VET (Vocational Education and Training) is a form of applied learning which provides students with the workplace skills and knowledge required to work in specific industries.

VET programs are developed in consultation with industry and offer a nationally recognised qualification.

VET is connected heavily to a student’s Victorian Pathway’s Certificate (VPC) progression. In 2023 VPC replaced the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). Over the last 12 months, VCAL/VPC has become embedded as the overall curriculum for Senior School students who are in either the SPLC1 or SPLC2 learning sector of the school.

Traditionally, Certificate II VET courses are studied over a two-year window which compliments students who are also studying a VPC certificate. We have been able to introduce selected Cert I certificates to students which also supports students VPC.

VET courses currently on offer at the FARM campus

Certificate I Life Skills

This is a great course directed to students that want to learn how to take care of themselves, whether it be learning to apply self-care skills in a home situation or to learn skills in a specific area such as Horticulture, Administration or Hospitality. VET trainers get to select from the scope the core and elective units best applicable to students.

Certificate II Sport & Recreation

This course develops basic functional knowledge and skills for working in customer contact positions in the sport or community recreation industry. It also teaches a range of administrative activities and functions, both within a team and as an individual working under supervision.

Certificate II Cookery & Certificate 1 Hospitality

In the Cert II Cookery qualification students will learn basic food preparation and cookery skills, which in over a period of time they will be able to perform under direct supervision. The Certificate I in Hospitality allows students to learn the same skills however the course work is heavily reduced to a small number of Units of Competency.

Certificate II Music

Certificate II in Music is an entry level course for those looking to explore career options in the music industry. In this course learners will gain a strong foundation in music essentials including performing, staging and recording.

Certificate II Retail & Certificate I Retail

Certificate II in Retail prepares learners for work in the basic customer service industry. Over a potential 24-month duration, students will learn how to help customers with products, setup merchandise displays, and carry out financial transactions. The Certificate I in Retail allows students to learn the same skills but the course work is heavily reduced to a small number of Units of Competency.

Certificate II Visual Arts

The Certificate II in Visual Arts allows participants to develop the basic creative and technical skills that underpin a wide variety of visual arts practices.

Certificate II Horticulture

This certificate II in Horticulture studies is delivered through an external provider (South West TAFE) and is completed in 1 year. This course focuses on basic garden and land maintenance. As part of this course students complete a School Based Apprenticeship which allows them a work placement day 1 day per week.
Since 2020, the Senior School have had over 150 students who have undertaken various VET courses, both onsite at school taught by our experienced VET Trainers or attended offsite locations through a variety of training providers. It is important to note that through these offsite VET courses, there is limited school support as students often do these courses independently.

Some of these courses include:

• Animal Studies
• Automotive
• Building & Construction
• Retail Cosmetics and Salon Assistance
• Dance
• Early Childhood Education & Care

Each year enrolment and course information is passed on through the Highlands LLEN VET cluster to the BSS community. This is traditionally done through an annual information session.