VCAL - Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning
The VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) is a hands-on option for Years 11 and 12 students, offering practical work-related experience and learning. Like the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education), VCAL is an accredited secondary certificate.
Students who do the VCAL are likely to be interested in going on to training at TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutes, doing an apprenticeship or traineeship, or getting a job after finishing school.
In 2006, more than 12,400 students in 402 learning centres studied for the VCAL.
The program may be started in Year 11 or 12 and is also available at TAFE institutes and a number of Adult and Community Education centres.
Students can do an apprenticeship or traineeship part-time while at school doing the VCAL. For more information, see: School Based Apprenticeships (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vet/programs/newapprent.html)
Students who start their VCAL and then decide they would like to complete their VCE, are able to transfer between certificates. Any VCE studies successfully completed as part of the VCAL program will count towards the VCE. Intermediate and Senior VCAL units also contribute to the VCE.
Choosing VCAL studies
Fully accredited modules and units are selected for the following four compulsory strands:
- Literacy and Numeracy Skills: Your VCAL program must include literacy and numeracy subjects. These can be selected from VCAL Literacy Skills units and VCAL Numeracy Skills units and/or VCE English and mathematics units or other further education studies.
- Industry Specific Skills: Your VCAL program at the Intermediate and Senior level must include components of nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) programs. You may also take on a school based apprenticeship as part of your VCAL program.
- Work Related Skills: Units in Work Related Skills develop the skills that make you employable. VCAL gives you the opportunity of undertaking a structured work placement: a school based apprenticeship or part-time work, as part of a VCAL program.
- Personal Development Skills: As part of your VCAL program you will take part in projects and activities in your community or school to help develop your teamwork skills, self-confidence and other skills important for life and work.
Students start the VCAL at one of three levels that best matches their needs and abilities - Foundation, Intermediate or Senior. Many VCAL students complete the program in one year.
Options after VCAL
The VCAL gives you practical work-related experience and a qualification that will be recognised by TAFE institutes and employers. Together these will help you move from school into work, an apprenticeship or traineeship and/or further training at TAFE.
Alternatively, if you start studying for your VCAL at Foundation level in Year 11 and successfully complete it, you may consider going on to complete either the Intermediate or Senior level of the VCAL in Year 12. Or you might reconsider your options and decide university it the right choice for you after all, and transfer to the VCE.
VCAL assessment and results
The VCAL is made up of accredited courses/certificates. Your VCAL program is assessed by your teacher in accordance with the assessment requirements for each part of the program.
If you successfully complete your learning program you will receive a VCAL Certificate for either Foundation, Intermediate or Senior level, depending on the VCAL level you chose to complete. You will also get a Statement of Results, listing all VCE and VCAL units successfully completed as part of your VCAL course, and a Statement of Attainment for VET or further education courses. These list all units and modules you have successfully completed as part of your VCAL program.
How to get started
Your school can help you get started. Schools hold information sessions for students and parents and provide specific advice to ensure students are on the right program.
Website resources include:
- VCAL - Frequently Asked Questions by students and parents (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vcal/students/studentfaq.html)
- Where to Now? Guide to the VCE, VCAL and Apprenticeships and Traineeships (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/publications/WhereToNow/wheretonowfrontpage.htm)
- VCAL - Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning - the hands-on option for Year 11 and 12 students (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vcal/index.html
- School and Study Search (http://schlprv.vcaa.vic.edu.au/schoolsstudiessearch/) - list of studies by school, based on a school’s intention to offer particular studies.
More information
For more information, you can contact the school, see: Schools Online (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline) or Region