Not so long ago children as young as 11 were asked to choose between high school - to continue a general education - and the local "tech", with the idea of taking up a trade.

Few technical schools catered to girls, who were not encouraged to do engineering or trade subjects.

Things have changed. Students can leave school with a full VCE and a TAFE qualification thanks to dual recognition programs covering many vocational fields.

Some schools make a start on the work in Year 10, but TAFE certificates can be combined with the VCE in the final two years of secondary school.

Students leave school with accreditation which opens up many paths: higher-level TAFE or university studies or work in an industry for which they have basic qualifications.

The growth in dual recognition programs in Victoria has been enormous, with student numbers increasing from 200 in 1994 to more than 2000 last year. The number of participating schools is expected to double to 250 this year, with at least 10 different industry programs already part of the VCE curriculum.

Among the most popular TAFE studies are automotive, electronics, engineering, office administration, secretarial and retail. The Directorate of School Education says programs planned for next year include multi-media, textiles manufacturing, sports and recreation administration and printing.

Private and state schools are involved, in co-operation with a TAFE or private provider of industry-accredited training. Choice is often available within the school.

Banksia Secondary College offers electronics and engineering - and, unlike in the old days, girls can enrol.

The delivery of dual recognition programs is also flexible. Students may spend a day a week at TAFE or have TAFE teachers visit their schools.