VET

Mount Alvernia College is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO No 41391), and is able to offer nationally recognised VET certificates to students as part of their everyday curriculum. There has been significant growth in this area within the College. Students are given opportunities in a number of pathways to further study or gain employment upon completion of the senior phase of learning.

Assessment in VET certificates is competency-based. Competency-based assessment is the process of collecting evidence and making judgments on whether or not the student can consistently demonstrate knowledge and skill, and the application of that knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace. An important part of this program is the opportunity to be involved with local industry through work placement.

NB: VET Certificate Courses are offered by the College subject to meeting registration, human and physical requirements of each certificate.

Structured Work Placement gives students experience in the workplace. Those students completing a Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificate, where it is a requirement to have some time in the industry, will complete a certain number of hours/shifts in the workplace.

Work Experience is not a subject as such. At certain times in the year, students attend a workplace in an industry of their choice to investigate the expectations, skills, and work environment of this career. It also allows them the opportunity to trial a number of different industries or workplaces over the two-year period. Due to Covid-19 this process has become more difficult. Students now find their own placements and the College will provide the Work Agreement to cover insurance.

Students choosing the Industry-Based Pathway can select work experience so that they can be released to pursue work options. These options may include work experience, or an Australian School-Based Apprenticeship (ASBA).

There is no assessment in this course. However, the outcomes are that students develop a clear understanding of the work environment, educational expectations, and daily requirements for the industry of their choice. They also understand clearly the work ethic involved in most workplaces. It is expected that, by the end of the two years, students have a clear idea of the industry that they intend to pursue at the end of Year 12. (It is a possibility that students may acquire an Australian School-Based Apprenticeship during Year 10 or 11 in the industry of their choice and therefore fast-track their career while still finishing Year 12 and gain credit points towards their QCE.) Work Experience alone receives no credit towards a QCE.

For each placement or work experience, students will complete placement application forms indicating the vocational area in which they wish to work. Once they are placed, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure the agreement form is completed with the following signatures:

• Student;
• Parent; and
• Employer,

and return to school before placement occurs.

Furthermore, the College also supports students in the Defence Work Experience Program. For more details please visit www.defence.gov.au/workexperience

School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (ASBA) help young people to go places – whether that’s a full-time job, a trade career, university, TAFE or other training. The workplace skills and confidence they gain during their ASBA provide a solid foundation for any career.

ASBAs allow students to work as paid employees and obtain nationally recognised qualifications, all while at school.

Some of the advantages of school-based apprenticeships and traineeships include:

More flexibility and variety

The variety provided by ASBAs can have enormous benefits for young people who prefer hands-on learning to traditional schooling pathways.

Head start in a career

Young people employed as school-based apprentices and trainees develop workplace skills, knowledge and confidence and have a competitive edge when applying for jobs. An ASBA can lead directly to full-time employment once a student has left school.

Nationally recognised qualifications

All school-based apprentices and trainees participate in vocational training that contributes to a Certificate II, III or higher qualification which can count towards the student’s Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

An opportunity to learn and earn

School-based apprentices and trainees are paid while they learn workplace skills, gain confidence, and adapt to a work environment. It gives the student the opportunity to put skills learnt at school into practice in a real work environment.

Contributing to the community

Employers who take on school-based apprentices and trainees can make a real difference by motivating young people to work towards their future goals and giving them a realistic exposure to your industry or sector.

Employer satisfaction

Employers and supervisors often experience a great deal of satisfaction during the process as they help individuals mould new skills and gain confidence in a work environment.

Students at the college can also study Vocational Education and Training certificate courses at some TAFE colleges. The details of these courses can be found on the TAFE at School website or by contacting the Futures Hub at the College. Students may elect to undertake a TAFE course in Year 11. This would be discussed in Year 10 during the SET Planning process.

Students wishing to undertake a career in Nursing or Allied Health can undertake the Dual Health Certificate Program through Mater Education Limited (RTO No 5210). This course runs typically through Year 11 – Terms 1 to 3 or alternatively Terms 2 – 4. Cert II in Health Support Services followed by the Cert III in Health Services Assistance