Latest Articles
Trainers, Developers and Experts: There is No One Ring That Binds Them All
As a trainer and assessor for some 15 years in government and private training organisations and the last 18 months actually training the TAE40116, I have some anecdotal evidence to share that dovetails nicely with Sandy Welton’s research report mentioned in her “Re-thinking the role of trainers and assessors” article.
Three Steps to Effective Learning Objectives
All learning must be focused on a goal. Without a goal, one has no way of knowing whether they’ve arrived or not. In VET, we call these goals our “Learning Objectives.” They define what we expect our learners to be able to do once the training is over and they are assessed.
Three Reasons Why People Don’t Finish Their Diploma of VET or Diploma of TDD
While we go to great lengths to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible, the reality is that not all people who commence their Diploma of Vocational Education & Training or Diploma of Training Design & Development will complete it.
Three Diploma Graduates Share Their Experiences
When it comes to study (and life!), everyone’s experience is different. We all have different demands, priorities, routines, preferences and motivations, so it only makes sense that everyone has their own unique experience when it comes to online learning.We interviewed three of our Diploma Graduates to find out about their own online learning experience. While each experience was different, the end result remained the same: they all successfully completed their qualification!
The Threat of Questioning – What We Can Learn From Brain-based Learning Research
Teachers have been asking questions for centuries and for centuries there have been students who do all they can to avoid answering. Some teachers try a variety of means to force the reluctant to answer from time to time, but more often, the path of least resistance in calling on those all too eager to answer is the path taken.
The Rise of Online Learning and Its Impact on Students
Before the pandemic, Research and Markets forecasted the online education market as $350 billion by 2025¹; however, after the Covid-19 outbreak saw countless schools, universities and companies take up online learning to enable them to keep teaching their communities safely, this number is likely to rise.Although the education system is returning to ‘normal’, online learning still maintains a strong presence and won’t be going anywhere, any time soon. In this article, we take a look at the history of online learning, how it’s impacted students and the pros and cons that the learning gateway brings about today.
The Most Important Word in a Trainer’s Vocabulary
Trainers and teachers spend a whole lot of time working with people. They work out where people are at, and work out how to get them from here to there. As part of becoming a trainer, they will learn about learning, and about instructional design and assessment and that sort of stuff.
The Learner Who Just Doesn’t Get It
One of the saddest things to face in a training cycle is when a learner doesn’t pass the assessment of their qualifications. This can be particularly hard on some learners, depending upon their individual personalities. Some will want to quit, others will blame the trainer, and still, others will just get depressed.
The Drop in Traineeships and Apprenticeships. Why is It Happening?
A recent figure revealed that the federal government over the last five years has underspent close to $1 billion of its budget on TAFE, training and apprenticeships. This is on top of previous cuts. At the same time, that these budgets cuts are happening, Australia is still experiencing critical skills shortages in several industries. A number of experts have warned of serious effects on the Australian economy.
The Certificate IV TAE: You Get Out What You Put in
Every now and then, a Certificate IV TAE 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.
The All-important Training Session Plan
Benjamin Franklin was the first one to say those immortal words, although others have followed suit, including Winston Churchill. Those words have become a byword for anyone who teaches time management. They should likewise become a byword for every trainer.As you walk into every training session, you must realize that you are the lone individual, walking into a den of lions. As long as you keep those lions engaged in learning, they’ll forget that they’re hungry. But the moment you give them time to realize their hunger, they’re going to be all over you.
Taking Longer to Get Assessments Done Sooner
It may seem like a time-saver to skim read assessment instructions and quickly jot down some words that seem to match but you might miss key instruction words. Yes, pesky words like “list, explain, describe, reflect…” Assessors are clued into instruction words like that and it is often glaringly obvious when a student has not responded in kind.
The 5 Awesome Benefits of Online Learning!
Yes, we said ridiculously awesome because online courses are the best! If we do say so ourselves… But for the next minute or so, hang with us and we’ll explain why we (and many others) think this is totally the case.Let’s start with what’s wrong with the standard training option. Of course we’re building a stronger case for why online courses are the way to go. Not very stealthy since we do the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment mostly online, we know.
TAE Update Time – Take 2 – Changes to the Diploma of VET
Well, it’s TAE update time – Take 2Last month we touched on changes to the TAE Training Package and focussed on the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and AssessmentThis month we will look at the changes to the Diplomas and boy, there are quite a few so we will try to keep it as short and clear as possible.
TAE Training Package Updates (May 2022)
If you have been reading our previous newsletters, you will know that the TAE Training Package has been under review for some time.Well, the news has finally arrived that there have been some changes, some pretty big changes in fact and the PWC Skills has now released its Version 1 draft revised material to the public to gain feedback.
Studying a Certificate IV TAE: Knowing Me, Knowing You
Every now and then, a Certificate IV TAE 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.
Studying Your Cert IV TAE: 10 Strategies to Decimate Distractions
Life is full of distractions (we promise this article isn’t one of them). When it comes to completing your online Cert IV TAE course – or any other course for that matter – distractions could be the difference between success and failure. We all know how good it feels to be completely consumed by a task and operating at maximum productivity, but how do you get rid of those pesky distractions and get in “THE ZONE”?
Studying a Certificate IV TAE With Fortress Learning: User-Friendly
Every now and then, a Certificate IV TAE 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.
Should I Complete the Current TAE Diplomas When a New One is Coming?
With new TAE diplomas on the horizon, it’s fair to wonder whether you should hold out until the new ones are available or go ahead with the current courses.When people approach us with this predicament, we always try to ensure that each student is provided with clear, transparent information related to their individual needs at the time of inquiry. This may be encouraging them to wait for the new ones or encouraging them to enrol now for the current Diplomas.
Quality is Meaningless
It is a word that is used easily and widely. It is a word that we readily understand, but I do not believe that quality is something that actually exists in VET, but I do believe it should.
Reaching "The Standard"
Every now and then, a 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.
Re-centralising The Learner in VET
Dicusses the disarray the VET industry was in and why it's important to refocus on the learner being at the centre, and how.
Qualification Packaging Rules – the 3 Important Things You Need to Know
Qualification Packaging Rules – it’s a term we hear quite often in our world of Vocational Education and Training but one that we sometimes don’t understand.We have put together a video and blog to assist you in understanding Qualification packaging rules, how they work and why they are important to understanding how Qualifications work.
Professional
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.
Pieces of Paper Say More About Attitude Than Skills
Bernard Salt was giving advice in his Weekend Australian column. He reckons that being over 50, he is entitled to do so (with the European cruise to come later, in his 60s). Anyway, his advice was to kids, and it was simply two things that he believes are required to ensure career and/or business success.
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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