Jayde Birse's decision to study the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning has already given her a pathway to a successful career.
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The Phoenix P-12 Community College student gained her VCAL qualification and became a full-time employee in October.
Jayde said her achievement proved not every student had to study their Victorian Certificate of Education to have a successful career.
To cap off her hard work, Jayde was awarded the Phoenix P-12 Community College VCAL dux.
Staff recognised Jayde as the college's most outstanding VCAL student because she displayed the most outstanding work placement commitment, demonstrated the college's values and showed outstanding commitment to their studies.
Jayde's subjects included mathematics, English, work-related skills and personal development. She included a Vocational Education and Training course, community service, in her VCAL. Jayde did her work placement at Ballarat Myotherapy Clinic in Ascot Street South and was lucky enough to be offered full-time employment in October.
She said the highlight of 2021 was getting the job at the clinic, which also operates at Delacombe and Beaufort.
"Being in VCAL, the teachers have set me up to take on more responsibility. I love that I can be independent and drive myself to work," Jayde, 18, said.
If completing her VCAL studies through the coronavirus pandemic wasn't hard enough, Jayde, worked four different jobs.
"I am really driven to work and my family are too. I really look up to them," she said.
"I got exhausted but I definitely learned a lot of things from each job."
Jayde, of Sebastopol, found the remote learning during the year difficult but she said the support of her teachers and family got her through.
"It was hard to be away from our teachers and peers but they made it possible," she said.
Jayde said she had a lot of role models, including her mum, dad, brother and sister.
"My family are hard workers so I really look up to them," she said.
Jayde followed in her brother's footsteps in studying the VCAL as opposed to the VCE.
"I looked up to my brother that you don't have to do VCE to be successful," she said.
VCAL is accredited with the Victorian Qualifications Authority.
It is designed to provide flexible pathways for students as they transition from school to further education and work.
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