Work-based Learning

The Context

Managing Work Experience and Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) across Victorian schools relied on fragmented, paper-based processes. This manual approach created significant operational risks, including a lack of transparency regarding student activities, the inability to identify ‘at-risk’ workplaces, and a critical data void that prevented informed policy forecasting.

The Task

I was tasked with leading the digital transformation of the Work-based Learning (WBL) ecosystem. The objective was to replace the burdensome paper process with a centralised, digital-first solution that ensured statewide oversight, compliance, and streamlined administration.

The Strategy

I spearheaded a structured eight-week strategic discovery phase, facilitating stakeholder workshops and user interviews to define personas and map complex future-state processes. Following discovery, we transitioned to a Detailed Design phase, overseeing the architecture of high-fidelity prototypes that mapped the end-to-end journey for four distinct user groups.

To ensure a robust launch, I implemented a rigorous usability testing framework, ensuring the final system was WCAG-compliant, responsive, and aligned with complex departmental policy.

"The new Work-based Learning system allows us to make insights and produce forecasting that was never before possible. Already within the first week we uncovered new insights that have changed our approach to supporting students in Work Experience engagements."

The Impact

Within the first week of launch, 200 schools successfully onboarded to the system. The platform is now live across Victoria, delivering a digital-first, human-centric experience. Beyond efficiency gains, the system now provides the Department with first-of-its-kind data insights, enabling monitoring of student work-based activities to ensure student safety and oversight, and statewide policy forecasting.