What is a Later Years Pathway?
Choosing a Later Years Pathway
P A G E 8 | P A K E N H A M S E C O N D A R Y C O L L E G E S E N I O R S C H O O L 2 0 2 5 H A N D B O O K
A Later Years Pathway is a term used to
describe your choice in Education, Training
and Employment. It is a collection of studies
planned to deliver the requirements for a
senior school certificate, either;
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
or
Victorian Certificate of Education
Vocational Major (VCE VM)
There are also Vocational Education and
Training (VET) studies including Australian
School Based Apprenticeship (ASBAs). VET
can be included in both VCE and VCE VM
programs.
Whatever Later Years Pathway you choose,
you will need to spend time investigating
what each of the pathways has to offer
before deciding to take it.
Resources to consult in your
decision making
Course Counsellor
Senior School Handbook 2025
My Future - https://myfuture.edu.au
Job Outlook -
https://joboutlook.gov.au
The Good Universities Guide -
https://www.gooduniversitiesguide.c
om.au/careers-guide
“Where to Now?” Your guide to
Senior Secondary School Pathways
in Victoria 2025
VCE or VCE VM?
Your pathway should reflect your interests
and goals, and whether these include further
study/training or employment. For example,
if you hope to study at a university or a
TAFE institution after leaving school, you
must check carefully that you are doing
studies (subjects) that are required by the
institution you wish to enter (these are
known as prerequisites). Universities and
TAFEs have published information about the
studies they wish you to include in your
program, if you wish to be considered for
selection when you leave school. These
requirements are called the Tertiary
Entrance Requirements and are published
every year. These are referred to as
Essential requirements for selection and
application.
When organising your pathway, you should
consider your career options and ensure
that your course selections will help you to
reach your goal. You should be aware of
any requirements for a specific career or
course you have in mind.