MORE STUDENT OPTIONS IN YEARS 10-12
Senior Secondary education in Victoria has changed. New options available at many secondary schools mean that there are more ways for young people to explore their passions and talents in Years 10 to 12 and more ways to get your VCE.
Completing Year 12 sets young people up for life-long learning and the new options mean more young people can finish school with an education that suits their strengths and goals.
The Victorian Parents Council hosted a webinar last month, with presentations from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and Department of Education about how students can choose a VCE that fits their world.
The VCE Vocational Major
The VCE’s new Vocational Major lets students explore their passions and talents. It’s a 2-year applied learning program within the VCE.
The program’s curriculum provides high-quality learning experiences, and students also work toward completing a VET qualification while finishing school. This means VCE Vocational Major students gain real-world skills and knowledge, so they can land jobs in Australia’s most in-demand industries.
Whether they’re into music production, business administration, hospitality or agriculture, VCE Vocational Major students finish school with an employability edge, ready to take on work, life and more study.
More than 25,000 students are doing the VCE Vocational Major this year. It’s available at more than two thirds of Victorian secondary schools, including nearly every local government secondary school. It replaced VCAL in 2023.
The Victorian Pathways Certificate
The Victorian Pathways Certificate is a flexible Year 11 and Year 12 course designed for a small number of students who, for a range of reasons, are not able or ready to undertake the VCE or the VCE Vocational Major.
It provides opportunities for developing employability skills and preparing students for further study or the workforce. It suits students who would benefit from a more individualised program at a more accessible level.
Suitability for the Victorian Pathways Certificate is based on agreement between the student, their parents and the school.
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Students can work towards one or more VET certificates in their VCE (including the Vocational Major) or Victorian Pathways Certificate program.
VET is learning where your child will develop targeted and practical skills. The skills they learn relate to a career pathway, so they can apply them at work or in further education and training.
VET at school can be a path to a rewarding career in any industry. VET students get to try professions before leaving school.
Another option for including VET in the VCE is a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, which allows students to finish school while doing part-time paid on-the-job training.
Many of the top growth jobs in Victoria are available through VET, during school or after. This includes roles like construction manager, registered nurse, information communication technology analyst, chef, electrician, early childhood educator and software programmer.
Learn more
The career counsellor at your school can help you understand your child’s options. Ask them about the VCE Vocational Major, Victorian Pathways Certificate, or VET.
To learn more, watch an on-demand version of the Victorian Parents Council webinar, or visit: www.vic.gov.au/vce
If you need more information, contact Vera Rourke, Manager, Strategic Engagement & Change, Senior Secondary Pathways Reform Taskforce: [email protected]
