One-week industry placements—Organization and evaluation after 3 years

For the past three years 3rd year chemical engineering students in the 4-year program at RMIT have been placed in industry for a 1-week period during second semester. This paper discusses how the program is organized and how it has been received by both industry partners and by its students. Although industry has been very positive about the program, issues of concern relate to the shortness of the placement, insurance coverage and confidentiality. The staff was concerned about losing a week of teaching time, but are now also firm believers in the value of industry placement. This change in attitude took place when staff visited students in their workplaces and saw both how much they were enjoying the experience and how enthusiastically industry was responding. The students are overwhelming in their support for the industry placement and almost all report an awakening in their understanding of what their future might look like. There have been some minor issues relating to the impact on their part-time jobs, and on travel difficulties, but overall the program has had a very positive effect on their motivation to do well. Perhaps the most significant aspect of the program is the collaborative partnership established with industry to produce graduates who meet their needs.