Credit for HSC Vocational Courses - A Vocational Training Guideline
Issued: 21 December 2001
Note: Guidelines have been carried forward under the transitional provisions of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act, 2001.
Approval of arrangements for establishing the level of credit which may be granted for the successful completion of Higher School Certificate (HSC) Vocational Courses undertaken by students in schools prior to the establishment of an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Pursuant to section 4 of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001, the following guideline is issued in relation to recognised trade and traineeship vocations in New South Wales.
Subject to there having been no specific vocational training guideline issued in respect to the subject recognised trade or traineeship vocation, this guideline shall apply to the functions relating to the making of vocational training directions concerning the recognised trade or traineeship vocation and shall be exercised by the Vocational Training Tribunal or the Commissioner for Vocational Training or the Commissioner’s delegate(s).
An applicant apprentice or trainee who has undertaken a Higher School Certificate (HSC) vocational course, and who submits a training contract for approval of an apprenticeship or a traineeship in a recognised trade or traineeship vocation, may be approved to undertake a reduced term of apprenticeship or traineeship.
The term shall be established by subtracting a level of credit determined as being commensurate with the achievement identified and based on the attainment of whole competencies in the relevant HSC vocational course and as agreed by the employer. The approach taken will be to award credit on a time equivalent basis eg, a maximum of one (1) hour credit for each indicative hour of HSC credit. For example, where a student completes an AQF Certificate II in Business (Office Administration) of 265 nominal hours, this student will be entitled to up to a seven (7) week reduction in the nominal term of a selected training agreement.
Approval of a reduction in the nominal term of the apprenticeship or traineeship is subject to the following requirements:
- the applicant apprentice or trainee shall have successfully completed the units of competency or modules within the HSC vocational course and possess documentary evidence of such completion eg, an AQF Certificate or Statement of Attainment.
- a completed application is submitted on the approved form to the Department of Education and Training within 24 months of completion of the course.
- the applicant apprentice or trainee shall enrol in the course of studies leading to the award of the qualification specified in the vocational training order for the relevant trade or calling.
Apprentices or trainees who are able to demonstrate that they have met all the training requirements to achieve competency in a recognised trade or traineeship vocation may, on the application of themselves and of their employer, have their training contract varied as required, by reducing the term of their apprenticeship or traineeship to achieve early completion.
Director - General