The CTI English & Work Experience Internship

Canterbury Technical Institute (CTI) in partnership with The Green Intern offers CTI students the English & Work Experience (E&WE) internship that has been custom designed for international students who have English as a second language and wish to gain Australian work experience.

The E&WE internship is practical, non-accredited program that helps international students transition from study to work in local Australian communities. The E&WE program is optional to CTI students and offered as a part of CTI's student services program.

The E&WE program has four key components:

• Work Experience - Technically, the E&WE internship is a professional development program. Following a successful application will receive on the job training in an unpaid role relevant to your knowledge and area of study. All placements are on a voluntary basis involving Not-For-Profit organisations.

  All placements are skilled, professional roles and all placements contribute strategically to your objectives. What this means is that you get relevant, comprehensive Australian workplace experience linked to your area of expertise. Additionally you will get the opportunity to make the all important local network contacts you need to find a paid career role in Australia in the future.

• Language Mentoring - The focus on your English in the E&WE internship is like no other English or internship program. The emphasis is on developing the natural English that is required in the Australian workplace. Most of the English emphasis is provided in the E&WE intro, the two day workshop you attend prior to commencing your internship. This is a crash course in business writing, email etiquette and tips for working in the Aussie office environment.

  You will also receive important information regarding your placement in the E&WE intro, (including your Green Intern log on) and you will have the opportunity to meet up with your fellow interns.

  Throughout your internship you will get all the authentic listening and speaking practice you will need. Of course it is up to you to make the most of this on the job, real world opportunity. Your ideas and opinions will be expected, so don't be shy! On a weekly basis, a hot topic will be posted on the intern only pages of the website. You will then blog your response, thoughts and opinions, and receive individual online feedback from your language mentor.

  You will receive advice on how to improve your English along with links to easily accessible online English exercises to help you address your weak points. It is up to you to make the most of your language development. There is no formal assessment in this program, but it is expected that you are committed to your own professional development including English!

• Networking strategies - Weekly networking tips, articles and ideas will be posted on the intern only page of the website. You will also be asked some pointed questions which will help you understand if you are making the most of your internship by establishing a strong and meaningful network in the workplace.

  Remember this is a professional development program. There are no right and wrong answers in the E&WE internship. The important thing is that you are continuously learning, and developing yourself professionally. And, more than likely, your network will grow naturally and spontaneously. You will just need the confidence and workplace understanding to make the most of it.

• Career planning - Your internship will conclude with a one day workshop, the E&WE capstone, focussing on making the most of your networks, resume and application writing, and interview skills. This is the last step to the beginning of your career. It is an important wrap up of all you have learned, focussing on developing the career skills essential to landing that paid career opportunity in Australia.

We all agree that education is an essential element in developing your career, but education is not always like the real world. The E&WE internship gives you the real world advantage needed to break into career roles in Australia.

Who can apply?

The internship program is available to all CTI students who meet the eligibility criteria. Internship prerequisites:

• Successful completion of course
• Minimum 70% attendance
• Trainer consent