What is VET for secondary students?

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VET stands for Vocational Education and Training. That means, training for a certain industry or career (vocation). 

VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) offers a range of programs which may be undertaken alongside your VCE.

The Gordon has delivered VETDSS programs for more than 20 years, with more than 1,500 students from 50 plus secondary colleges participating each year.

How does it work?

VETDSS programs are run over one or two years, which you complete during years 10, 11 and/or 12 (depending on when you start).

Programs are delivered from February to November during school terms. Some programs also require attendance during school holiday periods, particularly for programs that have a placement (Structured Workplace Learning - SWL) component.

Depending on your school and the program you choose, you may attend one of our campuses or school a Trade Training Centre.

What are the benefits?

VETDSS is a unique opportunity for you to experience a career you may be considering, adds to the eligibility requirements for VCE and may contribute to your ATAR score.

A VETDSS program can:

  • Improve your employment and career opportunities to be ‘job ready’ in your industry.
  • Provide credit towards a nationally accredited qualification for a specific industry.
  • Create a pathway and credit towards further education and training.
  • Provide credit into an apprenticeship by reducing the amount of trade training required and, in some instances, reduce the duration of an apprenticeship.

Contribution to VCE

Certificate II and Certificate III level VETDSS programs can provide credit towards your VCE. Some VETDSS programs have scored assessment which can be counted within your ‘primary four’ studies for calculation of your ATAR. Others programs may provide an increment towards your ATAR. We recommend you speak with your school VET Coordinator about the combination of subject selections including any VETDSS programs and the credits they provide toward VCE.

Getting the most out of VETDSS

Here are some tips from previous VETDSS students:

  • Be enthusiastic and motivated.
  • You need to be organised and manage your time.
  • Be willing to make sacrifices i.e. undertaking work placement during holiday times.
  • Be flexible and open to new approaches – the training is different to what you will be used to, and our teachers are the same as those who teach apprentices.
  • You will need good communication skills.
  • Be willing to make new friends – students in the program will come from many different schools across the region.
  • Ensure you work out the balance of VCE study, your VETDSS program, work placement, part-time work, and sport and social commitments.