VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) is a two-year vocational and applied learning program within the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). It focuses on providing students with skills and knowledge for further education, work, and life, particularly preparing them for apprenticeships, traineeships, TAFE, or direct entry into the workforce.
Placements in Work-Related Skills
VCE Vocational Major Work-Related Skills (WRS) examines a range of skills, knowledge and capabilities relevant to achieving individual career and educational goals. Students will develop a broad understanding of workplace environments and the future of work and education, in order to engage in theoretical and practical planning and decision-making for a successful transition to their desired pathway.
The study considers four key areas: the future of work; workplace skills and capabilities; industrial relations and the workplace environment and practice; and the development of a personal portfolio.
Students will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained from this study in the classroom environment and through Structured Workplace Learning (SWL).
Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) must constitute a minimum of 20 hours in each of Units 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Appropriate Placement Settings:
- in a private enterprise or public sector workplace
- in community-based workplaces
- through part-time or casual work out of school hours
- through on-the-job training as part of a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship.
What is structured Workplace Learning?
Structured Workplace Learning offers students a chance to gain practical experience while they learn. It’s a way to:
- Combine hands-on experience at real workplaces with their VET studies. These VET courses are part of their VCE or VCE Vocational Major.
- Take part in work placements that match their applied learning program within the VCE Vocational Major.
- Show how they use their job-related skills as part of their VCE Industry and Enterprise studies.
By joining Structured Workplace Learning, students can:
- Improve their skills.
- Put what they’ve learned in class to real use.
- Get assessed on the things they’ve learned.
- Achieve certain learning goals.
- Open doors to better job opportunities.
Structured Workplace Learning Arrangement Form
This Structured workplace learning arrangement form (PDF) must be completed and signed before the structured workplace learning commences. It must be signed by:
- the employer
- the student
- the parent/guardian of the student – if the student is under 18 years of age
- the principal or acting principal – this authority cannot be delegated to an assistant principal or other member of staff.
The principal must ensure a copy of the signed arrangement form is provided to each party. The principal should retain the original copy.
Variations or amendments to the arrangement form may only be made in writing and must be signed by the employer, student, parent/guardian (if the student is under 18 years of age) and the principal.
Work Experience Travel and Accomodation Form
The Work experience travel and accommodation form (PDF) must be used:
- if it is proposed that the student may need to undertake vehicle travel with their employer and/or supervisor during the arrangement, including travel to or from the workplace
- if the student is required to stay in accommodation other than their normal place of residence while undertaking work experience.
This form must be signed:
- for travel – by both the employer and the parent/guardian, or the student if they are aged 18 years or over
- for accommodation – by the parent/guardian, or the student if they are aged 18 years or over.
Exams in the VCE Vocational Major
Students will be expected to complete internal exams (end of Unit 1/2, Year 10/11 exams) for:
- VCE VM Literacy
- VCE VM Numeracy
NOTE: These exams are online using the program BKSB (Basic Key Skill Builder), which students are familiar with as they use it during class time.
Students will also be expected to complete a mock interview during the internal exam period (end of Unit 1/2, Year 10/11 exams).
VCE VM Work-Related Skills
The following subjects do not have any external exams (end of Unit 3/4, Year 12 exams):
- VCE VM Literacy
- VCE VM Numeracy
- VCE VM Work-Related Skills
- VCE VM Personal Development Skills
The only external exam required of all VCE VM students is the General Achievement Test.
This is for students studying a Unit 3/4 subject (Year 12 equivalent). The exam is held in June each year.
For more information please see: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/general-achievement-test/general-achievement-test
Some VCE VM students may be required to sit external exams for their VCE or VCE VET electives.
Eg. Unit 3/4 Hospitality (Cookery) has an exam at the end of the year.