Vocational Education and Training

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Vocational education and training (VET) enables students to gain qualifications for all types of employment, and specific skills to help them in the workplace.

Student achievement in accredited vocational education qualifications is based on industry-endorsed competency standards and is recorded in the student's learning account. These qualifications are recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), and this may give advanced standing towards a traineeship or apprenticeship and/or credit on entry to courses at TAFE Institutes and other Registered Training Organisations.

VET Qualifications contribute to the Queensland Certificate of Education if the required standard is reached.

Mackay State High School offers the following VET subjects to students: 

Year 10

All Year 10 students are expected to enrol in a Certificate II qualification as part of their senior studies.  Students will enrol in the following qualification, choosing one stream, during Year 10:

FSK20119 Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways

• Business
• Furnishing (Construction) - ​not available in 2022
  
• Hospitality
• Sport and Recreation

Further details about the course is contained in the Year 10 Curriculum Guide 2021.  Which can be accessed in the documents section of the website.

Year 11 and 12

Students may have the opportunity to enrol in the following courses as an elective in Year 11 and 12

• FSK20119 Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways

In partnership with an external RTO, Mackay State High School also offers the following VET Certificates:

• SIS30315 Certificate III in Fitness (delivered in collaboration with Binnacle Training RTO Number 31319 - http://www.binnacletraining.com.au)
• SIS30315 Certificate III in Sport and Recreation (delivered in collaboration with Binnacle Training RTO Number 31319 – http://www.binnacletraining.com.au)
  
• HLT33115 Certificate III in Health (delivered in partnership with Connect and Grow RTO Number 40518 -https://connectngrow.com.au/)
• SIT20316 Certificate II in Hospitality (delivered in partnership with BluePrint​​​​​ RTO Number 30978 - www.blueprintcd.com.au)
  

All students are provided with a printed VET Student Information Handbook on enrolment in a VET course and can access the handbook digitally prior to enrolment on the student (T://) drive at school or in the documents.

Further details about each Course is contained in the Senior Curriculum Guide 2021 which can be accessed in the documents folder of the website.

UNIQUE STUDENT IDENTIFIER

The USI (Unique Student Identifier) was introduced nationally on 1 January 2015 for all students studying VET qualifications.  The school is not permitted to issue Statements of Attainment or Certificates unless students have a USI recorded with Mackay State High School.  After students obtain a USI, they must provide the Senior Schooling Office with the USI number. 

Details about obtaining and reporting a USI can be found at https://www.usi.gov.au/students/get-a-usi.

COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS POLICY

Mackay State High School has a Complaints and Appeals Policy that applies to all students studying a VET course.  This policy can be accessed by students on the student (T://) drive or here: https://mackayshs.eq.edu.au/SupportAndResources/FormsAndDocuments/Documents/pp-complaints-and-appeals-2018.pdf

Start TAFE Now – Central Queensland University

Year 11 and 12 students are also able to enrol in a VET course as part of the VET in Schools Program through Central Queensland University (RTO Number:  40939).  Students attend their VET course at CQUniversity one day per week, and attend Mackay State High School on the remaining four days. 

Information about these courses can be found at:  https://www.cqu.edu.au/courses/future-students/future-study-options/study-tafe/start-tafe-now

Mackay Engineering College

Year 11 and 12 students are also able to enrol in a VET course at the Mackay Engineering College (RTO Number: 31399).  Places in these programs are subject availability and required students to attend the CQUniversity campus one day a week as well as complete a Work Placement block.  Information on these courses can be accessed through the Senior Schooling Office and in the 2021 Senior Subject Handbook.

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