• Overview
• Choosing
• Apprenticeships
• VET in Schools
• The Victorian Training Guarantee

Overview

Most of us know that the School sector is divided into Primary and Secondary education.  Post-secondary training can likewise be divided up into Vocational Education & Training (VET) including TAFE, and Higher Education, which is commonly aligned to the university sector.

Food and Primary Skills Victoria mainly operates within the VET sector, as well as VET connections into secondary school training.

A broad overview of the qualifications is provided below. Note that there are overlaps between the sectors. For example, secondary schools may deliver up to Certificate II under the VCE VET in Schools program, while Higher Education facilities commonly deliver Certificate IV level and up.

School sector	VET sector	Higher Education Sector
Certificate of Education (VCE)	Advanced Diploma Diploma Certificate IV Certificate III Certificate II Certificate I	Doctoral Degree Masters Degree Graduate Diploma Graduate Certificate Bachelor Degree Advanced Diploma Diploma

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Choosing

A common choice faced by students is whether to pursue studies through VET or Higher Education.  Either pathway

Vocational Education and Training is just that; it is more “hands-on, focusing on the practical skills and knowledge required to work in a particular industry or vocation.  VET graduates have a high degree of “job-readiness” and are therefore highly employable. Despite common thinking, earning capacity equals and in some cases exceeds that of university graduates.  VET pathways will also assist in transitioning to higher education.  Finally, many of the jobs needed by primary industries over the coming decade will be for VET specialisations, such as irrigation technicians, biosecurity specialists, aquaculture technicians, sustainable land management specialists and food safety inspectors.

Higher Education

Food and Primary Skills Victoria staff are happy to visit schools or participants in government funded programs to provide information and answer questions regarding employment pathways in respective sectors.  To request a visit by a Food & Primary Skills Victoria representative contact 0419 472 106

Information services we can provide include:

• Details on the institutes that provide particular courses.
• Information on subjects contained within particular courses.
• Background Information and contact points to obtain further information in training programs and other educational requirements.

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Australian Apprenticeships

Australian Apprenticeships is a term used to cover all employment-based training, whether a traineeship or an apprenticeship.

They provide the skills that employers need now and can be tailored to best meet the enterprise’s needs whilst at the same time, giving the participant an opportunity to gain skills of national significance that are more readily transportable and accepted. Some of the new features and benefits are :

• can be undertaken part-time
• flexibility in the wages structure
• not restricted by age or previous academic qualification, they can even be started whilst still at school (refer to VET in Schools)
• based on competency progression rather than time, which means accelerated completion is possible
• the location and timing of training can be negotiated – training when you want it, where you want it
• recognised nationally

For further information on Australian Apprenticeships visit http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/

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VET in Schools

Students can undertake VET studies as part of the VCE, including the VCE Vocational Major or the Victorian Pathways Certificate.

Generally, these VET programs:

• are based directly on industry skills
• involve increasing degrees of work placement
• result in an industry recognised qualification
• may be integrated with general education programs.

Flexible VET pathways programs include recognition of up to four VCE VET units at Units 1 and 2 level, and a VCE VET Unit 3–4 sequence.  Programs are currently available in the following areas:

• Certificate II in Agriculture
• Certificate II in Horticulture
• Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management
• Certificate II in Animal Care

If you are considering participating in such a program you will need to discuss your range of options with the School VET Coordinator.

Further information about industry training in schools can be obtained from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority website.