Workplace visits
 

Workplace Visits

Workplace visits

“It has been beneficial and enjoyable learning about how URS uses Asia Skills. All presenters were informative and very willing to share their experiences. We are very fortunate to have had this opportunities. To actually see how skills are used away from the school environment has been most valuable. A truly inspiring visit.”

(Elena Tatarelli, Mary MacKillop College)

Workplace visits are an opportunity for organisations around Australia to showcase the Asia-focus of their work to secondary school students. The objective of a workplace visit is to increase students’ understanding of how having Asia skills can influence their career prospects and lifestyle aspirations.

A workplace visit can be anything from 2 hours to 5 days in duration, and can be made by pairs, groups or classes of students and their teachers.

Workplace visits are generally open to students in Years 9-10, and may adopt one of the models described below.
 

 

Workplace visits in action

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An Asia exploration with Santos

On 10 August 2011, twenty students from Le Fevre High School visited the offices of Santos. The students had an opportunity to meet six people from across the organisation to hear about their work and talk about why it is important to develop Asia skills.

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Developing skills for working and volunteering in Asia

On 24 June 2011, fifteen students from Firbank Grammar attended the head office of Australian Volunteers International in Fitzroy for a workplace visit. The girls met with current staff and returned volunteers, each of whom had a unique story to share about their connection with Asia.

Workplace visit models

There are four different models of workplace visit available. Please refer to the Workplace Visit Introduction for further details. 

1. Asia Exploration model

  • A group of students visits a workplace for a single short visit, 2-3 hours in duration
  • Activities could comprise a welcome presentation, a tour of the facility and an opportunity for students to have discussions with selected staff

2. Workplace Problem model

  • A group of students participates in activities based around a problem relevant to the host organisation's Asia-related work
  • Activities could include a workshop followed by interviews with key staff

3. Traditional model

  • Similar to a traditional work experience placement, a group of 2-4 students spends a period of 2-5 days at the participating business, performing conventional work experience tasks

4. Staff-Shadowing model

  • A school prinipcal or careers practitioner participates in ‘work shadowing’ for a period of 1-2 days, receiving briefings and attending meetings with key staff

 

Participating organisations

Below is a list of organisations and schools which have participated in workplace visits in 2011.

 

"Interacting with employees of Hospira in a friendly and open environment allowed me to develop a greater understanding of the importance of Asia Skills. The ability to talk to these employees was enjoyable and educational."

(Ruyton Girls' School student)

 

Sample workplace visit agenda

Below is an example agenda for an Asia Exploration model workplace visit lasting 2.5 hours.

  • 15 mins - Welcome and introduction to the organisation
  • 45 mins - Short presentations from three staff about working in Asia , including Q&A following each speaker
  • 15 mins - Short tour of the organisation's facilities
  • 15 mins - Refreshment break
  • 45 mins - Small discussion group activity (students are divided into groups, each with an accompanying staff member to discuss working in and with Asia - rotate groups every 15 minutes)
  • 15 mins - Report back on key learnings

 

Additional resources

Please refer to the documents below for addition information to assist with planning your workplace visit.

  

"I now have more insight about the importance of Asia and Asia skills. I’ve learnt a lot about URS and what they do, and also how they make an impact on peoples’ lives."

(Mary MacKillop College student)