VCE Vocational Major and VET Programs
How the VCE Vocational Major (VM) works at St Mary's College, the VET certificates available on campus and through our cluster in 2027, Structured Workplace Learning and the indicative costs families should budget for.
Not every student's best pathway runs through an ATAR. St Mary's College offers the VCE Vocational Major (VM) as a complete senior program and a range of VET (Vocational Education and Training) certificates that can sit inside either the VM or a standard VCE. Around a quarter of our Year 11 and 12 students include a VET study in their program, and VM students leave with a VCE certificate, an industry qualification and real workplace experience. Both programs are coordinated by Mrs Jenny Marsh with our VM Leader, Ms Olivia Chen.
The VCE Vocational Major
The VM is a two-year, applied-learning program within the VCE. It suits students who learn best by doing and who are aiming for an apprenticeship, traineeship, TAFE or direct entry to work. VM students do not receive study scores or an ATAR, but they graduate with the VCE and can still apply to many TAFE and some university courses.
A typical VM program at St Mary's:
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| VM Literacy | Units 1–4 over two years |
| VM Numeracy | Units 1–4 |
| Work Related Skills | Units 1–4 — resumés, interviews, OHS, industry projects |
| Personal Development Skills | Units 1–4 — community projects, including a Term 2 project with Vinnies |
| VET certificate | At least 180 hours, usually one full certificate over two years |
| Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) | One day per week in Year 11 (Thursdays) and Year 12 (Fridays), plus a block in the July holidays |
| Religious Education | Seminar program with all Year 11–12 students |
VM students attend regular classes on their non-placement days and take part in all College events, House activities and Wednesday sport. Students may also add one standard VCE subject (for example Physical Education or Food Studies) if timetable lines allow.
VET certificates available for 2027
Onsite programs are delivered at St Mary's by our own trainers or a partner RTO. Offsite programs are delivered through the Eastern Ranges VET Cluster at partner schools or TAFE campuses, usually on Wednesdays (VET students are exempt from Wednesday CSSA sport). Transport to offsite programs is by public transport or the cluster shuttle bus, which departs the Senior gate at 8:15am.
| Certificate | Where | Day | Indicative annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate II in Sport and Recreation | Onsite | Timetabled | $480 |
| Certificate II in Kitchen Operations | Onsite (Food Technology Centre) | Timetabled | $690 |
| Certificate III in Music Industry (Performance) | Onsite | Timetabled | $520 |
| Certificate II in Building and Construction (Pre-apprenticeship) | Offsite — cluster TAFE campus | Wednesday | $1,950 |
| Certificate II in Electrotechnology | Offsite | Wednesday | $2,400 |
| Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation | Offsite | Wednesday | $2,150 |
| Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (partial) | Offsite | Wednesday | $1,400 |
| Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance | Offsite | Wednesday | $1,650 |
| Certificate II in Salon Assistant (Hairdressing) | Offsite | Wednesday | $1,800 |
| Certificate III in Screen and Media | Offsite | Wednesday | $1,250 |
| Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship) | Offsite | Wednesday | $2,300 |
Costs are 2027 estimates from providers and are charged in addition to tuition fees, as noted on Fees and Payments. They typically cover materials, uniform/PPE and any external assessment; some programs also require a White Card ($95) or Working With Children Check (free for students). Final costs are quoted in writing before enrolment is confirmed and are billed in two instalments (February and July). Families holding a Health Care Card should speak confidentially with Business Manager Mrs Annette Kowalski about assistance, and CSEF may apply.
Scored VET certificates (for example Sport and Recreation, Music Industry, Allied Health) can contribute a study score to the ATAR when Unit 3–4 scored assessment is completed. Unscored VET contributes a 10% increment to the ATAR as a fifth or sixth study.
School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs)
Students in Year 10 to 12 may combine school with a paid part-time apprenticeship or traineeship (usually one day per week plus training). Recent SBATs have been in carpentry, hospitality, early childhood, retail and horticulture. Employers are sourced by the family or through our SBAT partner network; Mrs Marsh manages the training contract with the College and the timetable adjustment.
Structured Workplace Learning
Every VM student completes SWL, and VET students are strongly encouraged to. Placements are arranged with the family, the College's Work Placement Officer and the Victorian SWL portal. Students must complete the safe@work modules before starting, wear the employer's required PPE, and complete a weekly workplace journal on the Learning Hub. Placements are covered by Department of Education insurance arrangements when the correct Arrangement Form is signed by the College, employer, student and parent before day one.
How to apply
- Discuss options with Mrs Marsh at the Year 10 Subject Selection interview on Wednesday 2 September 2026.
- Indicate the VM or VET preference on the Subject Selection Form, due Friday 11 September 2026.
- Offsite VET applications are submitted by the College to the cluster by Friday 16 October 2026; places are confirmed in November and a provider invoice is issued in January.
- Attend the VET and VM Orientation Session on Friday 11 December 2026 (during Headstart week) with a parent.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a student move from VM to the standard VCE? Yes, at the end of Year 11 if satisfactory results and prerequisites allow. Moving from VCE to VM is possible at any point in Year 11.
- Does a VM student still sit exams? VM units are assessed in school; VET may have external assessment; there are no VCAA written exams unless the student takes a scored VCE study.
- Do VET students attend the Valedictory Dinner and Graduation? Absolutely — all Year 12 students graduate together on Tuesday 20 October 2026. See Year 12 Graduation and Valedictory.
Contact Mrs Jenny Marsh on careers@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au or via the Senior Office on (03) 9555 0100. See also the VCE Handbook and Careers and Pathways.