The two-year Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major will replace the intermediate and senior VCAL and sit within the VCE system offering a wider curriculum and workplace experiences, technical and transferrable skills to set students up for further education and employment.

And the Victorian Pathways Certificate will replace Foundation VCAL to support students to transition either to the VCE or to entry level VET or employment with a particular focus on vulnerable students at risk of leaving education or students with additional needs.

Federation University Pro Vice-Chancellor (Vocational Education and Training) and TAFE chief executive Liam Sloan welcomed the new options for senior students, which are expected to come online in 2023.

"University isn't for everyone and it's important that secondary school students have options to help them achieve their career goals," he said.

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"Giving students hands on work experience and skills training through the new VCE Vocational Major is a great way to provide a pathway to TAFE and a rewarding trade career."

The legislation introduced in to parliament will allow the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority to conduct an accreditation process for the new certificate for senior secondary providers and builds on a key recommendation from the Firth review to move quickly to develop stronger vocational and applied learning pathways for students.

"We're excited to introduce these new vocational certificates, offering young people the best chance to pursue their goals and to develop well-rounded skills to succeed in further education, work and life," said education minister James Merlino.

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