The 18-year-old is studying for a Diploma of Childcare, while working in the industry, thanks to completing an invaluable alternative to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).

She said the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) provided her with a great opportunity to gain on-the-job experience, which helped cement her career choice.

VCAL is equivalent to the VCE, and students gain practical working experience, while studying literacy and numeracy to prepare them for the world of work.

“VCAL is so hands-on,” Ms Donegan said. “It’s a great way of getting into an industry. I wouldn’t be the person who would do year 12 VCE. I’m a hands-on learner and that’s what is so good about it.”

Ms Donegan said she grew up always wanting to be a hairdresser, because that’s what her mum wanted to do.

“She never did it, but I wanted to,” she said. “When I was in year 10 I started a Certificate II in hairdressing. Then in year 11 I did a Certificate III. From that I went and did work experience, where I realised it wasn’t really what I wanted to do.”

She said she had always been known as the “mother hen” in her family, so she decided to try her hand at childcare as part of VCAL in year 12.

“I went into a centre and worked in there for six months,” she said.

“It was one-day-a-week work experience. It was a step to see if it was what I wanted to do. From that I went back to South West TAFE in year 12. That’s when I really decided I wanted to do childcare.”

This year she is completing a Diploma of Childcare at TAFE, while working at Warrnambool City Council childcare centres. She works three days a week and has TAFE two days.

She said the diploma would take one year to complete, and she was hopeful to gain full-time employment after as a childcare worker. Studying and working at the same time complemented each other, she said.

“I talk to the staff about what we are learning,” she said. “They can help me with any questions. They work to get the best out of the day for me and show me new techniques. They are really supportive. It’s a really good course.”

She is interested in completing a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Warrnambool’s Deakin University after finishing her current studies. 

“I’m thinking once I finish my diploma I will see what job opportunities there are and maybe work for a year or two before going to university,” Ms Donegan said.