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Community VCAL program PDF Print

Community Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (CVCAL)

In partnership with a number of schools in Cardinia Shire OzChild delivers Community VCAL to students aged 15-18 who are disengaged from school. This program helps support young people re-engage and link with further training and employment options. Contact us for further information and to arrange for an enrolment interview.

The VCAL is a hands-on option for Years 11 and 12 students, offering practical work-related experience and learning. Like the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education), VCAL is an accredited secondary certificate.

Open days

Come along to one of our Open Days in Cranbourne or Pakenham to find out more about Community VCAL and enrolments. See our facilities, meet the teachers and pick up an enrolment pack. Open days will be scheduled from September through to December.

Parent feedback

"...whatever you are doing, just keep doing it because John has never been happier in his life. He is getting up early on his own and has become more independent and motivated. I can't thank you enough. The family is looking forward to the twilight sports evening. This is the first time that John has been excited about school and it's also the first time that he wanted to involve his family..."

Standards

Our Community VCAL program is delivered according to the VCAL Registration Standards and is monitored by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). Our Registered Training Organisation (RTO) services are delivered with reference to a national set of standards called the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). OzChild abides by the requirements of this guide by the VRQA:

Guide for non-school senior secondary education providers. Minimum standards for registration to provide an accredited senior secondary qualification.

The Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) is the national set of standards which assures nationally consistent, high-quality training and assessment services for the clients of Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system.

Download the framework document: AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Continuing Registration

Our Quality Policy shows how OzChild meets these standards.

Visit the Department of Education website, or visit the Victorian Curriculum Assessment and Authority website to learn more.

Our commitment to quality services

Find out here about our commitment to quality services and the standards we work with ...

Choosing VCAL studies Fully accredited modules and units are selected for the following four compulsory strands:


• Literacy and Numeracy Skills: Your VCAL program must include literacy and numeracy subjects. These can be selected from VCAL Literacy Skills units and VCAL Numeracy Skills units and/or VCE English and mathematics units or other further education studies.


• Industry Specific Skills: Your VCAL program at the Intermediate and Senior level must include components of nationally recognised vocational education and training (VET) programs. You may also take on a school based apprenticeship as part of your VCAL program.

• Work Related Skills: Units in Work Related Skills develop the skills that make you employable. VCAL gives you the opportunity of undertaking a structured work placement: a school based apprenticeship or part-time work, as part of a VCAL program.


• Personal Development Skills: As part of your VCAL program you will take part in projects and activities in your community or school to help develop your teamwork skills, self-confidence and other skills important for life and work.

Students start the VCAL at one of three levels that best matches their needs and abilities - Foundation, Intermediate or Senior. Students have different rates of learning and therefore meet learning outcomes at different stages. Ozchild accommodates these individual learning styles by providing individualized flexible time frames for students to complete program requirements, however many VCAL students complete the program in one year.

Options after VCAL

The VCAL gives you practical work-related experience and a qualification that will be recognised by TAFE institutes and employers. Together these will help you move from school into work, an apprenticeship or traineeship and/or further training at TAFE. Alternatively, if you start studying for your VCAL at Foundation level in Year 11 and successfully complete it, you may consider going on to complete either the Intermediate or Senior level of the VCAL in Year 12. You might also reconsider your options and decide university it the right choice for you after all, and transfer to the VCE.

VCAL assessment and results

The VCAL is made up of accredited courses/certificates. Your VCAL program is assessed by your teacher in accordance with the assessment requirements for each part of the program. If you successfully complete your learning program you will receive a VCAL Certificate for either Foundation, Intermediate or Senior level, depending on the VCAL level you chose to complete. You will also get a Statement of Results, listing all VCE and VCAL units successfully completed as part of your VCAL course, and a Statement of Attainment for VET or further education courses. These list all units and modules you have successfully completed as part of your VCAL program.

2011 VCAL Student Results

For information regarding student participation and completion rates, please contact OzChild Community VCAL administration on (03) 5990 1200 or contact us here.

An extract from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development website

The VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) is a hands-on option for Years 11 and 12 students, offering practical work-related experience and learning. Like the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education), VCAL is an accredited secondary certificate.

The VCAL program follows all the principles and practice of Australian democracy, such as all laws, equal rights, freedom of religion, speech and association, and to openness and tolerance.

This also includes meeting all relevant Standards for Registration to provide a senior secondary course such as VCAL Students who do the VCAL are likely to be interested in going on to training at TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutes, doing an apprenticeship or traineeship, or getting a job after finishing school.

In 2006, more than 12,400 students in 402 learning centres studied for the VCAL.

The program may be started in Year 11 or 12 and is also available at TAFE institutes and a number of Adult and Community Education centres. Students can do an apprenticeship or traineeship part-time while at school doing the VCAL. For more information view School Based Apprenticeships

Students who start their VCAL and then decide they would like to complete their VCE, are able to transfer between certificates. Any VCE studies successfully completed as part of the VCAL program will count towards the VCE. Intermediate and Senior VCAL units also contribute to the VCE.