The VCE Vocational Major (VM) has specific subjects designed to prepare students for a vocational pathway and
move successfully into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education or directly into the workforce.
VCE VM Literacy develops the essential communication and critical thinking skills students need for workplace success and further education. Through practical, hands-on learning, students master everyday literacy tasks like navigating digital platforms, understanding workplace documents, and creating professional communications including reports, instructions, and presentations. The course builds confidence in reading complex texts such as contracts and safety procedures, while developing digital literacy skills for online research, content creation, and respectful digital communication.
Students engage with real-world issues, learning to analyse different perspectives and present their own well-reasoned viewpoints through written work and oral presentations. By connecting literacy learning directly to vocational contexts and career interests, this subject provides the strong foundation in communication skills that employers value and that students need for success in apprenticeships, traineeships, further study, or direct entry into the workforce.
LITERACY FOR
PERSONAL USE
In this unit, you will explore different types of texts that we encounter in our daily lives, from social media posts and emails to workplace documents and instruction manuals. Students learn to understand the purpose behind different texts and practice reading strategies to extract key information. You will work with print, visual, and film texts including biographies, digital content, poetry, and online videos, learning to understand how these texts are structured and why they're created for different audiences. Students practice using indexes, headings, and other text features to locate information, building confidence in navigating the variety of texts they'll encounter in adult life and future workplaces.
UNDERSTANDING AND CREATING DIGITAL TEXTS
In this unit students will develop critical digital literacy skills, learning to evaluate and create content for websites, social media, podcasts, and other digital platforms. Together we will explore how digital texts work in vocational and workplace settings, understanding how to assess the reliability and effectiveness of online information. Students also learn to create their own digital content, understanding safety and respectful communication in online environments - essential skills for today's digital workplace and community participation.
UNDERSTANDING ISSUES AND VOICES
In this unit you will explore a wide range of topics and diverse perspectives, building on the previous areas of study. Students explore how personal values and workplace interests influence different viewpoints on local and global issues, learning to identify bias and understand how language and visuals are used to influence audiences. You will practice note-taking, analysing persuasive content from various sources including social media, and develop skills in respectful discussion and debate while considering how these issues might affect their future vocational or workplace environments.
RESPONDING TO OPINIONS
Students develop their own persuasive communication skills by creating reasoned responses to issues and debates. They learn to analyse the logic, evidence, and emotional appeals used by others, then construct their own well-supported arguments. Your child practices presenting their viewpoints orally with appropriate body language and intonation, while learning to reference sources accurately and engage in respectful dialogue about important issues.
ACCESSING INFORMATIONAL, ORGANISATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL TEXTS
This unit focuses on the practical literacy skills you will need for adult life and work. Students learn to confidently understand and navigate complex documents like safety reports, tax forms, contracts, public health information, and workplace procedures. They develop skills in analysing technical content and understanding the structure of formal documents, preparing them to handle the administrative and procedural requirements they'll encounter in their careers and community participation.
CREATING AND RESPONDING TO TEXTS
Students learn to create their own workplace and organisational documents, focusing on texts that inform others about rights and responsibilities within workplaces and vocational settings. You will practice writing clear instructions, procedures, and informational content for specific audiences, developing the professional communication skills essential for success in any career while understanding how these texts shape organizational interactions.
UNDERSTANDING AND ENGAGING WITH LITERACY FOR ADVOCACY
In this unit you will explore how language is used to influence and persuade others, particularly in workplace and community contexts. Students analyse advocacy materials, understand how different groups promote their causes, and develop critical thinking skills about persuasive communication. This helps them become informed citizens who can evaluate the messages they encounter and understand how advocacy works in their professional and personal lives.
SPEAKING TO ADVISE OR ADVOCATE
In the final area of study, students bring together all their learning in a major oral presentation that showcases their growth and knowledge. This area focuses on developing your speaking and presentation skills. Students create and deliver oral presentations on topics that interest them, with a focus on vocational or personal areas. They learn to organise their thoughts clearly, use appropriate language for their audience, and present information confidently. This practical skill-building helps prepare them for workplace presentations, interviews, and everyday communication situations they'll encounter in their future careers.
Students choose a topic that connects to their other VCE VM studies or career interests, demonstrating their ability to research, organize, and present complex information persuasively. This experience builds confidence in public speaking and professional presentation skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
Resources
Please note some resources may only be accessible via your Preshil Gmail account due to subscription restrictions.