Vocational Education and Training courses
Vocational Education and Training (VET) forms a significant component of the curriculum at Western Access Program. Currently, we have over 98% of our student body undertaking studies in one or more VET framework courses. These courses provide students with the opportunity to gain practical work skills and knowledge as well as vocational qualifications as part of their senior school studies.
All VET courses count towards completion of either year 11 and/or year 12. Students taking these courses are assessed as either competent or not yet competent in their knowledge and work skills against standards set by the related industry.
VET courses are structured differently to other Preliminary and HSC courses studied, as they are monitored by both the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) - Australia's National Vocational Education and Training Regulator. These VET courses (also referred to as Industry Curriculum Frameworks - ICF) are accredited for the HSC and provide students with the opportunity to obtain a nationally recognised vocational qualification. This is known as dual accreditation.
Only one VET subject can contribute towards a student's ATAR.
Mandatory course requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 70 hours’ work placement (details below). Students who do not meet these requirements will be 'N' determined as required by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
Work placement
Work placement is a mandatory component of all VET subjects. Students are required to complete a total of 70 hours of industry-specific work placement (35 hours in Year 11 and 35 hours in Year 12). Work placement is unpaid and often involves the student having to travel outside of the local area and work beyond traditional school times.
All travel to and from work placement and any expenses incurred is the responsibility of the student and their family. It must be understood that work placement is not optional and if it is not completed, will result in an automatic 'N' determination in this subject that in turn could jeopardise their HSC and/or ability to gain an ATAR.
Whilst on work placement your child is expected to follow the school's VET work placement procedure which includes the following:
- Students must complete the required paperwork 1 week prior to work placement, with all information filled in and a parent signature. Students are not permitted to attend work placement if this has not been done.
- It is expected that the student dress according to the uniform requirements e.g. Construction - steel capped boots; Hospitality – full chef’s uniform, closed leather shoes.
- Follow the safety requirements of each industry as required e.g.Construction- hard hat and white card; Hospitality – minimal jewellery, long hair tied back.
- Be punctual to work placement - transport to and from the venue is the responsibility of the student. The student should not be late or leave early.
- To work the set hours of the establishment. This could mean a day, evening or weekend or even a split shift as agreed upon when selecting this establishment.
- In the event the student is sick and cannot attend work placement, they are required to notify both the employer and the school. As a NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requirement, the student will need to supply a medical certificate for any time off during their placement.
- Students are not to have their mobile on, smoke cigarettes, have family and friends visit, exchange personal details or social network accounts with the employer (e.g. facebook, twitter) whilst they are on work placement.
- Complete and submit Work Placement Journal and associated documentation to the classroom teacher on completion of work placement. Completion of this journal is a mandatory requirement.
Additional information
In addition, it is your child's responsibility to catch up on any school work missed whilst they are attending work placement. It is the student's responsibility to notify all their class teachers that they will be absent from school and negotiate submission dates for assessment tasks should they coincide with their placement.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to gain good work placement venues for our VET students. Making a good impression on employers not only gives our school a good name, but helps to strengthen and secure the venue for work placement for future VET students.
Students should be mindful that they are representing not only themselves but the Western Access Program and therefore should ensure that their conduct, attire and attitude are appropriate at all times and meets all standards and requirements.
With this in mind, we must stress the importance of a successful work placement experience for both your child and the school. We enlist your support and assistance in meeting the work placement requirements.
HSC examination
The HSC examination is optional in all VET courses. If your child wishes to have their framework contribute towards their ATAR they must sit the HSC exam during HSC examination period. If they are not intending on getting an ATAR they do not have to sit the HSC examination.
Students are automatically enrolled for the examination. Should a student choose not to sit the exam they will need to sign a NESA form indicating their intention to withdraw.