About Vocational Pathway Certificate (VPC)

VPC is a two-year program. 

There are no electives in VPC, but there is huge scope to personalise student learning and to follow the interests, curiosities and aspirations of the class and the individual. 

VPC student will do the following subjects:

• VPC Literacy 
• VPC Numeracy 
• VPC Personal Development Skills units 
• VPC Work Related Skills units
• VPC Skills
• Religion

Transition into VPC

For most students, VPC starts in Year 11. There are very limited opportunities for students to switch into VPC from VCE VM. Students cannot move from VPC into VCE VM, as VPC units do not credit into any other programs. 

What is important to know about VPC?

We expect families to be familiar with these principles before enrolling.

Project-based learning

A key component of VPC is event management and project-based learning. This is a different approach to the study of specific, traditional units, such as Physics.
Our VPC students are engaged in activities where they work together to complete outcomes across units, based around a common project. This might be within the school or in a community partnership.

Why do we structure the program this way? To provide broader, deeper opportunities to learn. Project-based learning holds student interest for longer and creates transferable knowledge that is more readily applied to other practical settings.

Flexibility

The program is designed to be flexible and is structured around students’ interests. Students themselves are the driving force behind where the curriculum can go.
Where possible we tailor VPC to individual aspirations.

Being flexible in our delivery encourages students to be more adaptable and responsive to change in the wider world.

Student input

VPC student are not passive recipients of knowledge. Although they are supported and guided, they are expected to be active participants in their learning. VPC students may be asked to:

• suggesting topic and projects
• reflect on their experiences and learning from outside school
• understand and express how they learn best
• identifying and working on the skills and knowledge they need for their future
• work in groups, alone and will members of the school and wider community
  

Assessment

VPC units have competency-based assessment, which means students are only assessed on whether they have a skill or are still working towards attaining that skill. They are not given a grade.

There is flexibility in how and when students may be assessed, including portfolios, teacher observations and student records and reflections on practical experiences. 

Homework

Homework is kept to a minimum.

As VPC is an applied learning pathway, students use their time after school in paid employment, sport and exploring their own interests.

Structured Workplace Learning

Students undertake a designated one or two week block of work placement each term. Work placement is a compulsory and exciting element of the VPC program at CCW, it provides students with an opportunity to learn about different workplaces, try out different occupations and develop a positive reputation amongst employers. Students are required to source and organise their own work placement, which is an important part of the learning process. There is also flexibility to undertake additional work placements by negotiation.

 

Damien Morrison
VCAL Learning Leader