VET in Schools

What is VET in Schools?

VET in Schools enables you to get real hands-on experience within a chosen industry, obtain a national qualification and increase your career prospects by combining your senior school studies with a Vocational Education and Training (VET) program.

VET in Schools encompasses a range of exciting programs which may be undertaken alongside, or as part of, the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL), or a School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship.

Working in conjunction with 28 secondary colleges throughout Geelong, Werribee and Colac/Otway regions The Gordon has delivered the VET in Schools program for almost 20 years, with more than 1,000 students undertaking programs with us each year.

As Victoria’s number one large training provider in 2010, The Gordon has a solid reputation for delivering exceptional programs and has world-class facilities to help you get the best out of your training. 

What are the benefits?

VET in Schools is a unique opportunity for you to experience a career you may be considering, adds to the eligibility requirements for VCE/VCAL, and may contribute to your ATAR score.

As a result of the VET in Schools program, students find that they are more ‘job-ready’, have achieved a recognised pathway to further education and training, and receive a nationally accredited qualification in a specific vocational area.

Most VET studies also provide pathways to, and credit towards higher level courses. Several provide credit into apprenticeships by reducing the amount of off-the-job training required and in some instances reduces the duration of an apprenticeship.

How does it work?

Most VET in Schools programs are run over two years (some over 12 months), which you undertake during years 10, 11 and/or 12 (dependent on what year you start).

Programs are generally conducted every Wednesday afternoon/early evening during term from February to November, where you will attend one of The Gordon’s campuses for your training. Some also require attendance during school holiday periods, particularly for the Structured Work Placement (SWP) component.

Every VET in Schools program provides a certain amount of credit towards your VCE and VCAL.

It may contribute up to 13 of the 16 units required for satisfactory completion of the VCE, and many of the programs have a scored assessment which can be counted within your ‘primary four’ studies for calculation of your ATAR. Others may provide for one ATAR increment; calculated as ten percent of the average scaled scores of the primary four – a 10% bonus to your ATAR score!

VET in Schools also contributes to various levels of credit toward completion of VCAL in Industry Specific and Work Related Skills strands.

 We recommend you speak with your VET Coordinator and your year level coordinator about the combination of subject selections including any VET in Schools program and the credits it provides toward VCE or VCAL.

‘Real life’ training and experience is a o VCEbeneficial part of VET in Schools and each program has either mandatory or recommended SWP, which varies between 10-20 days over the duration of the program.

SWP is most commonly arranged during term holidays, and your secondary college will work in conjunction with workplace agencies to coordinate the SWP on your behalf.

Students are only eligible to undertake SWL after they have successfully completed all mandatory occupational health and safety requirements of their VET in Schools program.

Did you know? Almost half of the students who do work placement are offered ongoing employment by their host employer. 

How do I get the most out of VET in Schools?

Here are some tips from previous VET in Schools students:

• Be enthusiastic and motivated

• You need to be organised and manage your time

• Be willing to make sacrifices i.e. undertaking work placement during holiday times

• Be flexible and open to new approaches – the training is different to what you will be used to, and our teachers are the same as those who teach apprentices

• You will need pretty good communication skills

• Be willing to make new friends – students in the program will come from many schools in Geelong, Werribee and Colac/Otway regions

• Ensure you work out the balance of VCE/VCAL study, your VET in Schools program, work placement, part-time work and sport and social commitments.