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Students can study from anywhere in Australia
Thursday, 3 June 2010
THE Barrier Reel Institute of TAFE's unique Tourism programs enable students to study from anywhere in Australia and complete the training in their own time and at their own pace.
Tourism graduate Kate Narracott, who lives in Brisbane, was able to complete her Certificate III in Tourism qualification without having to travel to TAFE.
Ms Narracott said she had considered a number of options before deciding to study with the Barrier Reel Institute of TAFE.
"TAFE's external study model gave me the flexibility to complete my studies in the shortest time," Ms Narracott said.
"I was a mature age student, who chose to leave secure, well paid full time employment to change my career path."
Ms Narracott said she took into consideration the distance from her local TAFE colleges is about 50 minutes drive.
"I felt it was in my best interest to choose external study," she said.
"I selected the external tourism course from the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE."
Ms Narracott said she used lecture notes, textbooks and examinations via mail and email to complete the requirements of the course.
"Frequent phone conversations with my teachers in Townsville helped me with any queries I had, and their support and encouragement was limitless," Ms Narracott said.
"When I was studying my teachers at TAFE were fantastic - so supportive, so understanding and so tolerant of all of my many questions."
Ms Narracott said she had put her travel studies to good use by taking every opportunity to travel.
"During my past two years working in a local travel agency I have travelled to Norfolk Island, Cairns, Port Douglas, Samoa, Bali, Melbourne, Canada and am currently in Tasmania. I am also off on a South Pacific Cruise in December."
Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE Tourism teacher Steve Smith said the Certificate III in Tourism program had attracted many successful graduates.
"With an industry sector that employs more than 500,000 people and generates $40 billions a year in sales, a Tourism qualification is highly sought after and is recognised within industry at a national and international level," Mr Smith said.
"This flexible training program is ideal for people who are already busy working and wish to upskill or gain a formal qualification in their current job."
Mr Smith said the program was divided into four stages to allow students to combine study with work and other personal commitments.
"Upon enrolment each student is sent a study guide which provides helpful information on the course content, the assessment process, readings, learning activities and assignments," he said.
Mr Smith said study schedules were also provided to assist students with meeting assignment deadlines and helping them achieve their goals.
"Many graduates have obtained their qualification white working, and have then gone onto starting their own business or securing a promotion," Mr Smith said.
The Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE currently offers a variety of Certificate III in Tourism external studies programs including Retail Travel Sales and Visitor Information Services.
Students can also enrol in a Diploma of Tourism which will take 18 months of full time study to complete.
For more information visit www.barrierreef.tafe.qld.gov.au