Information for students

Beyond the Beaker Careers Guide

So you’ve seen the Beyond the Beaker Careers Presentation and you want to explore your options?

The following information is designed to make the decision-making process a little easier.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Apprenticeships and traineeships are practical, hands on training programs. You get paid while you learn.

What’s the difference?

Apprenticeships require you to study at TAFE or college and perform on the job training. If you do an apprenticeship you finish with a trade qualification.

Traineeships are solely hands on and do not require any further study. You do NOT obtain a trade qualification although you may receive a certificate.

Can I train for my career while I’m still at school?

Yes. You would be required to spend three days at school per week, a day in the workplace and one day at a registered training organisation.

 Read TAFE's information on traineeships 196.38 Kb

 Read TAFE's list of WA traineeships (as of June 2009) 251.25 Kb

Like the sound of it? Check out the ApprentiCentre Website

To find out what others like you have done go to ApprentiCentre’s Ambassadors

Are you a young person in a regional community in Western Australia looking for  traineeship programmes and development opportunities in the road and civil construction industry? This could include road construction and maintenance, building bridges, pipe laying, plant operation and bituminous surfacing.
Check out the REACH Foundation website: http://www.reachfoundation.com.au/

TAFE

 TAFEWA offers heaps of courses which give you hands on experience while you study.

You can enrol Part Time or Full Time in your chosen area of interest. You must pass exams in order to receive a qualification.

The highest qualification you can receive from TAFE is an Advanced Diploma.

TAFEWA consists of four metropolitan centres and seven regional centres.

Campus Locations

Central TAFE  Perth, Leederville, Mt Lawley
Central West TAFE  Exmouth, Geraldton, Carnarvon
Challenger TAFE  Mandurah
Curtin VTEC  Kalgoorlie, Esperance
CY O’Connor TAFE  Merredin, Moora, Narrogin, Northam
Great Southern TAFE  Mt Barker, Albany, Denmark, Katanning
Kimberley TAFE  Broome
Pilbara TAFE   
Swan TAFE  Armadale, Balga, Bentley, Carlisle, Midland, Thornlie 
SW Regional TAFE  Bunbury
West Coast TAFE  Joondalup{/slide}

Helpful Hints

1. Try TAFEWA’s Online Skills Calculator. All you need is a list of your school subjects and your current grades. The calculator then works out what courses are available to you.
2. When looking at a course, make sure you check out the entry requirements. You need to make sure you’re doing the correct subjects at school.

University

University is the ultimate studying experience!

There are five universities in Western Australia. All offer different learning experiences and career paths. 

Most universities have on-campus facilities such as a Bank, Hairdresser, Gym, Tavern, Bookshop, Centrelink centre, Child care, Counselling, Travel Agent, Medical Centre, Student Guild as well as Food Outlets, Restaurants, Disability Services, the list goes on and on!

University websites

Curtin University of Technology  Albany, Armadale, Bentley (major campus), Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Malaysia, Midland, Margaret River, Northam, Perth, Port Hedland, Shenton Park, Singapore, and Sydney.

Edith Cowan University  Bunbury, Joondalup, Mt Lawley

Murdoch University  Murdoch (major campus), Peel, Rockingham

Notre Dame University  Broome, Fremantle (major campus), Sydney

University of Western Australia  Crawley {/slide}

Choosing Courses

 All University websites have a “Courses” link. Click on this and choose the field of interest that best suits you. Murdoch University has an awesome interactive way of helping you navigate through different courses. It’s definitely worth a look! 

Make sure you write down the entry requirements for the course you would like to do and the location of the course. You want to make sure you are doing the right subjects at school and getting the grades you need!

If you need more information about a course, call the University and speak to the Course Coordinator.

Check out the TISC website

This website gives you lots of information about course information and length, the universities that best suit your field of interest and TER requirements.{/slide}

Helpful Hints to Survive Your First Week of University

Go to your chosen university at least a week before the semester starts and check out what rooms and lecture theatres you need to go to.

1. Find out when O Day is – Orientation Day – and make every effort to attend.
2. Get a map!
3. Get a diary! You get a free one if you join the Student Guild, otherwise you can buy your own.
4. Check your timetable and make sure you are enrolled in the correct units.
5. Sign up for your tutorial classes.
6. Pay for your parking sticker.
7. Purchase your books – get in early before they run out. Find out if there is a book subsidy on offer at the Guild.
8. Get the photo taken for your student card.
9. Find out what clubs are available and where you can join – this is a great way to meet people.
10. If you get stuck – ASK QUESTIONS! Talk to your unit coordinator, someone in the chancellor building or to a random person that looks like they know what’s going on! There is always someone around to help you out and don’t forget, many other people are in the same situation.

What is the Student Guild?

The Student Guild plays a vital role in representing the interests of students by providing educational, commercial and social services to members.

The Guild usually operates a variety of services on campus including the café, bistros, bookshop, and copy centre. If you’re looking to make some extra cash, contact your Guild. They may find you something on campus!

What you get with your Guild membership:

Representation, legal advice, tutoring, various discounts at the university cafe, tavern, bistro, book shop and copy centres. They also hold music festivals, market days and offer discounts to night clubs, theme parks, clothing stores, restaurants, movies, theatres and more!

Qualification Levels

All these qualification terms can become confusing! Listed below are all the different types of qualifications (from lowest to highest), what they mean, where you can get them and how long they take to complete.

School Qualifications

WA Certificate of Education   Completion of Year 12 {/slide}

TAFE and Vocational education and training qualifications

The qualifications that are offered at TAFE and VET are Certificates I-IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma. These qualifications meet national industry standards and prepare you for further studies.

Certificate I   4 – 6 months 
 
Certificate I offers a variety of employment related skills, participation skills, broad – based induction skills and skills for working in a team environment.

Certificate II   6 – 8 months
  
Certificate II provides you with knowledge and skills to perform a range of varied activities where there is a clear and limited range of options and results.

Certificate III   12 months

Certificate III allows you to develop skills in selecting, adapting and transferring knowledge and skills, provide technical support to others, and some leadership in resolving problems.

Certificate IV   12 – 18 months

Certificate IV allows you to acquire a complexity of knowledge and competencies that cover a broad range of varied activities.

Diploma   18 – 24 months

A diploma study involves in-depth and complexity covering planning and initiation of alternative approaches to skills or knowledge that is already applied. 

Advanced Diploma   2 – 3 years

An advanced diploma study involves analysis, diagnosis, design, planning, execution and evaluation of a broad range of technical and management functions. 

University qualifications

Associate Degree   2 years
An Associate Degree is a two year qualification following year 12, or a Certificate III or IV.  It is a shorter but higher education qualification which allows you to move into a bachelor’s degree at University.

Bachelor Degree   minimum 3 years

The Bachelor Degree is the fundamental University qualification and the basis to entry to the professions. It usually involves major studies in an area where significant literature is available and helps prepare students for further post graduate study if desired.

Honours   1 year

This is an additional year taken after a Bachelor Degree to study in a specific field of interest. Honours may also be granted where outstanding achievement is recorded in a Bachelors Degree.

Graduates Certificates   6 months

The Graduate Certificate typically involves broadening individual skills already gained in an undergraduate program, or developing vocational knowledge and skills in a new professional area.

Graduates Diploma   12 months

Same as the Graduate Certificate, however this qualification can also be described as further specialisation within a particular field of knowledge.

Masters Degree   1 – 2 years

A Masters Degree takes either one year after a Bachelor Degree with Honours or two years after a Bachelor Degree alone. A Masters Degree involves enhancing specific professional or vocational skills.

Doctoral Degree   3 years

The Doctoral Degree is the highest award offered by Australian universities and involves research and a course work component. There are three components to a Doctoral Degree; the literature review, research project, and the writing of a thesis about the research undertaken.

Need more info?

Interested in earning the big bucks and contributing to Western Australia's economic future with a job on the mines? Check out the People for the Future website which has heaps of info on different career pathways you can take to get there, how much you can earn and what kind of training and education you might need.

 People for the Future Website 

Explore the 'next step' with this informative Government website about the opportunities available once you finish year 12:

Government Opportunities 

Do you have a question about future studies or career options?

Lodge your questions to Beyond the Beaker – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Remember, there’s no such thing as a stupid question!