How to Choose a TAFE Course in 2021
Studying at TAFE can be fun, enjoyable and a great stepping-stone to the next stage of your life, if you choose the right TAFE course for you. We understand that this can be difficult at times, which is why we have some tips on how to help you choose the right course for your future goals.
Your Interests
The first step to choosing a course is to consider your interests. Do you enjoy spending time with children? If so, early childhood education may be the course for you. Do you like hospitality, or working outside, or business work? There are many different courses on offer, so it is really up to you to consider your interests and go from there. The main thing to remember is that you choose something that you enjoy and are passionate about.
The best thing to do is to have a look at course offerings – each TAFE has these – and go through them. Save the page of every course that interests you, even slightly, and then consider the below tips to help narrow your choice down.
Location
You’ve found your ideal course but it takes two hours to travel one way, and the contact hours mean that you have to travel at least three days a week. Are you ready for this commitment? And if you think you are, think again. Is four hours of travel per day going to weigh you down after a while?
The location of the course is just as important as the course itself, so when you are choosing a TAFE course, pay careful attention to which locations it is offered in and whether online study is an option.
Study Mode
Do you like to learn with hands-on tasks or prefer to watch to online classes and do you own reading and research at home? Would you prefer to be in a class with fellow students each week and a teacher in person, or is that not a high priority to you?
Consider your learning style and how you like to interact with others. Many courses are offered online with some on-campus workshops meaning you can do most of your study from home. Apprenticeships and traineeships combine workplace learning with some on-campus study. Take a look at the course pages that you saved earlier to see how your preferred course is offered.
Your End Goal
Some of the courses you’ve chosen have locations that don’t suit, leaving you with a smaller selection to choose from. Great! It’ll make this step easier. For each course that’s left, consider the end goal.
What will happen when you finish the course? What sort of options will it offer you?
- Will you work in the private sector?
- Will you work for yourself? Do you want to work for yourself – or at least have the opportunity to?
- Will it provide you with employability? Many TAFEs will be able to help you with employability after course completion, but it never hurts to check.
- If the plan is to continue to university, will you be able to?
Be practical about career prospects and in general, continuation of your life after you finish studying.
Worried? Don’t Be!
At the end of the day, you are not trapped in any course. If you enrol and in a short while, you realise that the course isn’t for you, you will be able to transfer out of it and into another course that may suit you better.
No one knows that 2021 will look like regarding the delivery of courses. Each course is different so please ask questions about your preferred course.
Applying for a course
It is as easy as completing your details in an online form at TAFE Gippsland to get your application started. Select ‘apply’ from the course page of your choice. If you aren’t ready to make a decision just yet select ‘enquiry’ and complete your details. A staff member will be in touch for either enquiry to discuss the next steps or to answer your questions. Alternatively you can contact us via your preferred method.
TAFE Gippsland
Education - TAFE Gippsland
As your local TAFE, we’re passionate about giving everyone in the Gippsland region the opportunity to undertake quality and reliable pre-vocational training. We have campuses throughout eastern Victoria, from Warragul to Lakes Entrance, and we offer a diverse range of programs.
Our teaching methods and learning environments are specially designed to give students the chance to get hands-on, develop real skills and gain the experience they need to transform their future.
Studying at TAFE
Whatever stage of life you’re at, TAFE Gippsland has a variety of courses to help you achieve your goals – from preapprenticeships and accredited short courses to certificates and advanced diplomas.
Our courses are developed to give you the qualifications, skills and experience you need to work within your industry of choice and thrive in the modern workplace.
Best of all, our flexible study options mean you can complete your course in a way that suits your lifestyle – whether that’s full time, part time or online. And throughout your time with TAFE, the Student Support Services Team will be there to assist you with any study challenges, issues or questions you might have.
Tailored workplace training
TAFE Gippsland offers tailored workplace training to help Gippsland businesses upskill their staff and succeed in achieving their goals. So far, we’ve partnered with community, business and government organisations, delivering training in everything from first aid and customer service to automotive and aviation.
Whether you’re a large organisation or a small local business, we can provide your team with bespoke, high-quality and cost-effective education and training – delivered on-the job, in our purpose-built facilities or online.
Helping Gippsland thrive
For 85 years, we have been helping Gippsland communities thrive by empowering local students and supporting local businesses. But our influence in the region goes beyond our programs. It extends to a wide range of social initiatives that underpin an integral part of our mission as an educational institute – to participate in the social and cultural development of Gippsland.
Through projects including our Community Cafés, Pamper Days and Community Forums – where we invite anyone to share ideas on TAFE’s role in shaping the region – we’re continually enhancing our contribution to the wider community.