Vocational Education and Training
As part of our commitment to developing each student’s unique talents, we offer vocational pathways to prepare boys for their chosen career.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses offer Year 11 and 12 students the opportunity to study for TAFE NSW qualifications as part of their regular Higher School Certificate study program.
The School also offers students the opportunity to study a variety of specialist courses at TAFE and through our partnership with Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College. These courses provide students with skills, training and qualifications that will equip them with a head start in their chosen career or further training.
CBHS Lewisham currently offers the below VET courses on campus:
- Certificate II in Business
- Certificate II in Hospitality
- Certificate III in Information, Digital Media and Technology
- Certificate III in Fitness
- Certificate III in Live Production and Services
The school also offers students the opportunity to study a variety of specialist courses at TAFE and through our partnership with Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College. These courses provide students with skills, training and qualifications that will equip them with a head start in their chosen career or further training.
VET courses are accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and count towards the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) and NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC). They also have some characteristics which make them different from the other courses that can be studied.
VET courses:
- are based on national training packages that are designed to meet industry training needs
- lead to the achievement of nationally recognised qualifications within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
- provide opportunities for practical, work based learning that will assist our students in developing the knowledge and skills needed for work and further study
- are written and assessed in competency based terms
Christian Brothers’ High School Lewisham works with Sydney Catholic Schools as our Registered Training Organisation (RTO 90478).
VET courses are both studied within CBHS (with the Sydney Catholic Schools as our RTO), at another school such as a Trade Training Centre or Trade Skills Centre, at TAFE or through a private provider.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses provide you with skills, knowledge and experiences to improve your job prospects and prepare you for work and further study after school.
VET Courses Offered at Lewisham
Below is a list of all the VET courses offered to students at CBHS either internally or external or through TAFE campuses.
Please note: due to the student-driven approach for courses at CBHS Lewisham not all VET courses offered are available some years.
Information, Digital Media and Technology
This course provides a foundation in general computing and employment skills that enable participation in an information technology environment in any industry. It also assists students to achieve a degree of confidence and self-sufficiency as an advanced ICT user.
Hospitality - Kitchen Operations
This course provides a pathway to work in kitchen operations in organisations such as restaurants, hotels, catering operations, clubs, pubs, cafes, cafeterias, coffee shops and institutions such as aged care facilities, hospitals, prisons and schools.
Fitness
This course prepares students for entry-level qualifications required for employment in the Fitness industry. Due to the elective specialisation chosen, it provides a pathway to work as the role of gym instructors.
Business Services
This qualification is nationally recognised entry-level qualification for employment in the Business Services industry. This course would suit students who are interested in a career in the office or business environment and in other personal contact & service occupations such as legal or medical secretary, business management, marketing, advertising and finance. The knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired by students in this course will also be of value in future study and daily life.
Entertainment Industry
This qualification is recognised as an entry-level qualification for employment in the Entertainment industry. The course would suit students who are interested in a career in the Entertainment Industry, working in possible jobs such as stage-hand, technical assistant in lighting and sound.
Construction
The course qualification is nationally recognised entry-level qualification for employment in the Construction industry. This course would suit students who are interested in a career in the building and construction industry, building certification or project management in that industry.
Automotive
This course prepares students to perform a limited range of tasks related to the mechanical and electrical components and systems of cars, heavy vehicles, outdoor power equipment, bicycles, marine craft and motorcycles.
Electrotechnology
During this course students cover competencies for work entry program providing grounding in safety and basic skills and knowledge for work in any electro technology discipline.
Plumbing
This course is designed to introduce learners to the recognised trade skills and knowledge in the plumbing industry. If undertaking a School Based Apprenticeship, the course will provide meaningful credit in a plumbing industry Australian Apprenticeship. The qualification may be completed post school as part of an apprenticeship. Occupational titles may include plumber, gasfitter and drainer and outcomes will be dependent on streams undertaken within the course.
VET Course Expectations
- As with other areas of study, students are expected to work hard to develop, achieve and demonstrate the knowledge and skills of the course.
- The focus of VET courses is on working in industry, so behaviour must be reliable and responsible both at school and in the workplace.
- Students must observe all Work Health & Safety requirements of the course studied.
- It is the students’ responsibility to maintain the resources and equipment required for the course studied.
- Some VET courses may require you to wear a uniform for part or all of classes. Since VET courses are designed to train students for employment in industry, students will be expected to conform to industry standards with regard to uniform and other safety equipment. CBHS VET Staff will provide students with more information about uniform and safety equipment for the particular VET course.
Potential Qualifications and Certificates
For courses delivered at CBHS, students can receive an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate I, II or III, depending on the course and the units of competency achieved. If all of the competencies have not been achieved or where the course does not cover all competencies for a particular Certificate, you will receive a Statement of Attainment towards the qualification.
Students completing VET courses receive:
- an AQF Certificate or Statement of Attainment. The AQF Certificate is awarded if all required Core and Elective units of competency required by the qualification have been achieved
- a transcript listing the units of competency achieved as applicable, you will have the VET courses you have studied included in your Transcript of Study, Record of School Achievement or Higher School Certificate testamur along with your other subjects/courses undertaken
The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.
William S. Burroughs
Quality Training
Through Sydney Catholic Schools, CBHS Lewisham meets rigorous quality standards in order to comply with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015.
This means that:
- training and assessment meets national standards the qualifications received will be recognised by employers and other Registered Training Organisations
- teachers at CBHS Lewisham are well qualified and have undertaken additional industry training and experience
- CBHS Lewisham is committed to quality course delivery and ongoing improvement. Students will be encouraged to give feedback on the VET course through surveys and discussions
VET Course Assessment
All VET courses are competency-based. This means all assessment is based on student ability to demonstrate their skills against the standards prescribed by industry in the training package. Teachers will gather assessment evidence using a variety of assessment tasks in a variety of contexts. Student results will be recorded as either competent or not yet competent. If students are judged as not yet competent they will be given other opportunities to be reassessed, where practicable.
Work Placement
Work placement is structured learning in the workplace that enables students to:
- progress towards the achievement of industry competencies
- develop appropriate attitudes towards work
- practise the skills acquired in the classroom
Generally you will be expected to do 70 hours (2 weeks) over two years. However, work placement requirements do vary for different courses. CBHS will inform students of specific requirements at the beginning of the school year.
For most Stage 6 VET courses, work placement is a mandatory HSC requirement and is a part of the assessment program. For these courses, if students do not complete their work placement, they will not meet NESA requirements and the course will not count towards their HSC.