Course Title: Establish and maintain work and contractual relationships

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2012

Course Code: EMPL5401C

Course Title: Establish and maintain work and contractual relationships

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5181 - Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing

Course Contact : Professional Writing and Editing Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368

Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Liz Steele
Elizabeth.steele@rmit.edu.au
9925 8089

Nominal Hours: 70

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None                            

Course Description

This course deals with the skills and knowledge required to set up and maintain work relationships, including contracts.  During the course, you will gain professional industry experience by working on or observing the development or production of current projects with professional mentors, in appropriate and approved companies and organizations. This is a course that involves work integrated learning.                        


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUSADM07A Establish and maintain work and contractual relationships

Element:

1. Establish and conduct work relationships

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Establish relationships within the appropriate context in a manner which promotes goodwill and trust between all parties

1.2 Employ effective communication skills and techniques in relationships to build trust and respect

1.3 Take all opportunities to maintain contact with all parties wherever possible

Element:

2. Conduct negotiations

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Conduct negotiations in a business like and professional manner

2.2 Conduct negotiations using techniques to maximise benefits for all parties in the context of establishing long term relationships

2.3 Take account of input from colleagues and other relevant parties in negotiations, where appropriate

2.4 Communicate the results of negotiations within appropriate timeframes

2.5 Manage situations in which there is conflict or disagreement

Element:

3. Make formal agreements/contracts

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Confirm agreements in writing with contracts or other documentation drawn up in accordance with legal and other requirements

3.2 Ensure that all parties check and approve all aspects of formal agreement/contract in accordance with enterprise procedures where appropriate

3.3 Seek specialist advice in the development of contracts where appropriate

Element:

4. Foster and maintain business relationships 

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Seek information needed to maintain sound business relationships, and review and act upon it
4.2 Honour agreements within the scope of individual responsibility

4.3 Make adjustments to agreements in consultation with all parties and share information with appropriate colleagues

4.4 Build relationships through regular contact and use of effective interpersonal and communication styles

4.5 Handle any situations of conflict or disagreement so problems are resolved by negotiation


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have demonstrated the relationship building and negotiation skills required by workers in the industry.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course you learn through:

* online and other research
* work integrated learning
* teacher directed learning
* one-on-one discussion with your teacher
* independent study
* analysis and reflective practice

 
 


Teaching Schedule

Your 68 hour industry placement takes place over a period of time to be negotiated by you with your your host employer.

Each student’s work schedule will be different, so there is no ongoing weekly outline for classes. However, there will be an introductory class held in the first week of Semester 1 which aims to provide students with information regarding the routines and protocols related to Practical Placement activities.
Topics covered in the first class include:

* Information for students including a briefing about the general requirements and expectations of the practical placement
* Accidents and emergencies including work cover and liability issues
* Health and Safety considerations in work place activities
* Employer expectations
* All required documentation


After this first scheduled meeting, you research possibilities for a placement within a sector of the writing and publishing industry. You do this with the help of the course teacher who is there both to provide support and to approve the arrangements and the scope of the position.Taking into account your study timetable and the needs of the host organisation, you then negotiate the schedule of your employment and complete the industry placement for a total 68 hours.
You are expected to maintain regular contact with your teacher through face-to-face meetings and through e-mail. These meetings are scheduled by you and the teacher together and will be logged and minuted as part of your assessment.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

There are no prescribed texts for this unit.


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

Your host employer will let you know if you require any other resources..


Overview of Assessment


Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in the workplace environment and through a written reflection on learned skills and insights.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.

1. Organisation of placement – contract., insurance etc. Copies of all paperwork to be submitted before the beginning of the placement.
You will maintain a journal as you research, source and organize a placement with the help and support of your teacher.

The journal should include:

  • A record of communication with your host employer
  • Confirmation that you have considered Health and Safety issues pertaining to the placement
  • Record of consultation with and approval from your teacher regarding the placement.
  • Confirmation that all necessary documentation has been completed prior to commencement of the placement.

2. Your fulfillment of the work placement

You will engage in writing, development or editing or publishing work in an approved organisation. This engagement can take the form of observation and/or involvement in the writing and editing process or other related tasks, obtaining feedback on your work from others involved in the project.

During your placement you should:

  • Behave in a manner appropriate to that of an employee and which upholds the good name of RMIT;
  • Adhere to the professional ethics and codes of conduct;
  • Be punctual throughout the duration of the activity;
  • Adhere to policies and procedures of the workplace site, including occupational health and safety, and equal opportunity;
  • Treat confidential material and information gained about workplaces from any sources in an appropriate manner
  • Maintain communication with the workplace supervisor as required;
  • Raise issues of concern with the workplace supervisor and RMIT coordinator;
  • Advise the placement coordinator of any fact which may affect their capacity to undertake the placement, such as a disability or personal difficulty;
  • Provide a medical certificate for absences of two or more days to the workplace supervisor and RMIT coordinator;
  • Use resources available at the placement site for the purposes they are intended.
  • Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and communication skills at all times, and complete all tasks assigned in the workplace to an acceptable standard.
  • Maintain a workplace diary for the placement period.
  • Complete agreed hours of attendance.

3. Progress meetings
 You will need to meet regularly with the class teacher to discuss your progress in obtaining and fulfilling your work placement. The meeting schedule is to be negotiated with your teacher .
 
4. Evaluation from host employer
A written evaluation of your placement in the form of a reference from your host employer.

5. Reflection on and evaluation of of your industry placement
Completion of a written report reflecting on and evaluating your experience of the work placement (1000 words)

6. Industry placement log
Completion of a record of your hours of attendance and activities ie. Workplace diary of your placement.


Assessments 4-6  need to be submitted to your teacher no later than one week after you have finished the placement.



To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete all assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.

This competency will be assessed as:
C Competent
NYC Not yet competent
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Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration.

Other Information

Information on Work Integrated Learning
Please refer to the following URL for further information on WIL. This includes links to RMIT policy regarding WIL
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse/Our Organisation%2FDesign and Social Context%2FLearning and teaching%2FWork Integrated Learning (WIL) in Creative Practice Contexts%2FWIL for students

Submission of Assessment Tasks
You are required to submit all written assessment tasks in hard copy with a completed School of Media and Communication cover sheet. You are expected to keep a copy of all assignments submitted.

Late Submissions
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension before that due date.
Please refer to the course blackboard site for information on late submissions and on applying for an extension.

Feedback
You will receive both spoken and written feedback on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is about the honest presentation of your academic work. Presenting work that fails to acknowledge other people’s work within yours can compromise academic integrity. For further information on academic integrity and plagiarism, please refer to the following URL. http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kkc202lwe1yv

Special Consideration Policy
Please refer to the following URL for information on applying for special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1

Course Overview: Access Course Overview