Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are nationally accredited qualifications. Completing a VET qualification provides increased opportunity for students to connect with industry and school, ensures the focus and content of training is relevant, and that skills are developed to industry standards. VET completion can count towards the completion of SACE and, in certain cases, the calculation of an ATAR. VET courses also articulate into other trade and para-professional qualifications at a higher level after school.
Students who decide that their career pathway is best realised through a VET qualification are able to begin by undertaking VET training while, at the same time, studying their SACE. Students also gain employment experience, to be Work-Ready, via the Workplace Learning context of these courses.
At Urrbrae Agricultural High School students are able to access VET training on campus in a number of industry areas including:
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Animal Husbandry
Students are also able to have access to a wider range of VET options off-campus delivered by Training Organizations such as TAFESA and other private providers. Students will need to travel to the delivery sites to access this training. The Education Department has identified 26 Flexible Industry Pathways in which they offer subsidies to students to complete qualifications in areas considered to be strategically important to the economy in terms of job growth and skills shortages.
These days, all VET courses are applied for by the VET Coordinator on the student’s behalf via an online application system called VETRO (VET Readiness Orientation). Course fees are heavily subsidised by the State Government and are usually no more than $300 per qualification. A handful of courses will have a higher fee. Students who have access to School Card funding will pay no more than $100 per course. Information about these options may be obtained from the VET/Careers Pathways Coordinator.
Part-Time School-based Apprenticeships and/or Traineeships (ASBAs)
From the age of 15, students may, if they wish, enter into a part-time, school-based apprenticeship or traineeship while still at school. This allows them to complete the SACE while, at the same time, commencing an apprenticeship or traineeship and then, on completion of Stage 2, transition straight to work. The minimum work requirement for these ASBAs is one day a week but, in Year 12, if students have completed all the compulsory aspects of SACE, they can participate in a Flexible Apprenticeship/Traineeship and only need to attend school one day per week. Students must have first signed a Contract of Training with an employer and subsequently attend school on Mondays. Two Stage 2 subjects are studied at school and the remainder of the credits necessary for SACE are gained from the conversion of VET Units of Competence into SACE credits according to the formula, 70 Nominal Hours of VET Training completed is equal to 10 SACE credits.
Certificate II units generally give credit at Stage 1 and Certificate III units (typically associated with an apprenticeship), give Stage 2 credit. A year 12 student would then need to present 140 hours of completed VET units in order to claim the 20 Stage 2 credits needed for SACE completion.
As a general rule, students who wish to complete a Certificate III qualification through VET (and who are not apprenticed) will need to commence the Certificate from the beginning of Year 11 as it is now a requirement that most of these courses be completed over a minimum of 18 months. Certificate II courses vary in length from one to two semesters and give credit at Stage 1.
Some (but not all) of the VET courses that students from Urrbrae do off-campus include:
- Automotive
- Electrical
- Construction Pathways
- Plumbing
- Engineering Fabrication
- Early Childhood Education & Care
- Disability Services
- Allied Health Services
- Hospitality & Cooking
- Hairdressing
- Digital Media
Students interested in applying for VET courses or in finding out more about them, should speak to the VET/Careers Pathways Coordinator when making subject choices for next year. Ideally, applications are submitted in Term 3 and students are notified of their success in Term 4. It is a requirement of all “VETRO” courses that students complete a Language Literacy and Numeracy Assessment to ensure that students’ diverse needs are catered for. Individual training providers also have their own enrolment forms that will need to be completed and submitted as the enrolment process is finalised.
For Urrbrae students, Application to these VET courses is via the VET Expression of Interest Form. Completed forms should be emailed to the VET Coordinator
Students from other schools should apply directly through their school’s VET coordinator.