New secondary school certificates will combine the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) from next year, according to the state government.
The Victorian Budget 2022/23 will grant $277.5 million to reform the secondary school system in Victoria, including in Brimbank, and acknowledges the increased demand for careers in trades and services.
From 2023, the new VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate will replace VCAL, allowing students to partake in further study, training at TAFE or employment opportunities as soon as they leave school.
An investment of $120.2 million will help schools introduce the new certificates and provide every student access to a core offering of 12 different Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways.
Education Minister James Merlino said the change reflected the changing times.
“Victoria’s a different place to what it was when VCE and VCAL started,” he said.
“For many students, getting industry experience and combining an apprenticeship with school is the best way to set them up for the good, decent jobs they want to do.
“Study towards the important jobs that build and care for our state has the same value as any other education after school – and more young Victorians than ever before are pursuing careers in booming trades and services.”
The pathways will focus on health, community services, early childhood education, building and construction, digital and media technologies, hospitality, and engineering, meaning students will have access to training and skills for growing industries.
Additional pathways will be available in automotive, agriculture and environment, hair and beauty, creative industries, sport and recreation, and business.
