PLC Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivered to secondary students offers students in Years 10, 11 and or 12, the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised VET qualification whilst still at school.
VET qualifications:
• develop employability skills
• give you industry specific skills
• help you to explore and plan your career options
If a student completes a VET qualification during Years 10, 11 and or 12 this may count towards the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
VET contribution to the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
Student achievement for Years 10, 11 and 12 in nationally recognised VET qualifications may be awarded WACE unit equivalence, provided the student completes a full qualification including all units of competency specified within the nationally recognised training package or course for that qualification.
Recognised accredited VET courses may provide credit towards the WACE in the below way:
Qualifications are awarded as credit toward the WACE, regardless of the academic year in which the student completes the VET qualification. That is, in addition to the allocation of current year credit, a student will receive the remaining credit as either retrospective credit (credit for Year 11 if the qualification is achieved in Year 12) or projected credit (credit for Year 12 if a qualification is achieved in Year 11, or Years 11 and 12 if the qualification is achieved in Year 10).
• VET qualifications are not identified as List A or List B
• There are no grades for VET, therefore VET contributes in the same manner that a C grade applies to WACE
• Of the 20 units required for WACE, a maximum of eight (four in Year 11 and four in Year 12) may contribute toward the WACE
In addition to the 20 course unit requirement, VET qualifications contribute to the WACE standard requirement of a C grade in at least 14 units (with at least 6 coming from Year 12 units). A C grade in a maximum of eight units (four in Year 11 and four in Year 12) can be replaced by unit equivalents from VET qualifications.
For equivalence to be achieved, ‘complete’ requires that a student has been deemed competent in all units of competency that make up a full qualification.
The Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement (WASSA)
VET qualifications are listed on the WASSA along with individual units of competency achieved.
What can I study?
There are a range of VET courses available for secondary students.
The qualifications recommended by industry for school students, can be found at the VET qualifications register for secondary students.
The program a student chooses will depend on their eligibility (age, year at school, OLNA status), and desired qualification.
VET at PLC
There are two ways of engaging in a VET course while at PLC.
1. VET Certificates
These courses are offered in partnership with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), including North Metropolitan and South Metropolitan TAFE and other private providers (see later information for a sample of these). The advantages of engagement with VET certificates for General Pathway students are numerous. Not only does the student gain a nationally recognised qualification, which is a springboard to higher qualifications in either the university or TAFE sectors, and or employment, but also, they develop a high degree of resilience, independence and maturity as they are manage their school-based and off-campus commitments.
Year 11 and 12 In-timetable VET Certificate Courses
PLC offers a limited selection of Certificate II courses in-timetable (ie, as a subject), through Scotch College.
• Certificate II in Hospitality (2 year course)
• Certificate II in Music Industry
• Certificate II in Workplace Skills
Year 11 and 12 Externally provided VET Certificate Courses
TAFEs and other private RTOs deliver either face to face or online Certificate courses. Face to face delivery usually involves one day a week off-campus to attend the VET course. The courses may take one or two years to complete. Applications for courses needs to be considered during Year 10 or 11 (for the following year) in around July. For TAFE, “Profile Courses” (fully funded courses) entry is highly competitive. Other private provider courses are offered on a “fee for service” arrangement and these will vary in cost.
Some examples of VET Certificate courses PLC students have engaged with include:
• Certificate II in Electrotechnology (College of Electrical Training)
• Certificate II in Autonomous Workplaces (South Metro TAFE)
• Certificate III in Events (South Metro TAFE)
• Certificate III in Makeup (WA Academy)
• Certificate III in Animal Care Services (Health Sciences Hub)
• Certificate III in Fitness (Health Sciences Hub)
• Certificate IV in Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies (Health Sciences Hub)
• Certificate IV in Business (Fremantle Education Centre)
• Certificate IV in Community Services (Fremantle Education Centre)
• Certificate IV in School-Based Education Support (Fremantle Education Centre)
• Certificate IV in Music (Mount Pleasant College)
It is important to note, some VET courses have a mandatory practical hours requirement (for example, FEC’s Certificate IV in School-Based Education Support requires 100 hours of school based practicum). Students may need to source their own placements.
2. School Based Traineeships and Apprenticeships (SBT and SBA)
School Based Traineeships (SBT) and School Based Apprenticeships (SBA) combines Workplace Learning and the relevant VET qualification over two years.
The School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT) Guide is:
• a quick guide outlining the key steps involved in a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, from starting out through to completion;
• real life examples that make it easier to understand how school-based apprenticeships and traineeships actually work in practice;
• information on the roles and responsibilities of each of the stakeholders in a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship; and
• links for easy access to fact sheets, forms and other information. SBAT Guide
WACE General Pathway (with VET) Whole Course Options
For WACE General Pathway students (those studying less than four ATAR subjects) undertaking VET studies, in Year 11, students must select an English subject (ATAR or General) and then choose four additional subjects that can be either ATAR (no more than three) or General subjects.
In Year 12, WACE General Pathway students must select an English subject (ATAR or General) and then choose four or three additional courses that can be either ATAR (no more than three) or General subjects. The total number of subjects will vary according to their Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificate.
A few examples for a Year 12 student could include:
Student A (Certificate IV plus four WACE courses)
• Certificate IV in School-Based Education Support
• English (ATAR)
• Physical Education Studies (ATAR)
• Maths Essential (General)
• Human Biological Science (General)
Student B (Certificate IV plus three WACE courses)
• Certificate IV in Business
• English (General)
• Textiles (ATAR)
• Food Science Technology (General)
Student C (No VET Certificate course, must take five WACE courses)
• English (General)
• Dance (ATAR)
• Drama (ATAR)
• Maths Essentials (General)
• Media and Production Analysis (General)
Certificate IV and English Competency for University Entrance
For students not wishing to complete an ATAR pathway but wanting to pursue direct entry to a university Bachelor’s Degree, a VET Certificate IV may be helpful. The successful completion of a Certificate IV and any of:
• a final combined scaled score of 50 or above in English ATAR subject
• a school letter grade of A in English General (for ECU and Curtin. UWA will require students complete a Communications unit in their first year)
• the STAT test
satisfies minimum entry requirements for ECU, Curtin and UWA.
Note: Murdoch University and The University of Notre Dame do not require English ATAR nor do they have specific school grade requirements for English General.
Do I Have to Pay for my VET Course at School?
Year 11 and or Year 12 VET fees are covered by PLC up to $1500. Only one Certificate course is covered (students may engage in more at their cost).
If a student withdraws from the course after a deposit has been paid or after the settling in period of the first fortnight, the school will request re-imbursement of fees for the VET Course from the RTO, however, any nonrefundable costs will be charged to the student. Students who wish to withdraw from the VET course after this time will be charged any fees not recoverable by the school from the RTO.
Who Provides the Training?
VET is provided by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) – either TAFE, or a private training provider, or a school in partnership with an RTO (for example, the Certificate II in Hospitality offered in-timetable, through Scotch College for PLC students).
PLC has had experience with the following RTOs.
College of Electrical Training
Diamond High Performance
DNA Kingston
Fremantle Education Centre
Health Science Hub
Mount Pleasant College
North Metropolitan TAFE
South Metropolitan TAFE
WA Academy
What is a Training Package?
A training package is a set of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications for recognising and assessing skills and knowledge in a specific industry, job sector or enterprise.
SCSA Endorsed Programs
An Endorsed Program is a significant learning program that is made up of a series of lessons, classes and or activities designed to lead to the achievement of a set of learning outcomes. Endorsed Programs can be delivered as part of the school curriculum or as extra-curricular activities or in students’ own time. Students who complete Endorsed Programs and lodge the appropriate documentation with PLC can:
• Have these achievements listed on their Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement (WACE)
• may contribute towards the depth requirement of the WACE
• may contribute towards the C grade requirement of the WACE.
A student is able to count a maximum of four unit equivalents from Endorsed Programs for WACE purposes - two in Year 11 and two in Year 12.
A maximum of eight unit equivalents may come from a combination of VET and Endorsed Programs. Three categories:
1. Authority-developed Endorsed Programs
These Endorsed Programs are developed by the Authority to provide WACE recognition for students undertaking activities of a similar nature and for which no quality-assured certificate or award is issued.
2. Provider-developed Endorsed Programs
These Endorsed Programs are developed by a private provider such as a university, community organisation or training institution. Provider-developed Endorsed Programs recognise structured learning programs that result in the attainment of a quality-assured certificate or award.
3. School-developed Endorsed Programs (PLC does not currently have any in this category)
VET students who engage in workplace learning may also be recognised for the Authority Developed Workplace Learning Endorsed Program, provided they fulfil program requirements.
PLC VET Policy
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are educational institutions at which the student is enrolled for VET qualifications. The RTO may be a TAFE or Private Provider.
• The school maintains duty of care for the student whilst they are at the RTO.
• The student is covered by the RTO’s insurance whilst on the relevant campus.
• PLC VET Coordinator monitors student progress and weekly attendance (where necessary), with the RTO.
• PLC VET Coordinator liaises once a fortnight with the student RE their progress.
• PLC VET Coordinator reports to the school’s Chief Financial Officer about partnerships with RTOs and fee structure.
• Year 11 and or 12 VET fees are covered by PLC (up to $1500) – one Certificate course only is covered (students may engage in more at their cost).
• If a student withdraws from the course after a deposit has been paid or after the settling in period of the first fortnight, the school will request re-imbursement of fees for the VET Course from the RTO, however, any non-refundable costs will be charged to the student. Students who wish to withdraw from the VET course after this time will be charged any fees not recoverable by the school from the RTO.
Attendance
The student needs to account for any absences from their training. If they are unable to attend on any day, they must follow this procedure:
1. Inform PLC:
a. Mrs Feinauer for Absences
b. PLC VET Coordinator (Mrs Fleay)
2. Contact the RTO Trainer before 9.00 am on the day or when appropriate, as soon as they know of the coming absence
3. Negotiate with the RTO Trainer to make up missed work
4. Inform PLC VET Coordinator of the catch-up work requirements
5. Unacceptable reasons for being absent include appointments that can be made after working hours:
E.g. driving lessons, routine dental and medical appointments, holidays, sporting activities.
Hours of Attendance
Attendance hours are set by the RTO.
Dress Code
The student must dress in appropriate attire at all times. It is not acceptable to wear very casual, revealing or offensive clothing. The student should be guided by the standard of others with whom they will be training. Personal grooming and hygiene must be of the highest standard.
Unique Student Identifier (USI)
To apply for VET courses and, for VET qualifications to contribute towards the WACE, students need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI) and provide this to the school
https://www.usi.gov.au
VET AWARDS
PLC VET Dux and Runner-Up to VET Dux Speech Night Award
PLC uses the matrix below to award a PLC VET Dux and VET Runner-Up to Dux at Speech Night annually.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. Met WACE requirements
2. Completed a minimum Certificate II by the completion of Year 12
Selection Criteria:
SECTION TWO
Attitudes towards Vocational and Education Training
Effort Takes an independent role in VET studies and demonstrates consistent progress
Takes a mostly independent role in VET studies and demonstrates mostly consistent progress Requires intervention to ensure progress is maintained
3 2 1
Communication Actively engages through effective communication with PLC VET Coordinator and Course Provider
SUBTOTAL
Section One
SUBTOTAL
Section Two
SUBTOTAL
TOTAL
Mostly engages through effective communication with PLC VET Coordinator and Course Provider
Requires regular follow up from PLC VET Coordinator and or Course Provider in terms of communication
3 2 1
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) VET Awards
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) recognises student excellence in VET through the annual VET Awards for students who have completed a combination of VET qualifications and workplace learning (mandatory) by the end of Year 12.
The full list of awards and application information can be found here.