The Internship Program follows five stages from end-to-end:
- Application: define the intern's roles and responsibilities
- Recruitment: receive a shortlist of candidates from our University partner
- Selection: interview candidates, make an offer and advise the Victorian Chamber
- Induction: welcome the intern to the team and pair with a Project Supervisor
- Evaluation: provide feedback to the intern and to the Victorian Chamber.
If you have any questions, try reading through the FAQs at the end of the page or contact us for advice on 03 8662 5333 or by email.
Application
Define the intern's roles and responsibilities
To apply to the Internship Program, member organisations need to complete and submit the Employer Project Proposal Template. The Project Proposal outlines the duties the selected intern will undertake on a day-to-day basis, education requirements they must fulfil, required skills and the desired outcomes of the project. When preparing the project proposal, try to be as open and descriptive as you can about the type of experience the intern is likely to have in your business. That way, you are setting clear expectations which will help attract the right applicant.
Sample project proposals are available to download to help you get started filling out the form correctly. Download the Marketing Analyst Sample or the Human Resources Sample.
When your project proposal template is complete, please submit it to our team via email.
Recruitment
Receive a shortlist of candidates from University partners
Once the Project Proposal is approved, the Victorian Chamber will work with one or two of our university partners to identify and attract potential interns who have the right skill set for your business. Member organisations will typically receive the shortlist of up to four candidates to consider. Contacting the candidates and arranging interviews is for the member organisation to arrange. Note that students often apply for many internship opportunities. If your recruitment process is lengthy, it may mean you miss out on your preferred candidate.
Selection
Interview candidates, make an offer and advise the Victorian Chamber
Selecting an intern is like hiring any employee. It is important that the intern fits your business’ culture and it is one of the qualities that should be assessed at interview. To help make a decision, we recommend that your nominated Project Supervisor is involved with the interview process. When undertaking interviews it is important to keep the objectives of both the intern and your business in mind. This will maximise the likelihood of a suitable match and positive experience for all involved.
Once you have selected your intern, you are required to complete and submit the Victorian Chamber Placement Agreement. This agreement outlines your responsibilities and obligations when employing an intern as part of the internship program. If you would like to view a copy of this agreement, please contact us by email or call us on 03 8662 5333.
Induction
Welcome the intern to the team and pair with a Project Supervisor
When your intern starts, you should follow normal induction procedures. This includes providing the intern with a safety induction and an outline of all company policies and procedures. On their first day, the intern needs to know their obligations while onsite, which includes knowing how to raise or report any issues or concerns. While they should already know their Project Supervisor, having other team members available to help your intern will make them feel welcome and it will be easier to support them.
Evaluation
Provide feedback to the intern and to the Victorian Chamber
As with any employee, providing your intern with feedback throughout their internship is beneficial for their development and growth. We recommend that relevant and ongoing feedback is delivered to help your intern to hone their skills and ensure the success of your project. You should also encourage your intern to return feedback to you about their experiences on the job.
On completion of the Internship Program, member organisations and interns are invited to give the Victorian Chamber independent feedback via a survey link. This provides us an opportunity to evaluate the experiences, learnings and skills students and employers are encountering and ultimately help us improve the program for future.
