VET in Schools (VETiS)

VET for school students

Vocational education and training (VET) courses are available to students while they are still at school.

VET is learning which is directly related to work. Nationally recognised qualifications are developed by industry to give people the knowledge and skills they need to work in a particular job. VET courses can be undertaken in Years 10, 11 and 12, and can count towards the Queensland Certificate of Education.

You can undertake VET at school:

• as part of your school studies – delivered and resourced by a school that is also a registered training organisation (RTO)
• by enrolling in a qualification with an external RTO – funded either by the Queensland Government's VET in Schools program or through fee-for-service arrangements, where fees are paid by an individual such as a student or parent, or another entity such as a community or industry group
• as a school-based apprentice or trainee – funded either through another Queensland Government program called User Choice or fee-for-service arrangements.

Talk to your guidance officer, career counsellor, vocational education coordinator or head of senior schooling about the qualification that is right for you from the range of programs available at your school.

Read more information on VET delivered in schools by the Department of Education.

VET in Schools (VETiS) program

Funded by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, the VETiS program covers training fees for VET courses that are aligned to jobs and skills in demand, putting secondary school students on a path to employment and further VET opportunities.

In this way, the VETiS program aligns with successful programs such as the Gateway to Industry Schools Program, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, and Trade Tasters—programs that also focus on supporting student onto employment pathways.

Training is delivered by TAFE and other training providers known as Skills Assure Suppliers, which are training providers quality-assured and approved to deliver funded courses.

New program in development

A new VETiS program is being developed as part of the Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024–2028 to help school students make good career and training choices, so they can leave school career-ready, informed and confident in what their future holds.

Students, schools and parents have told us that training at school provides opportunities to get started on a career pathway, and that young people would benefit from better understanding the career options offered by training.

The new Career Ready VETiS program aims to help students understand their career and training options and provide stronger pathways to work – with fee-free VET courses that have strong industry and employment connections, including more school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.

The program complements initiatives to improve school-to-work transitions through the Queensland Workforce Strategy, including providing access to high-quality career information and facilitating school-industry partnerships through Regional School Industry Partnership Managers located in state school regions across the state.

TAFE will lead delivery of VETiS Career Ready courses in future, supported by a subset of Skills Assure Suppliers to ensure access for students.

TAFE will also expand its Trade Tasters initiative to give more Year 10 students a taste of what it's like to work in industries such as agriculture, construction, cookery, health, community services and hairdressing, equipping students to choose a school-based apprenticeship, traineeship or VET course in Year 11 and 12 that is right for them.

When will the VETiS program change?

While more TAFE Trade Tasters will be rolled out in the first year of the Queensland Skills Strategy, the new program will not replace the current VETiS program until the 2026 school year.

The Career Ready VETiS program will be further developed in consultation with stakeholders and implemented in a staged approach from 2026.

Current VETiS arrangements remain in place for new enrolments until the end of the 2025 school year. No students will be disadvantaged, with continuing students able to complete their funded course and gain their qualification with the same provider.

More information

• View the student and parent fact sheet: Training in schools and changes to VETiS.
• Find VETiS funded courses.
• Read the VETiS frequently asked questions.

Last updated 20 May 2024