If you’re looking for vocational education and training (VET) courses in Australia, TAFE (technical and further education) institutions offer a range of Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses in areas such as:
• Business
• Finance
• Hospitality
• Tourism
• Information technology
These courses are nationally-recognised and form part of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
TAFE colleges can be found across Australia, and are run by their respective state governments.
Why TAFE?
TAFE undoubtedly has a long history in Australia. TAFE NSW, for example, dates all the way back to 1883 – when the State Government took on responsibility for Sydney Technical College.
Since then though, a whole range of new players have come on-board to deliver nationally-recognised VET courses in Australia, with many specialising in areas from beauty therapy to counselling.
Like TAFE, these VET providers are also registered training organisations (RTO), which means the qualifications they offer are recognised and accepted by the industry and other educational institutions across Australia.
So while TAFE may boast a rich history, there’s no doubt that being able to shop around from a much greater variety of VET providers for the course that’s right for you is reason enough to broaden your study options.
Is studying at TAFE worth it?
Well, that really depends on what you’re looking for.
Sure, some TAFE courses can be cheaper than those offered through other VET providers. They might even be convenient if you happen to live close to a TAFE campus.
But if you’re looking for a nationally-recognised qualification that can kickstart your career and, at the same time, want the freedom and flexibility to study online, TrainSmart Australia is an excellent alternative.
Just like TAFE, TrainSmart Australia is an RTO and VET Student Loan (VSL)-approved, which means you can study for a nationally-recognised qualification without having to pay the tuition fees upfront.
If you’re eligible, you can apply for a VSL to help you fund some or all of your tuition fees. You’ll then pay the loan back to the Australian Government once you meet the minimum income repayment threshold ($55,874 for the 2017-2018 income year).
But what makes TrainSmart Australia such a great alternative to TAFE is its commercial links and industry partners, which can see you get a foot in the door with high-profile organisations across a range of industries.
It has commercial links with the likes of:
• WA Police
• Rio Tinto
• City of Stirling
• Public Transport Authority
And, industry partners that have endorsed TrainSmart Australia’s courses include:
• The Life Crafting Group
• Dermalogica
• Revlon Professional
• Canning Vale Counselling Centre
• Hader Clinic
• IBSA
• Robert Half Technology
• Myriad Technologies
Then, of course, there’s TrainSmart Australia’s flexible study options. When most of us are leading increasingly-hectic lives with demanding schedules, the value of flexibility can’t be overstated.
With all of TrainSmart Australia’s courses offering flexible online learning, you don’t have to worry about taking time off work or away from your other commitments to study.
Some of their online courses include:
• Diploma of Community Services Online
• Diploma of Information Technology Online
• Diploma of Business Administration Online
So instead of looking at TAFE courses as your only technical and further education course options, it’s worth looking beyond them for a course that fits in with your needs, career goals, and lifestyle.
