Education & Training

Committed to the vision of providing access to education, training and employment opportunities for all young people in the Outer East of Melbourne.

How OELLEN can help

Partnerships organised by OELLEN could provide opportunities for education and training providers to...

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Make it real.

Make classroom learning more meaningful for students by connecting learning to real-life experiences

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Enhance.

Improve young people’s employability, career development and life skills.

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Opportunities.

Create opportunities for learning beyond the ‘classroom’.

School to Work

School to Work was introduced by the Department of Education in 2023, it supports schools and Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) to connect students with meaningful workplace experiences. Through this program, students can explore career pathways while schools have access to a structured system for arranging placements. We are here to support the students who need it most.

Structured Workplace Learning (SWL)

Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) is different from general work experience. It gives students the chance to apply classroom learning in a real workplace as part of their secondary studies. SWL is delivered through the VCE, VCE Vocational Major, or Industry and Enterprise programs, and helps students to:

build practical skills and confidence

put industry knowledge into practice

have competencies assessed in real settings

meet learning outcomes for their studies

strengthen future employment prospects

The School to Work Portal

The S2W Portal is a state-wide online resource managed locally by OELLEN on behalf of the Department of Education. The portal lists thousands of current SWL opportunities across Victoria. Students, with support from their schools, can explore these options and apply for placements suited to their interests.

Working with Employers

OELLEN partners with local businesses and industry to make a wide range of placements available. Hosting a student is a valuable way for employers to contribute to the development of the future workforce while building connections with local schools. If you’re interested in offering a placement, or would like to know more, please contact us.

How we do it

How else we can help

  • Work experience is a short-term placement, usually lasting one to two weeks, that gives students an introduction to the workplace.

    The students spend their time observing and participating in daily tasks.

    It provides valuable insight into different industries and helps young people build their understanding of work environments, supporting them to explore career options and make informed decisions about their future.

  • Industry tours give students the chance to see inside real workplaces and learn how organisations operate within a particular sector.

    OELLEN works with partner organisations to arrange visits for classes or year levels, helping students connect what they learn at school with the skills and opportunities available in different industries.

  • We can support students with sessions to help them learn the skills they need to commence their career journey. This ranges from mock interviews to work readiness sessions.

    This program is subject to OELLEN availability.

Student Testimonial

SWL Placement student Ed shares with us how a placement at the Yarra Ranges Tech school has opened up a world of new possibilities for him

“The experiences I get here will translate to everything I do in the future” - Ed

Industry Focus - Hydrographics

Ever wonder how the weather man knows where it is going to flood? Or how we know our tap water is safe to drink?Hydrographer Jack from ALS Hydrographics shares what a typical day looks like in the varied and fascinating role of tracking the behavior of water in its natural environments .

“It’s a very fun rewarding and challenging career. If you’re like me and enjoy being hands on and outdoorsy, give it some thought” - Jack