VET stands for vocational education and training. The key words are vocational and training - meaning job related training.
If you study VET, you will learn practical work related skills that will help you get a job.
VET has thousands of options. You can study everything from bee keeping to book keeping - almost any type of work skill.
VET also has pathways. That means you can start as a beginner and progress as far as you like. A certificate in metal fabrication work can lead to an engineering degree - if that’s what you want!
Senior secondary school students can combine regular school subjects with vocational training.
The range of VET options will vary from school to school. Training can happen at your school, TAFE or through a Group Training Company.. Through Structured Workplace Learning in actual or simulated workplaces, VET in Schools students have the opportunity to develop employability skjills and gain industry specific skills on the job.
The bonus is that you can stay at school and get your Year 12 certificate and qualify for university entry - and obtain nationally recognised VET qualifications at the same time. This qualification will be recorded on your Senior Secondary Certificate.
For example, school students are able to complete certificates in hospitality, office and multimedia skills and other industry areas and get a head start!
Get the full story on doing VET @ school in your state or territory 
.
You've heard of apprenticeships - they've been around since training began!
Now you can do an Australian Apprenticeship in a much wider range of industries than ever before, including: computing, hospitality, tourism, healthcare, childcare, metals and engineering, sport and recreation, rural, retail, telecommunications, multimedia, business, horticulture and building and construction.
Australian Apprenticeships (which are called apprenticeships and traineeships in some states) mix practical work with training to give you a nationally recognised qualification and the experience you need to get a good job.
See how students can get an Australian Apprenticeship while at school .
Any job seeker can get a break into the job market with one of over 500 types of Australian Apprenticeships.
For more interesting info look at the Australian Apprenticeships website .
When it comes to VET, TAFEs are the largest provider of training. TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education. You've probably got a TAFE institute or two in your neighbourhood or town.
TAFEs started out as the place apprentices went to study their trade. Now TAFEs undertake almost every kind of training under the sun - computing, tourism, healthcare, sport and recreation, rural, telecommunications, multimedia, and even horticulture.
Many other registered training organisations exist besides TAFE. Their qualifications are also recognised nationally by industry.
Search for a course or qualification offered by a training provider near you.
VET is organised so that you never have to study the same thing twice! If you need to transfer to a new course, you'll get 'credit' for the study you have completed so far.
It's possible to link your VET studies with the pathway you need for university.
VET pathways mean that you can start as a beginner and progress as far as you like. A Certificate I in Metal Fabrications can lead you to an engineering degree - if that’s what you want!
TAFE and other providers issue qualifications like Diplomas or Advanced Diplomas (which are often recognised as credit towards a uni qualification) that will help you get into a university course if that's what you decide to do.
Many university graduates find it useful to study some VET at the end of their degree to pick up workplace skills and experience to help them get a job.
Not sure what you want to do? Here are some websites packed with ideas and case studies - maybe you can find something that makes you smile.
myfuture is a fantastic career exploration site. You can match your interests, values, skills, aspirations and abilities to possible occupations. Re-enter the site at any time to update your profile as your skills or interests change.
Year 12 - what next? has heaps of info to help you decide whether to get training, go to uni, or work while you learn.
Australian Jobsearch can help you find local and national information.
The Job Outlook website has a very cool list of 100 jobs with good employment prospects!
Get A Trade is a great site showing how trades offer challenging, independent careers, as well as fantastic pay rates and employment prospects.
Job Juice aims to help school leavers launch themselves into the job market. It links to services such as Career Quiz, Resume Builder, Australian Apprenticeships and more.
The Job Guide online is a very thorough guide for students planning a career.
Worksite has lots of information about 'issues' at work and trends in the workplace.
If you have a specific job in mind, these great sites can help.
Auto Careers is a fantastic site for students who want to work with cars! It highlights the expanding variety of careers within the automotive industry.
Big Plans presents a range of careers related to the building and construction industries.
Electrotechfutures shows the range of possible careers in this hi-tech industry covering all aspects of current electrical, electronic and communication technologies.
Food Industry Careers demonstrates the great career opportunities in the food processing industry.
Information Technology is a great site about challenging and lucrative career opportunities in the I.T. industry.
Make it! will show you what it takes to make it in manufacturing.
Zoom Manufacturing is an awesome site that'll show you how engineering your career in this exciting hi-tech field.
Zoom Aerospace will show you what it takes to get a career working with flying machines.