TAFE - Sydney Institute Latest News and Events

Interior design scholarship awarded

Friday 18 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Congratulations go to Teresa Papadoulos who has won a scholarship to study a Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration at Design Centre Enmore.

This is the first time the Thomas Gillies scholarship has been granted and is in honour of the life and achievements of Thomas Gillies and his unique and outstanding contribution to the design industry.

The scholarship is sponsored by Radford Furnishings and the Director, James Marks, is pictured with Teresa at the official presentation.

Find out about interior design courses and other design disciplines.

Dine for diabetes

Friday 18 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Fancy a slap-up meal prepared by Sydney"s next wave of celebrity chefs who train here at TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute?

Well you can eat like a king AND help raise money for a good cause as part of our Eat to Cure Diabetes charity dinner.

Our talented hospitality students are organising this event as part of their training and anyone can come along to help support them and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

JDRF funds three different research areas aiming to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes (T1D). They have been at the forefront of every significant T1D research breakthrough for the past 40 years.

So what are the details of the event we hear you ask...

When?     Thursday 14 June, 6.30pm - 10.30pm
Where?   Kareela Golf & Social Club
Cost?      $70 per person - $700 for a table of 10

Book and get more information on Eat to Cure Diabetes.

Find out about hospitality courses.

Rebuilding Samoa

Friday 11 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Sydney Institute has given more than $20,000 to help rebuild a Samoan village after it was destroyed in the 2009 tsunami.

Raised at a silent auction at our 120th Anniversary Gala Showcase last year, the cheque for $20,870 was recently presented by Sydney Institute’s acting Director, Mark Howland, to Groundswell, a not-for-profit aid organisation which we have close links with.

Two members of our staff – Mark Hawkins and Reg Barton – helped set up Groundswell after one of their favourite surfing destinations on the Pacific island was devastated. As part of their work to help the Poutasi Village get back on its feet, they have taken over a number of groups of carpentry and building apprentices to work on reconstruction projects.

Most recently, Randwick College apprentice Alex Ognjenovski sacrificed two weeks of annual leave to help out along with fellow students. Alex also got to meet National Rugby League legend Nigel Vagna and South Sydney Rabbitohs Captain, Roy Asostasi, at the cheque presentation as they are also big supporters of the project.

Would you like to know more about carpentry, building and construction?

Awards for Aboriginal students

Thursday 10 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Do you know an outstanding Aboriginal student or teacher?

The TAFE NSW Gili Awards recognise excellence in Aboriginal vocational education and training.

The Awards acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding achievements of Aboriginal students, as well as the dedication of staff and innovative programs that have contributed to improved skills and employment options for Aboriginal communities.

If you are an Aboriginal TAFE NSW student or staff member and feel you should be recognised, or perhaps you know someone who should be, contact the TAFE NSW Gili Awards now.

Gili is promounced kill-lee, meaning to shine.

Nominations close on Friday 18 May.

Food and wine festival

Wednesday 9 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Fancy sampling fresh food from the rising stars of Sydney"s hospitality scene, who train here at TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute?

Master chefs in the making from Ultimo College’s award-winning Apprentice restaurant, which has already produced some of Australia"s leading chefs, will be taking part in The Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art from 18 to 27 May.

During the festival, which will feature art and wine from the rural town of Mudgee, restaurants in Pyrmont will host a series of wine lunches and dinners including a meal prepared by our very own trainee chefs on 23 May.

There’s lots going on at The Pyrmont Festival of Wine, Food and Art so don’t miss out!

The Apprentice Restaurant is open for bookings from the public Monday to Friday, term time only.

Green Week & photo competition

Wednesday 9 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Are you a budding student photographer? Or do you care for the environment and want to share your views or communicate a message?

Then enter the Green Week Photography Competition!

Green Week 2012 is held in collaboration with UTS, ABC Ultimo and TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute, Ultimo College. It runs from 4 to 8 June and coincides with World Environment Day on 5 June and World Oceans Day on 8 June.

Green Week activities across the Ultimo precinct include:
• photography competition
• free films and talks
• clothes swap, stalls and lots more!

Selected images from the photography competition will be exhibited in the gallery space in Central Station tunnel, George Street. There are great prizes for the winning image and people’s choice award.

The photo competition and other activities are open to all local students in the area.

The deadline for photo entries is 9am on Monday 28 May - guidelines and entry details.

Check out the full program.

Log on for career advice

Tuesday 8 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Did you know Sydney Institute has an online careers service for students?

Careers Connect is a free online job vacancy and careers information service for all Sydney Institute students and recent graduates. More than 5,000 employers from a vast range of industries advertise with Careers Connect – so make sure you log on to get the job of your dreams!

Registered students can browse job opportunities, view career information sheets and make use of the online résumé builder. You can also make appointments with Careers Connect officers via the portal for help with writing a résumé, putting together applications for jobs and general advice for finding employment.

There are also free workshops at Gymea Campus and Randwick and Ultimo Colleges for students covering:

• résumé writing
• job search strategies
• writing cover letters
• selection criteria
• interview skills.

Search all the hot new jobs and learn the latest interview techniques now!

And the scholarship winners are�

Thursday 3 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

More than 20 students have won scholarships to TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute.

Although the 22 scholars are various ages and at different stages in their lives, they all have one thing in common, they’re following their vocational dreams to change their lives forever.

From leaving home at 16 to make it as a chef in the city, to career changes later on in life, they share a passion for their chosen courses and have their own story to tell.

This year’s winners were acknowledged at an official ceremony this week at Ultimo College’s Muse building. Acting Sydney Institute Director, Mark Howland, congratulated the students on their success in front of their proud friends and family.

Now in its third year, Sydney Institute’s scholarship program has grown since it started to provide even more opportunities to deserving students. Sydney Institute funded ten of the scholarships with the rest supported by industry sponsors:

• Alina Galasso Trust (Fashion scholarships)
• Food Technology Association of Australia (Food Testing scholarship)
• Hospitality Training Network (Commercial Cookery scholarship)
• Innovation and Business Skills Australia (Accounting and Finance scholarship)
• Kimberley-Clark (Sterilisation Services scholarship)
• Master Plumbers Association of NSW (Plumbing scholarship)
• Oce Australia (Graphic Design scholarship)
• Fraser and Hughes (Patisserie and Baking scholarships)
• National Electrical and Communications Association (Electrical Engineering scholarship)

Getting students ready for sea

Thursday 3 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

A state-of-the-art marine bridge simulator is the latest training tool to be launched by Sydney Institute to prepare students for the world of work.

It simulates a real-life ship and therefore has the potential to make you feel seasick but that didn’t put off special guests at the launch at Ultimo College this week. The NSW Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli couldn’t wait to get aboard the facility which is the only one of its kind in Sydney and just one of two simulators in NSW approved by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the accreditation body for maritime training courses.

Matthew Bolton, Head Teacher of Maritime and Aviation Studies at Sydney Institute’s Ultimo College, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to send competent and confident people out into the workforce and the marine bridge simulator will assist us in producing graduates who are genuinely work ready. We currently have around 350 students working towards various qualifications, from Certificate II to Diploma, and it’s great to see the confidence grow in students as they have started to tackle the different scenarios the simulator is able to create.”

Mr Piccoli added: “I’m always pleased to attend new initiatives at TAFE NSW because it delivers outcomes that matter, giving people skills they need to enter the workforce or upskill those who are already working. This new training facility will ensure students are equipped with the practical skills and knowledge to gain employment in the maritime industry, from deck hand to ship’s captain.”

The simulator’s sophisticated technology can simulate the wind, waves, tides, time of day, current, visibility and vessel traffic in a computer-generated area, creating a huge variety of scenarios as students navigate around virtual docks such as Sydney Harbour and the ports of Brisbane, Botany and Newcastle as well as Suva in Fiji.

With the growth in offshore oil and gas projects and current worldwide shortage of ships’ officers, mariners are currently in high demand and the courses at TAFE – some of which start in July – are designed in line with the industry to help fill the gap and produce a high standard of new recruits who are genuinely work ready.

The simulator is a joint venture between TAFE NSW Sydney and Western Sydney Institutes.

Information on maritime courses.

Head on down to the photo festival

Wednesday 2 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The Head On Photo Festival, the only photographic celebration of its kind in Australia, takes place from Friday 4 May to Sunday 3 June, and Sydney Institute’s Ultimo College will be hosting a major part of it.

Special exhibitions and workshops will take place in the iconic Muse building as well as other parts of the campus, including:

• ‘Rituals of Death’ by Stephen Dupont – the eminent Australian photojournalist attracting world attention with his coverage of war in Afghanistan, unblinkingly explores terminal truths in this showcase.
• ‘Captured 2012’ – a collection of photos from past and present Sydney Institute students, covering photojournalism, portraits and commercial work.
• Pablo Bartholomew – award-winning Indian photojournalist and independent photographer.
• ‘Birthmark on the Map’ – A photo project run by Valeriy Klamm from Novobirsk Region in Russia.
• Mike Bowers" enormous panoramas – Mike is a photographer, broadcaster and author.
• Michael Coyne – One of Australia"s leading photojournalists.

All of the above exhibitions are available to view in The Muse for free, every day of the festival (7 May to 3 June) from 10am to 4pm.

The month-long photo festival includes the Head On Portrait Prize and exhibition, which attracts more than 2,600 entries a year and offers over $50,000 in prizes, as well as masterclasses by Australian and international photographers, various workshops and competitions.

So if you have a penchant for photography, or just want to soak up a little bit of culture, don’t miss the official opening on Monday 7 May at 6pm in The Muse, Building C, Ultimo College.

Check out a full list of events on the Head On website.

Ever thought about a career in finance or accounting?

Tuesday 1 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Now’s your chance to kickstart your career in financial planning or accounting with a TAFE NSW degree.

Start studying one of our new degree courses from July:

• The Bachelor of Applied Finance (Financial Planning) will prepare you for employment in the financial services industry. This includes areas such as superannuation, funds management and investment banking.

This course is offered at St George College on a full-time or part-time basis.

• The Associate Degree of Accounting will get you work ready or provide a pathway to an accounting degree at one of our partner universities. You will gain a broad knowledge of the accounting industry and develop strong technical skills.

This course is offered at St George College on a full-time or part-time basis and at Ultimo College on a full-time basis only.

Both courses are based on international best practice and provide students with opportunities to undertake internships while studying, so you can apply what you’re leaning in a real workplace.

TAFE graduates will be offered a seamless pathway onto the courses, with credit transfers available subject to relevant study.

Find out more at one of our information sessions:

• Monday 7 May at 10am or 6.30pm at St George College
Booking is essential – call Vicki on 9598 6245

• Tuesday 15 May at 12pm or 6.30pm at Ultimo College
Booking is essential – call Alicia on 9217 3819

• Tuesday 22 May at 6.30pm at St George College
Booking is essential - call Vicki on 9598 6245

Start your own business with NEIS

Tuesday 1 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Are you unemployed? Have you thought about starting your own business?

St George College is running the Australian Government NEIS program in May. Under the NEIS program you can receive:

• Free business training(micro and small business course available)
• A dedicated advisor to help you start your business
• Free business mentoring and support for up to 12 months
• Income support for up to 52 weeks

For more information on how to apply for the NEIS program please email or phone Biljana Stanojcic on 0409 353 967. Or visit Sydney Institute website.