As part of the 2022/23 State Budget being released on Tuesday 3 May, the State Government has announced the Victorian Certificate of Education and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning are set to be combined from 2023 onwards.
Within the budget, the State Government will invest $277.5 million in the biggest reform to the senior secondary system since the VCE’s inception, recognising the increased demand for careers in trades and services and to attempt to provide students with a more rounded education.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the new certificate will support students in choosing their career path.
“Careers in trades and services are just that: careers – with good pay, and secure jobs. And they’re the jobs we need people doing,” he said.
“We know not everyone wants to go to university so we’re making sure every young person has every opportunity to choose the career path that’s right for them.”
The new VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate will replace VCAL, aiming to provide students a wider range of opportunities for apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, non-ATAR university pathways or straight into the workforce after leaving school.
A $120.2 million investment will be made to help schools implement the new certificates and provide every student access to a core offering of 12 different Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways.
Students and their families will also no longer be required to front out-of-pocket costs for essential learning materials for their VET studies, saving many families up to $1000.
Professional development will be provided for teachers to help them implement the transition, with non-government schools also encouraged and interested in undergoing the transition. Most have begun preparing for the new pathways.
Further funding of $69.4 million to expand the Head Start program to every government school in Victoria, encouraging students to undergo an apprenticeship or traineeship while completing Year 12 studies and $87.9 million to strengthen the teaching workforce with funded study to attract 400 extra VET trainers, professional development for up to 1,900 teachers and increased funding for jobs, skills and pathways coordinators in schools.
Head Start gives students career planning support, a tailored pathway into the industry of their choice and a fair training wage in key industries like building, construction, community services and health, business, primary industries and technology, while they’re earning their senior secondary certificate.
Minister for Education James Merlino said study towards the important jobs that build and care for our state has the same value as any other education after school.
“More young Victorians than ever before are pursuing careers in booming trades and services, Victoria’s a different place to what it was when VCE and VCAL started,” he said.
“For many students, getting industry experience and combining an apprenticeship with school is the best way to set them up for the good, decent jobs they want to do.”
Vocational Major students will undertake specific studies – Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development Skills – as well as 180 hours of VET, their choice of other traditional VCE studies and time in the workplace, which will give them credits towards their certificate.
The Victorian Pathways Certificate will replace Foundation VCAL, designed to help students transition either to the VCE, to entry level VET or employment – particularly focusing on vulnerable students at risk of leaving education or students with additional needs.
The six priority pathways flagged within the core offering will be in health, community services and early childhood education, building and construction, digital and media technologies, hospitality, and engineering – meaning students will have access to training and skills for growing industries. Additional pathways will also be available in automotive, agriculture and environment, hair and beauty, creative industries, sport and recreation, and business.
