Testimonials
- Rebecca Francis
Student of the year building a fantastic career
Rebecca Francis gave up a 15-year career in administration to study architectural drafting/building design full-time at TAFE NSW – a decision that has paid dividends. The winner of the 2018 TAFE NSW Infrastructure, Energy and Construction Student of the Year Award says that she made "a great choice, as I am now a qualified building designer and I thoroughly enjoy my work."
Rebecca chose to study a Diploma of Building Design through TAFE Digital, as it gave her the flexibility she needed to fit in with her other commitments. Her studies included low–to-medium density residential and commercial building design projects, from concepts through to working drawings, and has resulted in the award-winning student being in a career she loves.
- Serena Salib
Job-ready qualifications boost career
2018 Technology and Business Student of the Year Award winner, Serena Salib, credits the flexibility of learning through TAFE Digital as key to her successful completion of her Certificate III in Library and Information Services course.
Already employed at the Australian Catholic University as a library assistant, Serena wanted to formalize her qualifications. "The flexibility of being able to complete units throughout my university break meant that I was consistently working on my written, as well as my critical thinking skills,” Serena said. “Additionally, the number of practical tasks meant that any feedback I received from TAFE Digital teachers was directly applied in my field of work."
- Dylan Piromalli
Focused and determined to succeed
2018 TAFE NSW Trainee of the Year Award winner Dylan Piromalli is an example of what commitment and dedication can achieve. Just fifteen years old when he started a Certificate II in Aquaculture, Dylan had a clear focus on gaining employment in the aquaculture industry – something he’s achieved, thanks to his efforts at TAFE NSW.
Dylan completed the required 15 units of competency with theory and practical assessments online through TAFE Digital, then left school for his dream job at Murray Cod Australia. He was so impressed with the practical skills he learned, he is now studying a Certificate III in Aquaculture.
- Fiona Spence
Creative and design ideation student begins exciting new chapter
TAFE NSW Creative and Design Ideation Student of the Year award winner, Fiona Spence, made the flexibility of studying a Diploma of Screen and Media via TAFE Digital work for her.
After taking a break from full-time work to raise a young family, Fiona enrolled in her course via TAFE Digital, enjoying the flexibility that studying at her own pace and in her own time offered her.
TAFE Digital General Manager Megan Aitken was impressed with Fiona’s dedication to forging a new career, along with her other commitments. “She has successfully established herself as a writer, online content producer, influencer and is a passionate advocate for further education as a mature aged student,” said Megan. “For Ms Spence, the successful completion of her studies is only the beginning of an exciting new business chapter in her life.”
- Melanie Gabbusch
Travel and tourism student flying high
TAFE NSW Tourism and Experience Services Student of the Year Award winner, Melanie Gabbusch, has seen her career take off as a result of her studies through TAFE Digital.
Melanie initially enrolled in a Diploma of Travel and Tourism online because, having to juggle work and family commitments, that was the study method that suited her best. Melanie embraced her studies with such determination that she completed all units in just eight months, leading to employment with the prestigious Flight Centre Group.
Melanie’s highly focused, determined attitude, coupled with actively engaging with her teachers to optimise her learning experience, led to her success, showing once and for all that online learning doesn’t mean you have to be alone; not with TAFE Digital. Our teachers always make themselves available to help, and virtual classrooms mean you can converse with your classmates – just two more reasons why our students succeed.
- Georgie Higgins
Studying online makes it all possible for award winner
Inverell student Georgie Higgins has been honoured for her academic achievements and outstanding work ethic with the prestigious 2018 Student of the Year and Equity and Youth Achievement Awards.
Georgie completed a Certificate III in Dental Assisting as scholar with the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, and also completed a Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Oral Health Promotion), which necessitated traveling to Sydney from Inverell for blocks of practical sessions.
How did she handle such an arduous workload, while also working within the dental industry?
By studying with TAFE Digital, that allowed her to log on and learn whenever and wherever she wanted. “I would recommend online studying to anyone who has prior commitments that don’t allow them to study full–time,” Georgia said.
- Meg Yates
Diploma of travel tourism and management takes Meg places
Meg Yates knows a thing or two about commitment. This TAFE NSW student also studied full-time at university while completing a Diploma of Travel and Tourism Management through TAFE Digital and working part-time.
“My dream to pursue a career in the tourism industry has ensured I never considered giving up on achieving my goals, regardless of where I live,” Meg said, considering online study a benefit. “I enjoyed the flexibility of studying online and decided to further my skills and expertise with a Diploma of Tourism and Travel Management,” said Meg, adding that she partiuclarly valued “the practical skills, industry-specific knowledge and support received during my time studying with TAFE NSW.”
- Joshua McLinden
Studying waste management creates a waste manager
TAFE Digital student, Joshua McLinden, advanced in his career after successfully completing a Certificate IV in Water Operations (Trade Waste). “I changed engineering pathways from a role as engineering technical officer – wastewater, to take on a wider portfolio as design engineer … after completing the Certificate IV in Water Operations,” said Joshua. “After completing the training, which included on-site visits and theory tests, I was required to complete assessments and submit them via TAFE Digital.”
Studying online suited Joshua, as he found the interfaces familiar and easy to use. "Studying online has always been the best fit for me, as I work full-time and play multiple sports,” Joshua said. “Having the flexibility of online study gives me the freedom to schedule time for research, study and assessment submissions at my own pace."
- Melissa Henry
TAFE Digital qualification helps career progress
As a proud Aboriginal woman from Wiradjuri Country, Melissa Henry has a passion for her Aboriginal culture, as well as education. Melissa completed the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care through TAFE Digital, and has since gone on to gain employment as an Aboriginal Education Support Teacher – something that has allowed her to stay focused on continuing to help the students in her local community.
As well as the convenience of being able to study at her own pace, TAFE Digital offered Melissa the real world skills she needed to be successful in her career. “I’ve been able to apply the skills I learnt online directly in the classroom,” she said.
- Yuki Stavely-Alexander
TAFE Digital - making all goals achievable
When Yuki Stavely-Alexander started a Certificate III in Accounts Administration in 2016, she had no idea how far she would go just two short years. As a mature-aged mother from a non-English speaking background, Yuki thought studying accounting would be too hard.
However, the support she received from the TAFE Digital staff and students, as well as her own efforts, helped Yuki complete not only a Certificate III, but also a Certificate IV in Bookkeeping and Certificate IV in Accounting.
“Considering all I have achieve in such a short time, it makes me thankful that TAFE Digital was my first choice when it came to continuing my education,” said Yuki, who is not only currently studying a Diploma of Accounting through TAFE Digital, but is also employed as a bookkeeper – thanks to her TAFE Digital teacher’s connections.
- Ti-Ahna Firth
The teachers were so lovely and approachable
Although Ti-Ahna Firth worked in Marketing for over a decade, she never had any formal tertiary qualifications. Deciding to change that, Ti-Anha enrolled in a Diploma of Marketing with TAFE NSW, and immediately enjoyed the flexibility and real-world skills that her Diploma gave her.
Ti-Anha has since graduated and – thanks to the real world skills and experience she received during her Diploma – now heads up a Marketing department. But what really set Ti-Anha’s experience with TAFE Digital apart is the support she received while studying. “What I wish I had taken advantage of from the outset is how accessible the teachers are,” Ti-Anha said. “Make sure you use the resources available and ask for help if you need it, because it’s there.”