VCAL / VET
Our aim is to provide a broad range of pathways that complement individual student abilities and interests. Having established important links with tertiary institutions and industries for the delivery of an extensive number of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Traineeships programs, our students can choose a VCE program with workplace learning as a key component. We also offer students the opportunity to choose a Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) program where they may attend TAFE one day a week, Heathmont College for two days and work in industry the remaining two days. We offer VCAL at the Foundation, Intermediate and Senior levels. At the Intermediate and Senior levels our VCAL program operates as an Australian School Based Apprenticeship (ASBA) program. While positions in industry are only for the duration of the ASBA, they often lead to full-time positions with the company. Many of our VCE students are also completing ASBAs as a component of their part time work outside the school environment, these can be credited to their VCE results.
Apprenticeships and traineeships are seen as viable and achievable post school options, giving our students a wider range of possibilities on leaving our College.
VET – Vocational Education & Training
By undertaking a VET subject, students will:
- Gain a well recognised VET qualification, at either Certificate II or III level
- Gain up to 4 VCE units credit for each VET program
- Gain credit towards the calculation of an ENTER
- Complement theoretical VCE studies with practical work placements
- Develop communication and employment skills
- Gain Industry experience
- Gain confidence
- Enhance career opportunities
Where do you study your VET Subject?
VET subjects are often delivered in partnership between one or more of the following groups, so you attend that location for the delivery of your VET subject:
- Heathmont College
- A TAFE Institute (normally Swinburne, Box Hill or Holmesglen)
- Another secondary school (usually on Wednesday afternoon) in partnership with the Eastland Cluster
Where do VET Subjects lead?
VET subjects can offer a range of pathways to students, including employment, apprenticeships, traineeships, further study at a TAFE Institute and University. As many VET Subjects can now be counted as part of a students best four subjects, a students interest in a more vocational subject can often help them attain a higher ENTER if that is one of their better performing subjects.
VET Subjects offered
A wide range of VET subjects are offered. Some are delivered entirely by Heathmont College, whilst others are delivered jointly between Heathmont College and Swinburne TAFE, by another school in the Eastland Cluster, or by another TAFE Institute. Classes normally operate on Wednesdays. The Eastland cluster is a partnership between 6 colleges in our local area comprising Croydon, Heathmont, Maroondah, Norwood, Parkwood, and Ringwood Secondary Colleges. The cluster offers programs designed to maximise employment opportunities and allow a progressive pathway for students in the later years of schooling.
VCAL – Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning
The College provides a program, which combines a School Based New Apprenticeship with VCAL. This allows students to combine school studies with training in their chosen career pathway.  This program is specifically designed to cater for students who may not access a traditional VCE course and would prefer to combine study with training and employment in industries where they are likely to seek future employment or apprenticeships. In year 10, students may undertake Foundation Certificate VCAL. This certificate is the first of 3 possible levels. Students will be required to attend:
- Heathmont College three days per week
- TAFE for their training (working toward a Foundation Certificate)
- Employment one day per week
To successfully complete the Foundation level of the VCAL Certificate, Students must meet the learning outcomes from 10 units of study. Each unit involves approximately 100 hours of work. A minimum 90% attendance for each class is compulsory. The 10 units of study must include at least one unit of Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills, Personal Development and an Industry specific unit (VET). The remaining unit(s) will include the Certificate 1 in Vocational Preparation. Students follow a three-day timetable completing units in Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development and a Certificate I in Vocational Preparation. To satisfactorily complete the school component, students are required to complete a variety of learning outcomes in each of these areas. To complete the units in the Work Related Skills strand students will be required to gain employment for one day per week during the school year (and holidays if the student comes to an arrangement with their employer).We encourage students to be part of this planning process by seeking out possible work placements during school holidays.All work experience must be approved by the College and include students completing a Structured Work Place Learning form. The VCAL Coordinator for 2008 is Spiro Onisiforou. Should you have any questions regarding your childs progress in VCAL please contact Sprio at the College on 9871 4888.
Spiro Onisiforou – VCAL Coordinator
