VCAL

The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning is an engaging senior secondary qualification. The qualification aims to provide the skills, knowledge and attributes to enable students to make informed choices about employment and education pathways. Personal development, students’ interests and pathways for senior secondary students, in the context of applied learning, underpin the design of VCAL.

The VCAL certificate at Intermediate and Senior level recognises completion of a senior secondary qualification and primarily prepares students for further studies at the next VCAL level, in Further Vocational Education and Training and/or employment.

Here at St Bede’s College we aim as a school to provide many varied opportunities to prepare our students for their ‘Next Step’ in life; equipping them with the skills necessary to be well informed citizens of the world. The day to day program has three days of work at school covering the required evidence for Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development.  Students then attend TAFE, undergoing the studies in their chosen VET and the final day is dedicated to honing their skills learnt in a Structured Work Learning environment with an employer aligning with their VET. 

The students over the two years in VCAL have had a wide variety of experiences that help shape their reediness for further study or work; 

• Senior VCAL leadership Programs
• The TRAG (Teenage Road Accident Group)
• Electoral How to Vote Unit
• Disability Sport Victoria
• Resource Management Mentone and Parkdale Beaches
• Food Handlers & RSA Course and
• Gamblers Awareness program all provide relevance to the world we live in
• Food Security Network Volunteer Garden program
• Construction Induction Card Training
• First Aid Level 2 Certification
• Parkdale Bowls Club Community Engagement Program
• Bass Coast land care network Volunteer Program
• Water Wise Unit in Personal Development Skills
• Self Defence & Awareness program

The year so far has been a rewarding one for all involved, we as a staff have that strived to create an environment that helps encourage students with all varied capacities to do their best. Creating an environment that encourages such a fact helps set the standard and culture required for the experiences ahead. 

Gerard Jackson

VCAL Senior & SWL Coordinator