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

Personality Type and Sales

Personality Type and Sales

Bringing the "service" back into the sales and customer services to better serve our customers using their personality type.

Special Interest
Overcoming Learner Discomfort

Overcoming Learner Discomfort

What is learner discomfort?“When a learner becomes conscious of their own performance – or lack of – that then can lead to them becoming anxious, which is an uncomfortable place to be.So by “learner discomfort”, I guess I am talking about feelings of anxiety, worry or concern. A lack of confidence in the learner’s ability to participate in any meaningful way; to progress in any meaningful way.”

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Never Felt Pressured With My Cert IV TAE

Never Felt Pressured With My Cert IV TAE

Every now and then, a Certificate IV TAE student writes a review that we believe really captures what Fortress Learning tries 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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No Cause for Worry

No Cause for Worry

Every now and then, a graduating student writes a Review that we believe really captures what Fortress Learning tries 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.

Testimonial
Online Learning: 6 Tips for Good Mental Health

Online Learning: 6 Tips for Good Mental Health

Online learning can sometimes be quite a lonely and tough way to learn, particularly if the content is challenging either because it’s complex and totally foreign to you, or because it’s boring as bat… stuff. This leads to the most common problem and what we’re really talking about here, which is how to keep motivated for online learning.

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No Regrets About Online Study

No Regrets About Online Study

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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Mixing Up Your Methods – Individual Work in Seminars and Workshops

Mixing Up Your Methods – Individual Work in Seminars and Workshops

Although the structure and delivery methods of most training and development seminars and workshops have improved dramatically over the last several decades, a valid criticism can be made regarding the proportion of group activity to individual work.In the early 1950s, American psychologist Kurt Lewin and others began to experiment with group functioning. Their work led to the T-Group (training group) movement that became immensely influential and popular into the 1960s and beyond.

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Marking Assessments – Do We Need to Change Our Mind-set?

Marking Assessments – Do We Need to Change Our Mind-set?

Over the years, many of my colleagues have had a whine about marking. They enjoy the training but they see marking as an unpleasant chore. I’m wondering if this is because it’s just seen as “compliance paperwork”, whereas I view marking as one of the best opportunities we can have to deliver training.

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Job Opportunities for Trainers and Assessors

Job Opportunities for Trainers and Assessors

So, you want to become a trainer. Before you embark on a new career as a trainer, it’s important to understand how job opportunities in the industry work. This article is designed to help you get a sense of what being a trainer is about and how to go about becoming one if that’s what you desire to do.

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Let’s Take a Leap of Faith, Together

Let’s Take a Leap of Faith, Together

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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Keeping Up by Letting Go

Keeping Up by Letting Go

Recommendations from recent reviews (and likely an outcome of the in-progress rapid review) are that ASQA needs to take an educative role to guide registered training organisations toward compliance expectations.

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Is It Too Radical to Require a Workplace for TAE Students

Is It Too Radical to Require a Workplace?

Does it make sense to have an employer tied to the student's training? What are the barriers to this being possible, and why is it important?

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia
Investigating the Dip VET Unknown Unknowns: TAEPDD501

Investigating the Dip VET Unknown Unknowns: TAEPDD501

If you missed the background, we have decided to take a look at what experienced training professionals do, and compare that with what the TAE50116 Dip VET says they should be doing.

Research
It’s Not Easy but It’s Worth It

It’s Not Easy but It’s Worth It

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.

Testimonial
Investigating the Dip VET Unknown Unknowns: TAELLN501

Investigating the Dip VET Unknown Unknowns: TAELLN501

For the sake of comparison, we will include in this table (and subsequent ones) the data for the earlier units for which we have collected data. For Performance Evidence, the figures represent the average percentages of benchmarks that were satisfactorily demonstrated and the range for that across all 50 sample candidates.

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Is Any Qualification Worthless?

Is Any Qualification Worthless?

We need to be mindful we exist as part of a system in which education enables people to competently do useful work. At least that’s the idea. What’s the deal with so many worthless qualifications? Why are some providers duping students into studying them? Shouldn’t purveyors of that sort be stopped?

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Investigating the Dip VET Unknown Unknowns: TAEDES501

Investigating the Dip VET Unknown Unknowns: TAEDES501

The following table shows the summary of assessment outcomes in this unit. For the sake of comparison, we will include in this table (and subsequent ones) the data for the earlier units for which we have collected data.

Research
In Defence of TAEASS502 – the Single Unit That Might Help the Vet Industry Regain Its Confidence.

In Defence of TAEASS502 – the Single Unit That Might Help the Vet Industry Regain Its Confidence.

On the surface, it would seem that the majority opinion is that TAEASS502 Design and develop assessment tools does not belong in the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment. We do not need to look far to find some very assertive – and often very aggressive – comments that lambast the decision to include it as a core in the new Certificate IV TAE.

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Investigating Dip VET RPL Outcomes to Unearth the “unknown Unknowns” in Trainer and Assessor Practice

Investigating Dip VET RPL Outcomes to Unearth The “Unknown Unknowns” in Trainer and Assessor Practice

We have decided to take a look at what experienced training professionals do, and compare that with what the TAE50116 Dip VET says they should be doing.

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Introducing Your Monthly Compliance Strategy

Introducing Your Monthly Compliance Strategy

Here at Fortress, we believe that by focusing on performance, compliance should follow.It’s easy to get so caught up in ticking boxes and complying that we forget why we are doing it in the first place.

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I Now Know How to Function Effectively as a Trainer

I Now Know How to Function Effectively as a Trainer

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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How to Get Your Study Motivation Ignited

How to Get Your Study Motivation Ignited

Sometimes getting study motivation is like playing hide-and-seek when it comes to online learning, only… it’s really good at hiding, right?We get it. We see it and hear about it all the time from our students who are struggling to get started, or keep going, on their online studies for the Cert IV TAE or the Diploma of Training and Assessment.

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How to Identify Target Learner Characteristics

How to Identify Target Learner Characteristics

When developing an e-learning resource for a client, it’s essential that you understand the participants who are likely to engage with the material on the other end (i.e. the target learner) so you can create a learning solution that meets their needs.In this article we discuss how to paint a picture of the target learner, so you can create a resource with the right impact.

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How to Develop Effective E-learning Resources and Tools

How to Develop Effective E-learning Resources and Tools

E-learning resources can come in all shapes and sizes but regardless of how they look, feel and work, one thing remains the same: the resource is only as good as the research that’s gone into it. Ultimately, an e-learning resource needs to meet the needs of the clients creating it and the learners engaging with it; otherwise, it will fall flat and prevent both from reaching their goals.

E-Learning
How E-learning Has Impacted Education

How E-learning Has Impacted Education

Since its inception over two decades ago, e-learning has continuously grown and made its way into all corners of the education sector, including schools, universities, registered training organisations (RTOs), and technical and further education (TAFEs).In this article, we cover how e-learning has impacted the education sector, and how you can make sure any e-learning resource you create effectively engages students.

E-Learning

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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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