, allowed me to get hands-on here at REDARC and that ultimately turned into employment.”
HAYDEN ARCHIBALD, REDARC EMPLOYEE
“It’s quite noticeable to me which students have come from Flinders. They are able to get in there and get things done straight away – we’re using the exact same software here that I was at Uni.”
Similarly, Nusrat Gazi (MEng(Electronics) ’19) was amazed as an international student by the access to technology labs she was offered at Flinders and the opportunity to be creative and learn every day.
“I did my masters at Flinders, so had already used the software I needed for our work. It was transferable and familiar, which was excellent,” says Nusrat.