Memorandum of Understanding

This MOU sets out the responsibilities of all parties involved in providing a voluntary work placement. It helps to ensure that everyone benefits from the placement, including the school, supervisors, children, families and carers, and the candidate.

The candidate will undertake various activities to assist their supervising teacher in the day-to-day operations of the classroom. This includes helping with all reasonable and appropriate tasks for their skills level. The candidate will spend most of their time supporting children’s learning and related activities. They may also carry out other non-instructional tasks on occasion.

Where possible, the candidate should be exposed to various learning opportunities, including with children of different ages, temperaments, challenges, interests, development, and needs.

The candidate will complete several assessments and other documents, each designed to be undertaken with minimal interruption:

• A structured placement portfolio
• A demonstration assessment (completed by an ITAC assessor on site)
• A short supervisor's report
• A timesheet to log hours

No. While some providers expect teachers to spend many hours completing lengthy observations and reports, our materials are designed to take 20-30 minutes in total – the report can even be completed online, saving even more time. Supervisors are also asked to provide daily verbal feedback to help candidates improve their professional practice.

While rare, supervisors are sometimes not happy with a candidate’s performance. If this happens, please contact us, and we’ll take care of everything from there.

Hint: At the end of the placement, the approving manager and the supervisor listed in the MOU will receive a Certificate of Appreciation from ITAC. Staff may be able to use these certificates to help meet professional learning requirements – they also look really good in your portfolio or hanging in your office so others can see the valuable contributions you have made to the sector.

By the time candidates begin their placement, they will have completed most or all of the theory components of their course. This includes learning about WHS, policies and procedures, child protection, basic behaviour management concepts and techniques, basic instructional skills and literacy and numeracy practices.

For further information, please read the Vocational Placement Info Pack that accompanies this MOU. This document contains practical information designed to help supervisors, such as what to do if a candidate is underperforming, and what the latest research says about best practice mentoring and coaching.

Note that the WPL info pack is emailed to schools using the details supplied in the MOU form. To receive a copy in advance, please email wpl@itac.edu.au. Candidates also have access to this document via their portal.

Where possible, the school agrees to supply the following under the guidance, support and mentorship of a suitably experienced supervisor:

• Safety: The school agrees to provide a safe working environment as per the applicable requirements that apply to employees.
• Supervisors: The school agrees to assign a supervisor who has suitable character, demeanour, enthusiasm, training, and industry experience to adequately mentor the candidate.
• Facilities, equipment and resources: The school agrees to provide reasonable access to facilities, equipment and resources to enable the candidate to carry out the tasks expected of their role.
• Range of work: The school agrees to provide a variety of learning opportunities (where possible and reasonable to do so) to enable the candidate to expand their skills and knowledge. This may include spending time in multiple classrooms.
• Feedback: The school agrees to provide regular, honest, and constructive feedback to support the candidate’s professional development.
• Duration: The school agrees to provide these services for no less than 100 hours (subject to the reasonable performance and behaviour of the candidate).
• Site visits: The school agrees to allow an ITAC assessor to enter school grounds to observe the candidate facilitating a small group learning activity.  

• Resources: ITAC will provide high-quality learning and assessment materials that reflect current industry best practices and expectations.
• Preparedness: ITAC will ensure that the candidate has completed sufficient learning tasks so they can carry out all tasks safely (under adequate direction).
• Quality trainers and assessors: ITAC will employ experienced and qualified trainers with suitable character and demeanour.
• Professionalism: ITAC will constructively and professionally engage with school staff to foster a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship.
• Response: ITAC will respond quickly, decisively, and appropriately if any issues or concerns are identified.
• Advice: ITAC will provide advice and guidance to support the placement process, such as by supplying fact sheets on vital instructional strategies.
• Minimal interruption: ITAC procedures and assessments will be designed to minimise interruptions, particularly to children’s learning and development.
• Compliance: ITAC will comply with all relevant laws, regulations and policies, including confidentiality, privacy, security of records, and clearances.
• Insurance: ITAC will hold appropriate professional and public liability insurance for the duration of the placement.
• Feedback: ITAC will collect and act on feedback from the school to improve its systems and courses.