Thinking of going back to school? Consider a VET course!

If you’ve left school before Year 12, chances are you’re looking to see what’s next. There are lots of pathways to get to the career you want, but when your chosen field needs a specific qualification, it’s easy to get discouraged.

You don’t need to be! VET courses are available for lots of different careers and can get you qualified to join the workforce. The best thing is you don’t need to have finished high school to take it on!

What is VET?

VET stands for Vocational Education and Training. Nationally Recognised VET courses focus on getting you prepared for a specific job and ready to work in a specific role. On successful completion of these courses graduates receive an AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) certificate, which means Australian employers recognise and value the qualification.

Most VET courses include a hands-on component, usually a work-placement, apprenticeship, or traineeship. This lets you have real industry experience in your chosen field, which employers value highly when hiring. It also allows you to make connections and get your foot in the door.

In a VET course you’re not competing against other students for the top spot. Assessments are competency based, meaning that you pass by demonstrating a specific skill or completing a task to set industry standards.

And if you’re interested in pursuing a career that requires a university qualification, a VET course can give you a pathway into one. Many universities recognise VET qualifications as proof of prior learning and will accept them as credit towards the completion of some higher qualifications.

And if you’re interested in pursuing a career that requires a university qualification, a VET course can give you a pathway into one. Many universities recognise VET qualifications as proof of prior learning and will accept them as credit towards the completion of some bachelor degrees.

What types of VET courses are there?

Lots of jobs have corresponding VET courses. If you’re looking to work in hospitality, in an aged care home, or in family daycare, or even if you’re looking for a business course that teaches you the basics of running a business before you start your own, there’s a VET course for you!

You can also upskill through a VET course. If you’re transitioning between roles or building a resume, a First Aid course or a Responsible Service of Alchohol course are great to have and may help you stand out from other candidates.

There are eight qualification levels that you can get through a VET course:

Certificate I
Certificate II
Certificate III
Certificate IV
Diploma
Advanced Diploma
Graduate Certificate
Graduate Diploma

How do employers register?

Figuring out what type of course to take, navigating requirements, and applying for apprenticeships and traineeships can be intimidating. Use these simple steps to get you going.

Start by identifying your career goals. What job do you want to be doing five years from now?
Then research the things you need to get you there.
Talk to the mentors in your life, whether it’s a career advisor, your parents and guardians, or someone you look up to in the field you’re trying to enter. Ask them about their experience in the workforce and the types of skills they recommend you build.
For more information and help in building your career plan, visit our website to check out our full list of courses, or give us a call at 1300 737 004 and ask one of our course advisors for help. You can also email us at info@mcie.edu.au to learn more about how you can achieve your career plans.