VCAL students at Trafalgar High School recently hosted their own "Jobs Expo" for year eight, nine and 10 students at the school.
More than 450 students visited the expo which was put together by year11 and 12 students currently undertaking VCAL.
Like VCE, VCAL is a recognised senior secondary school qualification in Victoria. While VCE is widely used as a pathway to university, VCAL focuses more on "hands on" learning and students undertaking it are more likely to continue their vocational journey by enrolling in a training course at TAFE, doing an apprenticeship or traineeship or going straight into the workforce.
VCAL teacher Allen Gilmour said the expo was organised and driven by students at the school. "We have students doing VCAL in industries such as business management, beauty therapy, photography, healthcare, hospitality, electrician work and carpentry, among others," he said. "The students have taken this day on themselves to show the rest of the school what VCAL can offer."
The VCAL program lets students design a study program based on their interests and learning needs. Students select from a range of subjects that match four compulsory strands of study including literacy and numeracy, industry specific skills, work related skills and personal development.
Students undertaking VCAL will spend three days per week at school learning these skills while spending the remainder of their week in specific businesses or at TAFE.