NewsAbout UsAdvertisingOrder ChartsContact Us Global siteNew Zealand siteUnited KingdomEurope site
Your Career Guide
Advert Advert
Home National School Leavers NSW School Leavers Victorian School Leavers Queensland School Leavers Graduates
australian career chartOverview
Overview
Career Planning
Career Advice
Study & Training
Getting a Job
Useful Resources
Graduate Jobs and Careers
Contact the Editor

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.

Top of page


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

Top of page


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.  

Top of page


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.

Top of page


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.

Top of page


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.

Top of page


Career Advice Getting a job

TRAINING
Group Training Association of NSW
TAFE NSW
SAE College
Sydney Institute of Business & Technnology
Martin College
Aust Industry Group Training Services
Australian Training Company
Aust College Natural Therapies
CAREER/WORK OPPORTUNITIES
Westrac
TransGrid
AMCA NSW
Country Energy
Sydney Water
Rail Careers
NSW Health
Integral Energy
Teach NSW
Energy Australia
MTA NSW
Copyright 2003 Setform Ltd All rights reservedPrivacy Policy