Work Placement Policy and Procedure

At Pilates ITC, Work Placement provides an important connection between formal learning and professional practice.

The environment in which you complete your Work Placement will depend on your course level, existing qualifications and professional experience.

For undergraduate Students, Work Placement provides structured opportunities to develop practical teaching experience within an appropriate professional Pilates environment. Pilates ITC's affiliated Work Placement Studio (WPS) network ensures these activities take place in Studios that have completed our affiliation and compliance requirements.

For postgraduate Students, who are already qualified Pilates teachers, Work Placement is designed to build on existing professional experience. Wherever possible, you are encouraged to complete eligible Work Placement activities within your existing workplace or professional teaching environment, applying your postgraduate learning directly within the work you are already doing.

For this reason, postgraduate Students completing Work Placement within their existing professional workplace do not need that workplace to be an affiliated Pilates ITC Work Placement Studio.

This policy outlines the requirements that apply to each arrangement, as well as the process for Studios wishing to join the Pilates ITC affiliated Work Placement Studio network.

• Work Placement – Structured practical learning activities completed as part of a Pilates ITC course or pathway. Depending on the course, these may include Teaching Practice, Observation, Self-Mastery, Teaching Clinics and other specified activities.

• Work Placement Studio (WPS) – A Studio that has completed Pilates ITC's affiliation and compliance requirements and has been approved to provide eligible Work Placement opportunities for Pilates ITC Students.

• Instructor Training Studio (IT Studio) – A Pilates ITC-approved Studio used to support training and practical learning activities.

• Existing Professional Workplace – The Studio, business or other appropriate professional Pilates environment in which a postgraduate Student ordinarily works as a qualified Pilates teacher. This may include a business owned by the Student or a workplace in which they are employed or contracted.

• Teaching Practice – Eligible teaching activities undertaken to develop, apply and demonstrate the instructional skills and professional capabilities relevant to the Student's course or pathway.

• Observation – Structured observation of Pilates teaching and professional practice undertaken to develop practical insight, reflection and professional understanding.

• Self-Mastery – Purposeful Pilates practice undertaken by postgraduate Students to experience, explore and consolidate relevant coursework, repertoire and movement concepts within their own body.

This policy applies to:

• undergraduate Students completing Work Placement as part of a Pilates ITC course or pathway;

• postgraduate Students completing the 11333NAT Advanced Diploma of the Pilates Method or an associated Advanced Pathway;

• affiliated Work Placement Studios and Instructor Training Studios hosting Pilates ITC Students;

• Pilates businesses and workplaces used by postgraduate Students as part of their existing professional practice; and

• Pilates ITC staff and Educators responsible for approving, supporting or overseeing Work Placement arrangements.

If you are completing an undergraduate course or pathway, your required Studio-based Work Placement activities must be completed through an approved Pilates ITC Work Placement Studio or Instructor Training Studio, unless an alternative arrangement has been specifically approved by Pilates ITC.

Our affiliated Studio network provides access to professional Pilates environments that have completed Pilates ITC's approval process.

This process considers areas including:

• suitability of Studio facilities and equipment;

• Instructor qualifications and experience;

• relevant insurance documentation;

• workplace health and safety requirements;

• emergency procedures; and

• suitability for hosting Students and the Work Placement activities being undertaken.

You can find participating Studios through the Pilates ITC Work Placement Studio network.

If you cannot reasonably access an affiliated Studio, contact Pilates ITC before commencing Work Placement elsewhere so that we can discuss the options available to you.

If you are completing the 11333NAT Advanced Diploma of the Pilates Method or an associated postgraduate Advanced Pathway, you are already a qualified Pilates teacher and your existing professional environment is intended to play an important role in your Work Placement.

Wherever possible, your existing workplace or professional teaching environment should be the primary setting for your Advanced Teaching Practice.

You may use your regular teaching schedule and existing Clients to complete eligible Teaching Practice hours, provided the activities meet the Work Placement requirements of your course or pathway.

Where you are completing eligible postgraduate Work Placement activities within the workplace in which you ordinarily teach, that workplace does not need to become an affiliated Pilates ITC Work Placement Studio.

You do not need to submit your workplace through Pilates ITC's standard Work Placement Studio affiliation and compliance process solely for the purpose of completing your own postgraduate Work Placement there.

This recognises that you are undertaking these activities as an existing professional within your established working environment, rather than entering that workplace as an undergraduate Student requiring a supervised placement.

When completing postgraduate Work Placement through your existing professional practice, you remain responsible for ensuring that you are appropriately authorised and insured to undertake your professional teaching activities within that environment.

Pilates ITC does not separately approve or verify your workplace, professional insurance or employment arrangements simply because you use your existing workplace for postgraduate Work Placement.

You are responsible for ensuring that:

• you hold, or are appropriately covered by, the Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance relevant to your professional practice;

• your Work Placement activities fall within the scope of your professional role and insurance cover;

• you have any permission required from your employer, Studio owner or business to use your professional activities towards your studies;

• you comply with your workplace's policies, procedures and professional requirements; and

• the activities you record meet the Work Placement requirements of your Pilates ITC course or pathway.

If you are unsure whether a particular activity can contribute towards your Work Placement, check your Work Placement Specs and relevant Knowledge Base guidance or contact Ask an Educator before relying on those hours.

The postgraduate exception to affiliation applies where you are completing Work Placement through your existing professional workplace or teaching environment.

If you wish to undertake Work Placement activities within another Studio where you do not ordinarily work, different requirements may apply depending on the activity and arrangement.

Pilates ITC's affiliated Work Placement Studio network is available where you would like access to another professional environment for eligible Teaching Practice, Observation or other Work Placement opportunities.

Always refer to the requirements for the particular activity you intend to complete and seek guidance from Pilates ITC if you are unsure whether a proposed environment is appropriate.

Although affiliation is not required for postgraduate Students to complete their own Work Placement within their existing workplace, we warmly encourage postgraduate Students and their workplaces to consider joining the Pilates ITC affiliated Work Placement Studio network.

If you own, manage or work within a Pilates business, affiliation provides an opportunity for your Studio to become more involved with the Pilates ITC community and support future Pilates professionals.

Becoming an affiliated Work Placement Studio provides opportunities to:

• have your Studio publicly listed within the Pilates ITC Work Placement Studio network;

• increase the visibility of your Studio to Pilates ITC Students and graduates;

• welcome eligible Pilates ITC Students into your Studio for Work Placement opportunities; and

• potentially provide mentorship and practical learning opportunities for undergraduate Students completing their Work Placement.

For postgraduate Students who own or work within Studios, this can be a valuable way to contribute to the development of future teachers while building stronger connections within the Pilates ITC professional community.

Importantly, affiliation is separate from your own postgraduate Work Placement. Your Studio only needs to complete the affiliation process if it wishes to become part of the Pilates ITC Work Placement Studio network and host other Pilates ITC Students under that arrangement.

Studios wishing to become an affiliated WPS must complete the relevant Work Placement Studio Application.

Applications are reviewed by Pilates ITC to determine whether the Studio is suitable to host Pilates ITC Students and the relevant Work Placement activities.

As part of the application and approval process, Studios may be required to provide:

• evidence of suitable facilities and equipment;

• relevant Instructor qualifications;

• current Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance documentation;

• emergency evacuation and safety procedures; and

• other information required to assess the Studio's suitability.

Pilates ITC may undertake additional risk, safety or compliance checks as required before approving a Studio.

Approval must be confirmed by Pilates ITC before a Studio represents itself as an affiliated Pilates ITC Work Placement Studio or begins hosting undergraduate Students under that arrangement.

Insurance requirements differ depending on the Work Placement arrangement.

Where Work Placement is undertaken through an approved Pilates ITC Work Placement or Instructor Training Studio, Students must comply with the insurance and Work Placement arrangements applicable to their course and that Studio.

Where Pilates ITC approves an alternative arrangement, additional insurance requirements may apply and must be satisfied before the relevant activities commence.

Postgraduate Students completing Work Placement through their existing professional workplace are responsible for maintaining the insurance ordinarily required for their professional practice.

This should include appropriate Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance, whether held directly by you or provided through an employment or other professional arrangement, and should appropriately cover the activities you undertake.

If you are uncertain about your individual insurance arrangements or whether your existing cover is appropriate, you should seek advice from your insurer, insurance broker or relevant professional association.

Pilates ITC cannot provide individual insurance advice or guarantee that a particular insurance policy provides appropriate cover for your circumstances.

Regardless of whether you are an undergraduate or postgraduate Student, you are responsible for:

• understanding the Work Placement requirements specific to your course or pathway;

• completing activities within an appropriate and permitted environment;

• complying with relevant Studio or workplace policies and procedures;

• maintaining professional standards, Client privacy and confidentiality;

• working within your current professional scope and capabilities;

• ensuring any required supervision or verification is obtained;

• accurately recording your Work Placement activities and retaining required evidence; and

• seeking guidance before completing an activity if you are unsure whether it will meet your Work Placement requirements.

If you're unsure whether a Studio, workplace or proposed Work Placement arrangement meets the requirements of your course, please check the relevant Work Placement guidance in your Student Knowledge Base Library before commencing the activity.

For questions about whether an activity can contribute towards your Work Placement, contact Ask an Educator.

For administrative assistance with Work Placement Studio affiliation or other Work Placement arrangements, visit our Contact Us page for Student Services contact details.

This policy complies with:

Clause 1.7 of the Standards for RTOs 2025: Supporting students to access facilities, resources, and trainers required for their course.

Clause 1.8 of the Standards for RTOs 2025: Ensuring valid, reliable, fair, and flexible assessment practices, including those conducted during Work Placements.

Clause 1.1 of the Standards for RTOs 2025: Ensuring training and assessment strategies are consistent with the requirements of training packages and VET-accredited courses.

Clause 1.2 of the Standards for RTOs 2025: Considering the existing skills, knowledge, and experience of students when determining the amount of training provided.

Clause 8.5 of the Standards for RTOs 2025: Ensuring compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, including workplace safety and insurance standards.

ASQA Guidelines: Supporting safe, equitable, and industry-relevant Work Placements.

Disclaimer: This Policy / Procedure when printed, this becomes an uncontrolled document. 

Policy# P-COU-043

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