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VCAL and VET students supported by government assistance package

Sep 28, 2020

VICTORIA'S VCAL and VET students are the latest to be supported by the Victorian Government with an assistance package announced in a press conference on September 25.

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As part of the package, Education Minister James Merlino said students would be able to access special consideration to support them to achieve their VCAL certificates, and those unable to complete their VET qualifications would be guaranteed enrolment at TAFE or dual sector providers next year.

“This has been a year like no other. It’s why our message to every student is this: If you’ve worked hard, if you’ve done your best — we’ll help make sure you succeed,” Mr Merlino said.

“The skills learnt in a VET qualification will be critical to our state’s recovery — that’s why we’ll make sure these students have the extra time and extra support they need to complete their studies.”

Schools will consider the impact of remote learning, including:

School closures and remote learning impacting on practical parts of students’ studies;

Long absences;

Dealing with substantial extra responsibilities at home;

Mental health challenges; and

Impacts on student health and wellbeing and/or immediate family.

The requirements of completing VET qualifications are regulated by the Federal Government and students must show potential employers they are the right choice for them.

Students who do not complete their VET qualifications this year will be guaranteed enrolment at a TAFE or dual sector provider and have their 2021 VET fees waived in order to complete their course, or an equivalent course where it is not provided.

Students will receive a Statement of Attainment for completed VET units of competency in 2020, recognised at all RTOs and TAFEs and will be granted an extra month to complete their studies.

The government is also providing $4.6million to cover extra costs for Year 12 students to complete VET studies that cannot be met within their school’s current VET budget.

This funding will help cover items such as additional fees, materials, and staff supervision costs, along with costs associated with changed enrolments in VET units, or transport costs associated with additional training — ensuring no student is left behind.

Schools are also working closely with VET providers to enable students to undertake essential assessments on-site and to get them back into training and workplaces as soon as it is safe to do so.