Vocational

Student information

Vocational education and training helps Year 11 and Year 12 students in their transition from school to work. It contributes to young people's chances of obtaining employment upon leaving school and offers other benefits. Recognised vocational education and training programs allow school students to reinforce and consolidate general learning in more applied contexts. In this way, recognised VET programs also cater for a broader range of students' learning styles.

VET in schools potentially opens up a range of post-school further education, training and employment possibilities. Many students are able to link their study in a Study Area Specification (SAS) with a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. In this way, students are able to undertake a traineeship or apprenticeship whilst completing Years 11 and 12. In some cases, students finish the traineeships or apprenticeships after completing Year 12. 

Most VET in schools contain units of competency from National Training Packages. Qualifications and statements of attainment for National Training Packages are recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and are recognised Australia-wide by employed and others.

Major objectives of vocational education & training (VET) in schools

The major objectives of VET in Queensland schools include:

  • delivering subjects that have recognised and valued outcomes
  • meeting the curriculum needs and interests of young people and making school learning experiences more relevantto their lives and aspirations
  • enhancing the career and employment opportunities for young people by maximising post-school education, training and employment pathways
  • helping to prepare young people for employment and the world of work more broadly
  • raising the profile of VET within post-compulsory schooling and thereby increasing the likely uptake of more advanced VET programs after secondary school
  • recording student achievement in recognised VET programs on the Senior Certificate as the major record of student achievement in post-compulsory schooling in Queensland
  • continuing the role of the Queensland Board of Senior Secondary School Studies in course development and recognition of VET programs in the post-compulsory school curriculum
  • maximising the efficient and effective use of public resources allocated to these programs
  • contributing to the future skills base of Queenslanders, and enhancing the competitiveness of Queensland business and industry.