2023 VET Program Offerings

In this course guide we are offering three classifications of programs, under the following headings:

1. VET Programs

This section offers students a range of VET Qualifications structured in Units 1 & 2 (first year) and/or Units 3 & 4 (second year) for VCE, VCAL, Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) and VCE Vocational Major (VM).

The majority of VETDSS Programs are delivered over 2 years:

• Year 1: Units 1 & 2 are typically undertaken during Year 10 or Year 11 VCE/VCAL/VM
• Year 2: Units 3 & 4 are typically undertaken during Year 11 or Year 12 VCE/VCAL/VM
• The VPC has been designed to accommodate flexible entry and exit

NOTE: It is not recommended to undertake a Unit 3 & 4 without completing Units 1 & 2 and most VET providers won’t allow students to enrol without completing Units 1 & 2. IMVC does not encourage students to double-up Units 1 & 2 and Units 3 & 4 in the same year, due to the workload requirements and is subject to school and provider approval.

2. Pathways to Success VET Programs

Pathways to Success programs offer students the opportunity to undertake a customised VET program specifically designed for students with access and learning needs.

3. School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs)

SBATs offer students the ability to undertake an Apprenticeship or Traineeship while completing their VCE/VCAL/VCE Vocational Major in secondary school. An SBAT is designed to incorporate part-time practical experience in the workplace and recognised structured training with an RTO.

NOTE: Whilst care has been taken to provide the most accurate information related to the Victorian Senior Secondary Certificate Reform, including the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) and VCE Vocational Major (VM), the information in this course guide may be subject to change. Please refer to the VCAA website for the most up-to-date information and VCAL transition arrangements.

https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/victorianseniorsecondarycertificatereform/Pages/Index.aspx

What is VET?

VET refers to Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs.

FEATURES OF VET DELIVERED TO SECONDARY STUDENTS (VETDSS)

• VET combines senior school studies and accredited vocational education and training
• It enables students to complete a nationally recognised vocational qualification (e.g. Certificate II in Hospitality) and a senior school certificate (VCE/VCAL/VPC/VCE Vocational Major) at the same time
• It allows a student to go directly into employment or receive credit towards further vocational training
• It develops students’ employability and industry-specific skills
• It is a vocationally oriented school program designed to meet the needs of the industry

HOW DOES VET WORK?

A VET program is made up of Units of Competency and Structured Workplace Learning supports the gaining of skills and knowledge.

1. Unit of Competency

Delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), at their venue, the students’ school or another school close by.

2. Structured Workplace Learning (SWL)

SWL involves an employer accepting a student on a one-day-a-week basis or a week block basis, enabling the student to demonstrate acquired skills and knowledge in an industry setting. During the work placement, a student will have specific tasks to undertake in order to demonstrate competence. They will be regularly monitored and may be assessed on the job.

VET CONTRIBUTION TO THE VCE

With the exception of English, there is no limit on the VET programs that may contribute to the satisfactory completion of the VCE. VET may be fully incorporated into the VCE as a VCE VET or Block Credit Program. 

1. VCE VET Programs

• Are fully recognized within the Units 1 – 4 structure of the VCE
• Have equal status with other VCE studies
• May offer scored assessment and provide a study score (selected programs only).

Furthermore, all three sequences other than English can be approved VCE VET Units 3 & 4 sequences, with study scores. Scored VCE VET programs contribute directly to the ATAR in the primary four or as a 5th or 6th study increment.

2. Block Credit VET Programs

Students who undertake VET programs not included in the suite of approved VCE VET programs may be eligible for credit towards their VCE. VTAC may award students who receive a Units 3 & 4 sequence through Block Credit recognition a 10% increment towards their ATAR.

Please note: VCE and VCE VET results will take precedence over Block Credit results. Block Credit can still be used in the calculation of the ATAR. However, it can only be used in the calculation of an ATAR if there are fewer than six VCE or VCE VET studies available. If there are six or more VCE or VCE VET studies available, a Block Credit result cannot be used.

Why Choose VET?

Focus on Your Passion
VET will guide you to a career or education pathway that you are passionate about, or aid you in discovering something that you love.

Maximise Job Opportunities

With the industry-specific skills you develop and the opportunities VET will provide, you will be able to maximise your job opportunities.

Flexible Education and Career Opportunities

Create flexibility in your education and career pathways. VET qualifications allow you to develop employability skills that are transferable across any industry, providing the ability to explore multiple opportunities and interests.

An Extra Nationally Recognised VET Qualification

You can gain an extra nationally recognised qualification from a RTO at the same time as completing your VCE, VCAL/VPC or VCE Vocational Major. This can create job opportunities for you anywhere in Australia and can place you ahead of others who complete the same course after they complete secondary school.

Industry and Workplace Exposure and Connection

VET qualifications provide you with industry exposure and connect you with industry professionals and the workplace, reinforcing your skills development. This connection also makes for a smooth transition between training and work.

Complement and Contribute to your VCE/VCAL/VPC or VCE Vocational Major

By undertaking a VET qualification you can choose a course that best suits your other secondary school studies, build your skill sets faster and gain skills that complement your VCE/VCAL/VPC/VCE Vocational Major studies. In addition, by completing a VET qualification you can gain credit towards your VCE, VCAL/VPC or VCE Vocational Major.

Hands-on and Competency-Based

VET qualifications use a combination of both hands-on and theory-based work, providing you with the best opportunity to advance your skills and knowledge in an engaging yet educational environment. 

Build your Skill Sets

A VET qualification will offer you the opportunity to build upon your existing skill sets and aid in recognising areas for improvement and discovery. You will build your technical skills through practical competency-based work; your specialised knowledge (understanding and performing specific workplace tasks); industry knowledge (understanding how an industry works and how to progress your career).

Gain Employability Skills

Gain non-technical skills that can be applied across different jobs, such as communication; teamwork; problem-solving; self-management; initiative and enterprise; learning; technology; and planning and organising.

The Melbourne Declaration on Education Goals for Young Australians

Young Australians should: “… be on a pathway towards continued success in further education, training or employment, and acquire the skills to make informed learning and employment decisions throughout their lives”.

Extracts from Get VET, © VCAA; reproduced by permission. Get VET and related resources can be accessed directly at https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/.

VET myths versus facts

Myth 1: University graduates earn more than VET graduates.
Fact: University and VET both offer a wide range of qualifications that lead to a wide range of salaries. The salary you earn is a result of your qualification and what you do with it – not where you get it.
To put this into perspective, the highest average starting salary for a university graduate is $78,300 (Dentistry) (The Social Research Centre 2018). The highest average starting salary for a VET graduate is $91,000 (Electrical) (myskills 2018).

Myth 2: There are fewer job opportunities for VET graduates.
Fact: More than half of all new jobs projected to be created by 2022 will be achievable with a VET qualification.
57% of new jobs projected by 2022 will be achievable with a VET qualification (Labour Market Information Portal 2017).

Myth 3: VET is only for VCAL students.
Fact: VET is for VCE, VCAL/VPC and VCE Vocational Major students.
VET can provide credit towards the VCE, VCAL/VPC and VCE Vocational Major. It is important to choose studies that complement your pathway.

Myth 4: You cannot go to university if you do VET at school.
Fact: You can still go to university if you do VET at school.
If you are a VCE student, VET can be used in the calculation of your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). If you do not achieve the ATAR you need, or if you are a VCAL or VCE Vocational Major student, undertaking a VET qualification may give you an alternative pathway to university.

Myth 5: VET courses delivered to secondary students are not the same as VET courses delivered to everyone else.
Fact: VET courses delivered to secondary students are identical to VET courses delivered to everyone else.
VET has national standards. The same standards apply to everyone undertaking a qualification.

Extracts from Get VET, © VCAA; reproduced by permission. Get VET and related resources can be accessed directly at https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/.

Note: For the purpose of this course guide the VPC and VCE Vocational Major are new for 2023 and has been added to the What is VET, Why choose VET and VET Myths versus Facts above.