CHEQUERED FLAG FOR VCAL STUDENT AT DE LA SALLE MALVERN Kristian P, (a past VCAL student) loved cars. He grew up surrounded by them and had been lucky enough to develop his interest and skills in his father’s workshop. Kristian combined his passion for cars with his VCAL course. He was De La Salle’s first ever “School Based New Apprentice.” Through an arrangement with Youth Connect, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce, a TAFE college and BMW Melbourne, Kristian commenced his apprenticeship as a Year 11 VCAL student. As a school-based VCAL apprentice, Kristian attended normal school on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, a TAFE course on Mondays and worked in BMW’s South Melbourne workshop every Wednesday. And he got paid for it! Under the training agreement, Kristian, during his time as a Year 11 & 12 student, finished his schooling at De La Salle, graduating in 2005, receiving his VCE certificate, as well as having completed the first eight months of the Certificate III in Automotive Skills. What a great start to a career in the automotive industry through a VCAL program. Such school-based part-time traineeships and apprenticeships allow students to train and get paid work in a nationally recognised certificate course while studying for their VCE. School Based New Apprenticeships take two years to complete part-time, usually commencing at Year 11. These studies can contribute to a student’s VCE ENTER score. The flexibility of a VCAL course in Years 11 and 12 makes it possible for a student to undertake such a programme and De La Salle is working to develop partnerships with key stakeholders in industry and training. MITCHELL HAS THE WELD AT HIS FEET In 2004, Year 11 VCAL student Mitchell L set the world on fire at Holmesglen TAFE’s Moorabbin Campus. Mitch was then undertaking Certificate II in Welding and Fabrication and was “a real gun” with a blowtorch. Mitch had designs on becoming a plumber after finishing school. Mitch had significant work experience with his father, (a plumber) who runs his own business. Mitch was able to undertake the TAFE course as the Industry Strand of his Intermediate VCAL course. In 2005 Mitch completed the Senior VCAL certificate and graduated from De La Salle with his Year 12 classmates. The VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) has gained momentum statewide and has attracted plenty of interest at De La Salle, with a number of new “hands on” practical work related experiences now being offered. A great innovation in 2005 was the implementation of the VET in the VCE Building and Construction course which is now delivered at the College. Through this course students have the opportunity to complete the majority of the modules required for the pre-apprenticeship in carpentry as part of their school-based programme.