Students are placed one day a week (Fridays) in an work environment of their choice. Options for students to choose from are

• smash repairs
• car dealers
• hairdressers
• retail stores and hospitality venues.

Our program involves:
1.Workshops-Personal grooming/preparation for work placement and etiqutte/bullying in the workplace/Department of Health-my body,my health/students and the law.

2.Workplacement-program co-ordinator and staff identify students at "RISK"/a personal one on one approach to be developed to identify carreer direction/meetings with employer/student/co ordinator to deveop mentor relationships/regular contact with employer-student/different employer each term-in the event of future employement placement could be extended.

3.Areas of Assessment-
Attitude/appearance/punctuality/conduct/effort/ability

4.Attendance and academic progress this is monitored-students are expected to maintain a reasonable level of academic progress and at least 85% attendance

5.Community work/project-something visual they have completed whilst on the prgram and to be proud oftheir work and to help build self esteem.

6.Non school based achievement-students undertake acourse program or certificate of their chosen field.

7.Development camp-students attended a excursion showing the students alternatives available to them depending on what path they chose for their future eg universitiy, factories, institution-Long Bay Jail, Kings Croos Police Station, social activities

OUTCOMES
- Outstanding results made by students in workplace. Some students have been offered casual work. Employers have also offered references. Identified career direction for some students.

- Community awareness and recognition of the value of the program has been reached. The profile of the school and students within the community has been raised.

- Enhanced relationship between school & employer.

- Development of professional workplace behaviour was obtained by students Mentoring-positive attitude, role & responsibilites in workplace.

- Great response from Indigenous students and students with learning difficulties. These students showed great self esteem and job commitment.

- Staff support and involvement has been good and a strong relationship and backup was formed between students, program co ordinator, school staff and employers.

- Positive changes in the attitude and behaviour of the students with consistent attendance, they have developed motivation towards the worth of a strong work ethic and job commitment.

- Improved self esteem and self achievement that the goal they set themselves has been reached with positive outcomes.

TIPS & TRAPS
* Trial on a small scale first
* Have an action plan-who-how-when
* Converse new employers, encourage & educate then as to the needs and interest of individual students.
* Make sure all formalities are completed
* Time management
* Clarifiy roles and responsibilites
* Meet with students regularly
* Praise students who are doing well
* Don't have unrealistic expectations of students