Curriculum renewal to enhance the acquisition of professional skills and engagement with professional practice across engineering programs

Figures & data

Figure 1. Updated UniSA engineering program structure and professional practice program (PPP).

Figure 2. Mapping of band 1 in-curriculum hours for the first year first semester PPC course.

Figure 3. Perceived effectiveness of the professional practice program (PPP) in assisting undergraduate engineering students to meet the 450-hour engagement with professional practice requirement.

Table 1. Integrated themes from positive student feedback on how the PPP supported obtaining professional practice hours.

Theme	Percentage of positive comment subset, n = 55%)	Sample Quotes from Comments
Diverse Opportunities for Practical Experience: Practical experiences the PPP offers, such as internships and workshops, aiding students in exploring career options and gaining hands-on experience.	49.1	‘It provided me with opportunities and incentive to explore other avenues to search for career pathways outside of standard internships’. ‘showing me the current opportunities to undertake an internship with different companies, as well as the events and activities where I can meet and talk to different companies and industries to know more about what I want to do later on’
Enhanced Learning and preparedness for real world challenges: PPP’s role in enhancing learning beyond traditional classroom settings and preparing students for real-world challenges.	34.5	‘The workshops and seminars conducted as part of PPP have equipped me with skills that are beneficial both for obtaining and succeeding in professional practice settings’. ‘Getting ready for an actual on-field experience, how to find, how to apply, the processes’
Structured Approach and Clear Guidance: Structured nature of the PPP and the clear guidance provided to assist students in navigating their professional growth and understanding opportunities and requirements.	25.5	‘PPP made gaining professional practice hours via in-industry experience simple and easy’. ‘Allowed relevant placements to be found. Also helped in appropriately settling into a company given the stream-lined approach’.
Flexibility in Completing Hours: PPP’s ability to let students earn professional hours flexibly, helping them balance work, studies, and other commitments.	20.0	‘The extracurricular activity I participated in during the course counted towards my PPP hours. This gave me flexibility in choosing my industrial placement. Some slightly shorter but better placement opportunities can be considered’. ‘Allowed me to complete some of my hours through ways other than placement alone’
Integration with Current Employment and Studies: PPP integrates with students’ current employment and academic studies, allowing them to accumulate hours without disrupting their ongoing work or study commitments.	20.0	‘Made it accessible through the university, which is really helpful for someone with no industry connections right now’. ‘Gain hours through subject courses, white card and applying for hours through the casual job I work in’.

Table 2. Comparison of students completing capstone design and research projects vs. internships (2018-2023).

Year	Students completing capstone courses	Students completing internship	Percentage of Internships (%)
2018	100	6	5.7
2019	98	3	3.0
2020	183	3	1.6
2021	161	4	2.4
2022	108	31	22.3
2023	74	34	31.5