Aims

The VCE VET Animal Studies program aims to:

· provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and competency that will enhance their training and employment prospects in the animal care and management industry.

· enable participants to gain a recognised credential and to make an informed choice of vocation or career path.

Program structure

The VCE VET Animal Studies program comprises one certificate II with VCE VET credit at Units 1 to 4 level. Certificates II are typically completed over two years.

Qualifications Rules:

Students must achieve twelve units of competency to gain ACM20117 Certificate II in Animal Studies, including:

· eight core units of competency

· four elective units of competency

This qualification provides an introductory overview of skills that can be applied in animal care and

management. It includes skills in animal care, hygiene routines, nutrition, behaviour, wellbeing, handling and

health and safety of animals. Typical occupational outcomes at this level are animal care attendant, animal

shelter attendant, kennel attendant, pet shop attendant and assistant dog groomer.

VCE VET Credit

Students undertaking the VCE VET Animal Studies program are eligible for up to five VCE VET units on their VCE or VCAL statement of results:

· three VCE VET Units at Units 1 and 2 level

· a VCE VET Units 3 and 4 sequence.

ATAR Contribution

· The VCE VET Animal Studies program does not offer scored assessment. A student who achieves a Units 3 and 4 sequence may be eligible for an increment towards their ATAR.

Structured workplace learning

· The VCAA has determined that Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) is an appropriate and valuable component of all VCE VET programs. SWL involves on-the-job training in which students are required to master a designated set of skills and competencies related to VCE VET program