Regional VET Programs
www.wats.sa.edu.au
What are Western Adelaide Regional VET Programs?
Regional VET Programs provide students in year 10, 11 and 12 in Western Adelaide with increased vocational pathway options through a broad range of VET course choices. Regional VET Programs are hosted by schools and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Students remain enrolled at their Home School, and attend the Host School or RTO for their chosen VET course.
Further on is information about Regional VET Programs being offered for 2018 (divided into industry areas). More detailed information about each course is also available on our website (www.wats.sa.edu.au), under ‘Regional VET Programs’. Brochures will also be distributed to schools at the beginning of term 3 (for year 9, 10 and 11 students). Please see your VET Leader to get a copy of this brochure.
What are the benefits of choosing VET?
Some of the benefits are:
DECD (public) schools in our region (Western Adelaide) support VET students by paying for the costs of VET courses if it is part of the students’ genuine career pathway and SACE; therefore there are no course costs for students. However, some programs may have specific equipment or materials that you are required to purchase, eg steel-capped boots or equipment that becomes your personal property. Please see the detailed course information on our website (www.wats.sa.edu.au) for more detail about these costs. Also, your Home School has a Regional VET Fee of $100 (please check with your VET Leader about this).
How will I travel to my VET course?
In most cases, students will be required to arrange their own transport to VET courses and workplace learning. Please speak to your VET Leader to find out what assistance may be available from your Home School.
Will doing a VET course affect my other subjects?
Some students may miss lessons for other subjects while at their VET course. This means that they will need to be well organised and prepared to negotiate subject learning requirements by working closely with their subject teachers and VET Leader.
What other SACE subjects could I study that are relevant to my VET course?
One SACE Stage 1 and 2 subject that is highly recommended for VET students is Workplace Practices, as this can be related to your VET course. In this subject, students develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of the nature, type and structure of the workplace. They learn about the value of unpaid work to society, future trends in the world of work, workers’ rights and responsibilities and career planning. Students can undertake VET and workplace learning as part of this subject. See your school’s Curriculum Handbook for other subjects that your school offers that may relate to your chosen VET course.
Will I need to need to do some workplace learning as part of my VET course?
Many VET courses require students to undertake Structured Workplace Learning (SWL). This involves learning opportunities related to your VET course in a real or simulated workplace. These placements provide on-the-job training and mentoring to develop your technical and employability skills. SWL also provides opportunity for on-the-job assessment as part of your VET course.
The Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) provides Workplace Learning Procedures for all South Australian schools. Before participating in workplace learning, your school will ensure you have undertaken a program of workplace learning preparation (suggested minimum time of five hours). You will also need to complete a Workplace Learning Agreement Form from your Home School, and ensure that it is signed by all parties (work placement provider, parent/caregiver, student and Home School Principal). Please see your VET Leader for a copy of your school’s Workplace Learning Agreement Form.
How can I find out more about a Regional VET Program (Course Open Days)?
To help students make informed decisions about applying for Regional VET Programs next year, many Host Schools are offering ‘Open Days’ for interested students to visit the Host School, meet the teacher/trainer and current students, and to see the course in operation. See the table following for dates and times of Open Days for each course. To attend one of these Open Days, you must RSVP to the Host School (see contact details in the table) at least one week prior to the Open Day date advertised, using the RSVP contact provided in the table. When you RSVP, please provide your name, Home School, current year level, email address and a contact phone number. In conjunction with your parents/caregivers, you will need to arrange your own transport to these sessions, and ensure that you have completed and returned the permission form available from your Home School VET Leader.
What Regional VET Programs can I enrol in for 2018?
The table in the link below provides a brief summary of the courses offered for 2018 (grouped in industry areas). To find out more detailed information about each program, please go to www.wats.sa.edu.au. 2018 program information will be available on this website from the beginning of term 3, 2017. click here to download
Who can I speak to about a Regional VET Program?
Please contact your school’s VET Leader for more information.
How do I apply for a Regional VET Program?
Step 1: Read the information about each course in the table following (also available in the brochure distributed to your school).
Step 2: Read the detailed course information for the course/s you are interested in and encourage your parents/caregivers to read this too. This information is available for each course on our website (www.wats.sa.edu.au).
Step 3: Fill out the Student Application Form and hand it to your VET Leader by Friday week 8, term 3 (15 September, 2017). See your VET Leader for a copy of this form, or download it from www.wats.sa.edu.au.
Step 4: You will be provided with more information about the course from the Host School/Organisation, including the particular selection and enrolment procedures, which may include an interview. Selection for entry to courses will be based on the following principles:
Step 6: Applicants may need some further subject counselling at their Home School to ensure that their VET course is included in their SACE and timetable.
Unique Student Identifier (USI)
Students undertaking nationally recognised VET training will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). USI accounts will contain a record of an individual’s nationally recognised training and results. To establish a USI, please go to www.usi.gov.au and follow the steps to create a USI. Please have this number ready when applying for VET courses.
Regional VET Programs provide students in year 10, 11 and 12 in Western Adelaide with increased vocational pathway options through a broad range of VET course choices. Regional VET Programs are hosted by schools and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Students remain enrolled at their Home School, and attend the Host School or RTO for their chosen VET course.
Further on is information about Regional VET Programs being offered for 2018 (divided into industry areas). More detailed information about each course is also available on our website (www.wats.sa.edu.au), under ‘Regional VET Programs’. Brochures will also be distributed to schools at the beginning of term 3 (for year 9, 10 and 11 students). Please see your VET Leader to get a copy of this brochure.
What are the benefits of choosing VET?
Some of the benefits are:
- gaining a nationally-recognised qualification while completing your SACE
- getting a 'head start' in your chosen career
- making your senior school studies more relevant and interesting
- providing opportunities to learn 'on-the-job' through workplace learning
- gaining the skills and knowledge that employers seek in their employees
- providing pathways into apprenticeships, traineeships (including School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships), further education or training, and direct employment.
DECD (public) schools in our region (Western Adelaide) support VET students by paying for the costs of VET courses if it is part of the students’ genuine career pathway and SACE; therefore there are no course costs for students. However, some programs may have specific equipment or materials that you are required to purchase, eg steel-capped boots or equipment that becomes your personal property. Please see the detailed course information on our website (www.wats.sa.edu.au) for more detail about these costs. Also, your Home School has a Regional VET Fee of $100 (please check with your VET Leader about this).
How will I travel to my VET course?
In most cases, students will be required to arrange their own transport to VET courses and workplace learning. Please speak to your VET Leader to find out what assistance may be available from your Home School.
Will doing a VET course affect my other subjects?
Some students may miss lessons for other subjects while at their VET course. This means that they will need to be well organised and prepared to negotiate subject learning requirements by working closely with their subject teachers and VET Leader.
What other SACE subjects could I study that are relevant to my VET course?
One SACE Stage 1 and 2 subject that is highly recommended for VET students is Workplace Practices, as this can be related to your VET course. In this subject, students develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of the nature, type and structure of the workplace. They learn about the value of unpaid work to society, future trends in the world of work, workers’ rights and responsibilities and career planning. Students can undertake VET and workplace learning as part of this subject. See your school’s Curriculum Handbook for other subjects that your school offers that may relate to your chosen VET course.
Will I need to need to do some workplace learning as part of my VET course?
Many VET courses require students to undertake Structured Workplace Learning (SWL). This involves learning opportunities related to your VET course in a real or simulated workplace. These placements provide on-the-job training and mentoring to develop your technical and employability skills. SWL also provides opportunity for on-the-job assessment as part of your VET course.
The Department for Education and Child Development (DECD) provides Workplace Learning Procedures for all South Australian schools. Before participating in workplace learning, your school will ensure you have undertaken a program of workplace learning preparation (suggested minimum time of five hours). You will also need to complete a Workplace Learning Agreement Form from your Home School, and ensure that it is signed by all parties (work placement provider, parent/caregiver, student and Home School Principal). Please see your VET Leader for a copy of your school’s Workplace Learning Agreement Form.
How can I find out more about a Regional VET Program (Course Open Days)?
To help students make informed decisions about applying for Regional VET Programs next year, many Host Schools are offering ‘Open Days’ for interested students to visit the Host School, meet the teacher/trainer and current students, and to see the course in operation. See the table following for dates and times of Open Days for each course. To attend one of these Open Days, you must RSVP to the Host School (see contact details in the table) at least one week prior to the Open Day date advertised, using the RSVP contact provided in the table. When you RSVP, please provide your name, Home School, current year level, email address and a contact phone number. In conjunction with your parents/caregivers, you will need to arrange your own transport to these sessions, and ensure that you have completed and returned the permission form available from your Home School VET Leader.
What Regional VET Programs can I enrol in for 2018?
The table in the link below provides a brief summary of the courses offered for 2018 (grouped in industry areas). To find out more detailed information about each program, please go to www.wats.sa.edu.au. 2018 program information will be available on this website from the beginning of term 3, 2017. click here to download
Who can I speak to about a Regional VET Program?
Please contact your school’s VET Leader for more information.
How do I apply for a Regional VET Program?
Step 1: Read the information about each course in the table following (also available in the brochure distributed to your school).
Step 2: Read the detailed course information for the course/s you are interested in and encourage your parents/caregivers to read this too. This information is available for each course on our website (www.wats.sa.edu.au).
Step 3: Fill out the Student Application Form and hand it to your VET Leader by Friday week 8, term 3 (15 September, 2017). See your VET Leader for a copy of this form, or download it from www.wats.sa.edu.au.
Step 4: You will be provided with more information about the course from the Host School/Organisation, including the particular selection and enrolment procedures, which may include an interview. Selection for entry to courses will be based on the following principles:
- Demonstrated capacity for independent learning and meeting the requirements of the program.
- Identified relevant interest and/or experience in the program.
- Commitment to a post-school pathway in this area.
Step 6: Applicants may need some further subject counselling at their Home School to ensure that their VET course is included in their SACE and timetable.
Unique Student Identifier (USI)
Students undertaking nationally recognised VET training will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). USI accounts will contain a record of an individual’s nationally recognised training and results. To establish a USI, please go to www.usi.gov.au and follow the steps to create a USI. Please have this number ready when applying for VET courses.