About VCALThe Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is a 'hands-on' option for students in Years 11 and 12.
Like the VCE, the VCAL is a recognised senior secondary qualification. Unlike the VCE, which is widely used by students as a pathway to university, the VCAL focuses on 'hands-on learning'. Students who do the VCAL are more likely to be interested in going on to training at TAFE, doing an apprenticeship, or getting a job after completing Year 12.
The VCAL's flexibility enables students to design a study program that suits their interests and learning needs. Students select accredited curriculum components from VCE studies, Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications, Further Education (FE) and VCAL units. There are four compulsory strands in VCAL:
A certificate and Statement of Results will be issued to students who successfully complete their VCAL.
Your VCAL learning program must include literacy and numeracy subjects, such as VCE English and Maths or other accredited studies such as literacy and numeracy modules from the Certificate in General Education for Adults.
Your VCAL learning program must include Vocational Education and Training (VET) units of competency. However, you are not required to focus on or complete any single VET qualification. For example, you can choose to undertake various units of competency from a range of VET qualifications to meet the VCAL requirements, and gain experience in a range of vocational areas. The range of VET options is extensive with recognised training packages available from industries including automotive, engineering, building and construction, hospitality and retail, agriculture, horticulture, warehousing and hair and beauty.
If you enrol in VCAL at Foundation level, you may also include appropriate VCE units under this strand, e.g. Food and Technology.
In order to develop 'employability skills', VCAL gives you the choice of undertaking:
You can also study units and modules that will help prepare you for work, for example occupational health and safety or job interview skills.
As part of your VCAL learning program, you participate in community-based projects, voluntary work and/or structured activities that will help develop your self-confidence, teamwork skills and other skills important for life and work.
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vcal/students/compulsorystrands.aspx