Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools
Are you a secondary school student, parent or careers advisor looking to find out more about how secondary school students to can start a career in the health industry whilst studying for the HSC?
NSW Health now provides training experiences to students in Yrs 11 and 12 through the Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools programs. Students can get a taste of the type of work available in the public health system by completing (clinical) work placements whilst completing any one of the following courses:
- Certificate III in Health Service Assistance (Acute Care)
- Certificate III Allied Health Assistance
- Certificate III Aged Care
These nationally recognised qualifications are delivered by registered training organisations (RTOs) working in partnership with schools and hospitals. Starting in 2011 the NSW Board of Studies has endorsed a new Human Services Industry Curriculum Framework encompassing the above qualifications. What this means is that students completing one of these courses are able to:
- Study health subjects as part of the Higher School Certificate which will contribute towards the Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranking (ATAR) (provided the optional exam is successfully completed)
- Simultaneously achieve an ATAR and nationally recognised qualification
- Be more “work ready” by leaving school with a health-related vocational qualification
- Make more informed career and post secondary education choices
Supervised clinical placements in acute care settings in local hospitals form part of the course requirements and will give students the opportunity to experience firsthand what it’s like to work in a health facility.
Completion of one of these courses may provide a rewarding career in itself or students may wish to build on their qualification to undertake further education and training so they can specialise in one of the many available health careers.
For information on the qualifications please select the Local Health District (LHD) that best matches the area you attend school. The link will take you to one or more of the RTOs for that region. Then type in ‘Health Services Assistance’, ‘Allied Health Assistance’ or ‘Aged Care’ to search for these courses.
If you are a student please contact your school VET coordinator and/or career advisor for further information and advice re VET in Schools programs.
Please note:
- Not all courses are available in all regions
-
In some regions, there is also an opportunity to undertake some of these courses as a School Based Trainee
Locations
- Western NSW and Far West LHDs
- South Western Sydney and Sydney LHDs
- Western Sydney LHD
- Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
- South Eastern Sydney LHD
- Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
- Northern Sydney LHD
- Central Coast LHD
- Southern NSW LHD
- Hunter and New England LHD
Resources
- VET in Schools - Health Career Brochure
- Department of Education and Communities – Vocational Education in Schools
- Hunter New England Local Health District School Based Traineeship details