VCAL Foundation

The VCAL Foundation course is only offered in a few TAFE Institutions across Victoria. The Foundation level is generally offered to young people who have learning, social and/or emotional difficulties or who have been disengaged from the education system.

The VCAL Foundation course may be the first year of a two year program. It offers the young person a chance to experience a range of vocational and skills development which will assist with basic living skills and employment.

The guidelines for the VCAL Foundation program may vary from one TAFE Institution to another however, in most TAFEs students must be:

  • Minimum of 15 years with a preference for those aged 16 years and older
  • Specific learning needs associated with intellectual or learning disabilities/difficulties
  • The potential and desire for employment
  • The ability or potential to travel independently and undertake program activities

The course length is generally 37 weeks full-time.

The VCAL Foundation program is divided into four main areas:

  • Literacy and Numeracy
  • Personal Development Skills
  • Work Related Skills
  • Industry Specific Skills

The programs offered for the Industry Specific Skills strand will vary widely between each TAFE Institution. The range of VET options can include automotive, engineering, information technology, hospitality, retail, horticulture, hairdressing, child care, sport and recreation, art and craft and a variety of trades including furnishing, plastering, tilelaying, glass and glazing and painting and decorating.

The Work Related Skills strand offers students the opportunity to undertake a structured work placement, part-time work, work experience, volunteer work or an Australian School-based Apprenticeship.

Opportunities for Further Studies

Students who successfully complete the VCAL Foundation program may move onto the following courses:

  • Certificate I in Work Education
  • Certificate In Transition Education
  • VCAL Intermediate or VCAL Senior
  • Any Vocational course at level I or II

Training Providers

Metropolitan Melbourne

Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
VCAL (Foundation)
Chadstone
Address: Cnr Batesford Road & Warrigal Road, Chadstone VIC 3148
Website
Phone:   (03) 9564 1507
Email:    info@holmesglen.edu.au

CAE - Council of Adult Education
Foundation VCAL

Melbourne CBD
Address: 21 Degraves Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Website
Phone:   (03) 9652 0611
Email:     enquiries@cae.edu.au

Kangan Institute
VCAL (Foundation) Give It A Go Program

Broadmeadows
Address:  Pearcedale Parade, Broadmeadows VIC 3047
Website
Phone:    (03) 9279 2555
Email:     enquiries@kangan.edu.au

NMIT
VCAL General (Foundation) is offered through the Youth Unit in Heidelberg.  Additional VCAL Programs are delivered at vaious campuses across NMIT.

Heidelberg
Address: Cnr Waterdale Road and Bell Steet, Heidelberg VIC 3081
Website
Phone:   (03) 9269 8665
Email:    youthunit@nmit.vic.edu.au

North Western Victoria

Sunraysia Institute of TAFE
VCAL (Foundation)

Mildura
Address: 453 Benetook Avenue, Mildura VIC 3500
Website
Phone:   (03) 5022 3795
Email:    mildura@sunitafe.edu.au

Swan Hill
Address:  64 Sea Lake Swan Hill Road, Swan Hill VIC 3585 
Website
Phone:    (03) 5036 2236
Email:     swanhill@sunitafe.edu.au

Eastern Victoria
Gippsland TAFE
VCAL (Foundation)

Warragul
Address:  116-118 Queen Street, Warragul VIC 3820
Website
Phone:    (03) 5622 8500
Email:     enquiries@gippsafe.vic.edu.au

Yallourn
Address:  Monash Road, Newborough VIC 3825
Website
Phone:    (03) 5127 0290
Email:     enquiries@gippsafe.vic.edu.au

Northern Victoria
Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE
VCAL (Foundation) Youth Access

Bendigo City Campus
Address:  22 Mundy Street, Bendigo VIC 3550
Website
Phone:    1300 554 248
Email:     info@britafe.vic.edu.au

Echuca Campus
Address:  Cnr Hare Street & Darling Street, Echuca VIC 3564
Website
Phone:    1300 554 248
Email:     info@britafe.vic.edu.au

Castlemaine Campus
Address:  65-67 Templeton Street, Castlemaine VIC 3456
Website
Phone:    1300 554 248
Email:     info@britafe.vic.edu.au

Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE
VCAL (Foundation)

Shepparton
Address:  Fryers Street, Shepparton VIC 3630
Website
Phone:    (03) 5833 2584
Email:    www.gotafe.vic.edu.au

Seymour
Address:  Wallis Street, Seymour VIC 3660
Website
Phone:    (03) 5735 2420
Email:    www.gotafe.vic.edu.au

Wodonga TAFE
VCAL (Foundation)

Wodonga West
Address: 87 McKoy Street, Wodonga West VIC 3690
Website
Phone:    (02) 6055 6685
Email:     courseinfo@wodongatafe.edu.au

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations under the National Disability Coordination Officer Program. The views expressed in these materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.