Change of pace
Going from school to university or TAFE can be a shock. The transition
isn’t always easy. You have to do a lot of independent study
and often you won’t know anyone. And if you decide to study
away from home, you also have to cope with that.
Some students
now also have part-time jobs or internships which they have to
fit in around their study commitments meaning time management is
a must. But most universities and TAFE colleges have student support
services which can help if you find things get a little tough.
There are also many social clubs and activities that are a great
way to meet people and form networks.
TAFE or uni
There are a number of options for further study in NSW depending
on what type of career you’re thinking of pursuing.
If you
want to study for a Bachelor degree, universities are the way to
go. The courses are dependent on your University Admission Index
and entry into NSW universities is made through the University
Admissions Centre www.uac.edu.au.
The undergraduate section of the website can help you research
courses and information about undergraduate study and when applications
are due.
If you’re looking at doing a trade, diploma or Certificate
course www.tafe.nsw.gov.au has
many programs available. TAFE campuses are located throughout NSW, many in regional
areas, and if you have started a trade qualification or apprenticeship as part
of your high school study, you can complete it at a TAFE campus. More information
about trade certificates or apprenticeships can be found at:
www.australiantechnicalcolleges.gov.au
www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
Degrees of Difference
Degree courses at university are becoming increasingly specialised,
but more general programs are also on offer for students who aren’t
really sure about what they would like to study.
Many students
find after the first 12 months of university they have more idea
of what they are most interested in and it is possible to change
your degree program after the first year for most courses. But
it is best to check those options with your careers advisor or
with the university in which you are interested.
Make sure when you
do start applying for admission into universities you have more
than one preference, and apply to a number of universities to increase
your chances of getting a place.
University Open Days, usually held around August and September,
are a great way to find out about what degree courses and specialisations
are offered at each institution and what the campus is like. The
dates of Open Days are usually listed on the websites of individual
universities.
For information about universities, their campus,
courses and applications for admission, try:www.thegoodguides.com.au and www.goingtouni.gov.au.
All NSW and ACT students are issued with a UAC guide that is
a comprehensive reference guide to courses, careers and admission
requirements for universities in these states. The handbooks
can also be obtained from bookshops and libraries.
TAFE me away
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is becoming a popular pathway
from school to work – or even university. TAFE NSW is the
biggest training provider for VET courses in NSW but you can also
apply to private registered training organisations or community
training providers.
About half of all Year 12 leavers study a VET course within the first few years
of leaving school. VET courses are usually designed by industry for industry,
are competency based and directly linked to employment.
You can find information on every accredited course in Australia by visiting
the courses and programs database at www.myfuture.edu.au.
The National Training Information Servicewww.ntis.gov.auhas
information on training packages.
Don't miss the dates
Like university courses, to get into a TAFE NSW course you need
to enrol, and different campuses enrol at different times so it’s
important to double-check the enrolment dates and times at the
campus you want to attend.
Also it is important to note there are some courses that require
an application so you will have to apply first and then when you
are accepted you will be notified how to enrol.
Apprenticeships and traineeships
Apprenticeships and traineeships combine work with training and
usually take four years to complete.
Apprentices spend three years
in on-the-job training and studying practical and theoretical subjects
at TAFE with the fourth year spent full-time on the job. There
are around 500 occupations that take on apprentices or trainees.
The first thing you have to do if you want to undertake an apprenticeship
is to find an employer willing to take you on. You can try looking
in local newspapers for apprenticeships or even approach a few
businesses in your area to see if they would be willing to look
into taking on an apprentice.
Each year the Australian Defence Force www.defencejobs.gov.au offers about 1500 apprenticeship positions in more than 30 trades.
You can get more information about apprenticeships or traineeships from your local Australian Apprenticeships Centre or from www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au or www.apprenticeships.det.nsw.edu.au
Australian JobSearch www.jobsearch.gov.au also provides a national vacancy
database with jobs from every Job Network Service, national newspapers
and Commonwealth Public Service gazette.
www.jobs.nsw.gov.au and www.skilling.nsw.gov.au can
give you more information on what and where trade qualifications are
needed and www.nswgrouptraining.com.au lists vacancies for apprentices and
trainees.
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