Benefits

Benefits of the VCAL program

• Applied learning is more enjoyable and engaging for many students
• Applied learning improves student motivation and commitment
• Applied learning improves self-esteem, confidence, and personal responsibility
• Applied learning teaches the generic skills that are valued in the workplace (e.g. problem solving, team work and leadership)
• Applied learning eases the transition from school to work and/or further education
• Applied learning caters for a range of learning styles
• Applied learning provides a meaningful context for learning both theoretical concepts and practical skills

Structure of the VCAL program 
Three Levels
The VCAL framework qualification enables accredited curriculum from a range of sources to be grouped into coherent learning programs at the following three award levels:

• Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Foundation)
• Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Intermediate)
• Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Senior)
• VCAL Foundation and Intermediate level provide breadth and VCAL Senior level provides the depth, taking students to the next level of their learning

Four Strands
Each VCAL learning program provides a balanced program through curriculum in the following four compulsory curriculum strands. Curriculum components in each of the VCAL curriculum strands can include:

• Literacy and Numeracy Skills - VCAL Literacy Skills and Numeracy Skills units, VCE English and Maths or literacy and numeracy units/modules from Further Education certificates such as the Certificate in General Education (Adults)
• Industry Specific Skills - VET in Schools certificates and/or modules, units/modules from other VET and appropriate VCE units at VCAL Foundation level
• Work Related Skills - VCAL Work Related Skills units, units/modules from Further Education and/or VET certificates plus structured work placement
• Personal Development Skills - VCAL Personal Development Skills units or appropriate Further Education or VCE units

Course requirements
To be awarded a VCAL, students must successfully complete a Learning Program of 1000 nominal hours that is designed to comply with the following credit requirements. The VCAL Learning Program must:

• Be made up of at least 10 credits
• Include curriculum components each of which can be justified against the purpose statement for each one of the four VCAL curriculum strands
• Contain components drawn from accredited curriculum such as VCAL units, VCE units, VET in VCE units, Vocational Education and Training (VET) accredited curriculum or Further Education (FE) accredited curriculum (one credit is awarded on successful completion of 100 nominal hours of accredited curriculum)
• Include:
  - A minimum of two VCAL units
  - In the literacy/numeracy strand, components to the value of one credit for literacy and one credit for numeracy
  - In each of the remaining three strands, components to the value of at least one credit in each
  - Include components to the value of five credits at the level of the VCAL award, of which one must be for literacy and one credit must be for a VCAL Personal Development Skills unit