VCE - Victorian Certificate of Education

Overview

Course start dates are indicative and are subject to change. Students will receive information from their teacher upon enrolment including a confirmed start date and timetable. If applicable, students will also receive information about a course induction and directions on where to go on the first day.

Introduction

The Victorian Certificate of Education - Vocational Major (VCE 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.

Careers & study pathways

Where can this course take me?

Successful completion of VCE-VM prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, or directly into the workforce.

Further study

Successful completion of VCE-VM provides students with a Year 12 certificate, preparing students to move into further education and training, or university (via non-ATAR pathways).

Course details

Upcoming dates and times

Attendance & commitment

General public face-to-face delivery | 2 years course length | Full-time study load

Students are expected to:

• Attend face-to-face classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 9am - 3pm. 80% attendance is required

180 nominal VET hours is mandatory. Delivery is every Wednesday through participation in VDSS units/programs offered by GOTAFE, or by undertaking a School-Based Apprenticeship Traineeship program.

It is recommended that students participate in work experience activities for 2 weeks or Structured Workplace Learning to enhance their learnt Work Related Skills.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods may include:

• Coursework portfolio
• Community project
• Oral presentation
• Group project work
• Individual research

Study units

Take a look at some of the subjects you’ll be studying when you take this course.

This course requires a total of 16 core units.

Before you begin

Entry requirements

GOTAFE entry requirements

Before being accepted into this course applicants must:

• Have completed Year 10.
• Be 16 years old by 30 April in the year of application.
• Be 16 years old at the commencement of the certificate.

Eligibility is restricted to students aged 16–18 years. Students must be no older than 19 years at the time of certificate completion.

Students who are 18 years old at enrolment may only enrol if:

• They are completing a Units 3 and 4 sequence within one academic year, and
• They provide a special provision letter from the Department of Education if they will turn 19 before the end of that year.

All applicants must provide an approved exemption from school form before enrolment.

To meet VCE-VM VET CREDIT and hours requirements, students must complete 180hrs VET VDSS units offered by GOTAFE, and SBAT.

Selection Interview

Selection interviews are essential in determining eligibility for the VCE-VM program to ensure that this qualification is the most appropriate course for the student's individual needs and goals. A time will be booked with the Career Counsellor, Lead Educator and Teacher at the applicant's chosen campus.

Students under the age of 18 are required to bring a parent/guardian to the interview with them.

Applicants will need to complete a Literacy and Numeracy written activity as part of the interview.

The interview includes the review and discussion of the following:

• A Literacy and Numeracy written activity.
• Career goals and aspirations.
• Prior Learning experiences.
• Course requirements and participant commitments.
• Eligibility and academic requirements.
• Course and industry information.

The student MUST bring the following to the interview:

• Exit letter from school.
• Individual learning plan from previous school.
• Most recent school reports, medical/health care plan, if applicable.
• VSN and USI numbers.

If your application is successful, you will receive a 'Welcome to GOTAFE' email.

Student resources

Students must have:

• Students are encouraged to bring their own device, GOTAFE will supply a computer if required for class use only.
• General stationery (Pens, pencils, rulers)

Enrolment

How to Apply

1. Explore – Review the course details to check the fit for your goals. Our team is here from 8:30 – 5pm Monday to Friday on 1300 468 233 if you’d like to talk it through.
2. Prepare – Gather any documents you may need, like photo ID, concession or eligibility evidence, residency or visa details, prior study or credit evidence, or your USI (we can help you find or create this).
3. Apply – Click Apply Now and complete your application – its quick and easy.
4. Skills Check – Some courses include a language and numeracy evaluation so we can tailor the right support before you start.
5. Offer – We’ll review your application, contact you if we require anything else, and send you an offer. To secure your place, accept your offer.
6. Welcome to GOTAFE – We’ll finalise your enrolment and share everything you need to feel ready. You may be asked to attend an online or in person induction session where we’ll outline the support available to you from day one.

Skills recognition / Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Skills Recognition is an assessment only process that may result in credits towards a part or full qualification. There is no formal training involved, although you may choose to complete further training as a result of the assessment process.

You can apply for Skills Recognition before you enrol in the qualification you are seeking. You can apply for Skills Recognition through one or both of the following processes:

• Credit Transfer for formal training that might be equivalent to a new qualification or partial qualification.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people who have relevant and current skills and knowledge that they have gained through non-formal or informal learning i.e. work or life experience.

Fees and payments

Fees and costs

GOTAFE offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.

Student support

As an enrolled student at GOTAFE you may access a wide range of academic support services to assist you to meet the academic challenges of your course from our Learning Support Unit.

Learning support

A free and confidential service to help you build the foundation skills you need to be successful at TAFE. Improve your English language, maths and/or writing skills; enhance your computer, exam and study skills.

Learn more about our learning support services

Library

Our library team are passionate about supporting students to achieve their study goals. They have subject guides, referencing help, and online resources to assist you with you assessments.

Find how to reach out to our library in Shepparton

Jobs and study options

Our Skills and Jobs Centres can assist and talk through options for courses, careers, assistance with job applications and more.

Reach out to our Skills and Jobs Centres

Contingent Study Arrangements

Where a situation arises that prevents campus attendance (such as COVID restrictions, natural disasters, etc.) and it is deemed an appropriate response in protecting the health and safety of staff, students, and visitors, this course will adapt to alternative training arrangements, possibly using online methods of teaching and/or communication while students engage from home with their Trainers. Any required practical components of the course will be moved to a more appropriate time.

Whether you need support with time management, your mental health, grief and loss, a diagnosed disability, financial hardship, or any other challenge life throws your way, we are here to help.

Support for personal issues

We have a dedicated team to ensure students have the help they need with personal issues impacting studies such as homelessness, family problems & setting up payment plans.

Find out how the Student Experience Team can help you

Disability support

Get access to the supports and adjustments you need for your disability or medical condition to be successful in your studies.

Seek support from our Equitable Learning Advisors

Counselling services

We offer free counselling services to help you work through life's challenges including grief and loss, mental health or relationships.

Learn about our Student Wellbeing Advisors

Koorie Unit

The Koorie Unit is a culturally safe space on our Shepparton Fryers Street Campus for all Koorie students enrolled and studying through GOTAFE, or with one of our education partnering organisations.

Learn how the Koorie Unit can support your studies

Refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding Learner’s Rights Student Handbook.

Further information is provided at course induction.