A new report from the Victorian Parliament looks at how schools can support students to explore careers and find pathways into growing industries.    
 

Many of the report’s recommendations reflect what Victorian students have been telling us over the past five years.  
 

What did VicSRC ask for? 
 

VicSRC's submission asked for seven changes to help students decide what they want to do after school. 
 

• Providing clear information about VET, VCE VM and VPC throughout secondary school. 

• Treating vocational and academic pathways equally. 

• Creating pathway information with students, for students and families. 

• Supporting student-led efforts to challenge stereotypes about VET.  

• Improving course access through local partnerships, transport and flexible timetables.  

• Providing training for school staff about vocational study.  

• Ongoing ways for students to have a say in education decisions.  
   

Students on VicSRC’s Senior Secondary panel presented our submission to Members of Parliament! Here are some of the things students shared. 
 

“I think work experience is something that is great and I think it can really help students, but in its current state, with the lack of industries, I do not think it is really helping anyone.”  
– Hiwan, VicSRC Senior Secondary Panellist 
 

“... There are still a lot of stigma and stereotypes surrounding the Vocational Major. ... I think particularly in Year 7s and 8s and early years bringing it up more so that in every careers lesson you are not just hearing about exams in VCE, you are being told that there is another pathway. You are hearing that there is a Vocational Major. You are being told by your schools that you can do what you want as long as it is what is best for you.”  
– Hiwan, VicSRC Senior Secondary Panellist 
 

You can also head here to see more of what Hiwan and Imogen had to say.   
 

Five things the report got right  
 

       1. Vocational pathways deserve equal respect

• Some students feel like vocational pathways are less valuable than academic pathways. This can happen because of stigma, stereotypes and misinformation.  

• The report sees this problem and recommends training for school staff, as well as a government strategy to challenge these attitudes.
  2. Teachers and career advisers need the right information

• Making decisions about the future can be hard when adults offering advice don’t have the right information.  

• The report recommends training for school staff so they can better understand vocational pathways and correct misunderstandings about VET. 
  3. Career education should start earlier

• Students shouldn’t have to wait until senior secondary school to learn about careers and study options.  

• The report recommends including career education across primary and secondary school.  

       4. Accessing VET should be easier

• Even when students want to do VET, accessing it can be hard.  

• The report recognises these problems and recommends making it easier for students to access vocational courses through better planning, more flexible timetables and more course options. 

       5. Families need clear, accessible information too 

• Parents and carers can help students make decisions about their futures. 

• The report recommends improving career and employment information for parents and carers.  
   

What’s missing?  

The Committee made 43 recommendations, but student voice is still missing.

VicSRC wants to see these next steps to turn this report into real change for students!  

• Create a student reference group: Include VicSRC and students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to put the report’s recommendations into action.  

• Involve students in campaigns: Work with students who have experience in VET, VCE VM and VPC to create campaigns that reflect student experiences.  

• Include students in designing staff training: Student perspectives should help teachers, principals and career advisers understand what students need from career advice.  

• Track student feedback: Find out whether students are receiving helpful career information early enough and can access the courses they want. 
   

Want to get involved?   
 

The amazing work of our Senior Secondary Pathways Student Advisory Panel makes VicSRC’s advocacy possible. Stories from the panel are in our submission and the government’s final report!  
 

If you’re keen to speak to the government about senior secondary education and get paid while you’re at it, apply to join our 2027 panel!