Senior Secondary School Reform

VCAL Information Night

Thank you to the Year 10 parents and students who attending the online information session about VCAL on Thursday night.  We trust you found the information useful in working out whether or not VCAL is the right Pathway for Year 11 and 12.

In the information session we mentioned that there would be some changes to the certificate over the next two years.  The information below is provided by VCAA to explain these changes to parents.  Please note, I have removed information about Foundation VCAL as at this stage Wantirna College does not offer Foundation VCAL. 

Catherine Ford

Assistant Principal:  Later Years

Upcoming Changes from VCAA

Victoria is transforming the delivery of senior secondary education with the introduction of a single senior secondary certificate that will offer greater access to quality vocational and applied learning pathways for all students. The senior secondary education reforms aim 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.

Next year students will still be able to enrol in either the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) or the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). The following year, in 2023, VCAL students will be enrolled in the new VCE Vocational Specialisation. 

The VCE Vocational Specialisation will be recognised internationally, be valued by employers and will build on the strengths of VCAL including providing:

• 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.
• Greater access to high quality VET learning, either in school, a neighboring school or a local TAFE.

The new certificates are part of a suite of 38 reforms recommended in the Review into Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways in Senior Secondary Schooling (the Firth Review) to lift the quality and perception of vocational education and help more students access high-quality applied learning programs.

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 image below sets out the senior secondary pathways for students commencing the VCE or VCAL in 2022.

* Note: Wantirna College does not currently offer Foundation VCAL.

Note:  Students can also move between certificates

If you would like to talk further about these changes please contact, Ms King kik@wantirnacollege.vic.edu.au .