VET
Vocational Education and Training (VET) plays an important role in the curriculum at St Michael’s College.
Introductory and Certificate courses act as a transition between school and the world of work and allow students to both explore and begin an industry pathway.
These elective courses vary in time and length; they may run through the school day or after hours and are delivered anywhere between two and seven hours per week. They may run for a term, semester or throughout the entire year.
What is VET?
VET enables students to acquire skills and knowledge for work through a nationally recognised industry-developed training package or accredited course. VET is delivered, assessed, and certified by registered training organisations (RTOs).
Undertaking VET may benefit students’ exploration of a variety of career pathways; it is not just reserved for a pathway within the trades (e.g. plumbing, electrical, hairdressing, automotive, and construction). Students can complete VET qualifications in a diverse range of industries, such as business administration, fitness, veterinary nursing, aged care, or sport and recreation.
Why study VET?
There are many benefits for students who undertake a VET course. These benefits include:
- Obtaining a nationally recognised qualification
- Gaining SACE credits (some fully completed VET courses, at Certificate III level or above can contribute to an Australian Tertiary Rank [ATAR] which is required for entry into university).
- Developing a renewed sense of purpose and motivation for senior schooling.
- Gaining skills, knowledge, and confidence to enhance employability.
- Developing a network and knowledge of possible industry employers which can lead to the commencement of a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship.
- Discovering whether their vocation is a possible future career pathway.
- In some cases, completion of a VET Certificate III may serve as a Course Admission Requirement for entry to a related higher level TAFE course.
VET in SACE
The SACE Board’s recognition arrangements enable students to include VET in their SACE studies.
Each qualification is recognised at either Stage 1 or Stage 2 level and for every 70 nominal hours of successfully completed units of competency towards a qualification, 10 credits are granted (similarly, for every 35 hours, 5 credits are granted).
Who can do VET?
VET can be a valuable part of a student’s secondary education but is not always the best option for every student. It is important for both students and their parents/caregivers to carefully consider the reasons for undertaking a VET course, and the course requirements which often include the need to undertake work experience.
Our experience is that successful completion of a VET course is more likely if:
- Students have a keen interest in the industry they are undertaking their VET course in.
- Students have a level of maturity and independence that will accommodate an adult learning style of learning and training. Evidence of managing part-time work or other related responsibilities would be relevant.
- Students have competent literacy, numeracy and organisation skills.
Students can commence VET courses in Semester 2 of Year 10. Whilst the range of courses Year 10 students can select from is quite limited, they do provide students with a taste of VET before committing to VET in Year 11 or 12. VET options for Year 11 or 12 students are wide and varied. Examples of courses enjoyed by current Year 11 and 12 students are:
- Animal Studies
- Automotive
- Aviation
- Business
- Construction
- Dance
- Early Childhood Education
- Electrotechnology
- Fashion Design
- Fitness
- Food Processing
- Game Development
- Hairdressing
- Hospitality: Back and Front of House
- Individual Support – Ageing
- Information Technology
- Interior Design
- Makeup
- Metal Engineering
- Multimedia Graphic Design
- Music: Song Writing
- Photography
- Public Safety: Search and Rescue
- Sport and Recreation
Please see the VET Coordinator to find out if there is a VET course in an industry that interests you.
What is the cost?
The College generally pays 50% of all training costs (up to a maximum of $1700 per year) with parents/carers contributing the balance. This subsidy extends to training costs only. Additional expenses such as personal protective equipment, uniforms and hair and make‐up kits must be met by families.
The College subsidy will not apply to a VET course undertaken by a student outside of the College’s offerings or arranged privately. It will also not apply if a student is undertaking a second (or subsequent) Certificate III VET course.
In most instances, for a full year course, a student will have until Term 1 Week 3 to withdraw without incurring course costs (other than non-refundable enrolment/establishment fees). Parents/carers are responsible for 100% of the non-refundable enrolment fee.
Some RTO’s charge full fees upon receipt of enrolment form, regardless of when a student withdraws. This is outlined in VET course enrolment paperwork.
If a student withdraws from a course, fails to complete the requirements of the course within the required timeframe or leaves SMC, all VET course costs will be charged to the family. This does not apply if medical/health reasons prevent a student from continuing or if a student commences an apprenticeship.
Should a student’s enrolment in a VET course be terminated due to poor outcomes (such as poor behaviour, attendance, application, work completion, etc.) the cost of the full VET course is required to be paid by the student’s family.
What is VET?
VET enables students to acquire skills and knowledge for work through a nationally recognised industry-developed training package or accredited course. VET is delivered, assessed, and certified by registered training organisations (RTOs).
Undertaking VET may benefit students’ exploration of a variety of career pathways; it is not just reserved for a pathway within the trades (e.g. plumbing, electrical, hairdressing, automotive, and construction). Students can complete VET qualifications in a diverse range of industries, such as business administration, fitness, veterinary nursing, aged care, or sport and recreation.
Why study VET?
There are many benefits for students who undertake a VET course. These benefits include:
- Obtaining a nationally recognised qualification
- Gaining SACE credits (some fully completed VET courses, at Certificate III level or above can contribute to an Australian Tertiary Rank [ATAR] which is required for entry into university).
- Developing a renewed sense of purpose and motivation for senior schooling.
- Gaining skills, knowledge, and confidence to enhance employability.
- Developing a network and knowledge of possible industry employers which can lead to the commencement of a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship.
- Discovering whether their vocation is a possible future career pathway.
- In some cases, completion of a VET Certificate III may serve as a Course Admission Requirement for entry to a related higher level TAFE course.
VET in SACE
The SACE Board’s recognition arrangements enable students to include VET in their SACE studies.
Each qualification is recognised at either Stage 1 or Stage 2 level and for every 70 nominal hours of successfully completed units of competency towards a qualification, 10 credits are granted (similarly, for every 35 hours, 5 credits are granted).
Who can do VET?
VET can be a valuable part of a student’s secondary education but is not always the best option for every student. It is important for both students and their parents/caregivers to carefully consider the reasons for undertaking a VET course, and the course requirements which often include the need to undertake work experience.
Our experience is that successful completion of a VET course is more likely if:
- Students have a keen interest in the industry they are undertaking their VET course in.
- Students have a level of maturity and independence that will accommodate an adult learning style of learning and training. Evidence of managing part-time work or other related responsibilities would be relevant.
- Students have competent literacy, numeracy and organisation skills.
Students can commence VET courses in Semester 2 of Year 10. Whilst the range of courses Year 10 students can select from is quite limited, they do provide students with a taste of VET before committing to VET in Year 11 or 12. VET options for Year 11 or 12 students are wide and varied. Examples of courses enjoyed by current Year 11 and 12 students are:
- Animal Studies
- Automotive
- Aviation
- Business
- Construction
- Dance
- Early Childhood Education
- Electrotechnology
- Fashion Design
- Fitness
- Food Processing
- Game Development
- Hairdressing
- Hospitality: Back and Front of House
- Individual Support – Ageing
- Information Technology
- Interior Design
- Makeup
- Metal Engineering
- Multimedia Graphic Design
- Music: Song Writing
- Photography
- Public Safety: Search and Rescue
- Sport and Recreation
Please see the VET Coordinator to find out if there is a VET course in an industry that interests you.
What is the cost?
The College generally pays 50% of all training costs (up to a maximum of $1700 per year) with parents/carers contributing the balance. This subsidy extends to training costs only. Additional expenses such as personal protective equipment, uniforms and hair and make‐up kits must be met by families.
The College subsidy will not apply to a VET course undertaken by a student outside of the College’s offerings or arranged privately. It will also not apply if a student is undertaking a second (or subsequent) Certificate III VET course.
In most instances, for a full year course, a student will have until Term 1 Week 3 to withdraw without incurring course costs (other than non-refundable enrolment/establishment fees). Parents/carers are responsible for 100% of the non-refundable enrolment fee.
Some RTO’s charge full fees upon receipt of enrolment form, regardless of when a student withdraws. This is outlined in VET course enrolment paperwork.
If a student withdraws from a course, fails to complete the requirements of the course within the required timeframe or leaves SMC, all VET course costs will be charged to the family. This does not apply if medical/health reasons prevent a student from continuing or if a student commences an apprenticeship.
Should a student’s enrolment in a VET course be terminated due to poor outcomes (such as poor behaviour, attendance, application, work completion, etc.) the cost of the full VET course is required to be paid by the student’s family.
More Information
St Michael’s College VET Department vet@smc.sa.edu.au
Catholic Education SA Vocational Education – https://vet.cesa.catholic.edu.au/
SACE Board – https://www.sace.sa.edu.au/web/vet/what-is-vet/vet-in-sace
Department for Innovation and Skills – https://www.skills.sa.gov.au/studying-vet-in-school
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