Student Testimonials

Hair and Beauty

Management and Marketing

Civil Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Design and Multi Media

Small Business Management

Automotive

MARINA GIFFARD
Accounting Graduate

When living in Melbourne in 1982, Marina Giffard enrolled in a Diploma of Accounting at RMIT. Having worked in the accounting field all of her life, Marina wanted to gain the theory to compliment her skills.

Marina didn’t complete her studies in Melbourne, having moved to Hobart with her husband and subsequently starting a family. In 2002, Marina enrolled in the Diploma of Accounting course with TAFE Tasmania.

Marina started with a light study load, as she wanted to ensure her studies didn’t impact on her family. “TAFE Tasmania offers night courses which suited me and my family as I was working full-time. Once I knew my family could survive without me being there all the time, I gradually increased the units I was enrolled in,” she said.

Not only has Marina successfully completed her qualification, but she has also enrolled in a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) course with the University of Tasmania. “Due to my TAFE studies, I got credit transfers for some units – it’s taken 1½ years off my Uni workload, which I’m doing part-time! I am working towards gaining my CPA accreditation – still working full-time, and studying part-time,” Marina said.

Marina is excited about attending the TAFE Tasmania graduation ceremony on Monday 27 March, “I’ve already RSVPed and ordered my gown! I’ve been waiting over 20 years for this day to come, and am so proud to have achieved my Diploma.

“It’s sometimes preferable to gain a qualification early in life – but it’s not always achievable or practical. My husband undertakes regular training courses, and we think we’re great role models for our family - learning never stops,” Marina said.

TAFE Tasmania’s qualification helped Marina secure her new role as Trainee Accountant. She is delighted with the support her current employer is providing her – it is important to have a flexible working relationship.

ANDREW DAVISON
Finance Student

After working with the Commonwealth Bank for 24 years, Andrew Davison decided it was time for a change. When deciding what career he’d like to move into, it was an easy choice for Andrew. Having been involved with water-sports for as long as he can remember, and with sailing as his passion – he wanted to manage a Sailing Club.

As the North Hobart Branch Manager at the Commonwealth Bank, Andrew had gained a lot of management experience, and knew he had the transferable skills like communication and personnel management.

However, while Andrew knew how to read profit & loss statements, he didn’t know how the information got there! Andrew knew he would need the skills to perform this task to gain his dream job.

After speaking with the Institute of TAFE Tasmania’s Finance Team Leader, Fiona Smith, Andrew decided which units from the Certificate III in Financial Services (Accounts Clerical) course he needed to complete and he enrolled. These units included: Process journal entries, Prepare and bank receipts, Maintain Financial Records and Produce Business Documents. It was during this time that he saw his dream-job advertised – Secretary Manager at The Derwent Sailing Squadron. Andrew has had his yacht at this club for over 12 years – what timing!

Andrew was successful in his application!

Andrew didn’t need to complete an entire qualification at TAFE Tasmania – he did the necessary units, “I wasn’t sure of what I needed to do, I thought I’d have to complete a whole qualification, but the staff at TAFE Tasmania really helped me, and I only needed to complete a few units.

“The staff at TAFE aren’t just there to teach you – they are all really interested in your outcomes. I learnt a lot of practical skills in a short time – just what I needed to get this role with Derwent Sailing Squadron,” Andrew said.

Andrew has his dream job – he’s rolled his working career and hobby into one.

ANGELA WINGATE 19
3rd year apprentice hairdresser

Last year, Angela won a national competition that took her to centre stage in Paris to demonstrate her skills at the world-renowned Intercoiffure hair fashion event.

Angela’s story:
I began attending TAFE during Year 11 with the VET program. As well as doing Maths, Workskills, Food Technology and English, I came to campus one day a week for the VET course. The vet program is fantastic as it allows you to see right into the hairdressing industry and participate and I got an apprenticeship before the year finished! I am also doing Certificate IV at the moment – to further enhance my career opportunities. It covers a lot of different subject areas of hairdressing that expand my knowledge and management skills for the whole industry. I believe in continual education, and TAFE has allowed me to keep learning in my chosen career – it has given me a career pathway.

Click here for more information on Hair and Beauty courses at TAFE.

CRAIG MCCARRON, 36

Continuous Improvement Coordinator, ACL Bearings

Craig McCarron has worked for ACL Bearings for over 13 years. Today he spends his time helping the company to improve the productivity and efficiency of its manufacturing process.

Craig’s story:
When the company first took me on, I was an electrical technician. I really couldn’t see myself still in that role in twenty years time and I enjoy dealing with people so I looked in the management direction. I studied management at TAFE for five years part-time until I got my Advanced Diploma.
I can’t think of anything I did at TAFE that I won’t use at work. The course gave me a comprehensive knowledge of modern management techniques that relate directly to the workplace. TAFE was also so flexible in its teaching method. It was easy for me to fit it in with work – and I even did some of the course through distance education. Now I am running improvement workshops and helping the company to review its manufacturing processes. I think I will go on with more study at some stage.

Click here for more information on Management courses at TAFE.

JONATHAN HAINES, 25, and JAMES BURBURY, 45

Engineering Assistants, Launceston City Council

Jonathan Haines and James Burbury work for the Launceston City Council as Engineering Assistants. They both changed course in very different ways to reach their present positions.

Jonathan’s story:
After a few years at university I thought I would have a much better chance of getting a job if I had some qualifications from TAFE. I’ve been here at the Council for three years now and I know my Civil Engineering certificate from TAFE was probably the reason I got the job!
At TAFE you learn skills you can apply in the work place. We’re fixing drains and the water system, giving customers immediate service and monitoring the condition of Council’s assets.

James’ story:
I had spent more than 20 years wool farming in the Midlands, but things got tough when the market crashed and we had numerous droughts to contend with. I began the Engineering course at TAFE in Launceston with just one day a week and then we sold the farm and moved up north. Studying at TAFE suited me because I could still work – there is no way I would have been able to find the time to do a university course. It’s a very practical engineering course, I have found the staff a great help.
I am always out and about in this job which suits me. We’ve still got a little hobby farm outside town so now because of my TAFE education I have the best of both worlds.

Click here for more information on Civil Engineering courses at TAFE.

CASEY HARPER, 18

2nd Year Engineering (Fabrication Trade)

Every now and then, Casey Harper gets the chance to cut a brand new Nissan Patrol in half. He was also headhunted for his first job – his apprenticeship.

Casey’s story:
I knew I wanted to work in the welding and steel work trade area when I was at school. I came to TAFE to do a pre-vocational course and that 6 months at TAFE has saved me a full year on my apprenticeship. It was also the reason I got my job – my boss wanted someone who had some idea of what they were doing. I work in a small workshop, mainly with farm equipment – making gates, grain feeders, that sort of thing. And, of course, the Nissan makeovers! I am doing what I want to do. I’m doing extra courses as well here at TAFE, like machining, which my boss pays for me to do. I would say to people in Year 10 definitely do the pre-employment courses if you know what you want to do – it gets you into work faster and saves time with the rest of the course.

Click here for more information on Mechanical Engineering courses at TAFE.

COURTNEY DUFF, 18

Diploma of Graphic Design

Courtney’s design features on the 2002 Tasmanian Craft Fair promotional material - from the website to the main program. Her raw talent and energy is inspiring.

Courtney’s story:
I was educated at home until Year 11 and had absolutely no computer skills until I began coming to TAFE. It really is amazing what I can do now with computers. TAFE is a good place to study – it’s easy going and the teachers are great. I tried it part-time while I was still at college and really enjoyed it so I signed up for the full-time course. Quite a few of my younger friends are getting interested now too, so I have given them all the course information. I really like designing logos and that sort of thing. I do some work for the teachers and other areas of TAFE.
The future looks pretty bright at the moment – we’ll see what happens!

Click here for more information on Graphic Design courses at TAFE.

SCOTT MURPHY, 32

Proprietor/Manager ‘The Small Business Solution’

Scott Murphy talks about changing the way accountants work. He has set up his own accounting practice to help him achieve his goal.

Scott’s story:
I began my Advanced Diploma of Business - Accounting at the Institute of TAFE in 1991. The course helped me achieve store manager level at Fitzgeralds and Harris Scarfe. I also work with people in the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (via TAFE) to assist them in developing their own small businesses.
I enjoy working with small business owners and helping them to run their business more efficiently and on a monthly basis, rather than waiting for the end of the financial year to work it all out in retrospect.
I’m doing the Workplace Training and Assessing Certificate IV at the moment and I am also enrolled at the University of Southern Queensland. I still look forward to the everyday challenges of business and I am pleased with my decisions to change from employee to employer.

Click here for more information on Small Business courses at TAFE.

LEIGH BARRETT, 20,

3rd Year Automotive Apprentice

Leigh Barrett lives on Flinders Island. He works for Jason Lee’s auto workshop at Whitemark. Three or four times a year Leigh flies to Tasmania to do his off the job training.

Leigh’s story:
I am in my 3rd year now and the trips here are really good. I was offered my apprenticeship before I had finished Year 12 at Newstead College. I knew I didn’t want to go to University. I like studying at TAFE – you pretty much go at your own pace and the things I learn at Jason’s shop are very useful here too – it goes both ways. We use a lot of computer programs here for learning – they’ve got everything in the software package like computer-generated images of suspension systems, engines and the gear-box. It’s a great course and I feel like I am really set for life whatever else I decide to do.

Click here for more information on Automotive courses at TAFE.