Changes to VCAL and VCE
Vocational Specialisation Stream within the VCE to replace the current VCAL and provide a single Secondary Certificate
Victoria is moving to a new integrated senior secondary certificate that will bring together our two senior secondary certificates, the VCE and VCAL.
The introduction of a single senior secondary certificate will offer greater access to quality vocational and applied learning pathways for all students.
From 2023, a vocational specialisation stream within the VCE will replace the existing VCAL at Intermediate and Senior levels to provide access to education and training that is relevant, engaging and that delivers in-demand skills for the future world of work, ensuring that students can access education that leads to employment.
Trinity College has been offering the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) Pathway to senior students since 2003 as an alternative to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) for students who are preparing to enter the Workforce or Further Education on completion of their secondary schooling.
We don’t envision the changes will impact greatly on what we currently offer our students. Next year students will still be able to enrol in either the VCAL or the VCE. The following year, in 2023, students undertaking a VCAL pathway will be automatically enrolled in the new VCE Vocational Specialisation.
The VCE Vocational Specialisation will be recognised internationally, be valued by employers and will only build on the strengths of our current VCAL pathway which provides:
- flexible timetables that allow students to study at school, TAFE and work
- opportunities to experience real-life workplaces
- subjects that will build students skills and prepare them for life after school
- access to high quality VET, either in school, a neighbouring school or a local TAFE
Course selection in 2022
We are supporting all students in their course selections for 2022 and are providing the following advice and information to students considering a VCAL pathway.
If students are studying VCAL in 2022, they will transfer into the VCE Vocational Specialisation with credit for completed VCAL subjects in 2023.
In 2023, students will continue to study Senior VCAL subjects in the new certificate as part of the implementation process. At the end of 2023, these students will be awarded the VCE Vocational Specialisation if they meet the requirements.
This approach provides assurance and clarity to current Year 10 students some of whom will be among the first cohort to receive a VCE Vocational Specialisation certificate in 2023.
The following diagram sets out the senior secondary pathways for students commencing the VCE or VCAL in 2022.
If you would like further information about these changes please contact VCAL Co-ordinator Pam Scott