Facilitating student engagement with WIL
WIL is becoming increasingly common in the Australia tertiary education landscape. However, not all students find it easy to secure a WIL placement or to take time off from paid work and afford accommodation/travel to complete one.
In fact ‘equity groups’ (low SES students, rural and regional students, Indigenous students) are participating in WIL much less than other university students (Universities Australia, 2019).  One response to this concern is to offer financial or practical support to students to undertake WIL, by way of funding, or in-kind assistance (for example travel vouchers and accommodation). However, if improperly conceived and implemented, such support (referred to as WIL studentships) may expose stakeholders (industry, students, donors, government and institutions) to risks.
Associate Professor Anne Hewitt
A recent report authored by l and Craig Cameron from Griffith University, and funded by a 2020 research grant, provides new insights into WIL studentships which can help mitigate these risks. Anne and Craig’s research is the first known systematic study of design, risks and risk management in relation to WIL studentships in Australia.
The project gathered data in 3 stages, including:
- an extensive review of Australian and international literature regarding the design and risks of WIL studentships;
- a qualitative study of WIL studentships advertised to Australian university students; and
- interviews of both university staff engaged in WIL studentships and student recipients.
Presenting new data and accessible legal analysis, the report provides an informed picture of the use, utility, structure and administration of WIL studentships in the current Australian tertiary education context. It provides insights into how WIL studentships are being designed and delivered, the risk management awareness of university stakeholders and the risk management actions they currently employ. The report also includes a WIL studentship risk management framework which can be used by stakeholders to maximise the opportunities presented by WIL studentships while minimising the hazards.Â
The information contained in , and the risk management framework, will be valuable to anyone working with WIL, student scholarships, WIL studentships. will also be of interest to anyone with a passion for equity and access in tertiary education.
Presenting new data and accessible legal analysis, the report provides an informed picture of the use, utility, structure and administration of WIL studentships in the current Australian tertiary education context. It provides insights into how WIL studentships are being designed and delivered, the risk management awareness of university stakeholders and the risk management actions they currently employ. The report also includes a WIL studentship risk management framework which can be used by stakeholders to maximise the opportunities presented by WIL studentships while minimising the hazards.Â
The information contained in , and the risk management framework, will be valuable to anyone working with WIL, student scholarships, WIL studentships. will also be of interest to anyone with a passion for equity and access in tertiary education.