Year 12

VETDSS (External Courses)

VET Delivered to Secondary Students – VETDSS (External Courses)

VETDSS is a program that allows year 12 students to gain practical, industry-relevant skills by attending an external training campus, while still completing their high school education at Emmanuel Catholic College. It provides students with a head start in their chosen career pathway by combining school-based learning with hands-on training in a real-world environment. 

How Does it Work? 

Around July each year, course offerings for VETDSS courses for the following year are released by the various training providers. These will be promoted extensively through SEQTA and parent emails when the information becomes available. The information details the courses, campus locations, and delivery days of the course.  Interested students are supported in applying for VET courses of their choice. As year 12 students have a flexi day in year 12 on Thursdays, students should be mindful to only apply for courses that run on a Thursday. 

After being accepted, Students enrolled in VETDSS programs then attend an external training provider while continuing their regular school studies. 

Some external VET course examples: 
  • ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care 
  • AHC20416 Certificate II in Horticulture 
  • CHC30221 Certificate III in School Based Education Support 
  • ICT20120 Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies 
  • 52895WA Certificate IV in Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies 
  • CUA31020 Certificate III in Screen and Media 
  • SIT30122 Certificate III in Tourism 
  • Pre-apprenticeships in most common trades 
Challenges & Responsibilities 

Missed Schoolwork – Students must catch up on lessons and assignments from their off-site day 

Commitment Required – Requires time management, dedication and work-ready skills 

Additional Costs – Some private RTOs charge fees for training programs 

Limited Course Availability – Placement in popular courses is competitive 

Attendance is key – all VET students will be assessed by observation. 

Pupil-free days at Emmanuel Catholic College– TAFE students must attend TAFE even though their peers might be off school. 

Some courses require students to find their own work placement and with this comes the management of Logbook and Skills Journal. 

VETDSS is ideal for students who are: 

Keen to start training in a trade or industry while at school 

Interested in gaining a qualification that leads directly to employment or further study 

Motivated to balance both school and external study commitments 

Application Process: 

Students wanting to apply for external VET courses, MUST select the External Training Pathway option in SSO. This will alert the ECC staff to work with students to identify and apply for courses. Subject choices at Subject selection time will mirror the General pathway (English, Religion and four other choices) OR workplace Learning pathway. University pathway students will not be able to participate in this option. Once the applications close, Emmanuel Catholic College will be notified of a list of 1st round offers for successful students and provide an endorsement to the Training Organisation that the College supports the application. (usually in September).  

Second round offers will be made (roughly around October time) 

For a list of specific courses and Registered Training Organisations who offer them, please click here. 


Contact Information

Ms Tania Byrnes
Head of Careers & VET
Tania.Byrnes@cewa.edu.au