Ahead of the commencement of HSC exams this week, NSW Minister for Education and Training, John Della Bosca, has released the 2007 HSC data, revealing a jump in the number of students undertaking vocational education in schools.

Mr Della Bosca said that in the past five years, the number of Year 12 students undertaking vocational education and training had increased from one in four students to about one in three.

“In 2007, there are 20,579 students in Year 12 doing one or more VET courses. This represents almost 31 per cent of final year students who will gain nationally recognised employment qualifications along with their HSC this year,” the Minister said.

“These numbers will increase further next year, as the Iemma Government continues the roll-out of the successful NSW Trade School initiative.

“Some of the fastest growing VET courses this year are Construction, which is up 32 per cent on 2003, and Metal and Engineering, up 13 per cent. Hospitality remains the largest VET course with 7747 students, and has grown eight per cent since 2003.”

The most popular VET courses are as follows:

• Hospitality – 7747 students
• Information Technology - 2832
• Business Services – 2337
• Construction – 2263
• Retail Operation - 2190

To build on the success of the VET in Schools program, the Iemma Government is implementing a series of innovative initiatives. These include:

• Introducing school-based apprenticeships as part of the HSC in metal and engineering, automotive, construction, electrotechnology and commercial cookery – all skill shortage areas - at the beginning of 2007
• Establishing 25 trade schools across the state
• Increasing the flexibility of school-based traineeships by offering the new Board of Studies endorsed course, Industry-based Learning
• Piloting VET in schools for students in Years 9 and 10 in 2006 and 2007.

“Students undertaking school-based apprenticeships complement the 1,600 school-based trainees and 53,000 students studying VET in Schools subjects in NSW secondary schools,” the Minister said.

“This initiative is part of a concerted effort to tackle skill shortages confronting the NSW economy, and make sure students who want a career in the trades are job-ready when they finish school,” Mr Della Bosca said.

“Other data released today reveals a record 67,189 students will be sitting for the Higher School Certificate which starts this week,” Mr Della Bosca said.

“I wish students all the best for the remainder of their preparation and during the exams which begin this Thursday (18 October) – the exam process can be a challenging time but it can also be a very fulfilling experience as students strive to do their best.

“Most of the students will sit six exam papers in one of 750 exam centres, including schools in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

“There are 110 different examinations for courses ranging from English to Latin, Physics to Drama, and Software Design and Development to Primary Industries.

“However, Mathematics is by far the most popular elective subject this year followed by Business Studies and Biology,” Mr Della Bosca said.

The top 10 most popular elective subjects this year are:

• Mathematics (52,122 students)
• Business Studies (15,993)
• Biology (14,620)
• Personal Development, Health and PE (13,278)
• Studies of Religion (13,236)
• Ancient History (11,495)
• Chemistry (10,444)
• Modern History (9,769)
• Visual Arts (9,420)
• Physics (9,253)

“English is a compulsory HSC subject but it is interesting to note this year that 44 per cent of students have chosen a more demanding level - 2 unit English (Advanced) - this represents a 14 per cent increase over the past five years,” Mr Della Bosca said.

Other 2007 HSC enrolment highlights include:

• 88 per cent of students eligible for an HSC this year are sitting a Mathematics exam or have completed a Year 11 or Year 12 course in Mathematics in previous years.
• Almost half of all HSC students (44 per cent) are studying at least one science course.
• Biology is the most popular science subject and fourth most popular subject overall with 14,620 students.
• 30 per cent of HSC students are enrolled in a history course, and 1960 students are studying both Ancient and Modern History.
• The top three languages are French (1410), Japanese (1376) and Chinese (1147).
• A total of 6592 students are studying one or more languages – that is almost one in 10 students.

Mr Della Bosca reminded students that the HSC Advice Line would continue operating up until 10pm on Thursday 8 November. Students can call 13 11 12 to talk to experienced Year 12 teachers of 26 major courses, after hours and on weekends.