Early school leavers

We offer a wide range of programs for early school leavers, run by our TAFE division.

Are you a student aged 16–19 who hasn't completed Year 11 or Year 12, or equivalent?

We can help you achieve your immediate goal – whether that is finding work, gaining a trade, or starting a pathway into further education.

We offer a wide range of programs for early school leavers, run by our TAFE division.

Course options for early school leavers

We have set the minimum age to study at 16 for all courses. This means that you must be aged 16 years or older, or have completed a Year 10 course of study or equivalent, to enrol with us. There may be exemptions in some circumstances. Contact us to discuss your particular situation.

: Prepare to enter a trade with a pre-apprenticeship course. These are available to students aged 16 years or older.
A pre-apprenticeship provides on-the-job experience and skill development so that you can gain an understanding of the work involved in a particular trade. You will receive skills training at Victoria University, and work experience with an employer in your trade.
Employers often prefer to take on apprentices that have undertaken a pre-apprenticeship. It’s a great way to gain a head start in your trade.
Explore courses:
Certificate II in Civil Construction RII20720
Certificate II in Engineering Studies 22632VIC
Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Pre-vocational) 22499VIC
Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship) 22569VIC
: If you have special needs due to an intellectual disability, our work education program teaches you a range of skills to help you find employment or undertake further education.
You can study the Certificate I in Transition Education 22567VIC and Certificate I in Work Education 22566VIC to gain community awareness, independence and other skills to improve your employment prospects.
Certificate I in Transition Education 22567VIC
Certificate I in Work Education 22566VIC
Find out about our support from school to TAFE
: If English is not your first language, we can help you to improve your language skills in order to find work or continue your study.

We offer English as an Additional Language (EAL) courses to young people from countries where English is not the first language. These programs are designed to help you develop important English-language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Find English as an Additional Language (EAL) courses

Pathways into further education

We offer connections between courses that help you move from TAFE courses through to undergraduate courses (bachelor degrees) at VU. We call these connections between courses ‘pathways’.

Pathways can put your dream qualification within reach, regardless of your educational background. Many of our TAFE courses are also structured to offer you credit for future study. This means you might be able to finish your next course faster.