TAFE NSW and Sydney School of Entrepreneurship have launched their first collaboration to deliver an online short course available to people across the state. 

‘Innovate Like A Startup Founder’ begins March 23 and is the first online short course from the TAFE NSW and SSE partnership that is available to anyone who wants to step out of their comfort zone and into the innovation space.

Sydney School of Entrepreneurship (SSE) is an unprecedented collaboration between all 11 NSW universities and TAFE NSW. SSE offers short courses and work-integrated learning experiences focusing on innovation, design thinking and entrepreneurship skills.

SSE CEO Dr Sarah Jones said the one-week course is designed for those who want to develop an innovative idea and turn it into a real-world project or business.

“Entrepreneurial education builds capability, enhances employability and contributes to the innovative advancement of communities,” Dr Jones said.

“SSE and TAFE NSW are natural partners to offer this new short course to anyone interested in taking the next steps to further their career or developing their interest in innovation and entrepreneurship.”

SSE alumnus Stephen Cooper worked as a photographer for 30 years before discovering an appetite for entrepreneurship. After starting his own photography company, Stephen decided to enrol in a Certificate IV in New Small Business at TAFE NSW.

Stephen discovered SSE and jumped at the chance to enrol in two additional online short courses in innovation, Ideation and Structuring for Success.

During the courses, Stephen continued to combine his passions and developed the beginnings of an interactive app that gives users hands-on experience of photography in a real-world environment.

“I made an app in Ideation which is something I hadn’t done before that took the knowledge that I had, my photographic knowledge and added different learning outcomes to create something unique,” Stephen said. 

It was through these short courses that Stephen learnt how to harness different entrepreneurial tools and skillsets to enhance his own business. Stephen is encouraging others to step out of their comfort zones and into the innovation space.

“It’s not something to be scared of – it’s a great opportunity to look at the world in a different way. Being a short course, you’re able to achieve something in a short period of time, go outside your comfort zone and come up with something new.”

Students who complete the Innovate Like A Startup Founder course will receive a TAFE Statement of Attainment in Innovation Fundamentals. To enrol visit sse.edu.au.

Media contact: Kellie Dillon, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist

, MediaRelease@tafensw.edu.au, 02 9217 4220.