By CASEY NEILL
NOBLE Park Secondary College’s VET program is in the running for a Victorian award, just three years after accepting its first students.
Principal Pam Dyson was thrilled to be named among three finalists for the Victorian Training Awards’ Vocational Education and Training (VET) Excellence Award.
“Three years ago, we weren’t even doing a VET here,” she said.
“It’s really improved the capacity for us to provide really good pathways.”
VET sees students learn through theory and practical lessons.
“Vocational education and training is such a fantastic thing,” Ms Dyson said.
“It’s a really wonderful program.
“What they’ve realised through universities is the kids are finding it a really valuable way to learn.”
Ms Dyson arrived at the school in 2009 and surveyed students about the classes they’d like to see.
From there the school introduced three VET courses, which all contribute towards an ATAR score for higher education course entry.
Sport and Community Recreation teaches students leadership and confidence with help from the Victorian Rugby Union and gives them a nationally-recognised Certificate I and II qualification.
The Business course sees students involved with community groups and fund-raising activities and Digital Media covers marketing as well as technology skills – all while giving students a national qualification.
This year more than 33 per cent of students at Noble Park completed a VET subject, compared with 4.5 per cent in 2008.
Senior school retention data rose 20 per cent and is above the state average, and last year 92 per cent of students who left the school were going on to higher education, up from 70 per cent in 2006.
“And we knew where every student was going to go,” Ms Dyson said.
The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) requires students to complete a VET class.
Ms Dyson said having these available at the school meant students didn’t have to travel to TAFE.
VCAL certificate attainment increased to 86 per cent in 2011 from 68 per cent in 2010 and 32 per cent in 2009.
“Education is the key to their future and we want to create these opportunities,” Ms Dyson said.
“It’s all about extending our students.
“I’m very proud of our college and our students and, of course, our staff.”
The Victorian Training Awards reward outstanding achievement and innovation in vocational education and training and are now in their 59th year.
Winners will be announced on 6 September.
