Vocational education

​​​​​​​​​​​​At Whites Hill State College, we have an integrated studies program, which incorporates Applied and General subjects, Vocational Education and Training (VET) Certificates, TAFE and external study, traineeships and apprenticeships.  Students are supported to pursue the pathway that best suits them.

VET courses help Year 11 & Year 12 students in their transition from school to work.  They may also be an alternative pathway to university entry.  Recognised vocational education and training allows students to reinforce and consolidate general learning in more applied contexts.  In this way, our vocational education and training program at Whites Hill State College caters for a broader range of students' learning styles.

Certificate courses

Delivered on our scope or in partnership with an external RTO

WHSC presents a range of VET courses which:

• Respond to industry, community and employment opportunities
• Ensure equity in the offerings
• Provide opportunities to work towards a nationally recognised qualification and articulation to further education
• Provide students with the opportunity to participate in programs and activities which foster and develop enterprise skills

Senior students may enrol in Certificate II, III, or IV level programs at various Institutes of TAFE or other external Registered Training Organisations (RTO). These courses vary in length from one semester to two years. The student's timetable may be adjusted to 5 subjects to help them complete their study obligations. Students will also attend these external courses 1 day per week, at the training organisation.

Students who are interested in certificate training need to:

• commit to completing the program
• pay all course costs directly to the training organisation
• arrange their own transport to and from the external training organisation
  

External RTO delivered at Whites Hill State College.

Students can undertake a nationally recognised qualification offered onsite by an external RTO (see details below). These courses are undertaken at school as per normal timetable arrangements.

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs)

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships allow high school students, generally in Years 10, 11 and 12, to work for an employer and train towards a recognised qualification one day a week, while completing their Secondary Schooling and studying for their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).

Advantages of school-based apprenticeships and traineeships:-

• More flexibility and variety – The variety provided by SATs can have enormous benefits for young people who prefer hands-on learning to traditional schooling pathways.
•  Head start in a career – Students employed as a school based apprentices and trainees develop workplace skills, knowledge and confidence and have a competitive edge when applying for jobs.  A SAT can lead directly to full-time employment once a student has left school.
• Nationally recognised qualification – All school based apprentices and trainees participate in vocational training that contributes to a Certificate II, III or high vocational qualification which can count towards the students QCE.
• An opportunity to learn and earn – Students are paid while they learn workplace skills, gain confidence, and adapt to a work environment.  It gives the student the opportunity to put skills learnt at school and the training organisation, into practice in a real work environment.

Work placement / work experience

Under the VET program students, completing a Certificate course will undertake work placement, which complements their vocational studies and future career path. Please note placement requirements are different across the suite of certificate courses on offer.

All students studying alternative pathways will have the option of undertaking work experience in Years 10 – 12.

It allows students to explore career options:

• helps Year 10 students decide on senior school subjects
• provides Year 11 and 12 students' time to consider their career options before applying to university.

Students submit an expression of interest form to the Vocational Education Department. They will finalise the placement contract and organise the necessary Education Queensland insurance documentation. Students must be covered by insurance or they will not be allowed to attend the workplace.