The VCAL Has Landed! The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning was launched at De La Salle in 2004. This new senior secondary certificate for students in Years 11 an 12 is the ‘hands-on’ option for Victorian school students who, on completion of their school studies, can pursue apprenticeships, traineeships, further studies at TAFE or work. The implementation of VCAL is creating new, engaging possibilities for De La Salle students, including school-based apprenticeships and structured workplace learning. VET students David Smith and Arthur VCAL has three levels: Foundation, Ponte at Holmesglen where they are Intermediate and Senior. Within these levels, studying Certificate 2 in Hospitality students complete units that fit the strands of and Operations Literacy and Numeracy Skills, Work Related Skills, Industry Specific Skills and Personal Development Skills. De La Salle offers Intermediate VCAL in Year 11 and from 2005 will also offer Senior VCAL in Year 12. All VCAL students undertake a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course. This training provides the student with a nationally accredited certificate in a specific industry. A wide variety of VET courses are available for VCAL students and the accessibility to these for De La Salle students is expanding. VET programmes allow students to experience learning about and working in an industry while they are at school which may help articuVCAL student Mitchell Lomas at late a pathway towards a career in that industry. Holmesglen TAFE, where he is The flexibility of a VCAL programme ensures that completing Certificate 2 in each student’s individual needs are catered for. Fabrication and Welding Consequently, students are able to maintain motivation and enthusiasm for their course of study. The expansion of VET offerings and the incorporation of school-based new apprenticeships is nurturing partnerships between De La Salle and important stakeholders in the wider community. The success of these partnerships and the growing attention that VCAL is attracting suggests that the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning is one important step for De La Salle and one giant leap forward for education. Mr Paul Fairlie VCAL Coordinator
Careers Expo
The Careers Expo held at the College was an outstanding success, attended by hundreds of students from Years 9-12 and their parents. All major Universities were represented, along with several TAFE Colleges, Independent Tertiary Colleges, and a large number of industry representatives. Most importantly, many Old Collegians, either studying or working, gave up their time to attend and provide the current students with information on their particular field of expertise. They showed a great sense of camaraderie and willingness to be involved. This is testimony, I believe, to their time at De La Salle College and I am very much in their debt for the contribution they made to the enormous success of the evening. In general, the night exemplifies the good will of the College, fostered in particular by Br Tim, because the whole community works together for the benefit of students, both now and in the future. Sue Taylor Careers Counsellor
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