Vocational education and training courses (VET)
Macintyre High School offers Vocational Education courses in the industry curriculum frameworks of Hospitality, Information & Digital Technology, Business Services, Construction, Metal & Engineering and Primary Industries. Each course offers nationally recognised accreditation, as well as contributing towards the Higher School Certificate. The courses are based on national industry competency standards and are written and assessed using competency based terms. Students who satisfy requirements achieve Certificate I, II or III in that area dependant on the qualification they are completing.
An essential component of each course is the industry specific workplacement. Each student is required to spend 35 hours each year in a relevant workplace. This is coordinated by an agency external to the school, but with strong school and student collaboration.
VET courses offer students an excellent opportunity to explore these industry areas and gain accreditation and experience at the same time. Students can also access other courses including Childcare, Retail, Beauty, Hairdressing, Animal Studies and Automotive through links with Inverell TAFE and Distance Education. Macintyre High School also has many students who combine these VET courses with school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, improving their work opportunities and skillset.
Macintyre High School is fortunate enough to have well equipped industry standard facilities for Construction, Metals & Engineering, Hospitality and Primary Industries. This is due to the establishment of Trade Training Centres in each of these frameworks allowing more realistic workshop areas for course delivery. Business Services is also offered as a Certificate III with strong community links for industry experience.
Our school also enjoys repeated success at the NSW State Training Awards with past students being named as Regional and NSW State winners, as well as earning Australian Vocational Education & Training awards.
Macintyre High School also regularly participates in the WorldSkills Competitions at Regional, State and National levels in all frameworks.
Macintyre High School has commenced offering a Stage 5 VET subject in Agriculture called Agri-foods whereby students receive a Certificate I in Agriculture. This is proving to be a popular course and enjoyed as a practical subject. Keen and motivated students can begin early commencement of Primary Industries in Year 10, allowing a pathway to Certificate III achievement. The school has strong interschool links with Holy Trinity School, and together the schools partner as the Sapphire City Primary Industries Trade Skills Centre.
There is scope for students to complete a Certificate II in foundation skills for work in a variety of delivery modes. For further information please contact the Vet Head Teacher or Careers Advisor.
Extract from School Newsletter:
2023 Highlights
Ben Perrin, achieved a Bronze Medallion as a representative for the NSW team at the National Worldskills competition being held in Melbourne during 2023. Ben is competing in the VET Primary Industries category after participating at the Regional competition at Farrer late last year and achieving a high score. There are 14 competitors from states across Australia. Mrs Deb Snaith is the Chief Judge for Primary Industries at the competition and is also in Melbourne overseeing the running of the event at the Polytech TAFE centre on the outskirts of Melbourne. In 2025 the Nationals are to be held in Brisbane where our Head Teacher VET will again be overseeing the VETiS Competition for Primary Industries.
Ben is also a SBAT builder so will enjoy viewing the other 52 trades and skills involved in the competition at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre where TAFE apprentices/trainees and school VET students aim for a gold, silver or bronze medal
2024 Highlights
Congratulations to Madeline Rohr and Isabella Thompson for making it to the final interviews for the 2024 NSW Training Awards. The girls are nominated in the VET in Schools Student of the Year category. Good luck to you both!