Year 9 students from Secondary Schools throughout South Gippsland and Wonthaggi are currently participating in a series of “virtual” vocational training “expos” to assist them in making decisions about their future educational choices.
Over 650 students will get an opportunity to see and hear about training opportunities at TAFE Gippsland, AGA Apprenticeships Plus and Community College Gippsland that are available as VET programs delivered in secondary schools. Presentations are being video conferenced into schools which include informative films and useful course information.
SGBCLLEN staff member, Monti Voigt said:
“Over the next couple of months current Year 9 students will be making important decisions about their future educational pathways. The Virtual VET Open Day provides information about the various vocational choices that students have available, and may wish to take up, as part of their senior secondary programs. We encourage students, and their parents, to carefully consider their options because students can complete a nationally recognised qualification in Years 10 and 11 and still complete their VCE. Students and parents can visit our VET webpage at: sgbcllen.org.au/programs/vet/ to get all the information they need to help them make these important decisions.”
“In South Gippsland and the Bass Coast only 30% of students that complete Year 12 go on to University. We must provide opportunities for all students to find a satisfying, career path that offers plenty of local employment opportunities. Vocational graduates earn wages comparable to, if not exceeding, that of university graduates. The median income of a VET graduate is $56,000. The median graduate salary for students completing a degree is $54,000.”
The Virtual VET Open Days have been coordinated by the SGBCLLEN in partnership with local training organisations and secondary schools in Bass Coast and South Gippsland. The various programs on offer were developed after consultation with local industry and offer training opportunities in jobs that have the highest prospects of future employment in this region.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) allows students to include vocational studies within their senior secondary education. Students undertake nationally recognised qualifications that contribute to their VCE or VCAL.
SGBCLLEN Executive Officer, Wendy Major, said:
“We engaged a local film maker to capture vision of some of our local students at their training facilities. The event showcases the range of excellent facilities and opportunities that have been developed for vocational training in South Gippsland and Bass Coast. The programs on offer provide opportunities for placements in structured workplace learning and develop skills that equip students for the workforce and further study. ”