Our aim is to foster and develop the skills to learn, grow and succeed in the 21st century.
If you have any questions or need more information about our VET offerings, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our dedicated leaders are more than happy to assist you and provide any additional details you may need.
At Clare High School we aim to provide students with opportunities that meet their needs and goals for the future as, according to the Minister for Education and Training and Skills, Mr Blair Boyer:
‘Every young person should be supported to understand the full range of opportunities available to them, to learn from employers about work and the skills that are valued in the workplace and to have firsthand experience of the workplace’
Vocational Education Training (VET) is an optional pathway or experience for students in Years 11 and 12. VET is an internationally recognised term used to describe education and training accreditation, which allows students to explore career pathways and acquire skills and knowledge in readiness for work, generally from outside of the school environment within other educational facilities such as TAFE. AT CHS we recognise that learning happens in a myriad of ways and in many different locations, therefore we encourage students to get excited about exploring the endless opportunities they have post-school.
By undertaking VET courses, students are able to access industry-developed courses/ training packages and gain accreditation, as well as earn SACE credits. VET courses are available for all eligible students attending Clare High School.
Students in Year 11 and 12 can access recognised VET courses and can complete their training through other alliances, such as various trade-training centres, TAFE SA and a range of private Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s). These include providers such as the Motor Traders Association (MTA), Regional Skills Training (RST) and Clip Joint for example. All proposed VET courses are based on training packages from the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF), the national set of standards that assures nationally consistent, high quality VET training and assessment services.
Currently, this learning is funded by the SA Government as long as the courses studied align with a Flexible Industry Pathway (FIP) in the list below. In 2025 there are 25 disciplines as listed below:
Students who choose to embark on a FIP will be required to participate in a VET Readiness Orientation (VETRO) test which includes an upfront assessment for Numeracy and Literacy which is carried out by an RTO. The VETRO will usually be carried out in Year 10 after the student has completed the Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF) and has decided to commence a Flexible Industry Pathway. If not just prior to acceptance into their course of choice. The VETRO will determine the student’s readiness and identify a personalised approach to the learning which may include additional training and support depending on the VETRO results.
A number of VET courses are offered at Clare High School while others are available off campus. Within our local Secondary Alliance there are a range of courses available at:
VET occurs either during a regular weekly training day or after school. All entry-level courses have pre-requisites, such as a pass in the VETRO and a desire to learn about and develop skills in the chosen industry. All courses stipulate that regular, full attendance, full participation and the completion of set work to a satisfactory standard are required.
Some courses also require the completion of a stated number of hours or shits of Structured Work Placement within the industry.
At Clare High School an array of VET opportunities are on offer for students to help them develop a greater understanding of, and be exposed to a wide range of potential career Pathways and many of them are FREE. The aim is to develop employability skills and prepare young people for employment in their chosen career pathway.
Short Courses: These include but are not limited to; White Card Training, First Aid, Barista and Responsible Service of Alcohol. These courses do NOT attract SACE credits and students need to pay to do them.
(Note: in 2024 White Card @ CHS cost to students was $150)
Job Skills: These are courses that are up to 2 weeks induration and are usually FREE. Due to the time they take to complete they generally attract 10 Stage 1 credits.
(An example of this is the ‘Vine to Wine’ Viticulture course)
Stackable VET / Skills Clusters: This is when a number of course competencies for a specific industry are put together and are delivered over several days, often with an on-line component.
(Note: Hospitality [front and back of house and Barista course] is an example of this)
Work Experience: This is an opportunity for students to ‘work’/spend time within a business for between 3-5 days (not necessarily a calendar week) to learn about what the specific career entails. This is available to all students in Year 10-12 and can be discussed with the EIF, Roll Class or Workplace Practices Teachers, Year Level Coordinators and/or the VET Coordinator. Forms can be found on this website.
Year 10 Careers Camp: Offered to ALL Year 10’s each year. Students spend 2 days in Adelaide visiting various RTO’s and Universities where they engage in lectures, site tours and activities in specific career pathways to assist them to identify interests and strengths to assist with future career planning.
Mid North Career Expo and Immersion Day: CHS hosts this day every year. There is a Careers Expo held in the Gym with historically 30+ local businesses and organisations, the big 3 universities and government agencies in attendance. Additionally, we run immersion sessions that cover as many of the 25 recognised FIPS as possible for students to opt in to for an activity/information session. These sessions are supported by RTO’s and local businesses where students were bussed around the Clare Valley to attend their sessions on site. This was attended by students from CHS and 5 other schools in the area, with over 250 Year 10,11, and 12 students involved. The event includes lunch and is FREE for all students.
(Note: that Certificate ll in Automotive Servicing Technology attracts Stage 2 credits)
(Note: that Certificate III Retail Operations only attracts Stage 1 credits).
VET courses listed as Flexible Industry Pathways (FIP’s) attract Government funding through the Department for Education VET for Schools Policy.
IF a course is not on a recognised FIP the cost will be 100% the responsibility of the parents/caregivers. Many of these courses do still attract Stage 2 credits toward SACE completion. (An example of this would be a Certificate lll in Dance which is not on a FIP AND is not government subsidised, but it does attract Stage 2 credits.
Changes to the courses that are funded and the levels of funding they attract can change at any time.
Students must be in Year 11 or 12 at the time of enrolment to access FIP funding.
Any courses not fully funded have a GAP fee. Clare High School has adopted the following tiered approach to course fees:
As part of the enrolment process, families will be advised of any out-of-pocket costs.
Further information on what VET courses are on offer locally, Work Experience forms and how to enrol in a VET course in 2025, can be found by clicking the links below:
Please feel free to contact our VET Coordinator, Kim Maynard, if you would like to learn more about the VET and Apprenticeships pathway.