Every year, hundreds of people from all over the world come to Australia to study TAFE courses for international students. It’s no wonder because the global job market is becoming increasingly competitive. Consequently, you need to be able to stand out from the crowd. TAFE courses are designed specifically to help you move forward in the world of work by combining practical, hands-on learning with the industry placements that give students the valuable experience they need to secure a good job in the future.
So, what is TAFE anyway?
TAFE stands for Technical and Further Education. Depending on the type of career you’re looking for, a TAFE course could be right for you. There are all sorts of different TAFE courses such as postgraduate qualifications and certificates, which give international students a wide array of choices. In fact, no matter the industry you aspire to work in, most TAFEs will have a course that will suit your preferred level of study and that will equip you with a great career-ready skill set.
Generally speaking, a TAFE course will focus on vocational training alongside learning practical skills. If you decide to embark on this type of course, you could be trained for skilled, semi-skilled, paraprofessional and trade careers for virtually every industry you can think of.
What will the TAFE experience be like for me?
A TAFE course is usually a good deal more hands-on and more focused on practical workplace skills than a university course that tends to be more academic. TAFE facilities are also usually practically based. They’ll give you access to industry-standard equipment as well as fantastic learning facilities. For example, if you plan to study cooking then the chances are that you will have the opportunity to learn and work in a training restaurant that is open to the public.
For most TAFE courses students are required to have certain skill competencies for entering the workplace. For this reason, generally, the classes are rather structured which makes them similar to what you would expect in a school classroom. You can also look forward to lots of personal attention from instructors in addition to smaller class sizes. It’s true that the entire TAFE experience can be incredibly rewarding to students from all walks of life.
As well as learning on campus, you may also experience training in a real workplace which is a great opportunity. These work placements are often part of the final course assessment. One incredibly positive aspect to note is that sometimes your placement may be paid depending on the educational institution you’re attending. This is certainly true if you undertake a traineeship or apprenticeship that involves paid, compulsory on-the-job training with an employer.
In terms of socialising and meeting other students, the majority of TAFEs offer recreational services and student support such as clubs to join, childcare, cafes, sporting facilities, childcare, accommodation and career services. Also, you’ll have plenty of interaction with your peers so you will meet a variety of people from different countries and backgrounds. We have to say that in our professional capacity we meet so many people who have successfully taken TAFE courses for international students Perth-wide and further afield who have made many lifelong friends along the way!
How do I choose the right course for my specific needs?
There are few decisions as crucial as deciding the route towards your career of choice. With this in mind, you need to think long and hard about the options open to you. One thing is for sure, whether you wish to be a welder, or you’d enjoy studying a migration agent course, TAFE is a brilliant choice to make! So, how exactly do you make that final course choice?
Don’t rush ahead
In a world where everyone seems to know what they’re doing 20 years from now and has their future already mapped out, it can feel a little strange if you’re unsure where your own path lies. Taking this into account, it’s crucial for you to take the time that you need, whether that’s three weeks or three months or anything else, to figure out what course genuinely interests you. Don’t feel pressure to study just for studying’s sake.
Don’t allow others to make your choices for you
Everyone close to you is going to have an opinion on what you should do. However, you need to make your own decisions when it comes to your career and to the rest of your life. Unfortunately, there are lots of people who end up studying subjects they’ve no interest in because their well-meaning parents pushed them to do so. Don’t get us wrong, it’s a great idea to ask people around you for advice but the final decision HAS to be yours.
Consider the future
Yes, you’re no doubt consistently preoccupied with thoughts of the future and that’s perfectly normal. What we mean when we discuss considering the future is that it’s a good idea to investigate the market demand for what you wish to do and where your qualification will take you.
Stay calm
Beginning a new course of study is something to look forward to. Do your best to try not to panic about anything. You’ll manage to make everything fall into place. If you have any worries, concerns or questions about any aspect of studying as an international student in Australia, Active Study staff are more than happy to help. We are heavily invested in giving the most up-to-date advice to the many aspiring and current international students who rely on our team. We’re always there in case we’re needed.
Some final thoughts
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re looking at TAFE courses for international students due to the sheer number of study options available. While you need to take the final decision, it’s always recommended to take advantage of professional advice as well as that of your friends and family. Whatever decisions you make, there’s one certainty you can be sure of – you’ll have the time of your life living and studying in Australia!
