VCE-VM & VCP
The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.
It prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (via non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce.
The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by:
- equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals
- empowering them to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through real-life workplace experiences.
The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) is an inclusive Year 11 and 12 standards-based certificate that meets the needs of a smaller number of students who are not able or ready to complete the VCE (including the VCE Vocational Major). It provides an enriched curriculum and excellent support for students to develop the skills, capabilities and qualities for success in personal and civic life.
The VPC is an accredited foundation secondary qualification under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. It aligns to Level 1 in the Australian Qualifications Framework. While the VPC is not a senior secondary qualification, it can be a pathway to the VCE.
The VPC is designed to develop and extend pathways for young people, while providing flexibility for different cohorts. The VPC is suitable for students whose previous schooling experience may have been disrupted for a variety of reasons, including students with additional needs, students who have missed significant periods of learning and vulnerable students at risk of disengaging from their education. Students will gain the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to make informed choices about pathways into a senior secondary qualification, entry level vocational education and training (VET) course or employment.
The curriculum accommodates student aspirations and future employment goals. VPC learning programs connect students to industry experiences and active participation in the community. Through participation in the VPC students will gain necessary foundation skills to allow them to make a post-schooling transition.
Find out more about the VPC in the VPC Administrative Handbook 2023.
Work Related Skills
In Work Related Skills (WRS), students examine a range of skills, knowledge, and capabilities relevant to achieving individual career and educational goals.
In Unit 1, students explore careers and learning for the future. This involves listening to engaging career talks from people from a variety of industries across Victoria as well as attending workplace tours tailored to the student’s interests. Students then complete a presentation of their educational and career goals.
In Unit 2, students investigate workplace skills and capabilities. They learn about the value of transferable skills, capabilities, and personal attributes. Students will be built towards being job ready with the development of a resume and cover letter and be assessed through mock interviews.
In Unit 3, students learn about industrial relations, workplace environment and practice. They study workplace rights and responsibilities as well as build communication and collaboration skills.
In Unit 4, each student works towards creating a digital career portfolio to be presented in front of a panel. This will showcase their career achievements, certificates attained, school projects completed (with photos attached), personal references, resumes and cover letters developed.
Personal Development Skills
In Personal Development Skills (PDS), students develop knowledge, skills and attributes that lead to self-development and community engagement.
In Unit 1, students explore the topic of Healthy Individuals. This involves gaining a deeper understanding of personal Identity and emotional intelligence. Students will visit volunteer community organisations within Maryborough to build knowledge of community health and wellbeing with the aim to undertake a project to promote healthy life.
In Unit 2, the key focus is all about Communities, what they are, how they work and ways in which we can support them. Students engage in a project that contributes addressing issues within Maryborough.
In Unit 3, students aim to develop their leadership and teamwork skills. They explore social awareness and interpersonal skills while learning what it means to be an effective leader and team member.
In Unit 4, students focus on completing a community project. This entails planning, implementing, and evaluating a project that aims to address community needs.
For further information read the MEC Later Years Curriculum Handbook