Are you or your business looking for an intern, or do you have a project that you need extra hands with? Our Applied Work Integrated Learning (AWIL) Programme may be able to help.
AWIL is our work-integrated learning programme and a significant feature of our Bachelor of Applied Management (BAM), business graduate diplomas and postgraduate programmes. Our Centre for Business and Enterprise is part of the Work-Integrated Learning New Zealand (WILNZ) programme, a three-way partnership between the learner/ākonga, a host organisation, and an education provider.
The purpose of a placement (internship) is to provide ākonga with the opportunity to gain work experience in their chosen area while supporting an organisation. Connecting learners to authentic workplace environments give them the time, place and support to integrate their theoretical and practical learning.
This programme consists of two types of placements; a work placement (internship) and an industry project. Work placement allows ākonga to experience hands-on the complexities of a working environment and become part of a functioning, operational team. In a research project, they will apply theoretical knowledge to a workplace problem or issue. The host organisation determines the research project and is directly related to the major the student is studying. This project can be a good opportunity for businesses to gain valuable insights into the challenges they may be facing.
Our ākonga specialise in the following areas:
Work-integrated learning is a win-win for organisations, ākonga and our centres.
As the organisation, you will identify a project topic, provide a supervisor, and support the ākonga in their work placement. We will ensure each ākonga has an academic supervisor to help and guide them during their work placement and research project. Payment is not expected; however, we encourage organisations to consider reimbursement of student expenses, eg parking.
Industry partners are invited to attend our AWIL Student-led Conference held at the end of each year, where ākonga present their findings before completing their final research report.
Work placements can be varied and involve learning the operations and processes in any organisation. The applied research project needs to address a current challenge faced by your industry or organisation and relates to their study area.
Examples include:
| Accounting | Review procedures for collecting client information for income tax returns and GST returns. MYOB vs Xero. |
| Sales and marketing | Undertake market research for a new product as a project team member. |
| Human resources | Review health and safety systems for your organisation and make recommendations. |
| Operations and production management | Audit supply chain and logistics for a product and recommend improvements. |
| Strategic management | Undertake a cost-benefit analysis and suggest possible options. |
| Event management | Evaluate the feedback of an event from the vendors, participants and sponsors and make recommendations for the future. |
The start and end dates of the placement are negotiable with the host organisation.
Work placement hours are over one semester, with 120 hours for accounting and graduate diploma programmes and 250 hours for all other majors.
Ākonga will negotiate a minimum number of hours they must complete related to their programme of study. It is beneficial for the work placement to occur prior to or concurrently with the research project. This enables them to understand the business, the environment in which it operates, its strengths, and the challenges it faces.
If you have an opportunity or would like more information, please contact:
Nima Riini
Telephone: 07 834 8800 ext 3721
Email: nima.riini@wintec.ac.nz
Rebecca Hoani has always been good with numbers, but never thought she would have an accounting degree, that seemed far too scary. But the 29-year-old mama of two has not only completed her degree at Wintec she is also now a working accountant.
Jessica Yeates struggled with anxiety and depression since the age of 14 when her mother tragically passed away. For years after, she would never have believed, at 23, she would complete a bachelor’s degree in business at Wintec and walk straight into a permanent job at the accounting firm she had done her work placement at. But she has done just that.
The road to graduation with a degree in Strategic Management for Jessica Nelson, 35, wasn’t smooth or quick. She often jokes that it took seven years, two kids, a pandemic, and a marriage!
Wintec is part of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology Learn More about Wintec Te Pūkenga.
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