Thousands of Victorian students are now gaining hands-on experience and practical skills through the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) Vocational Major, as participation in the program continues to grow across the state.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll joined students and teachers at Federation Square for the ‘Look Up to the Future’ event, a celebration of how the program is helping students prepare for life beyond school.
Early enrolment data for 2025 shows more than 29,000 students from Years 10 to 12 across over 480 schools are studying the VCE Vocational Major this year—an increase of around 10 per cent from 2024 and more than 30 per cent since the program launched in 2023.
The VCE Vocational Major is a vocational and applied learning stream within the VCE that blends classroom study with real-world experience. It gives students the opportunity to develop skills that translate directly to work or further training. Students graduate with the same senior certificate as their peers, but with an added focus on employability and industry exposure.
At the event, students shared how the program is helping them pursue their interests. Elliott Smith, a Year 11 student at Wurun Senior Campus, is studying cookery and business with the goal of running his own restaurant. Emily Conroy from Ringwood Secondary College is combining sport and recreation with business studies as she works toward becoming a primary school teacher.
The program’s practical focus is expanding beyond its core participants. From this year, two key curriculum areas—Work Related Skills and Personal Development Skills—are available to all VCE students, giving more young people the chance to gain experience that connects directly to future employment.
Data suggests the shift toward vocational learning is already having an impact. Year 12 completion rates have risen from 91.7 per cent in 2021 to 97.5 per cent in 2024, while retention from Year 10 to Year 12 has reached its highest level in six years, at 84 per cent.
Outstanding students have also been recognised through the Premier’s VCE Awards, which now include a dedicated category for the Vocational Major. Seven 2024 graduates were honoured this year for achievements in fields ranging from agriculture and fashion to engineering, business, hospitality and cyber security.
The state government has committed more than $747 million since 2018 to support senior secondary reform and strengthen vocational pathways. The investment has helped schools expand programs in construction, health, engineering and agriculture—sectors that are expected to play a major role in Victoria’s future economy.
Minister Ben Carroll said the growth of the VCE Vocational Major reflects a broader effort to ensure every student finishes school ready for the next stage of their life, whether that means further study, training or entering the workforce.
“We introduced the VCE Vocational Major because every young person deserves to finish Year 12 with an education that sets them up for success in study, training and work,” he said. “We’re celebrating the thousands of VCE Vocational Major students who will go on to drive Victoria’s prosperity into the future, in construction, health and the renewable energy transition.”
As more schools adopt the program, education leaders say the focus on real-world learning is helping students gain confidence and direction—skills that will serve them well no matter where their ambitions take them.
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