Linking Frankston City students with local business experience

Published on 15 April 2021

Hands on work experience is paramount when it comes to learning in Frankston City.

Frankston City Council and Monash Business School are collaborating to search for local host businesses to join a fundamental work placement program.

The Linking to Business Program for students studying the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at the Monash Peninsula Campus gives them an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of operations at a local business and enables them to develop valuable skills to aid their transition into a career after graduation.

Frankston City Mayor Kris Bolam said local businesses benefit from the opportunity to interact with senior students with fresh thinking and business knowledge based on the latest in academic theory.

Cr Bolam said: “Local employers will have the chance to share industry and business knowledge and experience, and most importantly mentor students as they build their working experience — a critical element to their development as employees of the future.

“It also provides a unique opportunity for local industry to demonstrate the diverse career options available across the region and the many benefits of this distinctive environment we have here in Frankston City.

“Connecting industry with education is critical as new graduates face extensive competition in the employment space and employers seek graduates with tangible skills and real-world experience,” Mayor Bolam said.

Spicy Web director and founder Tony Sambell, who participated in the program in 2019, said the experience provided great benefits to both the business and student.

Mr Sambell said: “We had a student jump into the mix at Spicy Web and see firsthand what we do.

“We gave them some training on the technical side of digital marketing and even let them take the reins of some client accounts.”

Mr Sambell said the Frankston digital marketing agency will sign up again this year.

“I believe the best way for a young person to understand an industry is to experience it first-hand.

“People always bring something, so while a student might have limited technical skills, they come with a new perspective and unique personality. That will always mean we get something positive out of the program,” Mr Sambell said.

Former Monash Business School student, Eduarda Cuadros Márquez, who participated in the program at Spicy Web in 2019, said she learned a lot during her work experience.

Ms Márquez said: “It was an amazing learning opportunity. I learnt things that you only can learn in the field and I enjoyed it because it actually prepared me for full-time positions.

“I was given responsibility and the opportunity to work in different areas like account optimisation, ads and articles copywriting, design, certifications and much more.

“I encourage businesses to be part of the preparation and training of the leaders of the future – you will not regret it. Peninsula Campus students are dedicated and eager to learn – you can 100 per cent benefit from this program,” Ms Márquez said.

Frankston City host businesses, which have five employees or more, can now apply to participate in the 2021 program, which runs from 28 June to 16 July.

For more information, please visit http://investfrankston.com/news/