Vocational Taster Experiences Pilot program
Experience a day in the life of a TAFE student
Are your students thinking about what comes next, but aren’t quite sure where to start? The Vocational Taster Experiences Pilot program gives Year 9 and Year 10 students from Victorian government schools the opportunity to step into real training environments and try different vocational study areas.
The program is free for government schools with bus transport available, and is delivered at our Wimmera, SMB and Mt Helen campuses.
Federation TAFE’s Vocational Taster Experiences Pilot program runs as part of the Victorian Government’s three-year investment to support Year 9 and 10 government school students in exploring vocational learning and pathways.
Limited places available for 2026
How to apply
Register your interest via the online form to see which 2026 programs still have places available and help your students explore different career pathways.
Planning ahead for 2027? We’re finalising program dates for next year, so they won’t appear on the forms just yet. Email Rebecca Perovic at r.perovic@federation.edu.au to get in early.
Pilot programs
A one-day event where students spend five hours in one focus area.
A five‑week program where students attend one six‑hour session each week.
About Vocational Explorers
Vocational Explorers are one-day vocational learning experiences designed for Year 9 students. These immersive programs introduce students to one or more job types or industries - helping them explore career pathways and understand the world of work.
Vocational Explorers support students in discovering future career options and preparing for vocational education and training.
Program structure
Each Vocational Explorer is delivered as a single-day program with five hours of instruction. Students gain practical experience in their chosen trade.
Benefits
Vocational Explorers help students make informed decisions about their future by exploring vocational pathways before selecting subjects for Year 11 and 12. It's a valuable opportunity to try out different careers and discover what aligns with their interests and strengths.
Focus areas
Programs are offered in industries with identified skills shortages in Victoria, ensuring students gain exposure to areas with strong employment prospects.
Vocational Explorer focus areas
What's involved
Join us for a one‑day event and learn foundational baking techniques in a professional kitchen. Students may:
- Bake fresh bread rolls.
- Make and decorate shortbread.
- Enjoy the baked foods you've made for lunch.
- Learn industry standards and food safety practices.
Download the baking Vocational Explorer flyer (PDF 3.2 MB)
Location
Visit our state‑of‑the‑art Baking Training Centre at our SMB Campus in Ballarat. Baking is not offered at our Wimmera Campus.
Program dates
We’re fully booked for 2026 and will share 2027 program dates once they’re finalised.
What's involved
Join us for a one‑day event and rotate through workshops that may include:
- carpentry
- engineering
- bricklaying
- plumbing
- cabinet making.
Download the Ballarat building and engineering Vocational Explorer flyer (PDF 3.2 MB)
Download the Wimmera building and engineering Vocational Explorer flyer (PDF 3.2 MB)
Location
Building and engineering is available at both our SMB Campus in Ballarat and our Wimmera Campus.
Program dates
- Term 3: Friday 4 September 2026 (Wimmera Campus)
Ballarat is fully booked for 2026. We'll share 2027 program dates once they’re finalised.
What's involved
Students may:
- Learn essential cookery techniques and kitchen operations.
- Prepare fresh scones or chocolate and berry muffins, mini pizzas and pumpkin soup.
- Enjoy a shared lunch.
- Understand hygiene protocols, teamwork and time management.
Download the commercial cookery Vocational Explorer flyer (PDF 1.2 MB)
Location
Visit our industry-standard training kitchen at our SMB Campus in Ballarat. Commercial cookery is not offered at our Wimmera Campus.
Program dates
We’re fully booked for 2026 and will share 2027 program dates once they’re finalised.
What's involved
Students may:
- Style hair with braiding and thermal waves.
- Apply makeup on practice boards.
- Learn techniques taught in professional hair and beauty programs.
Download the Ballarat hair and beauty Vocational Explorer flyer (PDF 1.8 MB)
Download the Wimmera hair and beauty Vocational Explorer flyer (PDF 240 KB)
Location
Hair and beauty is available at both our SMB Campus in Ballarat and our Wimmera Campus.
Program dates
- Term 3: Tuesday 8 September 2026 (Wimmera Campus)
Ballarat is fully booked for 2026. We'll share 2027 program dates once they’re finalised.
What's involved
Students may:
- Explore infection prevention and control.
- Practice scrubbing, gowning and gloving.
- Learn basic first aid and lifesaving skills.
- Participate in CPR demonstrations.
Download the Ballarat healthcare Vocational Explorer flyer (PDF 2.7 MB)
Download the Wimmera healthcare Vocational Explorer flyer (PDF 2.8 MB)
Location
Healthcare is available at both our Mt Helen Campus in Ballarat and our Wimmera Campus.
Program dates
- Term 3: Monday 7 September 2026 (Wimmera Campus)
Ballarat is fully booked for 2026. We'll share 2027 program dates once they’re finalised.
What's involved
Students may:
- Prepare delicious cold beverages including mocktails, milkshakes and smoothies
- Make coffee and other hot drinks
- Set tables and handle plates like a pro
- Build confidence in customer services in a realistic restaurant environment.
Download the hospitality Vocational Explorer flyer (PDF 1.3 MB)
Location
Visit our SMB Campus in Ballarat. Hospitality is not offered at our Wimmera Campus.
Program dates
We’re fully booked for 2026 and will share 2027 program dates once they’re finalised.
What's involved
Students may:
- Assemble a desktop computer and learn about hardware and IoT
- Explore robotics and AI using Raspberry Pi-powered robot dogs
- Locate hidden rogue devices in a gamified scenario
- Create a Python-based battle simulator
- Build an Ethernet cable.
Download the Ballarat IT and cybersecurity Vocational Explorer flyer (PDF 760 KB)
Download the Wimmera IT and cybersecurity Vocational Explorer flyer (PDF 920 KB)
Location
IT and cybersecurity is available at both our Mt Helen Campus in Ballarat and our Wimmera Campus.
Program dates
We’re fully booked for 2026 and will share 2027 program dates once they’re finalised.
About VET Tasters
VET Tasters are multi-week vocational learning experiences designed for Year 10 students. These programs immerse students in the world of work and introduce them to specific VET certificates and career pathways.
VET Tasters help students explore future career options and prepare for vocational education and training.
Program structure
Each VET Taster is delivered over five weeks, with one 6-hour session per week. Students engage in practical activities specific to their chosen trade.
Benefits
VET Tasters support students in making informed decisions about their future by exploring vocational pathways before selecting subjects for Year 11 and 12. It's a valuable opportunity to try out different careers and discover what aligns with their interests and strengths.
Focus areas
Programs are offered in industries with identified skills shortages in Victoria, providing students with exposure to high-demand career opportunities.
VET Taster focus areas
What's involved
Students may:
- Complete OHS briefings and workshop inductions.
- Construct the housing for a metal solar battery box in our engineering fabrication workshop.
- Install the battery, solar panels and wire up a solar box in electrotechnology.
- Test the solar battery box by powering a lightboard in our automotive workshop
- Learn about renewable energy systems.
- Take home an energy-efficient portable solar battery box with USB outlets for charging a phone.
Download the Ballarat VET Taster flyer (PDF 2.5 MB)
Download the Wimmera VET Taster flyer (PDF 2.1 MB)
Location
This program is available at both our SMB Campus in Ballarat and our Wimmera Campus.
Program dates
We’re fully booked for 2026 and will share 2027 program dates once they’re finalised.
What's involved
Students may:
- Practice welding skills using a VR simulation equipment.
- Construct a steel toobox.
- Composite Beam Challenge.
- Learn safety standards and industry applications.
Download the Ballarat engineering, composites, welding, fabrication and machining VET Taster flyer (PDF 1.2 MB)
Download the Wimmera engineering, composites, welding, fabrication and machining VET Taster flyer (PDF 870 KB)
Location
This program is available at both our SMB Campus in Ballarat and our Wimmera Campus.
Program dates
We’re fully booked for 2026 and will share 2027 program dates once they’re finalised.
What's involved
Students may:
- Touch on all units of a Diploma of Nursing qualification
- First aid and CPR activities
- Infection control and Work Health and Safety
- Vital signs and neurological checks
- Medication and anatomy basics
- ECG and wound care
- Mental health awareness
- Nursing care plans
- Clinical procedures such as nasogastric tube insertion and venepuncture.
Download the Ballarat healthcare industries VET Taster flyer (PDF 288 KB)
Download the Wimmera healthcare industries VET Taster flyer (PDF 236 KB)
Location
This program is available at both our Mt Helen Campus in Ballarat and our Wimmera Campus.
Program dates
- Wimmera Campus: 17 July, 31 July, 7 August, 14 August, 21 August 2026
Ballarat is fully booked for 2026. We'll share 2027 program dates once they’re finalised.
What's involved
Students may:
- Use a range of hand tools and machinery safely
- Develop carpentry skills
- Complete projects including a wooden mallet, wooden chopping board, metal toolbox and brick wall construction.
Download the Ballarat trades VET Taster flyer (PDF 272 KB)
Download the Wimmera trades VET Taster flyer (PDF 3.3 MB)
Location
This program is available at both our SMB Campus in Ballarat and our Wimmera Campus.
Program dates
We’re fully booked for 2026 and will share 2027 program dates once they’re finalised.
A Victorian Government initiative
Federation TAFE’s Vocational Taster Experiences Pilot program runs in 2026 as part of the Victorian Government’s $4.873 million, three-year investment to support Year 9 and 10 government school students in exploring vocational learning and pathways.