What does VET mean?

VET means vocational education and training. Here it also means HSC courses for senior students that deliver training outcomes. School, TAFE or other providers deliver VET for the HSC.

What is the difference between VET courses and other HSC courses?

• In some VET courses work placement is compulsory (VET ICF and CEC courses only)
• VET courses can deliver dual accreditation - meaning a VET course can give an AQF, VETAB and/or a TAFE qualification in addition to units of study counting towards the HSC.
• Learning and assessment focuses on skills and is competency based.

What is reported on the HSC?

All VET courses are recorded on the HSC. Units of competencies are reported in a student logbook. There are no marks, grades or ranking of students for the HSC.

What are competencies?

A student is assessed for competency against standards set by industry for skill performance. Being assessed as competent means a student has reached a pre-defined minimum level of work performance in an industry skill area.

Do VET courses count towards the University Admissions Index (UAI)?

The seven Industry Curriculum Framework courses (TAFE or school delivered) and Accounting (BDC) and Electronics Technology (BDC) (TAFE delivered) may be used for 2 units towards the UAI. Other VET courses do not count for the UAI. To count towards the UAI a student must be doing a 240-hour course (ie. 2 units over 2 years). The student then must sit a written exam for the HSC. The exam mark is used for the UAI.

What is the Australian Recognition Framework (ARF)?

The ARF broadly refers to national principles, standards for delivery and qualifications in VET. VET is delivered by registered training organisations (RTO). These can be government schools, TAFEs and other training providers eg Hunter Valley Training Co - Hunter-V-Tec.

What is delivered in VET?

Various industry areas have developed training packages with relevant units of competency, assessment guidelines and AQF qualifications. Some have been packaged into HSC courses- the Industry Curriculum Framework courses.

What are Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) qualifications?

VET qualifications are expressed as AQF levels. They are recognised Australia wide. HSC students may gain AQF I, II, and sometimes part of AQF III qualifications.

What are Industry Curriculum Frameworks?

The new national approach to VET (including the ARF, AQF and training packages) has been packaged into courses as units of study for the Higher School Certificate. A student may do a 120-hour course, 180-hour course or 240-hour course, and may elect to do a 60 or 120-hour extension course. For packaging of units for the HSC see your Careers Adviser.

Extension Courses.

Are 1u or 2u extensions to the 240 hr (2u x 2yr) ICF’s. Extension courses build upon the normal ICF course and deliver more towards AQF levels. Extension courses are mostly delivered at TAFE in late Y11 or Y12.

Why is workplacement compulsory in ICF courses?

Industry says workplace learning greatly enhances classroom training. Workplacement takes about 1/3 of course time eg. in a 240-hour course 70 hours is workplacement (usually done as one day per week or in a one-week block). Part-time work may be used to claim credit.

Who delivers VET to students?

RTOs have VET accredited teachers delivering and assessing VET. Each year about 1,000 local students study VET at school for the HSC.

What is RPL?

Recognition of Prior Learning applies to competencies in a course and mandatory workplacement. RPL means a student can seek for their VET course recognition of skills and knowledge held as a result of formal training, work experience and/or life experience. The relevant VET teacher holds application forms.

Study in a VET ICF course gives a student to access to the HSC, AQF levels, workplace learning and the UAI.

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