VCE VOCATIONAL MAJOR (VCE VM)

VCE VM | VOCATIONAL MAJOR

Overview

The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a new two year vocational and applied learning program within the VCE that prepares students to transition into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, and university (via non-ATAR pathways).

The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values, and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners, and confident and creative individuals. They are empowered to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through real life workplace experiences. The VCE VM gives students in-demand and transferable skills needed for the future world of work.

There is no external assessment for Unit 3& 4 VCE VM subjects Literacy, PDS and WRS. Students studying other VCE subjects can choose to do these either scored or unscored. Students enrolled in the VCE VM do not receive an ATAR.

Completing the VCE VM requirements means that students have also completed the requirements of the VCE.

Most students will undertake 20 units of study over the two years for the VCE VM.

Satisfactory Completion of VCE VM

To be eligible to receive the VCE VM, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 16 units, including:

• 3 VCE VM Literacy or VCE English units (including a VCE unit 3–4 sequence)

• 2 VCE Mathematics units

• 2 VCE VM Work Related Skills units

• 2 VCE VM Personal Development Skills units, and

• 2 VET credits at Certificate II level or above (180 nominal hours)

Students must complete a minimum of four VCE unit 3–4 sequences as part of their program.

Fees

VCE VM students also qualify for a College tuition fee subsidy in respect of time based off campus for work placement and vocational training.

The VCE VM has four unique study areas:

• VCE VM Literacy enables the development of knowledge, skills, and capabilities relevant to reading, writing and oral communication and their practical application in the contexts of everyday life, family, employment, further learning, and community. Please see page 15 for more information.

• VCE VM Numeracy enables students to develop their everyday numeracy practices to make sense of their personal, public, and future vocational lives. Students develop foundational mathematical skills with consideration of their personal, home, vocational and community environments and contexts, and an awareness and use of accessible and appropriate technologies. Please see page 20 for more information.

• VCE VM Work Related Skills (WRS) enables the development of knowledge, skills, and personal attributes relevant to further education and employment. The study also provides practical, authentic opportunities for students to develop employability skills. Please see page 11 for more information.

• VCE VM Personal Development Skills (PDS) focuses on understanding and caring for self, and then engagement with community. Please see page 10 for more information.

Each VCE VM study has two or four units. Each VCE VM unit of study has modules with specified learning goals. A VCE VM unit can only be satisfactorily completed once all modules within that unit have been completed.

Students are assessed through a range of activities and reported as S (Satisfactory) or N (Not Yet Complete).

The VCE VM can be tailored to the needs and interests of the student, to keep them engaged while developing their skills and knowledge. Over the two VCE years students can substitute VCE VM subjects with other VCE subjects, VET and/or School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT) providing the minimum requirements for the pathway are met. Students can receive structured workplace learning recognition through structured work placement (SWL) supported by their VET course.

Please note: Estimated cost of $300 with a time impact of three days, for overnight camp experiences within this program. Charged to fee account.