As a school student, you can access vocational education and training (VET) while at school in a number of different ways. You can study VET for just a couple of hours a week or you can undertake a more formal VET program, such as an Australian School-Based Apprenticeship.

Regardless of how you participate in VET at school, you can:

• develop practical, industry specific skills
• develop an understanding of the world of work
• gain a nationally recognised qualification.

If you participate in VET at your school, you will be eligible for an academic record that documents the units that you achieve. In some cases, you may also be eligible to receive a full qualification.

You can count your VET achievements towards your South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and in some cases your VET studies will also contribute to the tertiary entrance rank (TER) required for entrance to university.

Undertaking VET at school can offer you a pathway into further study at TAFE SA and university, or directly into employment.

Other ways that you can participate in VET while you are still at school include:

• attending VET subjects offered at your school that are partnerships with TAFE SA, called VET in Schools Agreements
• undertaking an Australian School-Based Apprenticeship, where you can undertake a traineeship or apprenticeship while completing your SACE
• attending a class at a TAFE SA campus where there are vacancies available for school students
• participating in a TAFE SA short course that has been specially developed for a class of school students
• special courses and programs that have been developed for a specific need, such as industry and skill shortages.

To find out more about what your local schools offer:

• contact your local schools directly
• speak to your school's VET Coordinator
• contact your state or territory training authority 
• visit the National Training Information Service website.

Frequently asked questions