content-left-bg.png
content-right-bg.png

Vocational Education & Training

WebPartZone1_1
PublishingPageContent
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

At Toowoomba State High School students can have access to quality Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses in the following ways.

  • Certificate-only courses
  • TSHS as Registered Training Organisation- delivered and assessed by the school
  • External Registered Training Organisation
  • School-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT)
  • Work experience/work placement

VET refers to the education and training that provides practical skills and knowledge which may be a meaningful pathway option that students may choose as part of their Senior Schooling studies. School students participating in a VET course while at school may:

  • provide credit towards your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
  • contribute to the calculation of your tertiary selection rank
  • support your transition to employment
  • assist in gaining an apprenticeship or traineeship or further VET training

Students working towards a Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) may also undertake a VET program suitable for their needs and goals.

For further information about QCIA 

https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/certificates-and-qualifications/qcia

Year 10 is the time when students make informed decisions about their senior studies and future career pathways through the SET planning process.

About Vocational and Education and Training https://www.qld.gov.au/education/further-ed/vet

VET can give you:

  • nationally recognised qualifications
  • industry relevant skills and knowledge
  • on the job experience through apprenticeships and traineeships or work experience or work placement

https://myfuture.edu.au/home

https://www.qld.gov.au/education/career/qualifications

Certificate Only Courses

Senior students may enrol in Certificate II or III level programs.

There are two options-

1.       Toowoomba SHS as the Registered Training Organisation (RTO):

These courses are delivered and assessed by the school.  The qualification (or certificate) is issued by the school.  These courses have no impact on a student's VETiS funding.

 

2.       External certificate courses with outside registered training providers.  The qualification may be delivered and assessed at school within a partnership agreement with an outside provider.  The external RTO is responsible in issuing the student's qualification at successful completion of the course.  These courses may attract VETiS funding or fee for service arrangements. 

Further qualifications may be able to be studied through Toowoomba TAFE options. Program availability will depend on the current government priority areas (skills shortage) and VETiS funding available.

 

Read VETiS Information for school students and parents

https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/training-careers/incentives/vetis

Students interested in VET certificate courses need to:

  • Commit to fully completing the program or course
  • If not eligible for VETiS funding pay all course costs directly to the training organisation

For more information contact  Industry Placement Officer Jane Horchner  jhorc1@eq.edu.au

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SAT)

Students can enrol in a Certificate III program as a trainee or apprentice in an industry area of interest to them.  This typically involves attending one (1) day of paid work per week and completing the appropriate training with an employer.  Students undertaking a SAT will train towards completing a recognised qualification under a contracted training arrangement while completing senior schooling.  The student's timetable may be adjusted to help them complete their study obligations.  Most training takes between 1-2 years to complete successfully.  School-based apprentices and trainees can also do paid work for 8 hours during school time.

Read more about School-based apprenticeships and traineeships

https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/apprentices/resources/information-sheets/is26

For more information  contact Industry Placement Officer Jane Horchner  jhorc1@eq.edu.au

Mobile: 0431 924 914

 

Work experience vs work placement

Work placement is directly linked to a qualification and specific units of competency being studied as part of the certificate course.  It is typically a mandatory component of a student's certificate course.

For example: SIT20322 Certificate II in Hospitality has a mandatory CORE unit of competency which requires a minimum of 12 shifts working in the Hospitality Industry (SITHIND007 Use hospitality skills effectively).  Students are required to keep a log book or training record book as evidence of their work placement.

For both work experience and work placement students submit an expression of interest form to the school's Industry Placement Officer- Mrs Jane Horchner jhorc1@eq.edu.au

Mobile: 0431 924 914

 

The placement contract and necessary Queensland Insurance documentation will be finalised.  Students MUST be covered by insurance or they will not be allowed to attend the work experience or work placement.

Work experience is encouraged but not necessary linked to a certificate program or short course.  It allows students to explore their career options:

  • Help year 10 to decide on senior school subjects
  • Provides year 11 & 12 to consider their career options before applying for further study ie university or other provider

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

All students undertaking a VET course will need to provide the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) with a Unique Student Identifier (USI).  This is your lifelong education number and you will require one form of identification to apply for your USI.  The USI will need to be provided on your enrolment paperwork for the RTO.  The RTO will not be able to issue your qualification without having a verified USI number. 

Further information on how to apply for a USI

https://www.usi.gov.au/students/get-a-usi

 

QCAA Information for parents and students

https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/parents-carers/senior-secondary

​ 


WebPartZone1_2
WebPartZone2_1
WebPartZone2_2
WebPartZone2_3
WebPartZone3_1
WebPartZone3_2
WebPartZone3_3
WebPartZone3_4
WebPartZone4_1
WebPartZone5_1
WebPartZone5_2
WebPartZone6_1
WebPartZone6_2
WebPartZone7_1
WebPartZone7_2
WebPartZone8_1
WebPartZone8_2
WebPartZone9_1
Last reviewed 18 March 2026
Last updated 18 March 2026