Students flock to VET subjects as practical learning surges in popularity

Victorian senior secondary students are embracing Vocational Education and Training (VET) in record numbers, signalling a major shift toward practical, career‑focused learning.

The VET Delivered to School Students (VDSS) program equips young people with the practical skills and industry insight they need to make informed choices about their futures while undertaking their VCE.

In 2024, VET in Schools participation climbed to 266,765 students nationally — a 5.8% jump from the previous year and the highest level since reporting began. Victoria saw a 7.4% rise, with nearly one in four Victorian senior students now choosing to incorporate VET as part of their schooling.

This upward trend is set to continue, with Registered Training Organisation AGA (part of the IntoWork Group) recording its highest-ever enrolment numbers, a clear sign that students are redefining how they prepare for life after school. AGA will train 1,585 students from 90 schools across 17 Victorian locations this year.

According to Kelly Radecki, VDSS Program Coordinator at Department of Education, the ATAR pathway and traditional VCE structure are not the right fit for every student.

“VDSS offers a pathway for students seeking an alternative to the traditional ATAR route,” Ms Radecki says. “The practical learning components and workplace experiences help prepare students for employment, further study and a smooth transition into the workforce. By equipping young people with the skills employers need, VDSS also supports local businesses and strengthens communities across the state.”

AGA, one of Australia’s largest providers of employment and training services, delivers specialised training pathways in construction, plumbing and electrical trades. Learning takes place in purpose‑built facilities or directly within school settings. Students can begin receiving support from as early as Year 10 and are guided through their entire apprenticeship journey until qualification – a progression that can span up to seven years.

AGA CEO Mark Burns attributes the surge in interest to growing demand for real‑world experience and stronger connections between schooling and future employment.

“The VDSS program gives young people the chance to experience firsthand the challenges and rewards of a career in the trades. That exposure helps build confidence and equips them with the foundational skills they need should they choose to pursue an apprenticeship after school.” Mr Burns said.

Around 15 per cent of the 65,000 students who completed their VCE last year did so with a vocational major, and participation in the VDSS program is expected to grow in the coming years.