School Delivered Vocational Education and Training (VET) Courses
Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are offered as part of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or Record of School Achievement (RoSA). VET courses are designed to deliver workplace specific skills and knowledge and cover a wide range of careers and industries. VET courses for secondary students are developed by NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) and are based on national training packages.
VET courses allow students to gain an HSC or RoSA and a national qualification or statement of attainment as part of the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF). These qualifications are widely recognised by industry, employers, tertiary training providers and universities and will assist students to progress to various education and training sectors and employment.
Public Schools NSW RTOs are accredited to deliver and assess VET qualifications to secondary students. It is mandatory for all students studying a VET course to create a Unique Student Identifier (USI) upon enrolment. Students will require a form of identification for the creation of the USI. Examples include a Medicare Card, Australian Birth Certificate, Driver’s License or a valid Passport.
Assessment in all VET courses is competency based. The student is assessed on what they can do (skills) and what they know (knowledge) to equip them in the workplace. Students are either deemed “competent” or “not yet competent” by the teacher. Students who have successfully achieved competency will have the skills and knowledge to complete workplace activities in a range of different situations and environments, to an industry standard expected in the workplace.
Assessment materials are designed to ensure each learner has the opportunity to achieve outcomes to the level of the qualification. Students will receive documentation showing all competencies achieved for the VET course undertaken.
Board Developed Industry Curriculum Framework (ICF) courses usually count for 4 units of HSC credit, including 70 hours of mandatory work placement, and have an optional HSC examination. For a VET course to be included in the calculation for the ATAR, students must sit the HSC Examination.
Board Endorsed Courses (BECs) are courses based on national industry Training Packages endorsed by NESA. They do not count towards the ATAR and there is no HSC examination.
Work Placement
Many VET courses have a mandatory work placement requirement set by NESA. Students will:
- Gain insights into the kind of career they would like to have.
- Make informed decisions about further training and study.
- Become more employable.
- Be better equipped for business and employment opportunities.
There are other VET opportunities including:
Externally delivered Vocational Education and Training (EVET)
Information and courses available are listed here: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/career-and-study-pathways/skills-at-school/external-vet-courses Talk to your school Careers Adviser about how to access EVET.
School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT)
Information about SBATs is available here: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/career-and-study-pathways/school-based-apprenticeships-and-traineeships For further information about how to access an SBAT opportunity please speak with your Careers Adviser.
