February media releases
Studying externally at TAFE keeps Michelle in her hometown
Leah realises her dream of career in childcare
Paul's working life dedicated to vocational education and training
Studying externally at TAFE keeps Michelle in her hometown
Michelle Jury says Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE's flexible study options mean people living in regional communities have the same opportunities to gain skills needed to advance their careers as those in larger centres. Miss Jury of Roma didn't have to move to a larger centre to complete a Certificate IV in Youth Work followed by a Diploma in Social Work. And she gained the extra advantage of attaining an easy pathway to a university degree.During her two years of external study with SQIT she was able to work, initially part-time and then full-time, while still enjoying her social networks and the support of her family, friends and community.
"If you need help you can contact your lecturers over the phone and they're very good at calling you back," she said.
Miss Jury said she found the time needed to devote to her study was not excessive.
"Without the flexibility of SQIT'S study options, I could not have achieved it," she said.
She now uses her youth work skills working as a support worker with Roma Regional Council's housing division and is currently studying a Bachelor of Youth Work at James Cook University.
"Roma council was also very supportive and have given me paid study leave in both my diploma and degree courses," Miss Jury said.
She said the knowledge gained studying her TAFE Certificate IV and Diploma was very beneficial in transitioning to degree-level study. "It was the diploma that really allowed me to work out what area I wanted to work in and what study path I wanted to follow," she said.
"I'd recommend studying at SQIT to anyone wanting to work in the youth work area.The diploma is a stepping stone to the degree. I got a year's worth of credits for the degree by studying the SQIT diploma. So my four years' full-time degree will end up only being three years."
Leah realises her dream of career in childcare
Taking care of up to ninety children ranging in age from Prep to Grade eight is all just in a days work for Leah Holmes. Miss Holmes knew she wanted to work with children since before she left school and, despite some side tracks along the road, she has fulfilled her dream. The 28-year-old initially worked in retail but later turned to office work. However, it wasn't long before she found work as a teacher's aide at a state school and part-time work at two of Warwick's childcare centres. Qualified in Cert III Ed Support and currently completing her Diploma in Children Services through Southern Queensland Institute TAFE, Miss Holmes recently took on the coordinator's role at Warwick's Kidzone Child Care Centre. Her enthusiasm for her work and the love and respect she has for the people she works with is contagious.
"We love what we do here and we all put in 150% effort," Miss Holmes said.
"It's a great place to work - it's like one big family.
"TAFE is awesome and has worked really well for me. The study is flexible and easy to understand and if I have any questions I get the answers then and there. My study consists of mix of face-to-face, on-the-job and some external."
Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE recently announced its participation in a state-wide TAFE initiative that will provide free training for childcare Diploma and Advanced Diploma students commencing in January 2009. The initiative is the result of an agreement between the Queensland. Department of Education, Training and the Arts and the Federal Government which removes TAFE tuition fees for the Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Children’s Services courses.
"This is fantastic news for anyone wanting to obtain or upgrade their qualifications," Miss Holmes said.
"This is also a great opportunity for me as once I have completed my Diploma I intend to go onto gain my Advanced Diploma.
"There is no stopping me now," she said.
Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE is currently accepting enrolments for Semester 1 and 2 for 2009. For further information call 4660 4600.
Paul's working life dedicated to vocational education and training
Twenty-three years of living in Australia has only slightly altered Paul Murphy's Irish brogue. The newly appointed Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE Institute Director was christened Ciaran (pronounced Kier Ron) - the Gaelic name he uses in official correspondence.
"But my grandmother didn't like the name," Paul said.
"And such was her power within our family that her decree was accepted without argument."
Based in Toowoomba, Paul is responsible for the Institute's nine campuses including those at Warwick and Stanthorpe. Though Dublin born he has lived in rural Ireland and said he's found the Darling Downs a comfortable fit since taking up his position in December.
"My first visit to Warwick was in 1992 and I resolved if ever I could work and live in Warwick I would take it with both hands," he said.
"I've had the opportunity to work and visit there but the opportunity to live there hasn't yet arisen."
TAFE Queensland recruited Paul in 1987 as an IT teacher and since then he has been a TAFE Tasmania Institute Director and General Manager and most recently Managing Director of Kimberley College of TAFE in Western Australia. He has worked overseas as Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Australian College of Kuwait. Paul has dedicated most of his working life to vocational education and training. He said it was his inspiration.
"A person from any background can come to TAFE and, after studying, can walk out as a fully employable tradesperson or as a graduate with a certificate or a diploma that will help them gain employment or allow them transition to university study," he said. "It is one of the few training institutions which offer such broad opportunities."
Paul said it was a constant inspiration to him that among each graduating cohort were many students who achieved more than they had imagined.
"Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE has a long history of providing quality training to communities and business enterprises across the region," he said.
"I'm looking forward to building on this record of achievement by continuing to develop effective relationships with communities and the industries we serve as well as maintaining and growing the services we provide to the 18,000 students who enrol each year with us," Paul said.
"In addition to addressing the skills shortage, which has been our major challenge over recent years, we are increasing our focus on re-skilling existing workers."