%0 Conference Proceedings %A Skelton, D. %A McLay, A. %D 2006 %T Structured Work Placements: Investigating cooperative education experiences for IT students %E Mann, S. %E Bridgeman, N. %B 19th Annual Conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications %C Wellington, New Zealand %I NACCQ in cooperation with ACM SIGCSE %P 249-252 %@ ISSN 1176-8087 %U www.naccq.ac.nz %8 7th-10th July 2006 %X This paper investigates the delivery of structured work placements under cooperative education in various academic disciplines and their applicability to information technology (IT) qualifications. Although information technology programmes in New Zealand do include industry projects and some limited work experience, there may be potential in the IT tertiary sector for a more structured work experience course performed under industry and academic supervision. This paper looks at the advantages of an internship or work experience paper to the student, industry and to the tertiary provider. A proposed structure for such a course is outlined in the discussion with the distinctions drawn between the internship / work experience model and the industry projects model. Examples are provided from other academic disciplines where structured work experience has had a long history informing the practitioner environment as well as providing valuable real-world experience to the trainee student. These examples from other disciplines are explored for any implications that can be drawn for the information technology education community. In conclusion, the paper sums up where the Institute of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP) sector is with regard to IT industry projects and proposes the possibilities for structured IT industry work placements. %K cooperative education, industry project