TAFE - Sydney Institute Latest News

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

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.

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!

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?

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.