VCE VM
VCE Vocational Major
Replacing VCAL from 2023, the Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major is a two-year course within the VCE that will support students to develop academic and practical skills, knowledge, confidence and agency needed to prepare for the world of work and further education and training.
Separate to the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) certificate which is offered at some schools, the VCE VM gives students practical, work related experience, as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life and work.
Students who study the VCE VM are likely to be interested in going on to training at Technical and Further Education (TAFE), doing an apprenticeship or getting a job after completing Year 12.
The flexibility of the VCE VM enables students to undertake a study program that suits their interests and learning needs. Units include:
Communications (VM Literacy Units 1-4 )
Work Ready (VM Work Related Skills Units 1-4 )
Learning For Life (VM Personal Development Skills Units 1-4)
VCE Foundation Maths Units 1-4
One VCE Unit 1 & 2 subject (students do not sit exams and only need to attempt SACs)
Students must undertake a VET program
Typically, Units 1 & 2 will be undertaken in the first year (ie: Year 11), and Units 3 & 4 in the second year (ie: Year 12). Subjects are run as a vertical Units 1-4 class, and can cater for differences in student ability.
Students are awarded the Victorian Certificate of Education at the conclusion of their studies. Like the VCE, students complete units of work and are taught and assessed against outcomes. Depending on circumstances, students can complete VCE units that will contribute to their VCE VM.
VCE Vocational Major Pathways
If you are considering going straight into university from school, VCE VM is not the best option for you as students completing VCE VM are not awarded an ATAR. Students can, however, complete TAFE qualifications, such as a Diploma or Advanced Diploma, that enable them to transition into a university course in the future.
Communications (VM Literacy)
Unit 1
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to demonstrate understanding of how text types are constructed for different purposes, audiences and contexts through a range of written, digital, oral and visual responses.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply an understanding of the conventions of literacy and digital communication by responding to and creating a range of digital content, suitable for a community, workplace or vocational context.
Unit 2
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain the purpose, audience and main ideas of diverse arguments presented in different text types by creating a range of annotations and written, oral and multimedia responses that reflect learning.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to interpret the values and opinions of others and present in oral form points of view supported by evidence.
Unit 3
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to demonstrate the ability to locate, read and understand the purpose, audience and content presented in a variety of informational, organisational and procedural texts through application of knowledge to real-life documents.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to create organisational, informational and procedural texts that reflect a specific workplace or vocational experience.
Unit 4
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to illustrate understanding of the use of language in advocacy by producing a range of written, visual and multimodal texts for the promotion of self, a product or a chosen community group.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to negotiate the topic of choice for, and complete, an oral presentation that showcases reflections and evaluations of student learning.
Work Ready (VM Work Related Skills)
Unit 1
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to identify and discuss likely employment growth areas using credible data and apply findings to develop strategies to improve future career prospects.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to forecast potential employment possibilities, and evaluate several education pathways that would support the acquisition of skills and knowledge required for a selected industry growth area.
Unit 2
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to identify and evaluate individual aptitudes and interests as they relate to broad industry groups, and identify evidence of personal core skills, attributes and capabilities required by an industry of choice.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the recruitment and interview process, and of the essential and technical skills required by broader industry groups.
Unit 3
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and evaluate the characteristics of a healthy, collaborative, cooperative and harmonious workplace and identify and explain strategies to contribute to a healthy workplace environment.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to outline the National Employment Standards and methods for determining pay and conditions, explain the characteristics of workplace bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment, and outline the processes and legal consequences for breaches and analyse the personal ramifications that may follow.
Outcome 3 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply a variety of appropriate questioning and listening techniques within a workplace or simulated workplace, and understand how to develop networks, professional relationships and work effectively in diverse teams.
Unit 4
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the limitations and advantages of the features and uses of physical and digital and/or hybrid portfolios as they relate to potential employment in a chosen industry area or application to higher education.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to communicate personal skills and attributes, evaluate evidence and analyse presentation skills for future enhancement relevant to employment or study.
Learning for Life (VM Personal Development Skills)
Unit 1
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain and discuss key concepts relating to personal identity and emotional intelligence, and apply learnt strategies when working independently or collaboratively on a relevant activity.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to plan and implement an individual or group activity to improve health and wellbeing, and evaluate the effectiveness of the activity by using learnt tools and techniques for monitoring progress.
Outcome 3 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the impact of technology on health and wellbeing at an individual and community level, and apply knowledge and skills to plan, implement and evaluate an individual or group health promotion activity.
Unit 2
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe concepts relating to citizenship and community (local, national and/or global), analyse the factors that influence the formation of community and apply strategies to promote community participation in an individual or group activity.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to identify issues and challenges within the community, analyse different perspectives of diverse groups and apply problem-solving strategies when working independently or collaboratively on a community-based activity.
Outcome 3 - On completion of this unit students should be able to discuss the concept of engagement as an approach to address community issues, analyse features of effective community engagement and work independently or collaboratively to design, implement and evaluate a community engagement activity.
Unit 3
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply learnt social awareness and interpersonal skills when working independently and/or collaboratively in a real-life scenario or simulation relating to social awareness and interpersonal skills.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe the concept of effective leadership, analyse leadership qualities and evaluate leadership styles in a range of contexts and apply a range of leadership skills when working independently or collaboratively in a real-life scenario or simulation.
Outcome 3 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe the characteristics of an effective team, and, through engagement in a team activity, evaluate personal contribution to the effectiveness of the team, reflecting on individual strengths as a leader and problem-solver.
Unit 4
Outcome 1 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to investigate and analyse an environmental, cultural, economic or social issue of significance to the community and plan a community project to address the chosen area of concern.
Outcome 2 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to use project planning skills to implement a comprehensive plan to apply timely, affordable and effective responses to a community issue.
Outcome 3 - On completion of this unit the student should be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the project planning and implementation, drawing together findings in a presentation to a relevant audience.
Foundation Maths
See description under VCE Maths subject descriptors.
Industry Specific Skills
Theses are developed through VET units (Vocational Education and Training). This will be completed one day each week (every Wednesday) by an external provider - TAFE Institute.
The aim is to develop key knowledge and competencies in a vocational context that assist students in making informed choices regarding further learning/or employment
Provide vocational experiences relevant to their students’ interests and abilities
Provide pathways to further study through credit gained
Student should note that there is a fee to complete a VET course.
Proposed cost varies according to course