Vocational education and training, (VET) is “education and training for work." It exists to develop and recognise the competencies or skills of learners. These work-related skills provide a wide range of options for students while they are still attending school and for post school, as they transition to their career pathways.
VET at Cairns School of Distance Education
Cairns SDE currently offers the Certificate III in Business course to students in Year 10 to 12. Students may access other VET qualifications through TAFE or other recognised Registered Organisations (RTOs), or through another school of distance education. Qualified trainers/assessors at Cairns SDE deliver the course to students under the requirements of the RTO, ensuring that courses meet the standards of the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) and National Skills Standard Council (NSSC).
Students who are enrolled in a VET course through an external RTO, please contact the school on the email below to advise us of the course details, so we have this information to assist with senior pathway discussions.
Email: seniorpathways@cairnssde.eq.edu.au
VET course enrolment and fees
- After Term One students will be able to enrol in the Certificate III in Business under exceptional circumstances only.
- Students may need to participate in an interview with the VET Head of Department or course Trainer-Assessor to ascertain course suitability prior to enrolment.
- VET course fees are set at the time of enrolment and are non-refundable as Cairns.SDE delivers certificate courses through external RTOs.
Unique Student Identifier (USI)
All students enrolling in a VET course will require a USI number, which then becomes your individual (VET) education number you will keep for life. If you are enrolling in a VET course for the first time, click here to obtain your USI:https://www.usi.gov.au/
School to Work
Work Experience
Work experience is a formal arrangement in which school students participate in unpaid activities at a place of work (also can include voluntary workplaces). Students must be at least 14 years of age and can participate in up to 30 days of work experience per (calendar) year.
Depending on individual circumstances and the school program, students may participate in work experience in a block, e.g., up to 5 days in Week 10 of the term or over the school holidays, or another example would be 1 day per week over a term. This would be negotiated prior with the student, parent/guardian, work experience provider and the school. The details are then outlined in the Work Experience Agreement form.
Below are links to helpful information provided by QLD Department of Education (DET) on Work Experience
Prior to participating in Work Experience, a Work Experience Agreement form needs to be completed. The school will generate the form and support the process of completion prior to Work Experience. This process needs to take place at least 5 weeks before students commence Work Experience.
Note: Students living outside of QLD will need to discuss work experience approval and insurance information with the school and work experience provider, prior to completing Work Experience Agreement form.
School-based apprenticeships and traineeships
Students in Years 10-12 may choose to participate in a traineeship or apprenticeship, which is employment-based training while enrolled in your full-time school program, as you work towards a QLD Certificate of Education (QCE).
For more information on School-based apprenticeships and traineeships, you can visit the QLD Department of Education by clicking here.
Contact:
If you have any questions or would like to discuss specific options regarding options in VET, Work Experience or School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships, please send your enquiry to: seniorpathways@cairnssde.eq.edu.au