The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) provides students with an opportunity to study a combination of VCAL, VET and VCE units.
The VCAL has three certificate levels: Foundation, Intermediate and Senior. At Bendigo Senior Secondary College we offer transition from Year 10 into Foundation or Intermediate programs. It usually takes one year to complete a VCAL level.
Students complete studies in VCE English or VCAL Literacy, VCE Maths or VCAL Numeracy, VCAL Personal Development Skills, VCAL Work Related Skills, Industry Skills (VET) and one other VCE subject selection.
BSSC VCAL Overview
| Foundation Program | Intermediate Program | Senior Program |
| Exploring themes in everyday tasks to develop employability skills through a structured program | Building for independent learning and the development of employability skills for specific vocational fields. | Independent student planning and achievement of complex tasks and context; involving decision making and leadership, for chosen vocational pathways. |
| Student learning programs are a set mix of VCAL units and competencies from accredited VET programs. | Students build a learning program from VCAL, VET and VCE units. | Student learning programs are a mix of VCAL, VET and VCE units which build on those that have been completed in previous years. |
Through a VCAL learning program students have an opportunity to
build a flexible pathway to the workforce, further vocational
training, apprenticeships, traineeships or to the VCE.
Students wanting to study at university are advised to
undertake a VCE program.
The emphasis of the VCAL is on applied learning. This means
project based learning that is linked to areas of vocational
interest and subjects that provide young people with the skills
needed for future employment and training.
Students complete studies in VCE English or VCAL Literacy, VCE Maths or VCAL Numeracy, VCAL Personal Development Skills, VCAL Work Related Skills, Industry Skills (VET) and one other VCE subject selection.
Information about the different subjects that are studied in a VCAL Program can be found in the BSSC Program and Subject Selection Guide.
Specialist Themed VCAL Programs
Specialist Themed VCAL Programs are suited to students who have a
passion and a demonstrated skill set for developing a career in
either of the Skilled
Services, Community
Services or Sport/Recreation
career areas. Students gain experience in their selected specialist
area through targeted combinations of Structured Workplace
Learning, industry visits, industry mentoring, guest speakers and
School Based Apprenticeships or Traineeships (as they arise).