At School 5-18

Career Planning at School

While young people are at school they should begin to think about and plan for their future. There are many programs offered at school and people to help them with their career planning options. For information about support staff and programs in schools, see:

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Who to talk to at school

The people who can help you and your child with career pathway planning and options at school include:

  • the school’s careers adviser
  • the Managed Individual Pathways coordinator
  • the year level coordinator
  • the student wellbeing coordinator
  • other teachers in your child’s school.

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Managed Individual Pathways

The Managed Individual Pathways (MIPs) program helps government school students 15 years and over through the final years of school and into further education, training, or secure employment. Each student develops an individual Career Action Plan (pathway plan) and receives support to help them achieve their goals. Each school has a MIPs coordinator to assist the student to develop and act on this plan.

MIPs aims to help young people to:

  • develop their knowledge and understanding of education, training and employment options, and
  • develop skills to effectively manage their careers and pathways throughout their lives.

Additional support is provided to students at risk of disengaging or not making a successful transition to further education, training or secure employment.

The program also includes follow-up of early school leavers (those who don’t complete Year 12) at the time of leaving and within six months.

At TAFE institutes and Adult Community Education organisations, young people 15 to 19 years old who have not yet completed Year 12 and who are not in full time employment can participate in programs, which incorporate MIPs support within a training or education program.

For more information, see: Managed Individual Pathways

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Senior secondary certificates

There are three senior secondary certificates accredited by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) for delivery in Victorian schools that can help students prepare for further study, training and entry to the workforce:

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Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs

Students can undertake Vocational Education and Training programs as part of their VCE or VCAL. These VET programs include VET in Schools, School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships and pre-apprenticeships. They are designed to:

  • provide a vocational qualification as well as a senior secondary certificate
  • provide courses that are motivating and engaging for many young people
  • expand opportunities and pathways for senior secondary students
  • link schools to industry and training providers
  • help meet the needs of industry
  • prepare young people for the workplace of the future.

VET in Schools

VET in Schools provides a vocationally oriented program of studies leading to a secondary school certificate: the VCE or the VCAL. It also offers credit towards a nationally recognised VET certificate.

For more information, see: VET in Schools

Pre-apprenticeship programs

Pre-apprenticeship programs provide a pathway to full time apprenticeships in selected industries and are available to senior secondary school students.

For more information, see: Skills Victoria's Pre-apprenticeships

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships

School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships are distinct pathways within Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools that combines part time employment, school and training.

For more information, see: School Based Apprenticeships

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Workplace learning programs

Students can access a variety of workplace learning activities while they are still at school to assist in their development of a realistic understanding of the world of work. These include addressing employer expectations, developing employability skills, exploring possible career options, and activities aimed to increase their self-understanding, maturity, independence and self-confidence. Students can undertake workplace learning through work experience and structured work place learning.

Work experience

Work experience is the short term placement of secondary school students with “host” employers, to provide insights into the industry and the work. Students are placed with employers primarily to observe and learn – not to undertake activities which require extensive training or experience.

For more information, see: Work Experience

Structured workplace learning

Structured workplace learning involves students undertaking structured on the job training during which they are expected to master a designated set of skills and competencies related to VET courses they are undertaking.

For more information, see: Structured Workplace Learning