About Vocational Pathway Certificate (VPC)

The Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) is designed for students who would benefit from a flexible, supportive, and personalised learning environment.

The VPC focuses on developing practical literacy, numeracy, personal development, and work-related skills that students can apply in everyday life, further education, training, and employment. The program supports students to build confidence, independence, and readiness for future pathways.

The VPC curriculum provides flexibility in both learning and assessment, allowing students to engage in programs that reflect their individual strengths, interests, and goals. Learning experiences emphasise student choice, employability skills, real-world applications, community engagement, and workplace learning opportunities. The flexibility of the VPC pathway also allows students to engage with external agencies and support services where appropriate, helping to establish connections and access to ongoing supports that may continue beyond their schooling years. This approach assists students and families to plan for successful transitions into further education, training, employment, community participation, and independent living.

The VPC is an accredited foundation secondary qualification under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 and aligns with Level 1 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). While the VPC is not a senior secondary certificate, it can provide a pathway into the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), the Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major (VCE VM), vocational education and training (VET), TAFE, apprenticeships, traineeships, or employment.

The VPC is designed for a small number of students whose educational needs are best met through a highly individualised program. Determining whether the VPC is an appropriate pathway requires careful consideration of a student's learning profile, goals, strengths, and support needs.

Important information for families
Families interested in exploring the VPC pathway are strongly encouraged to engage in ongoing consultation with the school's Learning Diversity Coordinators (Years 11–12). The Learning Diversity Coordinators play a critical role in helping students and families understand the requirements of the certificate, assess its suitability, and identify the most appropriate pathway for future success. Decisions regarding VPC enrolment should be made collaboratively between the student, family, Learning Diversity Coordinators, and relevant school staff to ensure the chosen pathway best supports the student's educational, personal, and post-school aspirations.
For the right student, the VPC provides an excellent opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence, and practical experience needed for a successful transition to further learning, training, employment, and community participation.
Is the VPC right for you?
Students who may benefit from the VPC include those who:
  • Require additional support to achieve success in literacy and numeracy.
  • Have limited English language proficiency.
  • Have diverse learning needs that are better supported through flexible learning approaches.
  • Have physical, mental health, or wellbeing challenges that impact their learning.
  • Would benefit from a practical, applied learning environment with strong real-world connections.
  • Would benefit from engaging with external support services to assist with planning and transition beyond school.
  • Are seeking a supported pathway into further education, training, employment, or community-based programs.

Damien Morrison
Senior School Instructional Leader
VET/VM/VPC