BSSS Accredited Packages

The BSSS Accredited (A) package offers students the opportunity to achieve an ACT Senior Secondary Certificate (ACTSSC) and get a head start in gaining work experience and qualifications in a particular industry, if desired.

At Radford, students who undertake an A package can study a variety of subjects including Australian School-Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships (ASBA). The subject offerings for our A package are detailed above. In the A package, students will be required to complete the Aspire course in Year 11.

The completion of an A package requires students to complete a minimum of 17 units of study in Years 11 and 12. Given this, A students are able to fulfil the requirements of the ACTSSC at the end of Semester 1, Year 12. This allows students to undertake their apprenticeship or traineeship full-time, if undertaking an ASBA, or begin full-time work, if they so choose. In these instances, students are still part of the Radford cohort for end-of-year celebrations. Accredited students are, of course, welcome to continue with their study and/or ASBA at Radford in Semester 2 of Year 12.

Australian School-Based Apprenticeships (ASBAs)
Many A package students take up an ASBA in Year 11 and Year 12 as part of their subject load. An ASBA is incorporated into an A package in such a way that students attend school, a workplace and a registered training organization, for specified periods of time:

• If undertaking a Certificate II qualification, students complete a minimum of 11 hours per week. This includes eight hours of work and three hours of structured training.
• If undertaking a Certificate III qualification, students complete a minimum of 15 hours per week. This includes 12 hours of work and three hours of structured training.

A typical ASBA Certificate III student would attend school for three days per week to complete school-based subjects, along with a combination of work and training during the other two days. Students are also able to complete work hours after school and on weekends, to increase time spent at school.

ASBA Industries
Students can undertake ASBAs in many industry areas, including:

• Early Childhood Education & Care
• Engineering and Automotive trades
• Construction trades including Carpentry and Plumbing.
• Electrotechnology and Communications
• Animal Studies
• Business and Clerical
• Information Technologies
• Production Technologies
• Heath and Beauty
• Hospitality
• Horticulture

Please note - students and their families are required to find prospective employers for ASBAs.

Post-Radford options for Accredited students
In recent years, Radford students who have undertaken an Accredited package and successfully completed their ACTSSC, have gone on to exciting and fulfilling careers. They have gained employment, completed apprenticeships or gone directly into higher education, where they have successfully graduated from university.

Vocational Study

TAFE or other private vocational colleges routinely enrol students who have successfully graduated with an ACTSSC into Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses. Satisfactory completion of Certificate III studies or higher can also be used for admission to some university courses. Degree programs are also offered at some TAFE and private colleges.

University

Completing an A package and receiving an ACTSSC does not preclude students from applying to study at university, though A students do not receive an ATAR. However, the pathway to higher education may be different to those who have undertaken the BSSS Tertiary Package or IB Diploma Programme. Options for Accredited students include:

• Direct entry – for example, the University of Canberra Schools Recommendation Scheme or the Western Sydney University Schools Recommendation Scheme provide current Year 12 students with an opportunity to secure a university offer without an ATAR.
• University Diplomas – for example, the University of Canberra, RMIT and Victoria University provide diplomas that, upon successful completion, transition to degree programs.
• Enabling Programs – for example, UC-Connect and Bond University College University Preparation Program provide foundation study programs that, upon successful completion, transition to degree programs.