By 2010, the rate of young Victorians completing Year 12 or an equivalent level of schooling will have increased to 90%. This is one of the aims of the State Government. To achieve this aim, the Government has expanded learning options available for Years 11 and 12 and created new learning pathways leading to formal qualifications.

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is a major gateway to tertiary education. Students now have the option of including Vocational Education and Training (VET) units in their VCE studies through the VET in Schools (VETiS) program. A VCE VET offers program offers you a vocational certificate  with VCE credit built in, just like other VCE studies.  VCE VET programs will give you a credit at units 1-4.  This means you will be undertaking training in a specific vocational area, for instance hospitality, agriculture, multimedia or engineering.

As part of your training you should complete structured workplace learning that provides you with the opportunity to put knowledge and skills into practice.

This training will contribute towards satisfactory completion of your VCE and it will give you a nationally recognised vocational qualification.  The vocational qualification will provide you with access to further training, at SWTAFE and will improve your chances of getting work when you leave school.  A number of programs also have a study score available.  These programs will contribute to your ENTER score. click here: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vet/programs/scoredasses

There are over 70 studies or subjects for VCE students to choose from. Of these, 30 are VET programs. VETiS enables students to gain nationally recognised industry qualifications and develop knowledge and skills that can give them the edge in the employment market.

South West Institute of TAFE has a partnership arrangement with 35 senior secondary colleges in the South West and services over 800 students in VCE VETiS / VCAL / Part-time Pre apprenticeship programs.

Part-time apprenticeships and traineeships

Another way of gaining credit in your VCE for vocational training is through a part-time apprenticeship or traineeship. In order to become a part-time apprentice or trainee you have to be in paid work. You will be required to sign a contract of training which must be registered with the Office of Training and Tertiary Education (OTTE).

Your VCE program shares time with your part-time work and vocational training. So your VCE would contain three parts:

• VCE studies undertaken at school
• vocational training, undertaken at TAFE
• part-time paid work in the industry in which you are undertaking the training.

For more information contact: Shona Moloney 55 648 837

VCAL

The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is a hands-on option for years 11 & 12 students.  The VCAL gives you practical work-related experience , as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life and work. Like the VCE, VCAL is an accredited secondary certificate. Students who do the VCAL are likely to be interested in going onto TAFE, doing and apprenticeship, or getting a job after completing school.  However, if you start your VCAL  and then decide to transfer to the VCE, it won't be too late to change as part of your VCAL might count towards your VCE, should you decided to transfer between certificate courses.

The VCAL's flexibility enables you to undertake a study program that suits your interests and learning needs.  Accredited modules and units are selected for the following compulsory strands: - Literacy and numeracy strands
                                      - Industry specific skills
                                      - Work related skills
                                      - Personal development skills

If you successfully complete your VCAL, you will receive a certificate and statement of results that details areas of study you have completed.