VCE Vocational Major

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We welcome secondary school students from Ballarat and the region to join us and prosper in the alternative learning environment provided by Federation College.

Studying the VCE Vocational Major at Federation College will give you the opportunity to complete your VCE in a non-traditional learning environment. You'll have the freedom to learn to be a responsible adult while pursuing your strengths, interests and developing the skills and capabilities needed to succeed in further education.

The Vocational Major (VM) builds on the learning strengths and aspirations of the student

The Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) is Victoria’s senior secondary qualification which opens pathways to university, higher-level TAFE or VET certificate courses, apprenticeships, traineeships and the workforce.

This course is a new 2-year vocational and applied learning program which will develop your personal and practical life skills. It will help to prepare you for the next important stage of your life.

You will be able to build on the skills needed for your future through real world learning contexts and learn in a classroom, the workplace, and the community. The VCE VM will also help you to develop project management skills and an understanding of others.

To get your VCE, you must successfully complete at least 16 units, including:

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Personal Development Skills
  • Work Related Skills

Include VET in your studies

You can access your compulsory VET subjects through Federation College by joining the P-Tech program (Certificate III in Information Technology), or various other VET offerings via Highlands LLEN, delivered by Federation TAFE (subject to availability).

As one of our Federation College students, your participation in the VCE Major will open the following pathways:

  • apprenticeships
  • traineeships
  • further education and training
  • university (through alternative entry programs)
  • employment.

You will apply knowledge and skills in practical settings such as workplaces and do community-based activities and projects that involve working in a team.

You can also receive credits for on-the-job learning. When you’ve completed your course, you will receive a Victorian Certificate of Education with the additional words ‘Vocational Major’.


Remember that you already have many talents, and you can now pursue them under the new VCE Vocational Major.

Next steps for students wanting to do year 11 or 12 at Federation College

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals. All details are accurate at the time of publication.