Students can acquire industry-specific knowledge, skills and experience in the workplace before they leave school. The workplace learning can contribute to a senior secondary school certificate or an industry recognised qualification.
Work placements give senior students practical knowledge of what it's like to be part of the workforce - letting them know what to expect in a full-time job. Students have the opportunity to acquire industry-specific knowledge, skills and experience in the workplace before they leave school.
Workplace learning is frequently a component of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in schools, where students undertake work placements as part of their vocational education. Find out more about workplace learning in your local area on our ECEF Local Partnerships Map 
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In 2000, more than 80 per cent of high schools across Australia offered school/industry programs to students, according to ECEF's Higher Employment for SWL Participants report, 2001. Parents of participating students recommend vocational education programs to other parents because they help students become familiar with the work environment and boost their maturation and self-esteem.
Most students who take part in vocational education have a more successful transition from school to work or further study. More than 40 per cent of workplace learning participants who left school in 1999 made the immediate transition to full-time employment. One in 10 students worked with the employers who gave them work placements.