Year 11 Trade Year
In Year 11, Ranges TEC students undertake the VCE VM in full. The VCE VM is an alternative pathway and can be achieved at two different levels: Foundation, and Intermediate . These levels are not related to students’ age or school year; rather their abilities to work at different levels of independence and capacity. Students will take on the VCE VM at the level (Foundation, or Intermediate) that matches their ability. This will involve project work, VET studies, Literacy Skills, Numeracy Skills, Personal Development and Work Placement.
Projects – An Integrated Program
The VCE VM has specific strands that students need to prove competent in. To deliver these strands Ranges TEC has an integrated program. This means that students take on several strands at the same time while doing project work. For example: students choose to design and build a table out of recycled timber. As they design and build the table, Numeracy and Work Related Skills are taught in real time on a real project. This makes a lot of sense to students who are hands-on learners. In Year 11, students take on two major projects; one per semester. The first semester is individually focused and the second semester is a Community Project. These Projects encourage collaborative learning, community engagement and business awareness.
VET Studies
VET is a common acronym used within the VCE VM. It is short for Vocational Education and Training. It is also commonly called a pre-app, pre-apprenticeship or Certificate II. At Ranges TEC students have the opportunity to complete parts of different Certificate II courses and/or a full Certificate II in their choice of Trade. It is common for Ranges TEC students to complete their VCE VM having studied parts of more than one trade. For example, if a student is not sure of the trade they wish to follow, they can take a Certificate II in one trade in Year 11, and take on another Certificate II in Year 12. This is part of learning transferable skills and career exploration that is possible at Ranges TEC.
This may include: Certificate II courses –
Building & Construction
Engineering
Furniture Making
Horticulture
Hospitality
Electrotechnology
It also can include: Short Courses –
White Card (Prepare to work safely in the construction industry)
First Aid
Food Handling Safety.
If your son or daughter would like to take on a VET certificate that Ranges TEC does not offer this can be considered if it can fit in with the whole program (extra fees may apply).
Literacy and Numeracy Skills Class and Personal Development
As much as possible both Literacy and Numeracy is taught within the projects. However there is still a need for students to have specific skills classes to make sure they are both learning the required skills and covering all the elements of both these disciplines according to the VCAL guidelines. These classes are similar to conventional school.
Personal Development is also largely integrated however we also have one class a week called My Story. This is a journey of self-discovery where students are given the opportunity to explore their journey in life up to this point. It is a valuable class of personal growth.
Work Placement
A primary focus of Ranges TEC is to prepare students for the workforce. Work Placement provides many benefits to students. It gives them first hand experience of the REAL workforce, what bosses expect, how to relate to other employees, OHS practices, and what a full day of work feels like. When back at Ranges TEC there is class time where students discuss their individual experience and have written work that ties in Work Placement with the VCE VM. Students must have a minimum of two different Work Placements with a maximum of 20 days at one employer.
What is VCE VM?
The VCE Vocational Major (VM) is a vocational and applied learning program within the VCE designed to be completed over a minimum of two years. The VCE VM will give students greater choice and flexibility to pursue their strengths and interests and develop the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education, work and life.
It prepares students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, university (via non-ATAR pathways) or directly into the workforce.
The purpose of the VCE VM is to provide students with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world by:
- equipping them with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals; and
- empowering them to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through real life workplace experiences.
The 2023 VCE Administrative Handbook to be released later in 2022 will include the VCE VM administrative advice set out on this
For more information CLICK HERE