VET

What is VET?

VET stands for Vocational Educational Training

VET in the VCE or VCE-VM allows students to include vocational studies within their senior secondary certificate. Students undertake nationally recognised training from either accredited state curriculum or national training packages which may contribute to their VCE and/or VCE-VM.

VET in Schools

VET combines VCE studies with Vocational Education and Training (VET) units.

This means students can combine classroom learning with structured on-the-job training. On successful completion of a VET program, students receive a nationally recognised, industry recognised certificate alongside their VCE (or VCE-VM), therefore contributing to their VCE ATAR.

Students at Aquinas College can access VET courses via three pathways:

Internal VET courses (within the Aquinas College timetable)
VET Courses at Aquinas on Wednesdays
External VET courses mainly on Wednesdays (offsite at local TAFEs and Secondary Schools)

For all details about VET contact Mrs Ebony Monteau monteauej@aquinas.vic.edu.au

Aquinas Timetable VET Courses

Aquinas College offers four VET subjects within the normal school timetable (if sufficient student numbers):

22614VIC Certificate II in Building & Construction (Carpentry) Pre Apprenticeship (partial completion)
SIT20322 Certificate II in Hospitality
SIT20421 Certificate II in Cookery
SIS30122 Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation

Aquinas Wednesday VET Courses

Aquinas offers four subjects on Wednesday afternoon at the College

22614VIC Certificate II in Building & Construction (Carpentry) Pre Apprenticeship (partial completion)
SIT20322 Certificate II in Hospitality
SIT20421 Certificate II in Cookery
SIS30122 Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation (Year 2 only in 2026)

External Wednesday VET Courses

Students can also access over 30 VET courses. Here are some examples, but for full details on most of the courses offered, please visit:

Mullum VET Cluster

Box Hill Tafe VET Courses

Swinburne Tafe VET Courses

Acting (Screen)
Automotive Studies
Animal Care
Networking/ Cybersecurity
Virtual Reality & Gaming
Early Childhood
Electrotechnology
Equine Studies
Plumbing
Community Services
Beauty Services
Allied Health
Engineering
Creative Industries

These are held on a Wednesday at different Tafes and schools in our area.

Courses available through Aquinas

Building and Construction

22614VIC Certificate II in Building and Construction (Carpentry) (partial completion)

Offered within the Aquinas Timetable and on Wednesdays at the College

Certificate II in Building and Construction provides students with the knowledge and skills to enhance their employment prospects in the building and construction industry.

On successful completion of this two year program, students will have completed two-thirds of the Certificate II in Building and Construction (Carpentry) Pre-apprenticeship. Students wishing to complete the entire pre-apprenticeship certificate will need to undertake modules beyond the requirements of the VCE VET program. Year 2 Building and Construction does not attract a VCE study score, but contributes 10% to a student’s ATAR (10% of the lowest study score of the primary four scaled studies).

Building and Construction classes run within the Aquinas College timetable – Year 1 runs Period 6 to 6.30pm Monday & Tuesday and Year 2 runs 8.30am-12.30pm Wednesday depending on numbers applying.

First year units of competencies include Construction Induction and First Aid qualifications. Second year units of competencies include building structures, safe handling of power tools, and wall framing.

Career opportunities: General construction, builder, carpenter, and cabinet maker.

To learn more please watch the VET Building & Construction video

For more information about VET Building and Construction from VCAA

Hospitality

SIT20322 Certificate II in Hospitality

Offered within the Aquinas Timetable and on Wednesday afternoons at the College

This program aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to achieve competencies that will enhance their employment prospects in the hospitality area, with specific focus on food and beverage activities (i.e. front of house).

First year students cover competencies including hygienic practices for food, interacting with customers, responsible service of alcohol and operating a bar.

Sample competencies covered in the second year include process financial transactions, food and beverage service, non-alcoholic beverages and clean and tidy bar areas.

Career opportunities: bar attendant, café attendant, catering assistant, food and beverage attendant, front office assistant. With additional training and experience, future employment outcomes may include restaurant manager, sommelier, and maître d’.

All Hospitality classes may run within the normal Aquinas College timetable depending on numbers applying. Compulsory attendance is required at approximately one Restaurant Night per month. Restaurant nights finish around 9.30pm

All Units 3 & 4 Hospitality courses attract a VCE study score, and can contribute to a student’s “Top 4” for their ATAR. Else as a 5th or 6th subject, a 10% bonus will be included towards the ATAR.

To learn more please watch the VET Hospitality video

For more information about VET Hospitality from VCAA

Cookery

SIT20421 Certificate II in Cookery

Offered within the Aquinas Timetable and on Wednesday afternoons at the College

This certificate provides students with an overview of the hospitality industry. It provides students with the skills and knowledge to be competent in a range of kitchen functions and activities (i.e. cooking.)

First year students cover competencies including preparing dishes using basic methods of cookery, safe work practices and maintaining the quality of perishable items.

Sample competencies covered in the second year include appetisers and salads, stocks, sauces and soups and vegetable, fruit, eggs and farinaceous dishes.

Career opportunities: breakfast cook, catering assistant, fast food cook, sandwich hand. With additional training and experience, future employment outcomes may include chef, pastry chef, caterer.

Cookery classes may run within the normal Aquinas College timetable depending on numbers applying. Compulsory attendance is required at approximately one Restaurant Night per month. Restaurant nights finish around 9.30pm

To learn more please watch the VET Hospitality video

For more information about VET Hospitality from VCAA

Sport, Aquatics and Recreation

SIS30122 Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation

Offered within the Aquinas Timetable and on Wednesday afternoons at the College

The Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation aims to provide students with foundation skills and knowledge to assist in employment or further study in the sporting and fitness recreation industry.

With successfully completion of the first year, students achieve the SIS20122 Certificate II in Sport and Recreation.

Completion of the two year Sport, Aquatics and Recreation course attracts a VCE study score, and can contribute to a student’s “Top 4” for their ATAR. Else as a 5th or 6th subject, a 10% bonus will be included towards the ATAR.

First and second year units of competency include develop and extend critical and creative thinking skills, organise personal work priorities and development, provide first aid, provide customer service, respond to emergency situations, follow work health and safety policies and conduct sport events and sport coaching sessions.

VET Sport, Aquatics and Recreation classes may run within the normal Aquinas College timetable depending on numbers applying and from 1.30pm to 5.30pm Wednesday afternoons (Year 2 only in 2026). Students can still choose to participate in EISM on a Wednesday afternoon and attend VET class when EISM has finished.

Career opportunities following from this certificate include exercise science, human movement, nutrition, physical education teaching, and physiotherapy.

To learn more watch the VET Sport, Aquatics & Recreation video

For more information about VET Sport, Aquatics and Recreation from VCAA

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How to apply

Step 1: Registration Form

Read the important information below.

You will need to apply for a Unique Student Identification (USI) before enrolling in a VET subject. This is a free online application that should take around 5 minutes and you will need a form of identification eg. birth certificate or medicare card: – USI Application

Complete the VET Application form by Monday 18th August.

Step 2: Orientation Afternoon

All First Year VET students must attend a compulsory Orientation Afternoon in Mid November 2025 at their chosen VET provider.

Program Costs

Some VETs offered at Aquinas College may include a compulsory uniform cost. VETs offered off campus at local TAFEs and Secondary Schools VET costs vary depending on the VET course and the VET provider. Please ask for specific costs for your program from the VET Coordinator.

Students who withdraw four weeks after the course has commenced, will be ineligible for costs to be refunded.

VET Placements

Many VET courses (both internal and external) are generally oversubscribed. Therefore it is imperative that the enrolment process is strictly followed, highlighting the importance of submitting VET applications by due dates. Places in VET courses are often allocated on a “first in, first placed” basis.

Orientation Afternoon

All VET courses, will hold an Orientation Afternoon during Mid-November. Students will receive a full course outline, have the opportunity to meet and speak with the trainers and be given a Student Commitment Form, which must be completed during the afternoon and returned to their VET coordinator to ensure that their application for the program is processed.

‘Additional‘ Subject

Generally, studying an Aquinas Wednesday VET course usually means that you are studying an additional subject. It does not necessarily mean that you can reduce your normal VCE load and “drop” a VCE subject. If you are concerned regarding the workload of an additional subject, then you must speak to your Year Level Coordinator.

For all details about VET contact Ebony Monteau in the VET office in I2.04. The phone number is 9259 3046.

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