The Vocational Education and Training (VET) faculty provides highly practical and industry-relevant framework courses that equip students with ‘real life’ skills that can be used in the workforce.

From learning skills as varied as fencing and concreting to running a personal fitness regime, the courses on offer have something to interest most students.

Industry curriculum frameworks give students the opportunity to gain credit towards the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) and credit towards national vocational qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). There is no pass/fail in VET subjects with students working towards achieving competency in each of the relevant activities undertaken. Numerous opportunities to achieve competency are provided. All assessment activities have a practical component in addition to the relevant theoretical knowledge.

An advantage of VET programs in addition to their practical nature is the compulsory work placement component. For both the Preliminary and HSC years a student must complete 35 hours of Industry Work Placement. This experience is aimed at complementing the practical learning that the students undertake in the classroom and College’s practical learning spaces.

Interesting competencies in each of the Frameworks are as follows:

  • Using construction tools and equipment
  • Carry out measurements and calculations
  • Read and Interrupt plans
  • Erect and dismantle formwork for footings and slabs
  • Apply basic levelling
  • Carry out concreting to simple forms
  • Prepare bricklaying and blocklaying materials
  • Use bricklaying and blocklaying tools and equipment
  • Provide healthy eating information
  • Incorporate anatomy and physiology principles into fitness programming
  • Maintain sport, fitness and recreation facilities
  • Facilitate groups
  • Maintain equipment for activities
  • Provide health screening and fitness orientation
  • Plan and conduct programs
  • Conduct fitness appraisals and Provide First Aid
  • Use social media tools for collaboration and engagement
  • Build simple websites
  • Produce digital images for the web
  • Run standard diagnostic tests
  • Install and optimise operating system software
  • Use advanced features of computer applications
  • Operate software packages
  • Perform engineering measurements
  • Use power tools and hand held operations
  • Use workshop machines for basic operations
  • Perform routine manual metal arc welding
  • Carry out mechanical cutting and Interpret technical drawings
  • Handle livestock
  • Load & unload livestock
  • Prepare livestock for competition
  • Carry out regular livestock observation
  • Care for livestock
  • Identify and mark livestock
  • Observe and report on weather
  • Treat weeds
  • Operate tractors
  • Install maintain and repair farm fencing
  • Carry out basic electric fence operations
  • Identify and respond to security risks
  • Sell to the retail customer
  • Follow point-of-sale procedures
  • Work effectively in a service environment
  • Work effectively in a team
  • Produce visual merchandise displays
  • Advise on products and services