THE State Government has announced new senior secondary school certificates combining VCE and VCAL to address the demand for jobs in trades, with $277.5 million in funding for what has been labelled the biggest reform to the system since the VCE’s inception.

From 2023, the new VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate will replace VCAL, offering students more choices and preparing them to jump into further study, TAFE or work as soon as they leave school.

An investment of $120.2 million will help schools implement the new certificates and provide every student access to a core offering of 12 different Vocational Education and Training pathways.

The Vocational Major will replace Intermediate and Senior VCAL, preparing students to move into apprenticeships, traineeships, further education and training, non-ATAR university pathways or straight into the workforce.

Vocational Major students will undertake specific studies – literacy, numeracy, work related skills and personal development skills – as well as 180 hours of training, their choice of other traditional VCE studies and time in the workplace, which will give them credits towards their certificate.

The Victorian Pathways Certificate will replace Foundation VCAL, designed to help students transition either to the VCE, to entry level VET or employment – particularly focusing on vulnerable students at risk of leaving education or students with additional needs.

The six priority pathways within the core offering will be in health, community services and early childhood education, building and construction, digital and media technologies, hospitality and engineering – meaning students will have access to training and skills for growing industries.

Additional pathways will also be available in automotive, agriculture and environment, hair and beauty, creative industries, sport and recreation, and business.

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews said the state needed people in these career paths.

“We know not everyone wants to go to university so we’re making sure every young person has every opportunity to choose the career path that’s right for them,” he said.

The reforms will save families up to $1000 by cutting out-of-pocket costs, with students no longer having to pay for essential learning materials for their studies.

The investment will also see teachers get the professional development they need to implement the curriculum, making sure schools can hit the ground running as they transition to the new certificate.

To build on the school-based vocational and academic education in the new applied learning stream, a further $69.4 million will expand the Head Start program to every government school in the state, giving all students the opportunity to do an apprenticeship or traineeship in an in-demand sector while completing their schooling.

Head Start gives students career planning support, a tailored pathway into the industry of their choice and a fair training wage – all while they’re earning their senior secondary certificate – in key industries like building, construction, community services and health, business, primary industries and technology.

The Budget will invest $87.9 million to strengthen the teaching workforce for these new pathways – with funded study to attract 400 extra trainers, professional development for up to 1900 teachers and increased funding for jobs, skills and pathways coordinators in schools.

Education Minister, James Merlino, highlighted the importance of the new certificates as more young people were pursuing careers in trades and services.

“Victoria's a different place to what it was when VCE and VCAL started,” he said.

“For many students, getting industry experience and combining an apprenticeship with school is the best way to set them up for the good, decent jobs they want to do.”