VALP - VOCATIONAL APPLIED LEARNING PROGRAM DOMAIN
Jacqui Martini
VALP Learning Leader
Vocational and Applied Learning is a rapidly growing pathway through senior secondary and beyond. At Catholic College Wodonga our Vocational and Applied Learning Pathways are designed to help students pursue their interests and aspirations, and develop the skills needed to succeed in further education, work and life. We do this by providing flexibility, valuing student voice, and making explicit connections between what we do in class and what happens in the world beyond school.
VCAL Skills
- Focus on personal development and work related skills
- Plan and run events / projects as a team
- Complete at least 4 weeks of work placement in an industry you’re interested in
Subject Code: V4VSA
Year Level: 12
What will I learn?
Personal Development Skills
Personal Development Skills is what makes VCAL special. You develop knowledge and skills in teamwork, taking responsibility for achieving set goals, decision making and problem solving. You do this by designing and undertaking projects that focus on:
- family, social, community and environmental responsibilities
- resilience, self-esteem and efficacy
- health and wellbeing
- valuing participation in a democratic society
Work Related Skills
We explore Occupational Health and Safety and explore career and employment options and develop job application skills. You complete Safe@Work Certificates to make sure you are ready to work safely in your first Structured Workplace Learning placement. You design and complete work-related activities or projects that apply and extend on the skills you learn earlier in the subject.
What will I do?
Personal Development Skills
- Plan, organise, undertake and reflect on projects.
- You will be asked to have increasing levels of responsibility over deciding what those projects are, how they are run, and how you demonstrate what you have learned.
- Personal Development Skills projects can be about almost anything, in the past groups of VCAL students have; planned and cultivated a vegetable garden, planned and run a camp, designed and installed a memorial, designed and had approval for a mountain bike skills course, and much more.
Work Related Skills
- Focus your learning on industries and jobs that interest you.
- Research and explore the world of work to make informed decisions about your future.
- How to be safe in the workplace and what to do when things go wrong.
- Complete at least four weeks of work placement over the year.