Increasing numbers of students in Catholic schools are choosing a vocational education and training (VET) pathway.
While the numbers of students enrolled in trade training and VET courses are steady, Catholic Education South Australia is seeing an increase in enrolments in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.
“An apprenticeship or traineeship gives a student the opportunity to learn practical skills in their chosen profession,” explains Jacqui Asser, Senior Education Advisor.
“Catholic Education SA statistics show that students undertaking a school-based apprenticeship in our technical colleges and trade training centres are more likely to complete their apprenticeship due to the high level of support received through their school.
“Our statistics show that our completion rates are much higher than the national average. This is great news for our students!”
And it is no longer a matter of choosing SACE or VET – students can now get the best of both worlds.
“Forty percent of students undertaking a VET course do so as part of their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE),” explains Jacqui.
“An increasing number of students are completing full certificate III level courses that are recognised for an ATAR as part of a student’s SACE completion.
Around 2500 students in Catholic Schools are enrolled in VET courses. Growth areas mirror those identified by the state government as having increasing labour market demand. These include:
trades and technical trade areas
aged care
early childhood education and care
tourism
hospitality.
“There is also a greater emphasis on areas identified for future employment need such as engineering, electrotechnology, electronics, architectural drafting, IT and cyber security.”
Information technology has changed dramatically, and can prepare students for careers in software engineering, network and cybersecurity systems. Students learn how to code in order to create new software products for a variety of operating systems plus web and cloud application development.
Photos: Students at the Rosewater Trade Training Centre – the centre helps secondary school students in Years 10 – 12 to enhance their future career options. The centre is located adjacent Mt Carmel College in Rosewater.
