The Bayside Glen Eira Kingston Local learning and Employment Network (BGK LLEN) is concerned that the axing of funds for VCAL program coordination will hinder the education options of local students.

Skills Minister Peter Hall has flagged that $12 million set aside for schools to co-ordinate the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) program will be axed in 2012, as the Victorian Government believe this funding support is no longer necessary.  Chairperson of the BGK LLEN, David Edgar, said this was based on the notion that the program was now established, had gained some stability and did not require coordination funding.

However, Mr Edgar said the program required more funding, not less, and that the withdrawal of the planned $12 million would have negative implications for students in the Bayside, Glen Eira and Kingston region. "Although VCAL is now an established part of the provision of senior secondary education in Victoria, to achieve its positive student outcomes it is still very labour intensive and if anything, requires additional funding, not less" said Mr Edgar.

"VCAL is a great option for students who are interested in trades and is an alternative pathway to the more academic VCE in senior school. Over the past eight years it has grown in popularity and in credibility," he said.

In 2006 there were about 8,600 students enrolled in VCAL courses offered by 280 government providers, in 2010 12,386 were enrolled with 281 government providers. In total, including the non government sector, 2006 enrolments were 12,386 with 401 providers, and in 2010, 18,748 with 429 providers.

Mr Edgar said this increase was reflected in the Bayside, Glen Eira and Kingston region where the VCAL program had prepared hundreds of students (from Government, Catholic and Independent schools, as well as TAFEs and community education providers) for further training and employment.  In addition to providing students with literacy and numeracy education, it provided students with access to accredited Certificate programs and Australian School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

"Our VCAL teachers say that each year is different and the program must be adjusted to meet the needs of a new group of students year-to-year, and that coordination capacity is critical to success of our students and the continuity of the program," he said.

"It is already a program that challenges schools to be creative, flexible and link strongly with the needs of employers, training providers and the wider community. The program increases options for our young people, provides a more hands-on learning that addresses the needs of business and industry with a workplace learning component. In this age of skill shortages and an ageing population, why would we withdraw support for this?"

For more information download the VCAL Local Media Pack (containing recent media articles from local newspapers) and the BGK LLEN Response Letter.