VET

What is VET?

Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs come from the VET sector where they are taught by TAFE institutes and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Some schools are now also RTOs and offer VET programs in areas such as agriculture, retail, trades, engineering and hospitality, just to name a few.

The VET in Schools program allows secondary students to gain a nationally recognised VET qualification while they complete their senior secondary certificate. There are two ways that VET study can contribute towards the requirements of the WACE through VET industry-specific courses or VET credit transfer.

VET industry-specific courses are developed by the Authority and include a full nationally recognised qualification. There are currently 10 VET industry-specific courses available to secondary students, in areas such as automotive, business, construction, hospitality and tourism, and information technology. These subjects can contribute to the WACE as course units if the student completes the full qualification and the work placement requirement.

Nationally endorsed qualifications and accredited courses can also contribute towards the WACE through VET credit transfer.

Apprenticeships and traineeships in Western Australia

An apprenticeship or traineeship is a combination of work and training that leads to a nationally recognised qualification. While apprentices are trained in skilled trades (such as plumbing or automotive mechanics) and become qualified tradespeople on completion, trainees are trained in a vocational area (such as office administration or hospitality) and receive a minimum of a certificate II qualification upon completion.

Students in Western Australia can choose to complete a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship. Under these arrangements, students are considered a full-time student, completing their WACE, as well as a part-time employee. Students attend school, train at an RTO and complete a work placement with a nominated employer.

In addition to school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, the Pre-Apprenticeships in Schools (PAiS) program includes a number of certificate II qualifications, which offer a pathway from school to a trade apprenticeship. These programs have been nominated by industry councils and allow students to undertake a pre-apprenticeship while they complete their WACE.