| Abstract: | While vocational subjects have always been part of the school curriculum, formal vocational ducation and training (VET) in
the last two years of secondary education has been a policy focus for the last decade. In the Australian context,VET in schools is defined as courses that lead to industry recognised qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework while
at the same time contributing to the standard Year 12 certificate. The number of students doing such courses has increased
dramatically and is now close to one in two. The article looks at some history, the characteristics of the courses, the success
of the policy in terms of school retention and labour market outcomes, and remaining challenges. |
