FAQ - School Based Traineeship and Apprenticeships

What is VET (Vocational Education & Training) ?

What is a VET course?

Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs team up with industry and government to offer people workplace skills and technical knowledge that can advance their careers and help them prepare for the future. Unlike traditional tertiary programs, VET courses provide students with practical, occupation-based qualifications that lead directly to job opportunities in their field of choice. To complete a course, you simply enrol through a VET provider. There are no semesters like in a traditional university course; instead, courses are divided into learning modules and assessments, and can be completed any time before your course expiry date. The VET sector has been an important part of the Australian economy and education system for over a hundred years. Millions of Australians have completed their training and achieved their career ambitions through the VET system. Students want to learn online for the flexibility, educational excellence, lifestyle freedom, and thousands of free educational resources that come along with enrolment in a program.

What to Expect from a VET Course?

Vocational education and training (VET) enable students to acquire workplace skills through nationally recognised training described within an industry-developed training package or an accredited course. The achievement of a VET qualification signifies that a student has demonstrated competency against the skills and knowledge required to perform effectively in the workplace. VET delivered to secondary students is regulated by the VET sector, and is identical to VET offered in any other context. VET provides secondary students with a nationally recognised VET qualification or credit towards a nationally recognised qualification within the Australian Qualifications Framework. The training that students receive reflects specific industry competency standards and is delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). A number of schools across Australia also operate as Registered Training Organisations or deliver VET in partnership with RTO’s.

What qualifications can I get?

While completing your VET education, you may choose to earn a • Certificate I-IV (career outcome: competent operator or supervisor), • Diploma (career outcome: para professional), • Advanced Diploma (career outcome: junior manager). Once you complete your course, you’ll receive a document certifying that you are an official qualification holder. You’ll also receive an academic transcript and student assessment record, which you can use for future university or job applications as needed. You can always re-enter the VET system and take additional courses to hone your skills or obtain further qualifications in the future.

Are VET courses on campus or online?

• You can do both online and on campus. Many providers offer online courses or a combination of online and oncampus courses. Even if you live in a rural or remote part of the country, you can still find access to degree programs in your area of interest. Some VET providers even have campuses in rural regions to make it easier for more students to access their services. • Imagine studying on your lunch break or commute back home from work. That’s the beauty of online courses offered through the VET system. You can be anywhere, any time and access your course materials while studying at your own pace. • Some programs involve a work placement that requires you to be on site at a place of employment, but you’ll need to contact your VET provider to be sure of the details in your region.

Can you undertake VET at school?

As part of your school studies you can undertake VET at school. There is two ways a VET course delivered: • As part of your school studies - delivered and resourced by a school registered training organisation. • By enrolling in a qualification with an external registered training organisation - funded either by the

Department of Employment, Small Business and Training's VET investment budget or through fee-for-service arrangements i.e. where the student or parent pays for the qualification. • As a school-based apprentice or trainee.