These courses are recognised by industry and the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
They include:
The links below have excellent information about writing resumes and preparing for a job.
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 business 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 ATAR if the optional HSC exam is sat
are offered in a variety of industry areas
Students benefit from Workplacements in a number of ways:
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
learn to take the initiative and communicate effectively from the experience
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
School based apprenticeships and traineeships allow senior high school students to commence an apprenticeship or complete a traineeship while at school. School based apprentices work part-time and undertake the first stage of their apprenticeship training before the end of the HSC year. School based trainees work part-time and complete their traineeship by the end of their HSC year.
Both on-the-job and off-the-job training undertaken by school based apprentices/trainees can contribute to their HSC. School based apprentices will commence full-time employment as a 2nd year apprentice from January after their HSC, providing that they have successfully completed both their on-the-job and off-the-job training program during their senior high school years.
School based apprenticeships provide students with the opportunity attain a nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification as well as their HSC and gain valuable work skills and experience through paid employment.
While at school, the school based apprentice or trainee must complete a specified number of days of paid employment as a first-year apprentice or trainee. For many trades the minimum requirement is 100 days but for some trades (e.g. electrical and electronic trades) it may be as high as 180 days. For the rest of the week, these students will be completing the off-the-job component of their training as well as completing their HSC subjects.
Students will be recognised for all the work they complete. For example, a school-based apprentice or trainee who undertakes part-time training in Years 11 and 12 will obtain their qualification a year earlier. Click here for more details.
School based trainees generally undertake a Certificate II traineeship over a period of between 24 and 36 months during years 11 and 12. The formal or off-the-job training component that they undertake as part of the traineeship contributes directly to their HSC, and is delivered by a school and/or another Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Make sure you have all of the information before your workplacement
Each student should be given paper work for their placement by their teacher. This should include information about the host employer, a timesheet, an evaluation sheet and other details included by your school.
Make sure you check your schedule.
When you accept a work placement, it is important that you can commit to that placement. Unfortunately, if you cancel, it may be difficult to find you a placement that meets all of your requirements again in a hurry. Make sure that when you accept you have considered:
Once you have accepted a work placement that is your commitment. Don’t make new plans in this week. If you need help juggling commitments ask a teacher or parent to help.
Research….
Before you go on your placement, find out where the company is located and if possible, take a test run getting there so you won’t get lost on day one.
Look up your company’s website and do some research before you get there so you are well informed. This will impress your Supervisor and help you get more out of your experience.
CALL YOUR EMPLOYER
It is VERY important to ring the employer the week before you are due to attend workplacement. This helps the employer as it reminds them that you are coming and it makes a good first impression. It is a good chance to introduce yourself and to check any last minute changes or requirements.
How do I get there?
Public Transport
You may need to take public transport in order to travel to workplacement. The following information will help you get there.
| Transport Provider | Phone Number | Web Site |
| Trains | ||
| Transport info line | 13 1500 | www.131500.com.au |
| City Rail info line | 1800 637500 TTY | www.cityrail.nsw.gov.au |
| Buses | ||
| Western Sydney Bus Network |
www.transitsystems.com.au | |
| Taxis | ||
| Premier Cabs | 13 1017 | www.premiercabs.com.au |
| Taxis Combined | 13 3300 | www.taxiscombined.com.au |
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.
Employers, who host workplacement, expect students and anyone they employ to:
As a representative of your school and as a capable young adult there are a number of things you need to be responsible for when attending work placement.