Vocational Education & Training (VET)

Home / Learning / Vocational Education & Training

In society, there is an increasing need for highly skilled workers. Today’s school leavers entering the workforce need skills that meet the expectations of the 21st Century, and Vocational Education & Training (VET) programs have been developed and supported by the QLD Education System to assist students to meet these challenges.

What does a VET Program offer you?

With VET in Schools, you can:

  • Combine a vocational pathway with your studies at school
  • Complete a Certificate III in Business in regular school classes
  • Complete a variety of Certificate II – IV qualifications or a Diploma of Business outside regular school classes (e.g. TAFE, TCTC, Learning Partnerships) in an off-campus arrangement
  • Keep options open to pursue further vocational education courses post school
  • To strengthen employment opportunities post school
  • Keep both the ATAR and vocational pathways open simultaneously
  • Completion of Certificate III, IV, and Diploma level courses will provide a standalone ATAR value and may be used for entry into some University courses (providing other prerequisites are met)

At The Cathedral School we are committed to supporting a range of VET opportunities, both within the school and in partnership with other RTO’s (Registered Training Organisations), both on and off our school campus. Some VET courses may also be sourced on-line.

Entering Vocational Education studies at The Cathedral School

Students who choose vocational education courses at Cathedral will firstly undertake an induction program with their respective teacher (trainer and assessor). Within this program, it will be made explicitly clear the requirements for attaining the certificate that they are studying, including the OHS training and how to apply for RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) if a student has transferred from another school or has completed study with another institution or RTO provider.

Completion or partial completion of a certificate course

Throughout a course of study, as units of competency are successfully completed, the RTO will enter completed units of competency into the QCAA database. Upon completion of all the units of competency required for a Certificate course at the Cathedral School (this may include also RPL for units completed at other schools or institutions), a Certificate will be issued by the RTO or the QCAA. This will occur when the student completes their schooling in Year 12. If the Certificate course is not fully completed, a Statement of Attainment will be issued, showing all units which have been successfully completed.

Accessing records and issuing replacement certificates

The Cathedral School is not an RTO (Registered Training Organisation), and therefore uses third party providers to deliver vocational courses. If a former student requires a record of previous results from a VET course, they should contact the RTO that provided the training or log into their USI account to source Certificates and documentation. The school can be contacted for assistance if this is required.

Senior School Handbook

For more information on Vocational Courses offered at The Cathedral School, please download our Senior School Handbook or contact us to speak to our enrolments team.

Vocational courses offered at The Cathedral School

CERTIFICATE II IN WORKPLACE SKILLS (BSB20120)

Binnacle Training (RTO 31319)
Combination of classroom and project-based learning, online learning (self-study), and practical work-related experience.

Students participate in the delivery of a range of project-based activities and programs within their school community.
Graduates will be competent in a range of essential business skills including; self-awareness/personal effectiveness, effective communication techniques, critical thinking and problem-solving, time management, team work, workplace health and safety, and participating in sustainable work practices.

This program also includes a range of career pathway options including pathway into BSB30120 Certificate III in Business.

Units of competency: 1-Year Format*
*Packaged as a 4-Term Format however can be delivered over 2-Years.

  • Apply communication skills
  • Work effectively in business environments
  • Plan and apply time management
  • Participate in sustainable work practices
  • Contribute to the health and safety of self and others
  • Develop self-awareness
  • Develop and apply thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Use business software applications
  • Use digital technologies to communicate in a work environment
  • Work effectively with others

The number and variety of courses offered is endless and can be tailored to suit an individual student’s needs in their area of interest. The most common VET courses undertaken by students at The Cathedral School are listed below.

WHAT DO STUDENTS ACHIEVE?

  • BSB20120 Certificate II in Workplace Skills (max. 4 QCE Credits).
  • A range of career pathway options including a pathway into BSB30120 Certificate III in Business.

CERTIFICATE III IN BUSINESS (BSB30120)

Binnacle Training (RTO 31319)
Combination of classroom and project-based learning, online learning (self-study), and practical work-related experience.

The program will be delivered through class-based tasks as well as both simulated and real business environments at the school – involving the delivery of a range of projects and services within the school community. Graduates will be competent in a range of essential business skills including; personal management and effective communication techniques, customer service, leadership and innovation, critical thinking, business technology and documents, financial literacy, workplace health and safety, inclusive work practices and participating in sustainable work practices.

This program also includes student opportunities to design for a new product or service as part of our (non-accredited) Entrepreneurship Project – Binnacle Boss.

Units of competency: (Two-year course)

  • Support personal wellbeing in the workplace
  • Organise personal work priorities
  • Develop and apply knowledge of personal finances
  • Assist with maintaining workplace safety
  • Participate in sustainable work practices
  • Engage in workplace communication
  • Use inclusive work practices
  • Work in a team
  • Apply critical thinking skills in a team environment
  • Design and produce business documents
  • Write simple documents
  • Create electronic presentations
  • Deliver and monitor a service to customers

WHAT DO STUDENTS ACHIEVE?

  • BSB30120 Certificate III in Business (max. 8 QCE Credits).
  • Successful completion of Certificate III in Business may contribute towards a student’s Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

HOSPITALITY PRACTISES

(The subject levy includes the cost of the 4 units of competency listed below)

The Hospitality Practices subject as outlined on page 39 of the Senior School Handbook, will embed the following units within the curriculum.

Food Handling and Introduction to Barista Skill Set including:

  • Use Hygienic Practices for Food Safety
  • Provide Responsible Service of Alcohol
  • Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee
  • Serve Food and Beverages
Other external providers

TAFE NORTH OFFERS

Certificate (Cert) I in Construction
Cert II in Engineering Pathways
Cert II in Automotive Vocational Preparation
Cert II in Electro-technology
Cert II in Plumbing
Cert II in Furniture Making Pathways
Cert II in Automotive Electrical Technology
Cert II in Health Support Services
Cert II in Salon Assistant
Cert II in Kitchen Operations (Cooking)
Cert II in Retail Cosmetics
Cert II in Tourism

Please note: these courses are offered all day on Wednesdays for one year in term time.

TOWNSVILLE CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES COLLEGE (TCTC) OFFERS

Cert II in Creative Industries-Screen (Film-making)
Cert II in Creative Industries-Animation
Cert II in Information, Digital Media and Technology (Game Programming)
Cert II in Printing and Graphic Arts
Cert II in Music Industry

TCTC also offers the above 5 study areas as Cert III programs with the equivalent Cert II program required as a pre-requisite.

LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS OFFERS

Cert II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways
Cert III in Business Administration
Diploma of Business
Diploma of Leadership and Event Management

EXAMPLES OF OTHER EXTERNAL RTO QUALIFICATIONS THAT CAN BE STUDIED OVER YEARS 11 AND 12

Cert III and IV in Fitness
Cert II in Animal Studies
Cert II in Rural Operations (equine electives)
Cert II and III in Agriculture
Cert III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Cert II and III in Sport and Recreation

School-based Traineeships and Apprenticeships (SBA’s) can be undertaken in a variety of industry areas, commencing from Year 10 onward and starting at any time in the school year. Most commonly, apprenticeships are started in the trade, hairdressing, and cookery areas, while traineeships occur most commonly in the business, finance, childcare, agriculture, retail, and fitness industries.