TAFE & Workplace Learning
TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education. TAFE is Australia’s largest provider of vocational education and training. In Perth, the metropolitan TAFE campuses have now been merged into TWO areas:
North Metropolitan TAFE with eleven campuses located across the greater northern metropolitan region in Balga, Clarkson, East Perth, Joondalup, Leederville, Midland, Mt Lawley, Nedlands and Perth (Northbridge)
South Metropolitan TAFE now has thirteen campuses located across South areas and includes campuses at the Aerospace Training Centre, Armadale, Fremantle, Bentley, Carlisle E-Tech (Fremantle), Henderson, Kwinana, Maritime (Fremantle), Murdoch, Peel, Rockingham and Thornlie.
Subjects at TAFE are deemed either competitive or non-competitive. Applicants for non- competitive Subjects need to demonstrate minimum literacy and numeracy skills or AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) qualification levels. Applicants for competitive Subjects need to demonstrate minimum literacy and numeracy skills or AQF qualification levels and respond to selection criteria.
For specific details on TAFE Entrance requirements please click HERE.
For specific subject requirements visit the TAFE Choices website please click HERE.
As the workforce becomes more flexible and adaptable the need for prospective employees to demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and applicable skills will increase. It is not uncommon now to see a cross-over between studying at TAFE and at university. Students who study at TAFE and develop the skills, maturity and foundational knowledge may now readily transition into a university course.
For information from North Metro TAFE click HERE
For information from South Metro TAFE click HERE
Workplace Learning (WPL) is an authority-developed endorsed program that is managed by individual schools. To complete this endorsed program, a student may work in one or more paid or unpaid workplaces to develop a set of transferable workplace skills. The student must record the number of hours completed and the tasks undertaking in the workplace in a Workplace Learning Logbook. The student must also provide evidence of their knowledge and understanding of the workplace by completing a Workplace Learning Skills Journal. Unit equivalence (for WACE) is allocated on the basis of one (1) unit for each 55 hours completed in the workplace (to a maximum of four (4) units.
Students at Mercedes College complete a one week BLOCK PLACEMENT followed by one day a week for seven (7) weeks (a total of 12 days in the workplace). Participation in a Workplace Learning programme is STRONGLY recommended for all students studying predominately General courses of study.
Applications for the WPL programme are administered through the Careers Office and entrance into the program requires a formal interview and induction process