Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

Larry Jackson

Victorian Certificate in Applied Learning (VCAL - Koorie)

“VCAL prepares you for future study, it gives you a different aspect of what life is all about, it helps you achieve your dreams.”

It wasn’t all that long ago that Larry was wondering around Wollongong with little to do. He had left secondary school in year 10, but found it difficult to get a job. He decided to move to rural Victoria as he liked the country.

Arriving at Shepparton, Larry came into contact with a youth worker who introduced him to VCAL. “It’s really interesting, challenging sometimes, but good. I really like the way that the GOTAFE teachers treat you like an adult. They are easy to get along with and can have a good laugh.”

VCAL is a hands on alternative to VCE and has been introduced to improve the pathways for young people from secondary school to work and/or further education and training. VCAL is comprised of literacy and numeracy, work-related skills, industry-specific skills and personal development. It has a hands on, practical approach where learning in not just classroom based, and provides the opportunity to study such areas as Sport and Recreation, Agriculture/Horticulture/Equine, Food Processing, Multimedia, Retail, Hospitality, Trades and Office Administration. The Koorie VCAL includes cultural studies with experienced Koorie tutors, as part of the personal development stream.

Larry wants to do youth work as he describes himself as a good listener who is able to relate to troubled young people as he has been in a similar situation. “It is through completing VCAL that I will be able to go onto do further study in youth work. The country provides me with a more stable environment to learn and I hope to do the youth work course at GOTAFE once I have finished VCAL.”

"My study gave me a new direction. I can't help myself, I tell everyone I see that there is so much to learn, discover and experience by studying at TAFE. The world opens up."

For further information please contact the GOTAFE Client Service Cente on 1300 GOTAFE (1300 468 233)

Page updated on April 20, 2009 15:40
Authorised by: J O'Brien