Every now and then, a graduating student writes a review that we believe really captures what we try to do.  Instead of them ending up hidden among the others, we will share them with you, and try to explain why we think they are so appropriate.

Lee Chang Tye: What did he say?

To anyone wishing to study with Fortress Learning, I am someone who has had a lot of experience overseas training foreign students in the English as a Second Language (ESL) field having lived and worked in Japan for 15 years. Since returning and looking to continue my line of work in Australia, I found out that I needed to acquire certain qualifications, one being the Certificate IV in TAE, just to be allowed to do what I had been doing for 15 years. So, frankly, I resented the whole VET study requirement process and level of protectionism that the government enforces in this VET sector.

When I was searching for work one potential employee referred me to Fortress Learning and seeing that they had such a competitive price and were flexible enough to allow all the study to be done online, I enrolled. Like many people, I did not expect much in terms of service, support, depth/content of materials, or knowledge/skill from their employees – just another business more interested in making money from this industry.

As I settled into the course, I was pleasantly surprised to find that many of my prejudices were wrong. The staff from bottom to top were very knowledgeable, helpful & easy to communicate with, their service was very prompt – in fact, I could see that some corrections were done outside their normal working hours – proactive, and consistent across many trainers.

Their trainers were highly qualified with an in-depth background in education, helpful, and willing to incorporate flexible solutions to each and every assessment situation. This was not the money-making, one-size-fits-all, indifferent, franchise business factory that I had expected.

All these factors make a big difference and Fortress does its best to present the materials in a study-friendly way as possible but the Certificate IV in TAE (by default) is tough going and at times tedious & confusing for someone new to the VET sector. But now I have a good idea about how the VET sector works, and most importantly, how to function effectively as a trainer within this VET context.

Thanks to all the staff at Fortress and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend anyone who wants to study online with Fortress Learning, now my career is back on track and I can do what I do well!

Why did this particular testimonial comment get our attention?

Let’s face it, there is a huge amount of public cynicism about the VET sector.  If we were to believe everything we read in the papers and hear on the news, we could be forgiven for believing that all Registered Training Organisations are money-making, one-size-fits-all, indifferent, franchise business factories.

Lee’s experience is similar to many students.  They enter the program with some uncertainty about the value of the program, resent the fact of having to even do it, and question the sort of experience will they have with us.  The program was tough going and at times tedious & confusing for someone new to the VET sector, and Lee rose to that challenge, took advantage of the flexible options available, made the most of our caring and skilled staff, and because of that, he prevailed.

He learned.

By working together, Lee now knows how to function effectively as a trainer, and has the confidence to do well.

And that is what we hope for all of our students.  We won’t take shortcuts but will walk with you all the way.

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