David Jorgensen, Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning for Sciences, Engineering and Health.Central Queensland University is incorporating more Work Integrated Learning (WIL), in its bachelor degree programs than ever before, demonstrating its commitment to producing work-ready graduates.

Including this work experience, which could be paid or unpaid, in the University's programs enables students to learn more for, and about, their intended careers in a more ‘hands-on' way.

This can result in students being offered employment even before graduating, through employer recognition of their acquisition of valuable broader professional practice knowledge, skills and attributes.

According to David Jorgensen, Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning for Sciences, Engineering and Health, CQU students who study in these programs achieve an edge over other graduates because they have already established relationships with employers.

"The incorporation of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) into educational programs, particularly through structured work placements, significantly strengthens graduates' capabilities to perform to, and even exceed, employer expectations. This is contrary to perceptions that graduates generally do not perform to these expectations, needing significant time with an employer before becoming a productive and worthwhile employee."

Work placements have for a number of years been included in CQU's Bachelor of Learning Management, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Engineering (Co-Op)/Diploma of Professional Practice and Bachelor of Information Technology (Co-Op) programs.

However, new offerings of programs incorporating WIL include the Bachelor of Applied Physics (Co-Op)/Diploma of Professional Practice, Bachelor of Creative Enterprise, Bachelor of Accounting/Diploma of Professional Practice, Bachelor of Business/Diploma of Professional Practice, Bachelor of Human Movement Science (Co-Op), Bachelor of Performing Arts, Bachelor of Environmental Health, Bachelor of Construction Management and Bachelor of Occupational, Health and Safety, with more proposed or under development.

CQU's Careers and Employment Service Coordinator Troy Dobinson said: "CQU has made a commitment through its Careers and Employment Service to continually look at ways to include more WIL in course profiles, delivering extensive careers education, sourcing work placements for students and facilitating application and recruitment processes".

"We also focus on graduate recruitment by encouraging employers to advertise on CareersHub, a web-based job site designed for students and graduates of CQU looking for employment, and assisting students in finding and applying for work."