Develop intermediate skills and knowledge in literacy and numeracy to assist you in the workplace, and gain industry-specific skills to help your professional development.

The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) (Intermediate) is a senior secondary certificate of education recognised within the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF).

You can also study Vocational Education and Training (VET) as part of this course, allowing for the completion of accredited VET modules and/or certificates as part of the VCAL.

Additionally, you can also complete a Pre-apprenticeship, or a School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship as part of the program.

• Location:
  City King St and Footscray Nicholson
• Other locations:

  - Harvester Technical College, 76 Suffolk Road North Sunshine 3020.

  - Footscray City College, Kinnear Street Footscray 3011.

• College:
  VU College
• Delivery mode:
  Class Contact and On campus
• Course code:
  VCALINT001
• Duration:
  1 year
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here to search for courses available to non-residents

How to apply

Core Units
LIT021 Literacy skills intermediate reading and writing
The purpose of this unit is to enable students to develop the skills and knowledge to read and write a range of texts on everyday subject matters which include some unfamiliar aspects or material. At this level students, once they have identified the audience and purpose of the text, use the writing process to produce texts that link several ideas or pieces of information. In reading, students identify how, and if, the writer has achieved his or her purpose and express an opinion on the text taking into account its effectiveness.
At the end of the unit students will be able to read, comprehend and write a range of texts within a variety of contexts.

LIT022 Literacy skills intermediate oral communication
At the end of this unit students will be able to use and respond to spoken language including some unfamiliar material within a variety of contexts.

NUM021 Numeracy skills intermediate
The purpose of this unit is to enable students to develop everyday numeracy to make sense of their daily personal and public lives. The mathematics involved includes measurement, shape, numbers, and graphs applied to tasks which are part of the students' normal routine but also extending to applications outside their immediate personal environment such as the workplace and the community, whether first hand or portrayed by the media.
At the end of the unit students would be able to attempt a series of operations or tasks with some confidence, be able to select the appropriate method or approach required, and would be able to communicate their ideas both verbally and in written form. They would be at ease with straightforward calculations either manually and/or using a calculator.

PDS021 Personal development skills unit 1 (intermediate)
The purpose of this unit is to focus on the development of organisation and planning skills, knowledge, practical skills, problem solving and interpersonal skills through participation in experiences of a practical nature. The focus of the learning program for Intermediate Unit 1 includes:
- subject specific knowledge applicable to a relevant personal, social, educational and/or community activity
- skills applicable to a relevant personal, social, educational and/or community activity
- development of self-management skills
- development of leadership skills
- interpersonal communication skills.

PDS022 Personal development skills unit 2 (intermediate)
The purpose of this unit is to focus on the development of organisation and planning skills, knowledge, practical skills, problem solving and interpersonal skills through participation in experiences of a practical nature. The focus of the learning program for Foundation Unit 1 includes:
- subject specific knowledge applicable to a relevant personal, social, educational and/or community goal
- skills applicable to a relevant personal, social, educational and/or community goal
- development of an understanding of social issues and civic responsibility
- introduction to problem-solving skills
- introduction to skills for planning, organising and working in teams.

WRS021 Work related skills unit 1 (intermediate)
This unit provides a focus for more complex development of work related and pre-vocational skills in a context appropriate to the task through:
- integrating more complex learning about work related skills with prior knowledge and experiences
- enhancing the development of employability skills at a more complex level in relevant work-related contexts
- developing more complex critical thinking skills that can be applied to work related problem solving situations
- developing more complex work related planning and organisational skills that incorporate evaluation and review
- developing more complex work related skills, which can be transferred to other work contexts.

WRS022 Work related skills unit 2 (intermediate)
This unit provides a focus for more complex development of work related and pre-vocational skills in a context appropriate to the task through:
- integrating more complex learning about work related skills with prior knowledge and experiences.
- enhancing the development of employability skills at a more complex level in relevant work-related contexts
- developing more complex critical thinking skills that can be applied to work related problem solving situations
- developing more complex work related planning and organisational skills that incorporate evaluation and review
- developing more complex work related skills, which can be transferred to other work contexts.

To be awarded the VCAL, students must complete a learning program which contains a minimum of ten credits (1000 hours total). This will include units from the above list and units from one of the streams below.

Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Intermediate) - Automotive
This themed Intermediate VCAL is designed to provide students with extensive opportunities to gain practical skills and knowledge through hands-on learning, project work and through actual work placements in the automotive industry. Students are also enrolled in the full Certificate II in Automotive Technology Studies allowing students to graduate with the VCAL Certificate and the Certificate II which has direct employment benefits for those seeking apprenticeships in the automotive industry. Students study at Footscray City College, Kinnear Street Footscray, and at the Footscray Nicholson Campus.

Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Intermediate) - Hair & Beauty
This themed VCAL develops a range of technical skills and provides pathways into the personal services field of employment. Students undertake the full Certificate II in Hairdressing as part of the program as well as over 300 hours of modules from Make-up Artistry, Modelling, Nail Technology and Retail Operations. The VCAL core units of Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development develop critical life and work skills and are all themed to the Personal Services Industry to ensure interest and relevance for the students. Students study at City King campus.

Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Intermediate) - Sport
SportWest VCAL is a one-year themed Intermediate VCAL which includes the Cert II in Sport and Recreation qualification. Skills and knowledge are developed through participation in 6 'real' life projects which integrate the VCAL core units of Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development. In partnership with VU, the Western Bulldogs Football club will provide hands-on quality work-based learning opportunities. To join this course you can be interested in any sport or recreational activity - you don't have to be a footy fan or Western Bulldogs supporter. The course provides entry level qualifications to work in the Sports and Recreation industry; it leads to SportWest Senior VCAL and Cert III in Sport and Recreation, and it is a TAFE pathway to higher education at VU. Students study SportWest VCAL at Harvester Technical College, a modern purpose-built education facility near the main VU Sunshine campus located at 76 Suffolk Road, Sunshine North.

• Student entry point is dependent on a pre-course assessment and would start at the level which matches needs and abilities.