Vocational Education & Training

 VET courses are delivered in a variety of ways in the ACT Senior Secondary System.

• A, T, or M courses integrating a VET Training Package

• Australian School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeships  See for example, (ASBA)

• E Courses delivered by an external Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or provider  within or outside the school

The BSSS values all pathways, including VET. All teachers should have an understanding of the VET pathways available to students. 

If you do deliver a BSSS course integrating a VET Training Package, it is advisable to reach out to your Faculty Leader, experienced colleagues and VET Coordinator. They are your best source of information and advice. They will guide you in VET matters and keep you up to date with ASQA and BSSS Certification requirements.  

Students can undertake Vocational Education and Training (VET) as part of a senior secondary certificate and completion by a student can provide credit towards both a recognised VET qualification and a Senior Secondary School Certificate.

VET courses with the A/T/M/V or A/M/V classification provide the opportunity for students to develop skills in a learning area context. These courses set out requirements for the implementation of a subject. An A/T/M/V Course includes a rationale, goals, content descriptions, assessment, and Achievement Standards and integrates a Training Package. Content is delivered to develop knowledge and understanding, as well as skills. Students are awarded A-E grades and also have the opportunity to achieve VET competencies. They may complete a qualification, such as a Certificate II, or a Statement of Attainment that specifies the competencies they have achieved.

A/T/M/V Courses are based on the Australian Curriculum and connect with and build on previous learning in years P-10. They are developed specifically for senior secondary students and tailored to the ACT context where appropriate.

A/T/M/V Courses provide students with an education experience that recognises the entitlement of students to a core of knowledge, skills, understandings, and values that will provide a foundation for their future contribution to Australia’s society. Students experience a balance between knowledge and skills. This approach to learning is intended to provide students with a basis for success at and beyond school, and help young people continue their learning after they have left school.

A/T/M/V courses assess students according to both the A-E Achievement Standards as well as the binary Competent/Not Yet Competent assessment of each Competency, allowing the strengths of both assessment systems to be evident.

A/T/M/V courses can also be delivered as A/T/M only and the learning experiences will support students in their further technical studies post school.

Some schools that are also RTOs may deliver VET only courses as E courses. Only students who achieve competencies will receive credit towards their Senior Secondary Certificate. 

Some students may elect to access VET courses by providers outside the school. The student can then apply for recognition of competencies completed during year eleven and twelve studies.

Some students may be undertaking an ASBA in the ACT. Their completion of competencies will also be added to the Senior Secondary Certificate through a BSSS process. Schools may also award W units for work undertaken during the ASBA. 

Further details can be found on the BSSS website here.