Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has backed a NSW Government plan to make Vocational Education and Training courses available to Year 11 and 12 students in public schools from next year.
Real estate, robotics and social media are just some of the 20 new courses to be made available, and in addition to existing face-to-face VET courses students will have the opportunity to study online courses that will give them in-demand skills for the workplaces. These courses will form part of their HSC and contribute to their ATAR.
“These courses will help students build skills across emerging industries, including advanced manufacturing, technology and engineering,” Mr Saunders said.
“I am excited to see students in the Dubbo electorate will get the opportunity to access these new courses as part of the NSW Government’s Curriculum Reform.
“These new online courses are a win-win for students. Not only does it make them instantly employable, they also have the choice to pursue further education in fields with plenty of opportunities.”
The new online courses, specifically designed for high school students, cover a range of future-focussed industry sectors including cyber security, data analytics, accounting, horticulture, gaming, community and health services.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said developing these online courses was also about making VET more available in regional NSW.
“These are exciting areas for young people to be studying and puts them in the best place to find a job in dynamic industries, helping to build a safer and stronger regional NSW,” she said.
“These new courses are part of the curriculum reform, streamlining education and breaking down barriers for VET subjects in senior school years. The courses will provide a credential for students in their chosen field and go towards their HSC and ATAR.”