The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is a new hands-on option for Years 11 and 12 students.

The VCAL gives you practical work-related experience, as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life and work. And like the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) it is a recognised qualification.

Students who do the VCAL are likely to be interested in going on to training at Technical and Further Education (TAFE), doing an apprenticeship, or getting a job after completing school. However, if you start your VCAL and then decide the VCE is the right option for you after all, it won't be too late to change your mind. In fact, any VCE units you complete as part of your VCAL will count towards your VCE, if you decide to transfer between certificate courses.

The VCAL's flexibility enables you to undertake a study program that suits your interests and learning needs. Fully accredited modules and units are selected for the following four compulsory strands:

• Literacy and Numeracy Skills
• Industry Specific Skills
• Work Related Skills
• Personal Development Skills

If you successfully complete your VCAL, like your peers who complete the VCE, you will receive a certificate and a statement of results that details the areas of study you have completed.