VET Pathways
Vocational Education and Training (better known as VET), is a national system of industry-specific training designed to allow students to develop the skills to work in particular roles across a diverse range of industries.
At Grace, students can integrate work experience, university study, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) and/or Vocational Education and Training (VET), into their senior studies. Grace offers several vocational qualifications as school subjects that form part of the students’ timetables. Other qualifications are delivered off campus one day a week, at TAFE or with a private provider. Alternatively, some students prefer to study vocational qualifications on-line in private study lessons, so that they don’t miss any of their other classes.
Vocational qualifications studied at school, can lead to higher levels of vocational training, tertiary study or may assist students to gain a traineeship or apprenticeship. Engaging in work experience is a valuable way for students to explore career options, or perhaps to secure a traineeship, apprenticeship or casual employment. Vocational qualifications will also accrue points towards the Queensland Certificate of Education. (QCE)
Thanks to Federal Government funding, Grace Lutheran College has a Trades Skills Centre at the Rothwell campus to help address local skills shortages in the trades of cabinetmaking; carpentry; general construction; engineering and metal fabrication. This facility allows students to learn a trade and gain qualifications while completing their high school studies.
Why choose a VET Pathway?
There are many reasons to choose a VET pathway at Grace Lutheran College, including:
- Direct entry into a trade (eg plumbing, hairdressing)
- Alternative to academic pathway at school
- More hands-on practical style of learning
- Opportunity to focus on areas of interest (eg. Animal studies)
- Industry-recognised training valued in recruitment
- Credit towards an apprenticeship or further vocational/tertiary study.
- Alternative entry into tertiary study (via selection rank)
SCHOOL BASED APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINEESHIPS (SATs)
Students may choose to complete a school-based traineeship or commence a school-based apprenticeship in Years 10, 11 or 12. SATs provide paid employment; on-the-job training and practical experience; as well as completion of nationally-recognised qualifications.
Students completing a SAT are employed a minimum of 7.5 hours per week, which may mean a school day in the workplace or may include after-hours, weekend or holiday work. The selected training provider covers the theory, and the practical component of the qualification is undertaken in the workplace. Our students find the benefits of a SAT include:
- An early start on a career path in an industry of their choice
- Earning money while learning
- Points towards QCE
- Valuable industry experience
There are a wide variety of courses and apprenticeships available. Please follow the links below for more information:
A VET pathway offers:
- Credits towards a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). For example, a Certificate II equates to 4 QCE credits
- Nationally recognised qualifications and trades
- The ability to get into University with a Certificate III or higher, as vocational qualifications can be converted to a selection rank equivalent to an ATAR.
VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OFFERED ON CAMPUS
MUSIC
Through a partnership with the College of Sound & Music Production, Certificate III in Music (CUA30920) is offered on the Rothwell Campus, as an alternative to studying an elective in Years 10 – 12.
VISUAL ARTS
Certificate II Visual Arts (CUA20720) and Certificate III Visual Arts (CUA31120) are offered as timetabled Year 11/12 subjects on the Rothwell campus.
FOUNDATION SKILLS
Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways (FSK20119) is offered from Year 10 as a timetabled elective.
TRADE
Through our partnership with TAFE Qld we offer Certificate II in Furniture Making (MSF20522) and Certificate II Engineering Pathways (MEM20422) in our Trades Skills Centre on the Rothwell campus. These qualifications are offered as timetabled electives from Year 11.
HEALTH
Through our partnership with Mater Education, Certificate II Health Support Services (HLT23221) and Certificate III Health Services Assistance (HLT33115) are offered as an alternative to studying an elective in Years 10 – 12. Mater Education have provided hospital beds and equipment, so that our students have a simulated hospital ward to develop their nursing skills.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Grace Lutheran College provides students from Year 10 – 12 with two opportunities to undertake a placement in the industry of their choice. Students discuss these options in their Career Guidance appointments in the Pathways Centre.
