Please note:

• Applications must be endorsed and supported by the school.

• External VET courses may attract a fee.  In the past the fee has been:

- $500 for two-year courses or 3 / 4 unit one-year courses

- $250 for one-year / two-unit courses

The fee for the 2024-2025 cohort has not been finalised.  Students will be notified of the fee prior to accepting their offer.  It is recommended students submit an Expression of Interest for their course.  Parents and students can make an informed decision about accepting the offer when information about fees will be provided.

• Refunds will not be issued to students after they accept their offer (end of November 2023).  Students who wish to withdraw must email their Leader of Learning VET and complete a withdrawal form.

• Application forms are due to the Leader of Learning VET Mr Kim Girnham via the school office. 

• All payments are to be paid to the school office.  Please retain proof of payment. 

• Students with late applications and/or non-payment of fees will not be considered

• Not all eVET courses are funded by the CEDP.  Non-subsidised courses will need to be paid in full by December 2023. The Leader of Learning VET Mrs Kim Grinham will consult with students and parents if this is the case, so an informed decision can be made.

• Students can only access one VET course from an external institution.  Please note, this does not refer to cluster classes or School of Now.

• Students must select the minimum units required at school ( 12 Units for Preliminary).  Any external course students apply for, are in addition to the minimum units required at school.  Once students commence their external course, they are to meet with the Curriculum Leader at the College to change their pattern of study at school should they wish to do so and have permission to do so by their school.

• Most courses commence in early February.

Please consider the following prior to selecting an external VET course:

• How will I get to and from the external institution, as transportation is not provided by school?

• If my external course clashes with my school timetable (which it likely will), am I willing to catch up on work missed at school as a result of attending the external VET courses?

• Can I manage my own learning and monitor correspondence?

Please consider the following when selecting an external course that is delivered during the school holidays:

• Am I motivated to do the course in the holidays?

• Do I need the holidays to rest and relax prior to the next term commencing?

Delivery and Competency-Based Assessment

VET courses have a practical component, as they are designed for students who may wish to build a career in these industry areas.  There is also a significant theoretical component in most of the courses.

VET courses are competency-based and will be assessed through integrated competency tasks using observation, questions, structured activities & other assessment methods. To be assessed as competent, a student must demonstrate to a qualified assessor that they have the knowledge and skills to effectively carry out the various tasks to the standard required in the appropriate industry.  Students are progressively assessed as either ‘competent’ or ‘not yet competent’.  When a student achieves a unit of competency it is signed off by the assessor. If a student does not achieve a competency after 3 attempts, a ‘not achieved’ will be recorded.

Many of the core competencies and skills gained from VET Courses are transferable, for eg teamwork, communication, work health and safety and work ethics. No matter what industry the student eventually pursues, they will have participated in entry-level skills that will make them more work ready.

VET HSC Exam

The HSC examination in VET Framework Courses (Board Developed) is optional. 

Students must sit the HSC Examination Paper in a 240-hour Curriculum Framework / Board Developed VET course for it to count towards the calculation of the ATAR.

Students who do not wish the course to contribute to the calculation of their ATAR or are following a non-ATAR program may elect to withdraw from the HSC examination. This decision is usually formalised by completing the VET HSC Exam Withdrawal Form and submitting it to the VET Teacher or Leader of Learning VET. This has no impact on the eligibility of a student to receive their qualification or their HSC.

Work Placement

There is a mandatory industry work placement for most VET courses. Traveling expenses and the management of course work missed in other subjects should be taken into consideration.  The penalty for not completing the mandatory work placement hours is that the student will not have satisfactorily completed the VET course and this may impact on the student qualifying for the HSC if their VET course forms part of their minimum units.  Students must be able to manage their school work effectively as they will need to catch up on work that they have missed. 

Uniforms and Equipment / VET Fees

Students may need to purchase resources or equipment for VET courses such as tool kits; textbooks, uniforms, personal protective clothing, etc.  Please note that additional costs to school fees may apply for VET courses.  If there is a differentiation to the fees listed for each course, your school will confirm these with you.

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)

A student may be entitled to apply for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) if training has been undertaken previously.  Students must talk to the Leader of Learning VET or VET teacher and complete an RPL application form. 

Some students may qualify for exemption from their work placement if they work in the industry related to their course work once they have filled out a Recognition of Prior Learning Form with their employer.