Introduction:
Starting a student placement may be both an exciting and intimidating experience, particularly if you're not familiar with the industries and are juggling other obligations. Our committed placement coordinators at SkilTrak are at the centre of this journey, helping students at every turn. Our coordinators do everything from first consultations and profile updates to placements and problem-solving to make sure every student finds the ideal opportunity that meets their needs. Through the eyes of our coordinators, we examine the placement process in this blog, illuminating the distinctive experiences and difficulties students encounter along the way to success.
How a SkilTrak Placement Coordinator's Day Begins::
One of our devoted placement coordinators, Harris works with students in the disability, age care, and individual support fields. Making SkilTrak accounts for new students and following up with them to update their profiles is usually how he starts his day. This phase is critical since it entails compiling vital information about the course, residential addresses, and emergency contacts. After the student's profile has been completed, the next action is to determine whether the student already has a workplace in mind or needs help getting one.
If a student needs a placement, Haris conducts an interview to identify their sector of interest whether it's ageing, disability support, or individual care. Key questions revolve around their availability, transportation methods, and the documents they possess or need to obtain. After this interview process, Haris generates a suitable workplace for the student, focusing on locating opportunities as close to their residence as possible. When that isn't feasible, he extends the search radius to 20-25 kilometres.
Finding The Industry:
Finding the right industry placement isn't just about location; it's about matching students to environments where they can thrive. Haris often arranges meetings between students and industry supervisors, ensuring that placements align with the student’s specific interests, whether in aged care, disability services, or individual support. But even with the best of planning, issues can arise in the workplace. In such cases, Haris listens carefully to the student’s concerns, discusses the situation with the industry supervisor, and works to resolve the issue. If necessary, he begins the placement process anew, ensuring the student feels supported and valued.
How Commercial Cookery Coordinators Support Students:
Aroob, another of our placement coordinators, specialises in the Commercial Cookery sector. Her job can sometimes be particularly challenging when students have specific cultural or religious requirements. One student, for instance, requested placement in a halal-only restaurant. While halal restaurants are relatively rare, Aroob managed to find one that was a perfect fit, allowing the student to complete their hours successfully.
Another time, Aroob faced a situation where an Indian student was uncomfortable working in a restaurant that prepared and served meat. Despite initial efforts to make accommodations, the student remained uneasy. Aroob quickly responded by finding a vegetarian restaurant where the student could complete her placement without compromising her values.
Cultural sensitivity is crucial at SkilTrak. Aroob recalls another instance where a student who wore a turban faced cultural discrimination in the workplace. Although the head chef denied any wrongdoing, the student’s discomfort persisted. Without hesitation, Aroob moved the student to a new location where they could continue their journey without fear of discrimination.
Mental Health and Youth Work Placements:
Kevin works with students pursuing careers in Mental Health and Youth Work. His role often involves unique challenges, particularly when it comes to coordinating placements for students with specific needs or circumstances. For example, mothers often request placements near their homes to balance their professional and personal lives. Kevin strives to find suitable placements within their locality, and in some cases, students even want to extend their learning beyond the required placement hours to gain additional experience.
One memorable case involved a couple who needed mental health placements but lived in a remote area and were only available on weekends. Recognising the urgency of their situation, Kevin assigned the best placement coordinators to work on their case, successfully securing placements that fit their schedule and location needs.
Early Childhood Education Placements:
Billy, our coordinator for Early Childhood Education and Age Care, faces his own set of unique challenges. One common issue in early childhood education is that students cannot complete their placement at a childcare centre where their children are enrolled. This regulation ensures that the student remains objective and focused on their work. However, some students still wish to do their placements in the same location, which requires careful negotiation and adherence to childcare regulations.
In aged care, Billy often encounters students who are unprepared for the hands-on nature of the work, such as bathing elderly residents. To help them adjust, he focuses on mentally preparing students for these tasks, ensuring they are ready to provide holistic care.
Student Testimonials and Reviews About SkilTrak:
As the placement process unfolds, the real measure of success is the experience and growth of the students who pass through SkilTrak's doors. The journey doesn’t just end with placement; it’s where the learning truly begins. Many students find themselves not only developing new skills but also discovering new career paths they hadn’t considered before. Their stories are a testament to the impact SkilTrak has on their professional journeys.
One such student is Dybie Vallo, who shared her heartfelt reflections on her placement in elderly care:
"I've learned so much during my work placement in St. Francis Catholic Health Care. I can see myself wanting to pursue this job or a new career in my life. The job of working in elderly care is never easy; it requires your effort, energy, patience, and most importantly, understanding. The primary objective is to provide physical and emotional support for their daily activities while ensuring they receive the comfort and love they need. Although this job demands a lot of effort, the happiness the elders bring you is incomparable. SkilTrak is a part of my success in finishing my work placement, and I am so grateful for their help."
Dybie’s experience highlights the emotional and physical demands of working in aged care, but it also showcases the fulfilment that comes from making a difference in the lives of others. Her gratitude toward SkilTrak for their support emphasises how integral the placement process is to achieving success in the industry.
For Taya Gurrisi, already working in aged care, her placement provided an opportunity to deepen her skills and knowledge:
"I had a great experience at my placement. Since I am already currently working in the aged care industry, it was a great opportunity to expand my skills and knowledge with the course. With the course, I was able to learn new ideas and implement them into my everyday routine at work. Ideas relating to activities, methods of approach, and connecting with families of the residents were a big deal for me, and I believe those strategies helped me progress in my work. The staff were supportive, and my residents are absolutely amazing."
Taya’s story demonstrates how SkilTrak placements are not just for those starting out but also for individuals seeking to refine and advance their careers. The support she received during her placement allowed her to grow professionally while making a positive impact on the lives of her residents.
Navneet Kaur's testimonial offers insight into how vital guidance and support are during the placement journey:
"I had great guidance from my coordinator, Lucas. He made my work easier by guiding me whenever I needed it. His way of communicating was very helpful, and he understood my concerns. Thanks a lot to Lucas and all the front-end staff. They were very responsive whenever I called them. When I completed my work placement, they also offered me a job. Now I officially work in an Italian restaurant. All made possible because of my college and my coordinator Lucas from SkilTrak. My experience went well with SkilTrak."
Navneet’s experience underlines the importance of a supportive network during the placement process. With the help of her SkilTrak coordinator, she not only completed her work placement successfully but also secured a job offer, a testament to the value of SkilTrak’s placement services.
What Our Partnered RTO Says About SkilTrak:
Working with reputable and reliable partners is essential to ensuring students get the best opportunities during their placements. One of our valued partners, ITHEA, shared their positive experience of collaborating with SkilTrak. Their partnership has not only streamlined processes but also allowed for greater focus on student success.
Kon Kanellopoulos, ITHEA's Operations Manager, reflected on their five-month partnership with SkilTrak:
"We have been working with SkilTrak for approximately five months. It has been a very easy connection for ITHEA to work within SkilTrak's requirements. We have been liaising with the whole team, from the directors to the operations manager, down to the accounts managers. They have all been very informative, accepting of our needs, and hard-working in connecting our students with employers."
ITHEA's experience highlights the seamless collaboration between the two organisations. The open communication and commitment to meeting each other’s needs have fostered a strong working relationship. This partnership has brought about tangible benefits for both ITHEA and their students, particularly when it comes to placing students in challenging situations.
Kon also noted the specific advantages ITHEA has gained since partnering with SkilTrak:
"We have been able to place our 'hard' students into work placement, which has allowed them to complete their courses in time. This has also benefited our trainers by giving them extra time, as they no longer have to find work placements for their students. Additionally, we have been able to work through any minor problems by meeting once a week and discussing those issues. Another major benefit is that SkilTrak manages the student and the student file while on work placement. Access to our own account is also a benefit, as we can monitor the student's progress and ensure they are working in the right sector with updated work placement documents."
These benefits have allowed ITHEA to focus more on the educational side of their programs, knowing that their students are in capable hands with SkilTrak managing the placement process. Weekly meetings to address and resolve any issues have also contributed to the success of this partnership. However, Kon acknowledged the need for improvement in one area:
"Improvements required can be that we need a few more employers who are willing to take more students in the Child, Youth, and Family Intervention course."
Looking toward the future, Kon expressed ITHEA's continued support for SkilTrak and its services:
"I would definitely recommend SkilTrak to other organisations that require the help that we needed. This allows the training organisation to concentrate on training the students while SkilTrak looks for work placement opportunities. Overall, we have had a very good working relationship with SkilTrak and envision a continuance of that relationship."
The testimonial provided by ITHEA highlights the noteworthy influence that SkilTrak has on partner organisations and students alike. It permits training providers to concentrate on their core competencies of instructing students, while SkilTrak makes sure those students gain invaluable practical experience in the sectors they have selected.
Insights from Our Esteemed Placement Coordinators on Their Experience with Students:
SkilTrak’s Placement Coordinators play a vital role in guiding students through their placement journeys. Their dedication and proactive approach helps ensure that students not only find suitable placements but also thrive in them. Here, some of our experienced coordinators share their insights, challenges, and rewarding moments from their roles.
Aroob’s Story:
Aroob, one of our committed Placement Coordinators, offers a glimpse into the common challenges students face and the support she provides to help them navigate these obstacles:
"Here are some common challenges that students often encounter during their placement process: scheduling conflicts, religious considerations, and difficulties in document submission."
These challenges are often significant, but Aroob approaches each case with a determination to find the best solution for the student. She recounts a particular instance where a student requested placement at a halal restaurant:
"For students struggling to secure a placement, we take the time to understand their specific requirements and work diligently to find a suitable workplace where they can complete their placement comfortably. For example, we once had a student who requested to work at a 'halal' restaurant. After reaching out to several halal establishments, one Nepalese restaurant declined to take a Muslim student. To accommodate the student's needs, we conducted further research and successfully placed them in an Indian restaurant that serves halal food."
Aroob’s commitment to meeting the specific needs of students is evident in the way she handles such unique placement requests. This approach has led to many success stories, such as the one she proudly shared:
"We had a student, Navdeep Dhillon, who was placed at Tocca restaurant for her placement. Immediately after completing her placement, she was offered a job there."
For Aroob, the most rewarding aspect of her job is witnessing the positive outcomes for students:
"When we successfully place a student on time, and they complete their placement on schedule and secure a job afterwards, it brings us great satisfaction."
In handling feedback and complaints, Aroob emphasises the importance of understanding each student's unique situation:
"We strive to offer the best service while understanding each student's unique situation. If we do receive a complaint, we make every effort to resolve it in the best possible way and ensure we're even more diligent in the future."
Adam’s Perspective
Adam, another dedicated Placement Coordinator at SkilTrak, finds the most rewarding moments in helping students overcome significant challenges. He shares:
"Seeing a student overcome significant challenges and successfully secure a placement, knowing our support played a crucial role in their journey, has been incredibly rewarding."
Handling feedback and complaints with professionalism is also a key part of Adam’s role. His approach involves active listening and prompt action:
"We handle feedback and complaints by actively listening, addressing concerns promptly, and continuously improving our processes based on student input."
Adam’s commitment to continuous improvement ensures that the placement process becomes smoother for every student he works with.
Harris’s Experience
Harris, who has helped countless students navigate their placements, highlights the common challenges students face:
"Lack of experience, difficulty in resume and cover letter preparation, interview skills, limited industry knowledge, and building a professional network."
Harris understands that each student has unique needs, and he offers one-on-one consultations to guide them through the process. One such student was Muhammad Haseeb, who had strong academics but struggled with low confidence:
"A student Muhammad Haseeb with strong academics but low confidence secured placements that led to a full-time offer, showing significant growth and perseverance."
For Harris, the most rewarding part of his job is seeing the transformation in students who overcome both personal and academic challenges to secure placements that align with their career goals:
"Seeing a student's transformation and success after overcoming personal and academic challenges, eventually securing a placement aligned with their career goals, is incredibly rewarding."
Harris also emphasises the importance of communication and problem-solving when handling feedback and complaints. One example of this was when he addressed a student’s concern about communication by implementing new processes:
"Active listening, empathy, problem-solving, and follow-up. Example: Addressed a student's concern about communication by implementing regular email reminders and an updated online calendar, improving the process for all."
These testimonials from our Placement Coordinators highlight the dedication and passion they bring to their roles. At SkilTrak, every student's success is a shared victory, and our coordinators are at the heart of making those victories happen.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the journey with SkilTrak is a collaborative and personalised experience, guided by dedicated Placement Coordinators who are deeply invested in each student's success. From handling unique cultural or religious considerations to resolving workplace issues with empathy, our team works tirelessly to ensure that every student finds a placement that aligns with their goals and values. The testimonials from both students and partner organisations like ITHEA reflect the positive impact of SkilTrak's services. With unwavering support and a commitment to continuous improvement, SkilTrak not only facilitates successful placements but also fosters growth and confidence in students, preparing them for future careers. At SkilTrak, every placement is more than just an opportunity it's a step toward a brighter future.
