Articles

Welcome to our Articles Hub, where we share expert insights, practical learning and training tips, and valuable resources tailored for trainers, assessors, and educators in the VET industry.

Latest Articles

What You Need to Know About the New TAE50122 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training

What You Need to Know About the New TAE50122 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training

With the new TAE50122 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training on its way, the vocational education and training (VET) industry understandably has some questions – particularly about educational equivalency for those wanting to transition or upgrade from the current diplomas to the new ones.This blog seeks to provide some answers, as well as a top-level view of the diploma’s new specialisation streams. Read on for the ins and outs of the TAE update.

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Respecting the Learner

Respecting The Learner

Most learners enter the process with a little bit of trepidation. They are unsure whether the training they are going to undertake is what they need; unsure whether they can do well in it or not; unsure of their own success; even unsure whether they are smart enough to learn. All that uneasy feeling of being unsure is one of their worst enemies.

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Just Turning Up is Not Enough

Just Turning Up is Not Enough

Just showing up is not enough. Students need to actually learn, build knowledge and skills in DOING and absorb quality material to up-skill.

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia
Your ‘Why’: to Comply or to Perform?

Your ‘Why’: to Comply or to Perform?

Every now and then, a Diploma student writes a review that we believe deserves to be featured and discussed. Instead of them ending up hidden among the others, we will share them with you, and let you know our thoughts about them.

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Will the Dip VET Replace the Cert IV TAE in the Standards for RTOs?

Will the Dip VET Replace the Cert IV TAE in the Standards for RTOs?

Will the Dip VET TAE50116 replace the Certificate IV TAE? It’s a question we at Fortress Learning are asked every day. However, like many things in the world of VET, the answer is, “We really don’t know”. So, what do we know?

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With You Every Step of the Way in The TAE

With You Every Step of the Way

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.

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Why There is No Such Thing as a Quality TAE Certificate IV

Why There is No Such Thing as a Quality TAE Certificate IV

The first thing to do is recognise that it is not actually the Certificate IV TAE that you need to be quality. What you actually do not need is an RTO that will tell you that they deliver a quality program. After all, that is irrelevant, because what they mean (if anything) by the word quality is quite possibly very different to what you mean.How to tell if their quality is the same as your quality.

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Why Response Times Matter for Cert IV TAE and Dip VET Online Learners.

Why Response Times Matter for Cert IV TAE and Dip VET Online Learners

If there is one thing we have learned over our years of training Certificate IV TAE and Dip VET students, it is this: people don’t just like to know what is happening, they need to know when it will happen.Everyone is busy. Our students are busy professionals who are juggling the often competing demands for limited time. And limited energy.So, when they have a window of opportunity to get some of their course done, they need to make the most of it.

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Why Student Support Matters

Why Student Support Matters

As a student, the support you get from an online course provider can be the difference between passing or failing the course you signed up for. Good support can spur a smooth, enjoyable educational experience, whereas poor support can make for a frustrating experience where you’re left fending for yourself. Without answers to questions and resolutions to potential problems, completing a course can ultimately become a challenge.

Student Support
Why People Are Choosing – and Not Choosing – a TAE Diploma Upgrade.

Why People Are Choosing – and Not Choosing – a TAE Diploma Upgrade

We have said before that the question of a TAE Diploma Upgrade to the TAE50116 Dip VET and TAE50216 Dip TDD is a personal one. In the most simple terms, it is not for everyone.

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Why is Research – and TAERES501 – So Important for VET Professionals?

Why is Research – and TAERES501 – So Important for VET Professionals?

This or something like it is pretty close to the reality of what happens in the VET sector. Work intensification and casualisation of the workforce has led people to be more time-stressed than ever, which means that tasks that do not have an immediate and tangible beneficial outcome are often pushed down the list.

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Why It is Important to Enrol for the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment Now!

Why It is Important to Enrol for the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment Now!

It is understood that in line with current wording in the Standards, those currently holding a TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification would not be required to upgrade this to the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as it is proposed that the 2022 version be deemed the successor to the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification”

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Why Fortress Learning Doesn’t Take Everyone

Why Fortress Learning Doesn’t Take Everyone

Just as there are training organisations that will issue qualifications to people who may not be competent, there are people who wish to gain qualifications without being competent. Over the past few years, it appears there are more people who have either first or second-hand experience of this. For Fortress Learning, this presents a challenge since many people now come to our courses with the expectation that what they – or someone they know – has experienced elsewhere is the norm.

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Where’s the Other Half of the Story?

Where’s the Other Half of the Story?

There’s something about the Black Friday Sales and the massive hype that goes with this event that reminds me of what’s happening in the VET sector, and it’s got nothing to do with sales.I asked some students recently if they knew what the Black Friday sales were all about – and no one could relate this to the tradition in America of the shopping spree that happens the day after Thanksgiving.

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What The Certificate IV TAE Is and Isn’t

What The Certificate IV TAE Is and Isn’t

The Cert IV TAE has changed over the years. While the qualification has been transforming and evolving over a period of decades, public perception of what the course involves has remained largely the same. In an effort to clear up any myths and misconceptions associated with the Certificate IV TAE, I interviewed Fortress Learning’s very own National Training Manager, Emma Siebuhr.

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What is E-learning and What Are Its Benefits?

What is E-learning and What Are Its Benefits?

Just as everyone learns differently, there are different ways to facilitate that learning. One of the key methods of acquiring new information and building knowledge is through electronic technologies and media channels, in what’s called electronic learning or e-learning.In this article, we discuss what e-learning is all about and the advantages of this learning format.

E-Learning
What Happens When an RTO Provider Closes Unexpectedly

What Happens When an RTO Provider Closes Unexpectedly

It didn’t go unnoticed that the above providers were RTOs that offered the TAE40116 Certificate IV at incredibly low prices. In the past, we have written about low-cost providers and offered advice on why “low cost” is not always “ best value”. Unfortunately, due to multiple factors such as the rising cost of living and lack of sufficient information, many students still opt for these lower-cost courses which in turn puts pressure on RTOs who really want to offer the service standards and value for a quality education.

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What Are the Different Learning Styles?

What Are the Different Learning Styles?

Now when we went to write this blog, we thought we were pretty clear about what the content should be when it comes to writing about learning styles. But as any professional organisation should, we went to see if there were any updates or changes to what’s already thought to be “common knowledge”…

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What Can I Research in TAERES501?

What Can I Research in TAERES501?

Of all the things that can freak people out, having too many choices has to be up there.It is no different when we start to think about what sort of research we can undertake as part of TAERES501. It is not surprising that many of the people who are thinking about this unit ask: what can I research?

Diploma
Wanting RPL for Your TAE Cert IV or Dip VET? The First Step is to Make Sure That You Are Competent.

Wanting RPL for Your TAE Cert IV or Dip VET? The First Step is to Make Sure That You Are Competent

To get Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) for any course of study, be it a single unit or an entire Qualification, means that you can demonstrate that you are competent in all areas of the course. This might seem a bit basic, but experience tells me that there are many people who either wish to shortcut the RPL process or who do not understand what RPL means in the context of the Certificate IV TAE and Dip VET. Experience tells us that it is better for people to reduce the number of “unknown unknowns”.

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Upgrading From TAE40110 to TAE40116 With Fortress Learning: What Does It Look Like?

Upgrading From TAE40110 to TAE40116 With Fortress Learning: What Does It Look Like?

The TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is not entirely the same as the older TAE40110 Certificate IV TAE. Yes, 8 of the 10 units are equivalent but don’t be fooled into thinking that a TAE40116 Upgrade can just be a matter of showing your old certificate and showing a resume or job description.

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Use Your Why to Keep Motivating Yourself!

Use Your Why to Keep Motivating Yourself!

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.

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Training the Literacy Challenged Learner

Training the Literacy Challenged Learner

The percentage of those who are literacy challenged has been on a startling rise. A larger and larger percentage of our workforce is falling into the category of being “functionally illiterate.” It’s not just a problem here in Australia either, many developed nations have the same problem that we do. The generation growing up is managing to make it through school without learning to read at an adequate level.

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Understanding = Relevance = Meaning

Understanding = Relevance = Meaning

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.

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TAE Trainer Was Generous With His Time

Trainer Was Generous With His Time

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.

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What Our Graduates Say About Fortress Learning

Here is why we are the highest rated RTO on Trustpilot with over 1,750+ reviews.

The new qualification TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment was a very challenging course. I have been in the VET sector for almost 30 years and have gone through many of the qualification upgrades. This new one was no "give me". The assistance I got from the FL team was amazing. I was supported every step of the way. A fantastic learning and development experience. Thank you

Roger Crowhurst

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Thanks to Jane for her support all the way. I definitely had trouble interpreting academic speak as I am from a trade background. With Jane's help I found it easier to understand and ultimately got through.

Stephen Armao

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Fortress learning provided quality service, resources and training, from the enrolment process with Jonathon who had exceptional Customer service skills to the Trainer Deb Thomas who held my hand through the upgrade process. I am very happy to have selected and committed to Fortress learning and would highly recommend anyone considering to upgrade their qualifications or begin their training to go with their training organisation. Thanks again Deb for your time, knowledge and skills.

Caterina

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From the very first phone call, Fortress Learning had fantastic communication and straightforward processes. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing to go through the RPL and credit transfer process. They made the whole process so simple and stress free. Emails were normally responded to on the same day, and the giant portfolio I submitted was reviewed and marked within the week. Thank you to Jon, Odeza, Emma and everyone else involved.

Alison L

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I’m not a person who takes to technology and computers easily, I never gained an education through high school. Thanks to Deb and the team at Fortress, I was able to get my qualification to start my dream job, training and assessing apprentices. I would like to thank everyone at Fortress for helping and guiding me along the way, I will be forever grateful!

Adam D

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I had a great experience doing my TAE through Fortress. Very clear tasks with videos to give guidance and instructions on the tasks. Trainers very responsive and willing to help! Marking done within 4 days. Thank you very much!

Susanna C

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Fortress made my RPL really easy. Advised me exactly what I needed to provide as evidence to reach my desired outcome. Quick assessment of my skills and experience to finalise my upgrade. Thanks Fortress team.

Steve D

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Quality TAE RPL assessment is difficult. That's why lesser RTOs avoid it. I tried to negotiate a realistic RPL pathway with two other well-known TAE providers before settling on Fortress. I'm an experienced TAE assessor myself; I was impressed by their commitment to rigorously observing the standards while being flexible enough to capture genuine evidence. I was not only impressed with the service they provided me, I am confident that any colleague or potential employee of mine that is certified through Fortress genuinely has met the standards (and not just benefitted from the "tick and flick" approach of some providers). I have no association with Fortress but I would recommend them to any TAE professional seeking to upgrade their qualifications.

Sean Kelly

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I recently completed my Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in Training and Assessment Education (TAE) through Fortress Learning, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. From start to finish, the process was seamless and well-organized. The support team was incredibly responsive and helpful, guiding me through each step with patience and clarity. The assessors at Fortress Learning are highly knowledgeable and provided valuable feedback that was both constructive and encouraging. Their expertise in the TAE field is evident, and their dedication to helping students succeed is truly commendable. What stood out the most was their tailored approach to my RPL application. They recognized my prior experience and skills, ensuring that the assessment process was relevant and fair. The resources provided were comprehensive and greatly aided in my understanding of the requirements. Overall, Fortress Learning has exceeded my expectations with its professional and supportive approach. I highly recommend their RPL services to anyone seeking to advance their TAE qualifications. Thank you, Fortress Learning, for an outstanding educational experience!

Brendan

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The TAE workload was boulderous and daunting, but trainer Deb Thomas assisted me throughout. Her explanations untangled jargon and simplified arduous assessment tasks. Her incredible support enabled me to complete the TAE. THANK YOU!!! Although I primarily teach in a degree course, areas covered such as "reasonable adjustment" will assist with my Higher Ed work. I recommend Fortress to anyone contemplating a TAE: the service was both excellent and comprehensive.

Robyn

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This course has made me a better Trainer and Assessor in many ways. The research project was intense, but very rewarding, I intend to implement many of the strategies I have learned throughout the course. The training staff at Fortress were fantastic and very supportive all the way, they did not hesitate to help me when it was needed. Many thanks to Fortress, especially Jane MacIntosh.

Nick Congiusta

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