VET Practicum

Practicum subjects are key elements in all CSU vocational education and training courses. These subjects are designed to develop the competencies needed by professional teachers and trainers. For further information, please refer to the 2009 VET Information Guide.

Undertaking Practicum

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE 100 HOURS OF PRACTICUM FOR EPT320?

The 100 hours of practicum is made up of the following components.

Teaching/Assessing (48 hours);
Observation/Investigations (12 hours);
Development (20 hours);
Administration (20 hours).

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE 130 HOURS OF PRACTICUM FOR EPT301?

The 130 hours of practicum is made up of the following components.

Teaching/Assessing (60 hours);
Observation/Investigation (20 hours);
Development (30 hours); and
Administration (20 hours).

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE 70 HOURS OF PRACTICUM FOR EPT322?

The 70 hours of practicum is made up of the following components.

Teaching/Assessing (15 hours);
Observation/Investigation (15 hours);
Development (20 hours); and
Administration (20 hours).

Being a Preceptor to a CSU trainee VET practitioner

Each CSU VET student undertakes a number of Practicum sessions included within the following subjects:

Teaching and Training in VET (EPT301). This practicum must be undertaken in an institutional (not enterprise) Registered Training Organisation (including TAFE). The Practicum is 130 hours over an academic year (two sessions).
Workplace Training (EPT322). This practicum must be undertaken in a non-educational enterprise (it can be an enterprise RTO). The Practicum is 70 hours over one academic session.
High Level Facilitation Skills (EPT320). This practicum focuses on advanced techniques of training delivery in order to accommodate learner needs and enhance the teaching/learning process. The Practicum is 100 hours over one academic session.

The Role of a Preceptor

To make the Practicum experience valuable for the student, we need the assistance of people willing to be Preceptors to our students. 'Preceptor' (pronounced 'pre-sceptre') is a term more commonly used in medical training, and we have adopted it because it is used to describe someone who not only helps a student to gain experience and practice his or her skills, but also assists in assessing the student in the workplace. The Preceptor should work at the site where the student is undertaking his or her practicum. In exceptional circumstances a Preceptor may be approved that works at a nearby branch of the same organisation; this would need special approval.

The Preceptor's role is to generally 'keep an eye on' the student, to help plan some useful experiences for him/her, and to assist the student get access to the people and departments he or she needs in oder to complete the assessment tasks required. In addition the Preceptor is asked to contribute to the assessment of the student by observing certain teaching/training delivery activities and commenting on certain tasks.

The role of the Preceptor is clearly specified in the course materials provided to the CSU student. As well as supervising and undertaking assessment, the Preptor should liaise with the student, discuss their progress and offer feedback on their performance. Each student is provided with written course materials which contain further information and details the tasks for which you need to assist with assessment. We suggest that you read through the material with the student before undertaking any tasks.

Ideally a Preceptor should hold a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training or a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Suitable Sites for CSU VET Practicum Activities

	Site 1	Site 2	Site 3	Site 4
	Institutional RTO	Non-RTO Training Provider	Training Section of a Workplace (Enterprise)	Workplace (Enterprise)
Type of Learners	Enrolled from a variety of sources	Enrolled from a variety of sources	All work for the organisation	All work for the organisation
Type of Training	Nationally Recognised Training (NRT)	Not Nationally Recognised Training (NRT)	May or may not be Nationally Recognised Training (NRT)	May or may not be Nationally Recognised Training (NRT)
Examples	TAFE college Private RTO	Community College	Police College Government Department Banking Institution	Government Department Factory Shop Restaurant
Allowable Site for Practicum EPT301#	Yes	*Yes, except for those tasks that must be undertaken in an RTO	*Yes, except for those tasks that must be undertaken in an RTO	No
Allowable Site for Practicum EPT322#	*Yes, as long tasks are conducted in a non-training part of the organisation	*Yes, as long tasks are conducted in a non-training part of the organisation	*Yes, as long tasks are conducted in a non-training part of the organisation	Yes
Allowable Site for Practicum EPT320	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

NB: # While a site is allowable for EITHER Practicum (EPT301or EPT322), it cannot be used for BOTH.
* Check with the Subject Coordinator before proceeding with a Practicum in these sites.