VET stands for vocational education and training – that is, study and/or practical training that develops the skills and knowledge that people need for employment.

Vocational education and training (VET) combines education with training to provide people with occupational or work-related knowledge and skills. VET provides formal links between the Higher School Certificate, the workplace and further education. VET courses may be undertaken at TAFE, school or a combination of both.

VET courses can provide students with industry skills as they are learning in an industry environment.
VET courses are competency based courses where students receive formal national recognition in school and industry. With further training these courses provide opportunities for apprenticeships and traineeships.

VET courses:

are available to students in Years 11 & 12

are taught by teachers at school and TAFE

can give students a head start in a career

allow students to get work-related skills and to take further study at University or TAFE

are designed for all students

Can contribute to the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) if the optional HSC exam is sat

are offered in a variety of industry areas

Experience shows that students benefit from work placements in a number of ways. They:

benefit from the practical application of what is learnt at school in an industry context

gain self-confidence and maturity from the experience of working with adults and building on the knowledge and skills they have learnt at school

become more motivated to learn in all subjects once they are able to see the relevance of their studies to their future employment

enhance their learning by combining the practical and theoretical components of their course in a realistic way through the link between on-the-job and off-the-job learning

learn to take the initiative and communicate effectively from the experience of assuming responsibility in a realistic work situation

develop an awareness of career opportunities and the needs of potential employers

expand knowledge, skills and attitudes recognised by employers and institutions offering further education and training

Workplacement is very different from work experience.

WORK EXPERIENCE – is usually undertaken by Year 10 students (sometimes Year 11) as part of Work Education studies, and is usually up to 5 days. The aim of a work experience placement is for a student to gain an understanding of an occupation or business and to undertake small tasks where appropriate, under the supervision of a qualified and experienced employee. The employer is usually required to complete a form to acknowledge the student’s attendance, attitude and interest. Work experience is unpaid and voluntary.

WORK PLACEMENT (often called a “Structured Work Placement”) is a placement undertaken by Year 11 or 12 students (sometimes Year 10) with an employer as part of a chosen vocational course at school, and can vary from 1 to 4 weeks. The placement needs to demonstrate that a student can display the necessary skills (learnt in the classroom or on the job), which can be assessed against competencies required in the Training Package they are learning from. A work placement would usually be a requirement of a vocational course, with credit towards a student’s HSC and Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications. Employers are usually required to complete a logbook to acknowledge student competencies. Work placements are unpaid and voluntary.

In order to complete the required hours, students must understand they will be expected to work the hours of the industry and each individual employer will determine the hours which the student will work.  This may include early starts, split shifts (i.e. 10am – 2pm & 5pm – 10pm on the one day) and evening work.  Workplace learning activities are to take place during school term time as part of an ongoing educational program, except in the first and last week of each term.

The time allocated for lunch or dinner breaks is not to be included in the total number of hours worked.  For example, you would need to work 9am – 4.30pm in order to take a half-hour lunch break, and fulfil the requirements of a seven-hour day.  Students should negotiate meal breaks with the host and should be provided with a break appropriate to the hours worked. Employers are required by law to provide breaks after 5 hours work.

When your son or daughter accept a work placement, it is important that they commit to that placement. Unfortunately, if it is cancelled by you, it may be difficult to find another placement that meets all of the requirements. Please ensure your child considers:

Assessments that week

Exams

Work commitments

Social activities and holidays

Medical appointments

Once they have accepted a workplacement they are committed to attend.  Do not allow them to make any other plans during that week which may interfere with their workplacement.

The student, as a representative of their school and as a capable young adult must be responsible for the following when attending work placement.

Be on time everyday and after breaks

Take their student placement record and work placement journal

Ask questions and give feedback

Dress appropriately

Be respectful

Show initiative

The activities which students are prohibited to perform are:

Serve alcohol

Use dangerous machinery

Air travel on charter flights and aircraft other than those providing a regular public transport service.

Travel by helicopter

Travel outside the 12 nautical mile limit at sea

Scuba and deep sea diving

Any work of a sexual or explicit nature

Attendance at abattoirs

Work on roofs or roof cavity

Work where asbestos is present

High risk construction work

Demolition sites

Excavation sites

Activities that require a license that a student does not hold.

Use certain construction machinery unless suitably trained, instructed and supervised

If you have any problems or questions please contact us.

In the event of a student being injured or involved in an accident whilst at the workplace, or whilst travelling to or from it, appropriate first aid or emergency care procedures should be immediately sought. As soon as practicable the student’s teacher, South West Connect and the student’s parents / guardians should be notified.

Students must ensure correct information is completed on any required forms for insurance purposes. If students do not have a form, ask their school.

The following procedure should be followed where a student is injured during a placement, including travel to and from the place of work.

1. The student receives the necessary medical attention. Note: Students are volunteers, not employees, such claims SHOULD NOT be classified as Workers’ Compensation.
2. Contact the school immediately after Step 1.
3. The parent or caregiver claims upon his or her Medicare and private health funds.
4. The parent or caregiver then forwards to the school advice of the amounts not covered from health funds, together with supporting documents including accounts showing amounts paid by the health funds.
5. The school Principal should copy all documents and follow the procedures required by their school system for appropriate action.