VET Information

VET Courses

Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificates can be taken by students as part of their VCE. VET certificates generally take two years to complete and students can start a certificate in either Year 10 or Year 11. Students should be aware that only in exceptional circumstances is it possible to start a VET certificate mid-year.

VET Certificate courses are made up of various modules or units of competence. Completion of all modules leads to the awarding of a nationally recognized VET Certificate e.g., Certificate II in Engineering Studies. Completion of some of the modules in a semester or year leads to the awarding of a Statement of Attainment, these are issued by the RTO.

Structured Workplace Learning: As vocational studies, all VET certificates require students to undertake a work placement in an industry setting or equivalent and relevant industry experience, of at least one week of study each year.

VET Certificates (Units of Competence) also contribute towards students’ VCE program:

• Year 1 of a VET certificate usually equals Units 1 and 2 of VCE

• Year 2 of a VET certificate usually equals Units 3 and 4 of VCE

A number of VET certificates offered at Castlemaine Secondary College are scored. This means they have an end of year exam and that they contribute to the students’ ATAR score (in Yr12)

These VET certificates include:

• Certificate III in Community Services

• Certificate II in Engineering Studies

• Certificate III in Music Industry

• Certificate III in Sport and Recreation (Outdoor Rec)

The other VET certificates offered at CSC are:

• Certificate II in Building and Construction

• Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation

• Certificate II in Apparel Fashion & Textiles

These last 3 certificates do not have an end of year exam, but they can give students up to a 10% bonus towards an ATAR score – as long as the student has completed exams in at least four other Year 12 subjects.