Victoria’s senior school students will soon be unable to choose between VCE or VCAL at the end of their school days with a new integrated end-of-school certificate to be introduced in 2023.
This week’s Budget included $38 million to develop the new single VCE senior secondary certificate and fund new Jobs, Skills and Pathways Coordinators in Government secondary schools.
In a statement the Treasurer said the move would ensure that wherever they went to school, every student would be able to do both academic and vocational subjects.
“The move to an integrated certificate follows a review by former Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority CEO John Firth that found the change would provide all Victorian students with the best opportunity to develop both academic and practical vocational skills” the Treasurer said.
“The integrated certificate will be implemented progressively from 2023 and will be fully implemented by 2025.”
He said funds would also be available for a new Foundation Pathways Certificate to support students in all settings to successfully transition after finishing school, particularly students with a disability and additional needs.
He said the Firth Review, which was released this week, found more needed to be done to ensure young people had access to training that engaged young people, delivered in-demand skills and lead to quality jobs.
He said the Government had accepted all recommendations of the Firth Review in-principle.
The Minister for Education, James Merlino welcomed the changes.
“We want our kids to be all they can,” Mr Merlino said.
“With a single VCE certificate, we’ll make it easier for kids to get a range of skills – both academic and vocational.”
He said not only would the change give students greater flexibility in the subjects they choose – “it will also give young Victorians more flexibility once they leave school, whether that’s work or study.”
The Budget also set aside $24.5 million to allow students to keep the 71,000-plus mobile devices loaned to them during the coronavirus pandemic.
“While learning from home, thousands of students benefitted from borrowed laptops, iPads and dongles,” Mr Merlino said.
“We want to make those loans permanent for kids who need them.”
