Clarkson CHS

Vocational Education & Training

Vocational Education and Training (VET) enables students to achieve more than just a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) at the end of Year 12. With the increase of the school leaving age VET has become an even greater option for students.

Clarkson offers discrete programs in a range of Industries that allows students to achieve WACE qualifications as well as Certificate I/II/III by the completion of Year 12.

Students are exposed to the Industry of their choice which will lead them directly to employment or further education. Students' complete nationally recognised qualifications which mean they can use these qualifications anywhere in Australia and an employer must recognise the qualification.

Generally VET is suitable for students wanting to get into the workforce as soon as possible but VET has not stopped students from entering University at a later date. Many students use VET as a stepping stone to further training such as TAFE, and enter into higher level courses than most school leavers.

The school has a strong relationship with the Registered Training Organisation that oversees the delivery and assessment of most courses within VET at Clarkson. The school also has a variety of other Training Organisations it works with for students to have exposure to a range of training opportunities available.

As part of student learning all students complete a St John's Ambulance First Aid course at the commencement of each school year (Year 11 and new Year 12 students).

Students in the Building and Construction program are given an opportunity to complete the Safety Awareness Training required for work sites. This Industry recognised qualification replaces the Greencard as at the 1st January 2007.

Business

Students choosing to complete the Business Program are delivered the Certificate II in Business Services. Complimenting the Curriculum Council subjects' students complete, the Units of Competency delivered to students range from operating business equipment, communication, Occupational Safety and Health, customer service, business documents, finance and computer operations.

Clarkson operates a Student Model Office (SMO) which is a simulated learning tool for students in this area of study. Students are rostered into the SMO and complete work for staff and members of the local and wider community. It allows students to build skills in the use of office equipment such as the telephone, fax, photocopier, laminator, binder and shredder. This is also a useful experience for students who need more training prior to the commencement of their Structured Workplace Learning. The SMO is supported by staff, and students are provided with a variety of experiences to support their learning. A number of competencies within the Certificate II are delivered through this facility.

Hospitality

Students choosing to complete the Hospitality Program are delivered the Certificate II in Hospitality. Complimenting the Curriculum Council subjects' students complete, the Units of Competency delivered to students range from food preparation, hygiene, Occupational Safety and Health, beverages and basic mise en place skills. All units are delivered by a qualified chef who has had a number of years in the Hospitality Industry.

Students are involved in real catering situations in the school and the wider community. Students also participate in a number of competitions which enhance the skills delivered at school and provide students with an opportunity to be involved in food preparation, costing, menu creation and front of house service.

Community Services (Child Care)

Students choosing to complete the Child Care Program are delivered the Certificate II in Community Services with the possibility of completing some Units from the Certificate III course. Complimenting the Curriculum Council subjects' students complete, the Units of Competency delivered to students range from Occupational Safety and Health, planning and organising child care activities, understanding child development and behaviour and nutrition for children.

Students have the opportunity to gain many of their units through real workplace experiences. Along with their Structured Workplace Learning, students will be rostered into a local play group, which runs one day a week. These workplace experiences will enhance the skills learned and practiced at school.

Building & Construction

Clarkson has an auspicing arrangement with TAFE in the Delivery of the Certificate I in General Construction. The Building and Construction students will spend two days a week at the Brighton Shed completing their Certificate qualifications. This is a pilot Program offered only to Clarkson students at this point in time. Students will be skilled in a number of areas including bricklaying and tiling. To support their Certificate qualifications students will complete a number of Curriculum Council subjects including English, Maths, Career and Industry Awareness, Building and Construction and Structured Workplace Learning. Students may also be involved in a range of on school site projects which will enable them to demonstrate the skills they have learned at the Shed and on work placement.

The Building and Construction Course is only offered in Year 11 with the expectation that many students will be offered or find apprenticeships or full time work through their work at the Shed and Work Placement. Students wishing to come back to school to complete Year 12 will be offered a place in the Business program. Where possible, the school will accommodate the needs of these students in relation to the subjects offered to them.

Structured Workplace Learning (SWL)

Structured Workplace learning (SWL) is more than just work experience. Students can use the assessment completed in a workplace and gain credit for their WACE and Year 12 graduation requirements.

SWL provides valuable experiences where students learn relevant and assessable employability skills on the job. SWL enhances the delivery of students' chosen VET course by providing exposure to the Industry area of interest.

Students are required to attain a minimum number of 120 hours in a workplace in Year 11 and a minimum of 110 hours in Year 12. These hours must be validated in a student log book and signed by the employer. Students must also keep a record of the jobs/work they do each week and then match these jobs to the skills list for their Industry.

SWL improves students' ability to make informed career choices while they are still at school, provides a better chance for future employment and links the workplace to the school program. Students are covered by the Department of Education and Training while on work placement as long as the placement has been authorized by the school and students are not paid during their arranged placement times.

Profile TAFE Courses

Profile courses vary from year to year and are determined by what each TAFE campus is delivering. Students have an opportunity to apply to a number of courses offered at either, West Coast, Central or SWAN TAFE campuses. These courses are highly competitive so there is no guarantee of acceptance into a course by simply applying. Profile courses provide opportunities in areas not already offered at the school.