Why Tafe?
The Age
Tuesday July 25, 2000
TAFE courses open many doors for school-leavers and job seekers, providing practical, relevant training for employment and a pathway to further studies at tertiary level.
* There are more than 1000 nationally recognised TAFE courses, all designed to meet the needs of a diverse and varied industry sector.
* TAFE courses are available on a full-time or part-time basis.
* TAFE courses are available for daytime or evening study, online, in classrooms or at workplaces.
* TAFE courses are available at the many campuses of 14 TAFE institutes, five universities with TAFE divisions and more than 800 registered training organisations.
You can apply directly to the institution for some TAFE courses (such as short courses, part-time courses, apprenticeships and traineeships, or courses at Certificates I, II and III level).
For most courses at Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma level, you must apply through VTAC. For a full description of the range and requirements of these courses, you should obtain a copy of the VTAC Guide or access the VTAC website at www.vtac.edu.au
Essentially, TAFE courses offer training for employment which requires expertise in a particular skill area (for example, architectural drafting, professional editing and writing, software development, youth work, multimedia, business-accounting) or skills in supervision or middle management (such as hospitality supervision, records management, retail management, music-business management).
There are many areas of study offered at TAFE, and you can often follow your special interests by choosing modules from a range of options.
VET in VCE
Many students begin their TAFE studies as part of their VCE. Talk to your VCE coordinator about taking Vocational Education and Training (VET) studies as part of the VCE. You could obtain both your VCE and part of a nationally recognised TAFE qualification at the same time.
Interested in further study?
TAFE can be a great springboard to further education and training. There are numerous pathways from one TAFE course to another and credit is usually given for studies already undertaken. For example, you could complete a Certificate IV and graduate with that qualification, or you could choose to go on with your studies in that field (even some years later) and have your Certificate IV recognised as a significant component of a Diploma.
TAFE studies can also provide a pathway into degree courses offered by universities and credit may be given for the TAFE studies. Many TAFE institutes and universities have special agreements so that one course leads (or articulates) to another and credit is automatically granted.
Credit can be for a single subject or a block exemption for part of the university course. In some cases, the whole first year may be credited. This means that the length of the university course and the number of units required to achieve the qualification will be reduced. Credit transfer may allow you to finish your university course in a shorter period or lighten your study load. It may also reduce the costs of study.
TAFE entrance requirements
The eligibility requirement for TAFE courses through VTAC (full-time courses at the levels of Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma) is the satisfactory completion of the VCE, including Unit 3 and 4 English (any).
Sometimes there are extra requirements (such as interviews or folios) which must be satisfied before you are eligible to be selected for a TAFE course. Generally speaking, interviews require you to demonstrate that you have relevant work or voluntary experience and an understanding of the course. If you are required to present a folio, you should include a variety of work which demonstrates the use of a variety of materials and techniques and aptitude for the subject. TAFE course entries in the VTAC Guide gives detailed information about requirements for each course.
TAFE fees
TAFE students are not charged under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS). The fees for full-time TAFE courses are much lower than full-time HECS, but they are paid upfront at the time of enrolment. You will need to seek up-to-date information about tuition fees, amenities and materials fees, concessions and student loans when you are selecting preferences and enrolling.
© 2000 The Age
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