VCAL Introduction
David GallagherManager - VCAL
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment [email protected]
VCAL(Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning)
Literacy & Numeracy, Industry Specific Skills,Work Related Skills,
Personal Development Skills
Senior School Certificates
VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education)
Usually 20-24 units 90 different studies available
Vocational Education & TrainingVCE VET Program
School Based Apprenticeship and TraineeshipOther VET Certificates
Policy driving VCALMinisterial Review of Post Compulsory Education and Training Pathways in Victoria 2000 (Kirby Report) stated:
– Strong links between education/training outcomes and employment
– Pathways for young people are uncertain, unequal and poorly signposted
– VCE has its limitations as a program suited to the entire cohort at the upper secondary age
VCAL• Senior secondary school qualification• Accredited in July 2002• Based on existing good practice• Develops and extends pathways for young people to:
o Work, apprenticeships/traineeshipso Training and further education
VCAL enrolments 2011
VCAL providers 2011
Applied learning principles
• Negotiate curriculum. Engage in a dialogue with learners about their curriculum
• Connect with the communities and real life experiences• Integrate learning. Real life tasks are used to achieve
leaning outcomes from a number of the VCAL strands• Share knowledge. Recognise the knowledge learners bring
to the learning environment
Applied learning principles cont’d
• Concerned with working with a student in a holistic manner - valuing skills and knowledge that may not normally be the focus of more traditional school curricula
• Takes into account differences in preferred learning styles and ways of learning
• Assess appropriately
VCAL Fab Four
VCAL curriculum strands
Four compulsory curriculum strands:
•Literacy and Numeracy Skills
•Industry Specific Skills
•Work Related Skills
•Personal Development Skills
VCAL curriculum strands Work Related Skills (WRS)• School based projects focusing on enterprise, teamwork,
communication, resume writing, job applications, researching industry areas, OH&S etc. The unit may include structured work placements.
Personal Development Skills (PDS)• Development of knowledge/skills that leads to the development of self,
social responsibility, building community, civic responsibility and improving self confidence.
VCAL curriculum strands
Literacy & Numeracy Skills (LNS)•Literacy Skills curriculum encourages the development of knowledge/skills, in the contexts of family, employment, further learning and community •Numeracy Skills curriculum develops skills to use mathematical skills within society related to design, measuring, time, travel etc
Industry Specific Skills (ISS)•The development of knowledge/skills related to one or more vocational areas in preparation for work or further training
VCAL award levels
3 VCAL award levels:
•Foundation
•Intermediate
•Senior
VCAL course components
A VCAL learning program may contain curriculum components drawn from:
•VCAL units (LNS, ISS, WRS and PDS)•VCE units (including VET in the VCE programs)•Other VET curriculum or Training Packages•Further Education accredited curriculum
VCAA VCAL resources
• Professional development program for VCAL providers
• Curriculum Planning Guides
• Unit Assessment Planning Guide
• VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook
• Brochures for parents/Year 10 students
• Web address: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au
Community support
Applied Learning in the VCAL
John and the Country Fire Authority
John is 16 years old and completing his VCAL by blending his study at school with training courses and volunteer work with the Country Fire Authority (CFA).
John and the Country Fire Authority
Adult-based VET Certificate courses in fire fighting
Fund-raising activities for the Fire-wise TrailerContributions to fire-safety community education program
Workplace learning with the Country Fire Authority
Presentations for local community and publications developed and published for media
Industry Specific
Skills
Personal Development
Skills
Work Related
Skills
Literacy &
Numeracy Skills
Contact Details David Gallagher
+ 61 3 9032 1727Email [email protected]
Cornelia DeBrincat+ 61 3 9032 1726Email [email protected]
Anton Bouwer+ 61 3 9032 1725Email [email protected]
Website: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au
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