Every now and then, a Cert IV TAE 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.

Dr Jyothsna Rama Rao: What did she say?

Q. What worked for you?

Templates, theory and helpful and supportive trainers.

Q. What advice would you give to others considering studying this course in this way?

Ask questions and examples for the assignments, there are several ways to obtain competency in assignments. It is important to understand why an assignment is designed the way it is and what is the purpose behind it.

Q. Is there anything else you’d like to include?

Found Fortress Learning trainers very helpful, supportive and willing to help a novice like me understand the VET sector. Special thanks to Amy for giving me an extension to get stuck into the assignment, Bryan for convincing me that the Certificate IV would help in my field, Scott for his patience, Sarah for hand-holding when I was losing it!!! Thank you, you are all awesome.

Why did this particular testimonial comment get our attention?

Jyothsna points out an essential factor in approaching study: understanding the purpose behind a task.  Seeing the bigger picture – what is this task really asking me to demonstrate? How does this task fit within the whole qualification?  – will enable a far more meaningful, more confident, more relevant experience for you.

And, as we all know – the more relevant the experience, the greater the learning.

Acquiring this understanding may need more than simply skimming through the Assessment Instrument and following the instructions.  This is where our trainers truly excel.  They can not only provide you with annotated examples to heighten your understanding, but they can contextualise the assessment to you – your experience, your workplace, your interests.  How? Through a simple conversation.

Seeing how a task fits with you and understanding the purpose behind it, will lead to its relevance.  And, knowing its relevance will heighten the experience.  Once you ‘get it’, you’ll be keen to do it.

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