VET

MYTHS ABOUT VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (VET)

Myth 1: University graduates earn more than VET graduates.

Fact: University and VET both offer a wide range of qualifications that lead to a wide range of salaries. The salary you earn is a result of your qualification and what you do with it – not where you get it.

To put this into perspective, the highest average starting salary for a university graduate is $78,300 (Dentistry) (The Social Research Centre 2018). The highest average starting salary for a VET graduate is $91,000 (Certificate IV in Hazardous areas – Electrical) (myskills 2018).

Myth 2: There are fewer job opportunities for VET graduates.

Fact: More than half of all new jobs projected to be created by 2022 will be achievable with a VET qualification.

57% of new jobs projected by 2022 will be achievable with a VET qualification (Labour Market Information Portal 2017).

Myth 3: VET is only for VCAL students.

Fact: VET is for VCE and VCAL students.

VET can provide credit towards the VCE and VCAL. It is important to choose studies that complement your pathway.

Myth 4: You cannot go to university if you do VET at school. 

Fact: You can still go to university if you do VET at school.

If you are a VCE student, VET can be used in the calculation of your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). If you do not achieve the ATAR you need, or if you are a VCAL student, undertaking a VET qualification may give you an alternative pathway to university.

Myth 5: VET courses delivered to secondary students are not the same as VET courses delivered to everyone else. 

Fact: VET courses delivered to secondary students are identical to VET courses delivered to everyone else.

VET has national standards. The same standards apply to everyone undertaking a qualification.