Up to 200 students from schools across Horsham, Stawell, Nhill, Dimboola, Hopetoun, Edenhope, Birchip and Kaniva attended the expo at Horsham College, which showcased VCAL students' work and provided program information.

VCAL is an alternative senior school certificate for students preparing for traineeships and apprenticeships.

Horsham College VCAL co-ordinator Sharon Warrick said the expo offered students a chance to showcase their skills.

"We want students doing VCAL to be recognised for their work and to showcase their skills for others," she said.

"It is also a chance for students to celebrate their efforts and share project ideas."

Horsham College student Alex Dwyer, who emceed the expo, said VCAL was a fun hands-on learning experience.

"It surprises you how much you can actually achieve in the system," he said.

"VCAL hasn't got a great look from the outside. But on the inside, you can experience a great learning style centred to what you want to learn about."

Mr Dwyer hopes to use his VCAL qualification to land a building apprenticeship.

Former Horsham College VCAL student Brandon Campbell spoke at the expo about how his qualifications led him to do aid work in Asia and Africa.

Wimmera business woman Andrea Cross took students through dressing for job interviews and judged a dressing for interviews fashion parade.

Wimmera and Grampians training and employment company Workco Limited also advised students on finding jobs, while Grampians Community Health provided students with information about drugs, alcohol and safe sex.