Vocational Education and Training

Stage 6 Subject Selection 

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are designed to teach the knowledge and skills that are directly linked to specific jobs and industries, such as construction, hospitality and retail.

In NSW, Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VDSS) provides the opportunity to gain the:

• Higher School Certificate; and 

• Nationally recognised VET credentials - Certificate I, II, III or a Statement of Attainment towards a qualification

Students may study more than one VET course depending on what they are interested in. More than one Board Developed VET course can contribute to the calculation of a student’s ATAR.

Under the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF), all Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are recognised nationally. VET courses have been developed with industry, are taught to industry standards and have clear links to post school destinations.   Depending on the course, students may exit with a:

• Statement of Attainment

• Certificate I

• Certificate II

• Certificate III 

VET courses may be undertaken at:

• School 

• Through one of our school based negotiated cluster classes

• Through School of Now; or 

• Via an external provider (EVET).  

VET can be divided into:

• Board Developed (Industry Curriculum Framework) courses which may contribute to the calculation of the ATAR

• Board Endorsed courses which do not contribute to the calculation of the ATAR.

Detailed information regarding these VET Courses courses can be accessed here: https://canvas.parra.catholic.edu.au/courses/11310

What you need to know about VET Courses

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. In most instances, If a student does not achieve a competency after three (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 can sit more than one 

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 CSPD VET and RTO Leader. This has no impact on the eligibility of a student to receive their qualification or their HSC.

Mandatory Work Placement

Mandatory industry work placement is a requirement for most VET courses. It is to be expected that students may need to travel outside of their local area to complete work placement. Travelling 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. Work Placement is scheduled Monday to Friday during school terms, except in exceptional circumstances.

Uniforms and Equipment / Additional 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.  Your school will advise of any additional fees for consumables, including externally delivered courses, such as the First Aid Certificate and Construction Induction Card (White Card).

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 CSPD VET and RTO Leader 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.

Further Information

For additional information, please contact your CSPD VET and RTO Leader (VRL) or email the CSPD VET Support Team: vet@parra.catholic.edu.au

CSPD VET Subject Selection Site

https://canvas.parra.catholic.edu.au/courses/11310

Externally Delivered VET Courses (EVET)

The NSW EVET Funded Program is available for student consideration across all CSPD schools. 

Schools deliver VET courses, while EVET courses are delivered through external Registered Training Organisations, such as TAFE, Whitehouse Institute of Design, NSW Health or Taronga Training Institute.  EVET courses can be accessed to expand learning opportunities for students and enhance their pathway opportunities further.  These courses provide students with industry recognition and possible articulation into higher level courses.  

EVET courses can be Board Developed or Board Endorsed.  Students must follow the application procedures by meeting submission and payment dates.  EVET courses may attract an additional cost to participate.  

Applications for EVET will open in Term 3 via the CSPD VET Subject Selection site (https://canvas.parra.catholic.edu.au/courses/11310) where Expressions of Interest (EOI) can be collected.

It is important for students to discuss their EVET application with the CSPD VET and RTO Leader and their school, to ensure that it is the right course for them and to assist them in submitting a strong application, including the relevance to their future career pathway. Please consider the following prior to selecting an external VET course:

• How will I get to and from the external institution? Please note, 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

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships  (SBATs)

Students may wish to work whilst they undertake their HSC.  A School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship (SBAT) enables students to work part-time and undertake their HSC with the units contributing to their HSC study.   Students enter into a training contract with an employer to allow them to complete their formal training requirements for the HSC.  Students wishing to undertake a School Based Apprenticeship should explore the specialised program available at CathWest Innovation College, which has been designed to consider the time commitment involved with training and employment to support both students and employers. (cathwest.parra.catholic.edu.au)

For School Based Traineeships (SBT), students are required to find an employer that will sign them up for a SBT.  They are to contact the CSPD VET and RTO Leader in order for approval from the school and a sign-up to occur.  Students and employers must complete the CSPD Duty of Care documentation prior to proceeding with a school-based traineeship. The minimum term for a school-based traineeship is 18 months.  Students need to work a minimum of 100 days of paid employment by 31st December of their HSC year.  Popular traineeships include retail, sport and recreation and business services.  Students must be signed up for their SBT by May of their Preliminary course year.

Industry-Based Learning (IBL)

Students that engage in a SBAT can gain additional credit for HSC units by completing the optional Industry-Based Learning (IBL) course, which will contribute an additional 2 units to their pattern of study.  This course is a Board Endorsed course; hence, it does not contribute to the calculation of the ATAR.  It is only an option for students who are undertaking a school-based traineeship or school-based apprenticeship as part of their studies.  

The purpose of this course is to enable students to demonstrate the additional knowledge, understandings, skills, values and attitudes they develop from the on-the-job training component of a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. It provides a degree of flexibility for school-based trainees within the Higher School Certificate as students work independently in completing a workbook.  By engaging in on-the-job training and reflection, students will develop knowledge, understandings, values and attitudes about enterprise, work and industry and a range of employability related skills valued within and beyond the workplace. Students will gain experiences that can be applied to a range of contexts including work, study and leisure, and which can assist them in making informed career decisions.

Students are to complete activities that mainly consist of a journal which records learning that has taken place whilst working, as well as additional activities. Students are to complete this logbook during their Study Periods and in their own time.  Their employer is required to sign their logbook and students are also to meet with their Industry-Based Learning Supervisor at school periodically.