Senior Secondary Certificate Reform
VCE Vocational Major leads senior secondary certificate reforms in 2023
2023 was an historic year for senior secondary education in Victoria with the implementation of reforms as guided by the Review into vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling (the Firth Review).
This year the VCAA implemented the first phase of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) reforms with the introduction of the new VCE Vocational Major (VM), which replaced the Senior and Intermediate VCAL, and the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) which replaced Foundation VCAL.
These once-in-a generation reforms bring vocational and applied learning directly into the VCE, recognising it as an equal pathway to successful lives for young Victorians. The new VPC is now providing strong learning opportunities for students who are not yet ready or unable to undertake the VCE.
More than 22,000 senior students took up the VCE VM in 2023, indicating that the perception of vocational education and applied learning is strong.
The VCAA’s provision of support materials, professional learning and advice to careers practitioners and teachers throughout the year has been well received by schools. An external advertising campaign, ‘Many Talents. One VCE’, has helped to promote the reforms and increase positive public perceptions of the new options for students in Years 11 and 12.
Curriculum and assessment audits commenced in 2023, with a focus on supporting schools in their development of teaching and learning programs in the first year of implementing the VCE VM and VPC. This important quality assurance work will support implementation and allow the VCAA to reflect on next steps in providing this support to teachers.
Outstanding VCE VM students will be celebrated for the first time as part of the 2023 Premier’s VCE Awards, signaling to all VCE students that outstanding achievement comes in many forms.
The year also saw the development of the Student Achievement Profile, a new way to bring together a student’s achievements in a new reporting format. The Student Achievement Profile represents a holistic summary of a student’s achievements captured during their senior secondary education and will accompany the existing Statement of Results.
A Student Achievement Profile summary will be issued in 2024 for senior secondary students leaving school without a qualification in 2023. The aim is for this to extend to all students in 2025.
In 2025, schools will be able to offer 2 VCE VM studies – VCE VM Work Related Skills and VCE VM Personal Development Skills – giving VCE students the opportunity to undertake studies delivered using applied learning pedagogy. This further elevates the student experience and means that VCE students can benefit from valuable applied learning options within their VCE program, empowering them to make more informed decisions about their place in the world.
In 2024 the VCAA will continue to provide support materials, professional learning and advice to careers practitioners and teachers, as we all work together to realise the reform vision.
Thank you to all the teachers, practitioners and school leaders who have played a part in the implementation of the first year of the VCE VM and the VPC. It is with your support that secondary students across Victoria can find new ways to succeed in completing their senior secondary education.
If you are interested in becoming a member of VCE Vocational Major and Victorian Pathways Certificate Communities of Practice, visit Communities of Practice.
For up-to-date information, visit Victorian Senior Secondary Certificate Reform.
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Understanding VCE
The VCAA is interested in why a growing number of students have been completing the VCE without seeking an ATAR, and what this means for students during and after their senior secondary schooling. This consultation will include past and present students, families, teachers and school leaders.
The VCAA is looking at how it can support schools to best position students for their senior secondary studies and post-schooling pathway and ensure the policies and processes that support this are robust.
An update on this topic will be shared in mid-2024.
Have your say
If you would like to contribute by sharing your thoughts and experience, please contact the Senior Secondary Certificate Reform team at vcaa.seniorsecondaryreform@education.vic.gov.au.
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