Media releases archive - June 2008
30/06/08 Volunteer tutors find teaching English a rewarding pastime
30/06/08 Gold Coast TAFE trainee on the road to success
29/06/08 Gold Coast TAFE to become statutory institute
24/06/08 Golden opportunity for TAFE fashion design students
03/06/08 Family, community and work are driving factors for Indigenous role model
02/06/08 Free professional career counselling at Gold Coast TAFE
Volunteer tutors find teaching English a rewarding pastime
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program at Gold Coast TAFE attracts volunteers from all walks of life.
Three tutors who were keen to share their story of why they joined the volunteer program all share a passion for the English language and learning about other cultures.
Joan Bassard from Burleigh Waters said she always wanted to teach English overseas but was busy running a building company until retiring in 1992.
"I found I was becoming a bit of a recluse in my retirement and took the plunge to complete a disability course three years ago," Ms Bassard said.
"Studying gave me a new lease on life and I decided to follow my lifetime dream of teaching English.
"I tutor two Japanese students and I have formed wonderful friendships with them.
"I am often invited to their important family celebrations and another bonus is that I have formed valuable friendships with some of the other tutors", she said.
Dawn Barnett of Nerang recently retired after completing a fulfilling career in counselling at a medical centre.
"My main reason for becoming a tutor was to keep my mind agile," Ms Barnett said.
"I am fortunate to have a very busy social life being involved in a writing and book club, yoga and swimming.
"I am currently tutoring three students from Japan, China and South America.
"I am thrilled because my Chinese student has just passed her citizenship test and I am assisting the South American student with her final nursing exams.
"On a couple of occasions I have taken students on outings to the shops and the library and get a lot of enjoyment watching them interact with the new English skills," she said.
Tutor John McCreadie from Carrara served in the national service in 1949 in Malaysia as a physical trainer, spent a lengthy career as a national fitness officer in Queensland and even served as a athletics coach for the special Olympics.
John said he retired when he was 60 and found himself in the position of having spare time on his hands and looking for 'something' to fill the gap.
"I saw the ad in the paper for the volunteer tutor program and decided to donate my time to the program.
I have really enjoyed the last five years and found the challenge of tutoring students extremely rewarding.
"I have been fortunate to experience many different cultures through the eyes of my students from Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, Korea and Cambodia.
"I was fortunate to form a lasting friendship with an elderly Japanese student who was formerly a scientific engineer with Mitsubishi, due to our shared love of Japanese cinema.
"I would recommend to anyone who has a passion for the English language and has some spare time on their hands to look at the ESL volunteer program as it is extremely rewarding," Mr McCreadie said.
Institute Director, Deb Daly said the institute offers a free course in volunteer tutoring which provides the opportunity for volunteers to acquire skills, knowledge and attitudes required for successful tutoring of adults in the area of ESL.
"We have so many remarkable volunteers from all walks of life in the ESL program who donate their time.
"Quite often the tutors receive just as much back from volunteering as the students do," Ms Daly said.
The six-week course in Volunteer Tutoring for English as a Second Language commences at Gold Coast TAFE on 30 July at the Southport Campus.
For further information please call the Customer Service Centre on (07) 5581 8300 or visit www.goldcoast.tafe.qld.gov.au.
June 30, 2008
Gold Coast TAFE trainee on the road to success
17-year-old Kyle Ford is beaming with pride as he has been named a Gold Coast regional finalist in the 2008 Queensland Training Awards.
Kyle from Burleigh Heads completed a school based traineeship with Gold Coast Planning Pty Ltd and has a one in three chance of taking out the category of Trainee of the Year.
Today Kyle is testament to his philosophy that with every new day we have the power to strive for personal success.
Kyle said it was a different story in year eight and nine when school peer pressure saw him skipping classes and eventually found himself in front of the principal with a bleak future.
"With the support of my parents, principal and teachers at Elanora State High School who believed in my potential, I made the conscious decision to change my attitude towards my studies.
"I realised that it was time to buckle down and get myself working harder in order to create a brighter future for myself.
"In 2006 I was accepted into TAFE one day per week where I completed a Certificate III in Multimedia.
"I then spoke to our careers placement officer who advised me I could apply for a school traineeship and I was successful in being granted a Certificate III in Business Administration.
"During my traineeship, I was given the opportunity to gain workplace skills and complete a tertiary course within a working environment which gave me a sense of belonging," he said.
Kyle added that with dedication to his studies he soon became an asset to the company and really enjoyed sharing his up-to-date knowledge in technology.
"On completion of my traineeship, I was awarded with the Certificate III in Business Administration and I knew I was on my way to changing my future.
"And at the end of 2007 I was successful in securing a scholarship with Gold Coast TAFE to undertake a Diploma in Business Management this year.
"With the money I saved by being granted my scholarship, I made the conscious decision to sponsor a child from the People's Republic of China.
"My sponsor child is now eight years old and I receive great satisfaction in getting updates on his progress," Kyle said.
June 30, 2008
Gold Coast TAFE to become statutory institute
Gold Coast Institute of TAFE will tomorrow (July) embark on a new era as an independent statutory authority in Queensland's TAFE network.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said Gold Coast TAFE's move to a statutory institute represented another initiative under the $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan.
"The institute has taken advantage of reforms made in 2007 to the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000 so that it can become a statutory institute," Mr Welford said.
"The statutory authority model offers a framework for Gold Coast Institute to be more flexible, cost-effective and autonomous.
"These corporate governance arrangements increase the capacity of institutes to develop industry partnerships and grow the commercial component of their business in a competitive vocational education and training market.
"Statutory TAFE institutes will be better equipped to be more responsive to individual and industry needs."
Mr Welford said the move would allow the institute to invest in their infrastructure and resources to meet the future training needs of Queensland, particularly in the rapidly developing Gold Coast region.
"As a statutory institute, Gold Coast TAFE will be required to compete more freely in the national market to address identified skill shortages," he said.
"At the same time students will continue to receive the highest standard of vocational education and training by dedicated teachers and staff."
In 2007 Gold Coast Institute of TAFE was awarded Queensland's Public Training Provider of the Year at the Queensland Training Awardsas an innovative leader offering vocational education and training services to international, national and local clients.
On 1 April this year Southbank Institute of Technology became the first statutory institute in Queensland's TAFE network.
Mr Welford said Gold Coast Institute of TAFE would offer VET FEE-HELP assistance to eligible students in the future, enabling them to access loans to pay part or all of their tuition fees.
The Gold Coast Institute of TAFE board is expected to be announced by the end of July 2008.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000
Golden opportunity for TAFE fashion design students
More than 20 Gold Coast TAFE fashion design students have been presented with an opportunity of a lifetime.
Currumbin RSL has invited Gold Coast TAFE fashion students to enter a competition to design their new corporate uniform.
The winner will receive $250 cash with the remaining students receiving a $40 voucher each from the club to spend in the a la carte restaurant.
The students will select garments from the Totally Workwear range which will be suitable for five different groups of departmental staff and will complement the contemporary earthy tones of the decor.
Two students who have welcomed the valuable opportunity is Abena Messan and Ella Spark.
21 year-old Abena from Broadbeach, originally from Melbourne, said it is a great experience and she really looks forward to the challenge.
"Fashion design is in my blood as my aunty who has since passed away was my inspiration to get in the fashion design industry.
"I remember when I was a little girl I used to help her design and sew my Barbie doll's clothing.
"I have always liked to dress differently from everyone else with lots of colours and accessories.
"My long term goal is to have my own label and business in Melbourne.
"I already have design ideas in my mind and can't wait to put pen to paper to start fleshing them out," she said.
On the other hand, 18 year-old Ella from Palm Beach left school in year 11 and completed the Certificate III in Fashion Design last year with Gold Coast TAFE and loved it so much she enrolled in the Certificate IV course this year.
"This competition is such a great opportunity to get your name out into the marketplace should you be the successful winner of the design for the new corporate uniforms.
"Since I attended a site inspection of the club, I can't wait to start designing as I have been inspired by their earthy decor.
Chief Executive Officer of Currumbin RSL, Anne Stovin said "We are extremely pleased to have Gold Coast TAFE fashion design students involved in the design of our new corporate uniform.
"We have provided the students with our colour palette and logos from our recent renovations and a general brief that we are looking for something quite different from our past uniform.
"We are looking for a uniform which is contemporary, impressionable and in harmony with our new decor and which shows unity amongst our team.
"A panel of judges will vote on the winning design which will then be sent to Totally Workwear Gold Coast to start the manufacture of the uniform.
"We then plan to launch the new uniform to all staff in October", she said.
June 24, 2008
Family, community and work are driving factors for Indigenous role model
Gold Coast TAFE student, Jodi Sampson has cemented a solid foundation for success and in return has gained a renewed confidence in tertiary education and become a valued Indigenous leader in his community.
Jodi has now enrolled in his second course at Gold Coast Institute of TAFE and currently undertaking the Certificate IV in Life and Business Coaching.
Mr Sampson said as an Indigenous person who had no education role model in his up-bringing, he took it upon himself to ensure he was a role model for his two sons.
"My ultimate goal is to gain as much knowledge to become a qualified business coach and to bridge the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the mainstream business community," he said.
According to Jodi since completing his first TAFE Certificate IV in Business Governance, he is now able to participate in any community organisation's plans for the future with confidence.
"This course was delivered under a 'Flexible Learning' arrangement, which allowed the engagement of my Brothers from Ngulli Gau-Rema Aboriginal Men's Group.
"This created a learning framework that encouraged our participation and brought out the best in us all.
"Before starting TAFE I had no goals for myself, but I was always there for others in terms of assisting them to reach their dreams and their aspirations.
"I realised that I had to be true to myself and so I took the time to talk to my manager at Blak Business Smart Business Hub about our business plan, priorities and direction and my family regarding what was needed to be negotiated for me to accomplish the TAFE challenge.
"Today is quite a different story whereby I find myself having a good foundation for my growth, renewed confidence in tertiary education and a valued Indigenous leader for my community" Mr Sampson said.
June 3, 2008
Free professional career counselling at Gold Coast TAFE
Over 120,000 Gold Coast residents will find a 'together, anything's possible' postcard inviting them to attend free career counselling sessions in their letterboxes on 10 and 11 June.
For those residents who are considering a job or career change they are urged to attend the career counselling sessions to seek professional advice.
Gold Coast TAFE Institute Director Deb Daly said our qualified counsellors are trained to guide and assist residents in making the right career decision for their future.
"We are aware that making career choices are difficult and it helps to discuss your options with our professionals who will also assist by conducting a professional 'career' test.
"We are enrolling now for our mid year intake and our career sessions will help people get the right advice to make the right career choice for them.
"We are offering two sessions, one in our Ashmore Campus theatre on 18 June from 5 to 6pm and the second on the ground floor, Southport Campus on 25 June from 5 to 6pm," she said.
According to Ms Daly there is an extensive range of programs including Certificates, Diplomas, Dual Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas which are being offered across the institute's five campuses.
"There is such a vast scope of study options available for people looking to gain new skills, enhance their career opportunities or gain a pathway to University or further study.
"The career counselling sessions will appeal to people from all walks of life, including school leavers, working professionals, mature-aged and people wanting to re-enter the workforce," she said.
Gold Coast TAFE offers flexible learning options in many courses including full-time, part-time and online delivery.
Anyone interested in registering for the free career counselling sessions at Gold Coast TAFE should call (07) 5581 8618.
For enquiries regarding semester two enrolments please contact our Customer Service Team on (07) 5518 8300 or visit www.goldcoast.tafe.qld.gov.au.
June 2, 2008