VET Champions to inspire secondary students

High-achieving Victorians who have built successful careers through vocational education and training (VET) will be showcased as part of a new initiative to inspire the next generation of secondary school students.

The new VET Champions initiative will promote the career pathways and opportunities open to secondary school students who pursue VET.

The government wants outstanding Victorians from a wide range of industries who are passionate about the work they are doing and the vocational pathways that got them there to take part.

VET Champions could be someone who recently completed a course or apprenticeship or traineeship and is now thriving in their job, or they may be in their 30s and leading an exciting project or their own company.

They will have the opportunity to share their experiences by speaking at events, participating in panel discussions, and meeting with students at school events or at TAFEs.

VET Champions will be supported with specialised training in public speaking and presentation, and will have their stories captured with digital content and videos.

According to the Victorian Government, the program is part of a broader investment in creating the education and training pathways for students to get the skills they need for the jobs they want. $38.1 million is being invested to develop a new single integrated senior secondary certificate, following a review that found an integrated certificate will provide all Victorian students with the opportunity to develop academic and practical vocational skills — meaning students don’t have to choose between VCE and VCAL.

The VET Champions initiative will help improve students’ understanding of vocational pathways and career options, which was identified as a recommendation from the review.

Click here for further information or to nominate a VET Champion. 

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/auremar