Education Minister James Merlino confirmed on Tuesday the Victorian Applied Certificate of Learning would be phased out from 2023, with the new vocational specialist pathway implemented by 2025.
The $38 million merger of the certificates followed a review by former Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority chief executive John Firth.
The review recommended changing the program to help students best develop academic and practical vocational skills.
New jobs, skills and pathways coordinators will also be placed in every public high school, alongside a new Foundation Pathways Certificate focussing on students with disabilities and additional needs in the transition from high school to the workplace.
“With a single VCE certificate, we’ll make it easier for kids to get a range of skills – both academic and vocational,” Mr Merlino said.
“Not only will this change give students greater flexibility in the subjects they choose – it will also give young Victorians more flexibility once they leave school, whether that’s work or study.
“While learning from home, thousands of students benefitted from borrowed laptops, iPads and dongles. We want to make those loans permanent for kids who need them.”
A Greater Shepparton Secondary College spokesperson welcomed the introduction of a vocational specialisation within VCE, and eventual integrated senior secondary certificate.
“Students at Greater Shepparton Secondary College will no longer need to make the choice between VCE or VCAL,” the spokesperson said.
“This reform will provide exciting new opportunities for Shepparton secondary students who wish to undertake a vocational program.”
The spokesperson said the reforms would provide more support for students from 2021, and additional funding for jobs, skills and pathway coordinators.
“This will allow Greater Shepparton Secondary College to build on their already strong vocational and applied learning offerings and further strengthen their partnerships with local industries,” the spokesperson said.
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