TERM 4 | ISSUE 7
22 November 2021

While our students continue to study online through online classes via Zoom, we’re looking towards the future and the eventual return of in-class learning.

Youth unemployment has been a challenge in Australia. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened this. A report released earlier this year – What VET Can Offer to COVID-19 Youth Unemployment Recovery – examines the role of the vocational education and training sector in protecting young people from unemployment and underemployment. According to the report authors, the three approaches to support young people in gaining long-term employment include vocational pathways in secondary schools, work-based training activities and career planning services.

According to the report, “VET qualifications with a work-based training component have been shown to protect youth from the scarring effects of unemployment but can be made even more effective by strengthening the links between training and stable employment and giving students the chance to develop broad occupational skills.”

As the economy recovers, businesses will need many skilled staff to fill positions. By offering all three approaches at ACBC, we are playing a role in helping young people gain employment and launch their careers.

At ACBC, we’re proud to be part of the effort to provide the vocational education and training needed for the future of Australia’s economy. One example is community services, which is one of the fastest-growing sectors. Besides being in high demand, community service roles offer many benefits, including flexible work hours and employment opportunities in regional areas. Our Diploma of Community Services helps to meet the growing demand for professionals in this area.

Over the years, we have expanded our offerings to make it possible for more people to gain the benefits of education and training. This includes EVET, online opportunities and fee-free JobTrainer courses.

To view the rest of the November 2021 Newsletter, click here

TERM 3 | ISSUE 6
3 August 2021

The current COVID limitations present us all with challenges, individually and as a community. One challenge for us has been moving from face-to-face classes to online learning due to COVID-19. But, like last year, our students and trainers have adapted to the change.

Recent high-profile sports stars have put a spotlight on the mental trials they experience, and we can see how they bravely decided to protect themselves from further damage, no matter how large the prize.

Our lockdowns present many of us with a need to do something similar. Whether working from home, working remotely, working from anywhere, it is necessary that we look after our mental health.

To me, the secret is to connect. Studying on campus and traditional on-the-job training creates a connected community. Working remotely disconnects those communities.

I encourage everyone to connect with their classmates, their teachers, and staff at ACBC. Connect by phone, by email, by chat. Do the same with your friends and your family. Do it every day. Create a daily online community to share what you are doing and how you are feeling.

While the current studying and learning arrangements are disruptive, I feel that there is good news in all of this. The future of work was always moving to remote work. That change is inevitable. Agricultural infrastructure can be managed from the farmhouse by apps, drone technology is enabling unmanned delivery, supply chain robotics is effectively picking and packing, and much more. The world of artificial intelligence is changing the work landscape. Now it is happening quicker than originally thought.

This doesn’t mean jobs are disappearing. It means work is changing, and some roles are heading towards remote work. The circumstances we are in now is quickening that change. ACBC is embracing that adjustment and we are making sure that our students are equipped to thrive in such a changing world.

One of our disappointments, however, is that we have not been able to hold our usual school talks. Nevertheless, acknowledging the changing ways to connect, our Careers Advisors are available for Zoom sessions or can provide schools with a digital presentation to show students. Please contact us to take advantage of either offer.

We will continue to monitor information from the government and update our approach as required. Students are encouraged to check their emails daily for updates from the college. We look forward to moving past lockdown so that our students can continue their study journey on-campus as soon as possible.

To view the rest of the August 2021 Newsletter, click here

TERM 2 | ISSUE 5
7 July 2021

Mark Twain said, “Prediction is difficult – particularly when it involves the future”. The ever-changing circumstances we work and learn in can make it difficult to predict and plan.

I’ve heard people refer to this as the ‘new normal’. I prefer to describe it as ‘no normal’. I feel we need to work in the ‘now’ and adopt skills for the current environment. Students studying VET programs are being challenged to spend more of their time learning online. Our teachers are also challenged to deliver more programs remotely. While our VET programs are still focused on work-based training, we need to accept that the workplace is moving to an online remote environment.

ACBC has already accepted the challenge to help our students learn to manage their work selves, and gain an understanding of what their preferred industry expects of them – whether this is through online or traditional working environments.

We are now in our midyear break. Despite the two-week lockdown in Sydney our administration staff are on campus following the necessary COVID-safe guidelines. We look forward to seeing our students return for Term 3.

We also encourage School Careers Advisors to contact us to explore study and career options for their students.

In these times of ‘no normal’ ACBC is well prepared to accept the challenge of providing our students with a real work experience and supported vocational training. It’s an exciting time as opportunities emerge to explore even more innovative teaching approaches. The current environment is prompting our industry to look at more digital options, such as virtual reality environments and workplace simulators.

ACBC is preparing to embrace these opportunities.

To view the rest of the July 2021 Newsletter, click here

TERM 2 | ISSUE 4
9 June 2021

It has been a pleasure for the ACBC team to visit so many schools in the past month and we look forward to more visits in the coming months. It was great to see so many students seriously considering the education and career options as the begin new chapters in their lives.

Other good news for vocational education and training has been the Federal Budget. Under the new budget, $2.7 billion will be provided to extend the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program. This is a wage subsidy that reimburses $7,000 per quarter for 12 months for taking on new trainees and apprentices.

In addition, $500 million will be added to the JobTrainer fund, depending upon matching contributions from state and territory governments. The goal is to provide 136,000 free and low-fee training places, including 10,000 places for digital skills courses. This support will help young people gain valuable skills and contribute to a growing economy. We are proud to be a part of this.

Our students and trainees have been progressing well this year, gaining skills and knowledge, and making new connections. In addition to their hard work, we took time out to raise funds for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea which supports the Cancer Council in its cancer research and prevention efforts.

To view the rest of the May 2021 Newsletter, click here

TERM 2 | ISSUE 3
2 May 2021

We are excited to see our students back after their well-deserved break. During this term, our students will be interviewing for their Work Placement positions which will begin in July. Our Work Placement program is an important part of the education and training at Australia Careers Business College, as it gives our students hands-on experience of working in their fields. To any students who need help preparing for Work Placement interviews, remember that our Careers Advisors and Campus Managers are here to assist you.

This is also the time when many Year 12 students start seriously thinking about their study options for next year. Due to the pandemic last year, we were unable to visit high schools. Now we are reconnecting with schools and it’s been a breath of fresh air to visit high schools and meet with students who are planning their futures. We look forward to visiting more high schools that have already booked for our information sessions.

If your school hasn’t booked yet, we invite Careers Advisors to contact us to schedule an information session at your school. An information session with ACBC can support you in helping your students choose a well-matched, rewarding career, provide insight into where to study and keep students enthusiastic and motivated in taking their next step. Younger students benefit as well by getting a clearer picture of the options available before they reach Year 12. We’re also happy to send an information pack about ACBC and the courses we offer.

To view the rest of the May 2021 Newsletter, click here

TERM 1 | ISSUE 2
10 April 2021

It’s great to see our students settling in, making friends and adjusting to the demands of college life at the end of our first term. It’s also great to see our online students and trainees progressing as well.

We are pleased to be playing a role in Australia’s economic recovery by helping people gain the skills that employers need. This includes the Job Trainer program where we are offering courses in growing areas of ageing support and community services.

Besides the career skills and knowledge gained in the classroom, online and in traineeships, we also emphasise the ‘soft skills’ required for success in the workplace. These skills can be summarised by the word ‘professionalism’. Professionalism has been defined as the skill, good judgment, and polite behaviour that are expected from a person who is trained to do a job well.

Being professional includes your overall approach to how you interact with others and get your work done. A few characteristics of professionalism include being on time to start your work and being punctual at meetings throughout the day; dressing appropriately according to the standards of your workplace; avoiding office gossip and treating others with respect; doing what you say you will do and getting your job done; and asking questions when you need help.

In addition, a crucial foundation of your professionalism is attitude. In your career, your attitude is how you feel about your work, your customers and your colleagues. If you have a negative attitude to begin with, you will not get the results you need to progress in your career. So your attitude can be just as important as the knowledge and skills you are developing. As Lou Holtz said, ‘Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.’

To view the rest of the April 2021 Newsletter, click here

TERM 1 | ISSUE 1
8 March 2021

I am excited to welcome the Class of 2021 to Australian Careers Business College.  We are proud that you have chosen to join over 8,000 students who have come through our doors since 1996. We look forward to guiding you on your path to employment and higher education. I would also like to welcome the students joining us through the SBAT and EVET programs, our online students, and the international students who have joined us from Brazil, Columbia and the United Kingdom.

This past year has been challenging for us all, with many unexpected changes along the way. We got through it and were proud to see so many students learn and grow over the year and graduate despite the difficulties.

On the subject of change, you are now beginning a transformational time in your life. Over the next 10 months you will build valuable career skills, gain hands-on industry experience, develop professional networks and make new friends. As you begin your studies, I would like to share a few keys to succeeding at ACBC.

First, always ask questions when you don’t know the answer to something. There is nothing wrong with asking for help – that’s how we learn and grow. Your trainers, Campus Manager and Careers Advisors are here to assist you.

Second, apply yourselves and give it all your effort. This includes planning ahead to ensure you take the time to study and avoid getting behind with assessments.

Third, get the right balance between studying, socialising and working. We all need balance to function properly, so determine how much time you will need for each area.

Remember that classroom learning and assignments are important throughout the year, but we will also take time to make friends, serve our communities and have fun at campus events.

Our aim at ACBC is to re-create the workplace environment so you can gain the skills employers need. Your study, in-class experiences and Work Placement are a solid foundation for building your careers. Employers seek our graduates because they have earned a reputation for having positive attitudes and sound knowledge, while presenting themselves professionally.

To our new students who joined us recently and students who returned after the summer break, we look forward to encouraging and supporting you to get the most out of your experience and watching you succeed during your time at ACBC.

To view the rest of the March 2021 Newsletter, click here

TERM 4 | ISSUE 10
13 December 2020

We are extremely proud of our students this year who have completed their studies in a challenging environment. Congratulations on a job well done and a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped our students achieve so much this year – to the staff, trainers, families and friends, host employers and community leaders. We look forward to seeing our graduates create brilliant futures as they enter the workforce and pursue further study.

There are many exciting opportunities for new students and trainees in 2021. These include a range of fee-free courses with limited places available that may help you gain part time work while you are studying. ACBC is approved as a VET Student Loans Provider which creates more options for prospective students.

Other opportunities include EVET and SBAT (School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships) which make it possible for high school students to get a head start by gaining a nationally recognised qualification before leaving school.

ACBC offers a COVID-Safe environment for planning and completing study for next year, and our staff are trained in infection control, so students will  be safe.  Our campus includes 1,500 square metres of classrooms and breakout spaces, so there’s plenty of room for everyone.

From all of us at ACBC, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season and all the best in the new year.

To view the rest of the December 2020 Newsletter, click here

TERM 4 | ISSUE 9
8 November 2020

Vocational education and training is a critical part in ramping up the economy and we are excited to play a role in this. In addition to developing the skills that young people need to enter the workforce and be most productive, current workers need to upskill and reskill to assist their organisations in growing and adapting to a new environment.

Our COVID-Safe training is one exciting example of adapting to the changing conditions. October has been an amazing month for us helping a wide range of businesses ramp up COVID-19 prevention. The Australian Government released the fee-free training for eligible persons with the support of the NSW Department of Education and Training. This provides access for employers, their employees and other individuals to the latest guidelines and skills in relation to the prevention and control of bacteria and other infectious diseases and safe work environments. So far, we have been pleased to train almost 300 participants from a wide range of organisations. We have approximately 300 places available in November and December, so please contact our Careers Advisors on how to enrol.

As part of the new budget, the Commonwealth Government announced $1 billion to create 340,000 fee-free or low-cost training for school leavers and participants in the JobTrainer program to achieve certificate and diploma qualifications. ACBC will be part of the JobTrainer program commencing in mid-November. The JobTrainer package has two parts. The first part, worth A$1.5 billion, is aimed at keeping people already in apprenticeships and traineeships employed. The second part is aimed at school leavers and those looking for work. It provides A$500 million for vocational education and training courses. The NSW Government has committed almost $160 million to match the Federal Government’s funding, as part of the State’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan. Watch this space for some exciting announcements.

Another development for us is offering the CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services beginning in 2021. Community services enable people to positively shape society. Communities across Australia are increasingly growing and becoming more diverse. So the need for effective community services has never been stronger. At the same time, Australia has a skills shortage in this field, so skilled community services professionals are highly sought after.

To view the rest of the November 2020 Newsletter, click here