Students Learn Valuable Industry Skills and Experience When Studying VET Courses

Students studying VET Hospitality are provided with hands-on experience and industry specific skills.

“I enjoy Hospitality as it provides me with hands-on experience, industry specific skills, and practical knowledge which is very beneficial for me as someone who is looking to work in the hospitality industry when I leave school”, says Alyssa R., Year 11. And Alannah S. and Alyssia Z., Year 11 students who have chosen to study the VET subject Beauty Services - Make Up, agree. “We have chosen to study VET Beauty Services - Make-up as we have a passion and creativity for makeup. The course allows us to develop new and improved skills in a hands-on environment, and prepare for a career in this industry”.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses offer students the chance to pursue their passions, explore potential career pathways, and lay the groundwork for both post-school education and employment. By starting to earn industry-recognised qualifications while still in school, students can establish a strong foundation for their future careers.

In 2022 Catherine McAuley was awarded the NSW Training Award ‘VET in Schools Student of the Year - Western Sydney and Blue Mountains Region’ for a Year 12 Business Services student and the school has consistently placed in the Top 10 in the State for Business Services. In addition, VET teachers at Catherine McAuley have been recognised for their excellence with Business Services teacher Mrs Taryn Grima nominated in 2023 for VET Trainer / Teacher of the Year - Blue Mountains & Western Sydney Region, Mrs Elaine Maher awarded in 2023 for teacher excellence in VET Hospitality at the Rotary Youth Vocational Awards and this year Mrs Poonam Relan received a Rotary Training Award.

Year 11 VET Hospitality student

“There is a wide range of VET subjects that students can choose from,” says Ms Tess McGlenchy, VET and RTO Leader. “VET courses are NESA-approved and contribute to a student’s HSC pattern of study while also providing the opportunity to earn an AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) qualification. The choices are diverse, including subjects such as Hospitality, Construction, Business Services, Retail, Fitness, Entertainment, Nursing, Early Childhood Education, and Care, Beauty Services, Real Estate Practice, Animal Care and many more.”

“Students at Catherine McAuley have numerous options when it comes to VET,” Ms McGlenchy continues. “They can select a VET subject offered directly at school, attend a cluster class, which is held off site, often at another school typically in the afternoon, or opt to study with an external provider, such as TAFE, NSW Health, or The Whitehouse Institute of Design, among others.”

Year 11 VET Business Services class with teacher Mrs Williams

This year Catherine McAuley offers onsite for senior students Business Services, Active Volunteering, Hospitality, Fitness and Skills for Work. There are students currently attending cluster classes for Entertainment, Construction, Retail and Early Childhood, Education and Care and external VET courses in Acute Care/Allied Health (Nursing) and Animal Studies. “When a student is in Year 10 they will have access to the current list of VET courses available to them during their subject selection period, " says Ms McGlenchy.

Eloise L. is a Year 11 Hospitality student who says she chose Hospitality as she enjoys cooking and she wanted to learn more about the hospitality industry. “I am enjoying the subject because I learn new skills every week when we cook in the kitchen and in the classroom I am learning about the different aspects of the industry”. Alyssa R. is also a Year 11 student who is studying Hospitality and who particularly enjoys the work placements. “As part of this course we are required to attend two weeks of work placement in a hospitality environment. I really enjoyed this experience as it opened up opportunities and I gained many skills from this”. Isabella A., Year 11 has also enjoyed the work placement component. “Work placement is a great way to experience the hospitality industry and transfer the skills we have learnt from class into tasks at work”.

Bonnie S., Year 11 has chosen to study VET Retail because she enjoys her casual job at Kmart and thought the subject would help her learn more about retail. “What we learn in Retail are real life skills that we can transfer into our workplace in the future”, Bonnie says. “I also like being able to travel to a different school every second Thursday. We role play in a retail environment with a mini shop at the back of the classroom”. Scarlet S., a Year 11 student studying VET Fitness, says she likes the change of pace in the VET class. “I enjoy my Fitness lessons as it provides me with a chance to unwind and reset after engaging in face-to-face learning”, she says. Whilst Niamh M., Year 11 says she chose Business Services because the course allows her to attain a Certificate III whilst still at school. “This offers a distinct beneficial outcome that broadens my career opportunities and pathways following school”.

Year 11 Business Services students

Ms McGlenchy encourages students to consider enrolling in a VET (Vocational Education and Training) subject, highlighting its multiple benefits. “A VET subject allows students to explore their chosen career pathways by starting a qualification while still at school.This means they might be ready to work almost immediately after obtaining their qualification. Additionally, they may receive credit toward higher certificate-level courses after school or gain access to further educational opportunities. For some, a VET course may support an early entry into university, as it demonstrates their commitment to learning beyond the standard curriculum,” she explains.

“VET courses offer students a valuable introduction to vocational education beyond the traditional school setting. These courses allow students to experience an adult learning environment, where they engage directly with industry professionals. This real-world exposure is highly beneficial, equipping students with practical insights and skills that are crucial for their future careers.”

For more information on Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses parents and students are encouraged to contact Ms Tess McGlenchy at tmcglenchy@parra.catholic.edu.au or phone 0407 957 880.