Learning intentions
- Understand how certificates, diplomas and degrees connect
- See that VET and university can work together
- Plan a route with more than one entry point
You will need
- Ladder cards (printed from the worksheet and cut up)
- Devices for the pathway planner
- Your state's VET in Schools page (from the VET in Schools section)
Lesson steps
- 10 min
What is a qualification?
Explain the levels students will meet: Certificate II, III and IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma and degrees. Use the VET in Schools page to explain how VET can count towards your state's senior certificate.
- 15 min
Build a ladder
In small groups, students choose a field and use the planner to find a certificate, a diploma and a kind of degree. They place them on ladder cards from bottom to top.
- 10 min
Add a second ladder
Groups add a second route to the same field, for example starting with a school-based traineeship or going straight to university. Discuss where the ladders cross.
- 10 min
Gallery walk
Groups display their ladders. Students add sticky notes with questions or other routes they know about.
- 5 min
Reflect
Students write which ladder suits them and why.
Adapting it
Provide partly filled ladders for students who need more structure. Advanced groups can add the entry requirements they find on training.gov.au or a provider's page.
Going further
Students check with the careers adviser which VET courses your school offers and add them to their ladder.
Student worksheet
Pathway ladders
Name: Class:
Field we chose
Step 1: school subject or VET at school
Step 2: certificate (name and code)
Step 3: diploma (name and code)
Step 4: kind of degree
A second route to the same field
The ladder that suits me, and why
Ladder cards (cut along the dashed lines)
- School subject
- VET at school
- School-based apprenticeship or traineeship
- Certificate II
- Certificate III
- Certificate IV
- Diploma
- Advanced Diploma
- Degree
- Work experience or volunteering
- Work in the field
- Blank card: your idea