What jobs can't I do?

Talk to your campus Careers Advisor or your VET teacher about what activities you can do. Any activity involving risks to your health and safety need to be carefully assessed before approval is given.

Some jobs also require you to know about specific Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) before you can work in the workplace. For example, to be on a building site, you have to have successfully done the General OH&S Induction Course for Construction. Similarly, to take part in any VET work placements, you must have done some OH&S training in the course beforehand.

• If you are in Year 10, you can only do workplace learning on school days and during school terms
• If you are in Years 11 or 12, you may be given approval by the Principal to work during school holidays
  (if there is a demonstrated need)
• Weekend work will only be approved  if it is essential in the industry and has the Principal's approval

It is usually better not to work with your family in case you get treated differently because you are a family member. It is also better to go somewhere different so you can learn some new skills. You can discuss this with your campus Careers Advisor if you need to.

You will have to plan your own way to and from work and meet your own travel costs. Check with your campus Careers Advisor about this.

NO. because you are a volunteer worker, any payment affects the Department of Education's insurance arrangements with the employer.

• When you are undertaking workplace learning, you are a representative of Great Lakes College and we have high expectations of you. The following list outlines these expectations:
• behave like a new employee
• follow the rules of the workplace
• dress appropriately for the workplace
• carry out any directions given by your workplace supervisor, especially about safety
• show enthusiasm, initiative and smile
• ask questions if you are not sure about something
• ask for another task when you have completed what has been set for you
• be polite, courteous and well mannered
• listen to instructions
• be willing to learn
• be on time every day
• contact your workplace supervisor and your campus Careers Advisor if you cannot attend work for any reason (if you are sick etc).
• attend your placement for the normal hours of that business (unless you have negotiated otherwise)

• you may be asked to keep a journal of your experiences
• you may also be asked to conduct some research while you are there. For example, find out about OH&S, work practices, the role of unions, duties of employees etc.
• work placement students may have some industry specific work skills (competencies) formally assessed while they are in the workplace

Let your campus Careers Advisor or your supervising teacher know as soon as possible. Remember that this is a new experience and you may find that things get better after a day or two. Talk to your supervising teacher if you are having any problems.

Of course you will want to tell your family and friends all about your workplace. This is fine, however you must remember that the client and business information of your workplace is private. You must not talk about those things to anyone. If you are unsure, talk to your campus Careers Advisor or your workplace supervisor about what you can and can't talk about outside of work.

• refer to your emergency procedures card
• let your employer and the school know as soon as possible
• you are covered by insurance if you get hurt at work or while travelling to and from work, as long as you have completed all the work placement paperwork before you start the placement. You may not be covered if the injury or damage was your fault or if you did not obey clear instructions