St Augustine’s fully supports all students who, after the appropriate guidance, choose to take up Vocational Education and Training. This is a valuable component of senior secondary education which is designed to deliver workplace-specific skills and knowledge, vocational education and training (VET) covers a wide range of careers and industries, including trade and office work, retail, hospitality and technology.
VET in the VCE and VCE Vocational Major allows students to include vocational studies within their senior secondary certificate. Students undertake nationally recognised training from either accredited state curriculum or national training packages which may contribute to their VCE or VCE Vocational Major.
These VET programs may be undertaken in a variety of settings and offer students the opportunity to undertake Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) and School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships.
Combine general and vocational studies
Explore career options and pathways
Undertake learning in the workplace
Undertake applied learning in an adult learning environment
Gain a nationally recognised qualification or credit towards a qualification that contributes to satisfactory completion of the VCE or VCE Vocational Major
Develop skills that will equip them for the workforce
All VCE VET programs provide credit towards the VCE. Most VCE VET programs provide credit at Units 1 to 4; however, some programs provide credits at Units 1 and 2 level only.
Students are also eligible for Block Credit Recognition towards the VCE if they have completed, or are completing, training in a nationally recognised VET qualification that is not included in the suite of approved VCE VET and School-Based Apprenticeships or Traineeship programs.
Students enrolling in a VET program in VCE will be advised that they will miss some core classes in year 11 as a result of being absent on a Wednesday. It is a joint responsibility between the classroom teacher and the student to ensure any missed work is caught up on.
The teachers of these classes are expected to consider the following in their teaching and learning and assessment plans:
Ensure all students have the chance to participate in an equal number of hours of purposeful practice for each subject
If any student (VET or non-VET) misses any classes. It is a joint responsibility of the classroom teacher and the student to ensure that the missed work is caught up on.
It is expected that a new topic or concept is not introduced on a Wednesday. It is expected that there will be no SACs or OATs scheduled for Wednesday.
Strategies should be included in the teaching and learning plan to enable students to catch up on any missed work. The Community Leader - Student Learning and Professional Practice can assist with the planning and implementation of these strategies.
Outcome Assessment Task (OAT) or School Assessed Coursework (SAC) should not be scheduled on a Wednesday. If this is unavoidable and detrimental to the students it should be discussed with the Community Leader - Student Learning and Professional Practice or the VCE Coordinator.
The study score from a scored sequence can contribute directly to the ATAR as one of the student’s primary four scaled studies or as the fifth or sixth study. It is important to note that the Units 3 and 4 sequences of VCE VET programs are not designed as stand-alone studies. Students are strongly advised against undertaking the Units 3 and 4 sequence without first completing Units 1 and 2.
The following VCE VET programs have a study score available to students undertaking the relevant Units 3 and 4 sequence:
Business; Community Service; Engineering; Equine Industry; Health; Hospitality/Kitchen Operations; Information Digital Media and Technology; Sport and Recreation.
VET program availability is subject to student numbers each year.
Students undertaking a scored VCE VET program will undertake an externally set and assessed examination during the end-of-year examination period. They will also be required to sit the GAT in June.
At St Augustine’s College, all students enrolled in the VCE Vocational Major program are required to enrol in a VET as part of their program. Certificates or units of competence can contribute to a student’s VCE Vocational Major program. The contribution of a student’s VET program to their VCE Vocational Major is determined by the number of hours successfully completed. A credit towards VCE Vocational Major is awarded on successful completion of approximately 90 nominal hours of units of competence from accredited curriculum or nationally recognized qualifications. Units of competence may be from one VET certificate or a number of VET certificates.
A VCE Vocational Major student will not receive credit towards their VCE Vocational Major for partially completed VET units of competence.
VET Programs offered in 2024 includes Animal Studies, Automotive, Beauty, Building and Construction, Hospitality, Community Services, Electrotechnology, Engineering, Equine, Hairdressing, Sport and Recreation and Plumbing.
In partnership with St Mary of the Angels Nathalia, Nathalia Secondary College and Shepparton GoTafe, the region has an agreement that all VET Programs be run on a Wednesday to provide greater options for all students.
Possible VET Options: subject to student numbers each year.
Certificate II Kitchen Operations/Hospitality
Certificate II Community Services
Certificate II Animal Studies (Online) (VCE VET)
Certificate II Automotive (VCE VET)
Certificate III Design Fundamentals
Certificate III Beauty Services (VCE VET)
Certificate II Electrotechnology Career Start (VCE VET)
Certificate II Building and Construction Pre-Apprenticeship (VCE VET)
Certificate III Early Childhood (Partial completion)
Certificate III Allied Health Assistance (VCE VET) (Yr 11 and Yr 12 students)
Certificate III Education Support (Partial completion)
Certificate II Engineering Studies
Certificate II Equine (Online) (VCE VET)
Certificate III Information, Digital Media and Technology (VCE VET)
Certificate II Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship
Certificate II Salon Assistant (VCE VET)
Certificate III Sport and Recreation (VCE VET)
This list is dependant on numbers of students choosing a particular VET and availability of courses on a year by year basis.
Materials cost: VET programs have a “materials” cost each year. This cost is to be paid by the student’s family. The College pays for the cost of the VET program delivery at each venue.
VET Programs are available for students in years 10, 11 and 12. Students can undertake a VET Program in Year 11 and 12 as VCE/VET or VCE Vocational Major. VET Programs are conducted each Wednesday of the school year. VET Programs can provide a more hands on based style of learning for our students. Students need to be aware that all VET Programs require Units of Competency (UOCs) to be completed. Many of the Units of Competency (UOCs) are theory based and need to be completed prior to practical hands on learning Units of Competency (UOCs)
2023 Year 9 students, can make a time to meet with Mrs Selga Langley - VET Coordinator to discuss possible VET Programs in 2024. 2023 Year 9 students (Year 10 in 2024) have the option of fast tracking a VCE subject, VET Program or choose an elective. Students wishing to undertake a VET Program in Year 10 in 2024 must be 15 years of age before the end of January 2024.
St Augustine’s College works with both Nathalia Secondary College and St Mary of the Angels Nathalia in a Trade Training Consortium to provide our students with the following VET options:
VET Subjects offered at St Augustine’s College:
· VET Engineering Studies.
. VET Sport & Recreation
VET Subjects offered at St Mary of the Angels Nathalia (SMOTA)
· VET Kitchen Operations
VET Subject offered at Nathalia Secondary College Nathalia (NSC)
· VET Building & Construction
· VET Salon Assistant
Students travel via bus to and from the Nathalia schools every Wednesday. The bus departs St Augustine’s College at 8:50am, leaves Nathalia at 2:30pm to return to St Augustine’s College at 3:00pm. The bus is provided by St Augustine's College.
Shepparton GoTAFE provide the following VET Programs:
Certificate II Community Services
Certificate II Animal Studies (Online) (VCE VET)
Certificate III Design Fundamentals
Certificate III Beauty Services (VCE VET)
Certificate II Electrotechnology Career Start (VCE VET)
Certificate III Early Childhood (Partial completion)
Certificate III Allied Health Assistance (VCE VET)
Certificate III Education Support (Partial completion)
Certificate II Equine (Online) (VCE VET)
Certificate III Information, Digital Media and Technology (VCE VET)
Certificate II Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship
Students travel via the GoTAFE provided bus, leaving from the Kyabram Transit Centre at 7:30am and returning to Kyabram at 5:00pm.
Important information:
Students must be 15 years of age before January 2025 to be able to undertake a VET Program in 2025. VET Programs are available for students in Year 10, 11 and 12 in 2025.
As each VET program has a “Materials cost,” this is paid by the student/family. The College pays the remaining fees.
Students have until the end of February 2025 (Census date) to decide if they wish to continue with their chosen VET program or not. After this date, students need to continue in the VET program for the remainder of the school year. If students decide to leave the program before the end of the school year, families may be billed the outstanding tuition fees plus materials cost. Students need to commit to the program for the full year. Students cannot change their VET program choice for 2025 after the February 2025 (Census date)
How to apply for a VET program for 2025:
The 2025 VET Program link will be sent to all 2023 year 9, 10 and 11 students by Mrs Langley or you can complete the red link below
Students need to complete this link (only if they wish to undertake a VET program in 2024) as soon as possible. VET programs fill very quickly.
If you wish to undertake a VET program at St Augustine’s College, Nathalia Secondary College or St Mary of the Angels College you must complete the 2025 VET Program link asap. You do not need to complete an enrolment form at this stage.
If you wish to undertake a Shepparton GoTAFE VET Program, complete the 2025 link. Students will then be sent a GoTAFE enrolment link to complete and will be required to attend an interview. Students will then be notified if their VET Program application has been successful for 2025.
Mrs Langley will provide a VET Program information flyer to students regarding their VET Program choice.
Filling in the 2025 VET Program link does not guarantee you a VET Program position in 2025. VET Programs can be cancelled due to lack of numbers which is out of the control of the College. Mrs Langley will notify you via email if you have been successful in obtaining a VET Program place for 2025.
Preference for VET Programs is given to 2025 Year 11 and 12 VCE and VCE Vocational Major students first.
If you are unsure about any aspect of the VET programs, please make a time to see Mrs Langley for VET Program information asap.
Useful links:
VET Program Frequently Asked Questions
Additional information regarding VET Programs: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/getvet
VET Coordinator: Selga Langley