Victorian Pathways Certificate

Victorian Pathways Certificate

The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) is an accredited foundation secondary qualification under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) and aligned to Level 1 in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). The VPC is a foundation secondary qualification designed for students in Years 11 and 12 who would benefit from a more individualised program at a more accessible level than a senior secondary certificate.

The VPC curriculum provides learning based on applied learning principles and serves as a practical pathway into further education, employment and training.

The VPC is designed to engage students through applied learning and provide flexibility to meet an individual’s learning needs. The VPC aims to build the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities that enable students to make informed choices about pathways into further education, training and/or employment. Students who participate in the VPC will gain the necessary foundation skills to allow them to make a successful post-schooling transition.

The VPC is designed to be delivered in Years 11 and 12 and within a flexible duration, depending on a student’s individual learning plan and delivery setting. Students who participate in the VPC can include units from VCE studies and VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM) studies, as well as units of competency from nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET).

Purpose of the VPC

The VPC aims to:

• equip students with the skills, knowledge, values and capabilities to be active and informed citizens, lifelong learners and confident and creative individuals
• empower students to make informed decisions about the next stages of their lives through authentic workplace experiences
• provide them with the best opportunity to achieve their personal goals and aspirations in a rapidly changing world.

Pathways

The VPC is designed to develop and extend pathways for young people while providing flexibility for different cohorts. After completing the VPC, students will be able to make informed choices about future employment or education pathways. Meaningful pathways are created by linking student aspirations and future employment goals to the choice of accredited curriculum. VPC learning programs also link to work and industry experiences and active participation in the community. Including VET in VPC learning programs helps connect students with broader options for work, further education and active community participation.

Possible future pathways for VPC students include:

• completion of VCE or VCE Vocational Major
• apprenticeships and traineeships
• VET courses
• employment.

VPC program components

VPC units

Under the AQF, the VPC is not a senior secondary qualification. The VPC is an accredited foundation secondary qualification under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic) and aligned to Level 1 in the AQF.

A VPC learning program may include:

• VPC units
• VCE and VCE Vocational Major units at Units 1, 2, 3 or 4 level, including structured workplace learning for VET (SWL) recognition
• VET units of competency.

All VPC units can be completed in any order and in any year. The units can be delivered in a flexible manner and do not have to be delivered sequentially.

There are no prerequisites for entry into any of the units.

The VPC has four studies:

• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Work Related Skills
• Personal Development Skills.

Each VPC study has two or four units.

The following VPC units are available for delivery.

Nominal duration

Each VPC unit requires 100 nominal hours, of which at least 50 hours need to be scheduled classroom instruction.

The VPC is designed to be delivered flexibly to suit the needs and circumstances of individual students. This can include face-to-face learning and activities such as work experience, volunteering, community involvement and sports leadership.

There is no maximum time limit for completion of units. Students can enrol in the VPC any time of year that best suits their learning needs, abilities and interests. Some students may start the certificate in Year 10 if they need additional time to complete the course beyond Years 11 and 12.

VCE and VCE Vocational Major units

The VPC can include any VCE and VCE Vocational Major units at Units 1–4 level. For the rules, regulations and policies governing the delivery of the VCE, refer to the relevant VCE administrative handbook sections.

VET

The VPC can include units of competency from nationally recognised VET qualifications. Training from a nationally recognised VET qualification may contribute towards the VPC through the following recognition arrangements:

• enrolment in a VCAA-approved VCE VET program or a School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT)
• enrolment in any other nationally recognised qualification at Certificate I or above (block credit recognition)
• successful completion of 90 nominal hours of units of competency from a nationally recognised VET qualification at Certificate I level or above provides one unit of credit towards the completion requirements of the VPC.

For the rules, regulations and policies governing the delivery of the VCE, including VCE VET programs, refer to the relevant VCE administrative handbook sections.

Entry to VPC studies

There are no formal entry requirements for VPC studies. The VPC has been designed to accommodate flexible entry and exit. Students are able to enter VPC studies at a time that best suits their learning needs, abilities and interests.

Parameters for entry and exit in schools are determined by school regulations and enrolment guidelines. If a non-school provider delivers the VPC, flexible entry and exit points are determined by the policies and regulations of that education provider. The VPC pages include guidance to support appropriate school-based decision-making regarding student suitability.

The VPC has been designed to be flexible so students’ individual needs can be recognised. It is important to note that some students with particular needs may require additional resources to enable them to successfully complete the learning program, while some students may require additional time to achieve learning goals.

Specific eligibility requirements for VPC studies

While some VCE studies have specific eligibility requirements, there are no specific eligibility requirements for VPC studies. Refer to the relevant VCE administrative handbook sections for these requirements.