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

TERM 4 | ISSUE 8
11 October 2020

We are very proud of our students who have completed Term 3 and are looking forward to seeing them back in Term 4. When I look back at our year to date, I am reminded of all the growth I have seen as our students have gone after their career and study goals. There have been challenges along the way but seeing so many students achieve remarkable things makes it all worthwhile.

It was a pleasure to welcome prospective students and trainees to our Virtual Open Day on September 19th. Our guests had the opportunity to learn about their study, training and career options. Thank you to all who joined us online and our staff and students who assisted on the day.

Year 12 students have now completed their school and are now getting ready for HSC exams which commence on October 20th. Although the economic conditions have been challenging, now is the time to gain new skills that employers will need now and well into the future. Vocational education and training fills the skills gap and boosts economic prospects. One example that shows the importance of VET is Germany, in which over 60% of the population choose vocational education and training over university. This approach has enabled them to remain an economic powerhouse that excels in innovation, trade and technology.

We introduced online learning several years ago and now it has become even more relevant for people wanting to gain new skills and maintain flexibility to work around other commitments. It’s not well known that to access benefits from Centrelink, students must study an approved course at an approved education provider to access Youth Allowance, Austudy, or Pensioner Education Supplement. ACBC is an approved education provider for this. Online students may also be eligible for support if they complete their Diploma courses within 12 months based on 75% of the full-time face-to-face study load.

Another development we are looking forward to in the next year is offering the CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services. Community services enable people to positively shape society. Communities across Australia are increasingly growing and becoming more diverse. So the call for strong community services has never been louder. At the same time, Australia has a skills shortage in this field, so skilled professionals are highly sought after.

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

TERM 3 | ISSUE 7
8 September 2020

Between 24 and 30 August 2020, National Skills Week highlighted the importance of vocational education and training. Many events across Australia were held to raise the profile and status of vocational learning, dispel outdated myths and showcase the attractive career opportunities that can be achieved through VET.

As noted on the National Skills Week website, “Vocational Education and Training (VET) has been the foundation of Australia’s strong and vibrant economy. It has produced industry leaders, it offers great diversity, new and exciting career paths, supports our resources and primary industries, builds our cities, supports our tourism, our monuments, our heritage and much, much more.”

The Commonwealth Government has recognised the value of vocational education and training for the role it will play in the nation’s recovery from COVID-19. As a result, the government has committed an additional $3.3 billion, which includes funding for the creation of an additional 340,700 VET training places. We look forward to helping rebuild Australia’s economy by developing essential skills for the workforce.

In addition, we have been approved to deliver COVID-Safe training subsidised by the New South Wales government. The training will help ensure that current and future employees have the skills to promote safe work environments.

We introduced online learning several years ago and now it has become even more relevant for people wanting to gain new skills and maintain flexibility to work around other commitments. It’s not well known that to access benefits from Centrelink, students must study an approved course at an approved education provider to access Youth Allowance, Austudy, or Pensioner Education Supplement. ACBC is an approved education provider for this. Online students may also be eligible for support if they complete their Diploma courses within 12 months based on 75% of the full-time face-to-face study load.

EVET applications for 2021 closed on the 4^th of September 2020. We have had significant interest and enrolments up until the deadline. Thank you to all our schools, their careers advisors and students for choosing ACBC as their training provider. We looking forward to training and supporting our students through their vocational education journey through school.

Careers advisors or students who may have missed out on applying for an EVET program during this round will have another opportunity to apply between the 7th of December this year and the 27th of January 2021, when the late applications round opens. The courses available are:

• BSB30115 Certificate III in Business
• BSB30415 Certificate III in Business Administration
• CHC30113 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• FNS30115 Certificate III in Financial Services
• SIT30216 Certificate III in Travel.

On Saturday the 19^th September, we will be holding our annual Open Day, which will be an online event. Our alumni, staff, trainers, Work Placement hosts and other local leaders get involved to make our Open Day a community event. Open Day gives high school students the opportunity to discuss their options with careers advisors, gain insights from ACBC alumni who have launched careers, and hear from industry experts in a number of fields. In addition, our Open Day is another way for us to connect with local businesses and the communities we serve. We look forward to seeing you at our Open Day, a virtual careers expo.

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

TERM 3 | ISSUE 6
9 August 2020

Recent events have taught us about the importance of being flexible in the winds of change. Although the pandemic has required social distancing, education institutions have been able to move to online learning. Likewise, many retail businesses have increased their online activities to maintain and even grow revenue during lockdowns. In fact, year-on-year e-commerce growth reached 120% in May 2020.

At ACBC, we have always focused on developing skilled and resilient professionals who are equipped to adapt to change through their education and training. In our one-year Diploma courses, our students are required to stretch themselves in many ways. This prepares them for the massive changes they will experience throughout their careers.

Despite the declines in a range of sectors, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future. According to recent research conducted in June by the Skills Commission, the proportion of businesses expecting to increase their staffing levels in the coming months was 21%, the highest since mid-February. Some of these businesses plan on reinstating staff who had been temporarily stood down or replacing staff who had been let go from the business due to the pandemic.

We are looking forward to welcome students back to campus in a staggered approach from 10 August. Our Legal Services, Early Childhood Education and Care, and Travel and Tourism students will be back on campus one day per week. The remainder of classes will continue online via Zoom until further notice.

During the inevitable ups and downs in the economy, education and training will always be an asset that pays dividends. So as the economy begins to recover, now is the perfect time to get the education and training that will make it possible to navigate the future world of work.

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

TERM 2 | ISSUE 5
12 July 2020

Message from the CEO

Although hard work and persistence are the foundation of a successful career, we can overlook the importance that rest and relaxation play in our productivity and overall success. Many businesses now realise the importance of this and emphasise a balanced approach to work. Constantly multitasking, eating lunch at your desk and running between meetings can be counterproductive. According to the Harvard Business Review, taking short breaks after working for 90-minute periods and taking a real lunch break is more productive than working straight through without a break. This is because the body and mind need time to rejuvenate throughout the day.

There’s also a growing body of research that highlights the importance of getting the right amount of sleep. A lack of sleep can contribute to poor work performance, anxiety and depression, obesity and lower academic results. In fact, numerous studies have shown a strong connection between a lack of sleep and poor academic performance.

Holiday breaks are an excellent time to rejuvenate ourselves. Stepping away for a few days or weeks gives the mind and body time to relax and enables us to return to our work and studies with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

As we have reached the end of the term and the halfway point for many of our students, remember the importance of taking time out to achieve balance and maximise long-term productivity. The upcoming break is good opportunity for our students to rest, relax and reflect on their achievements so far this year.

Although the challenges of 2020 have called for innovative approaches to learning, we are confident that the knowledge and skills developed this year will match the achievements of previous classes and act as a solid foundation for launching careers and pursuing further education.

While the COVID-19 situation seems to change every day, we know that education and training are a vital key for rebuilding the economy. For people looking to launch or change careers, now is the perfect time to gain new knowledge and skills. Our online courses offer the opportunity to do this in a way that fits their busy schedules.

We are very excited that our team has started conducting career guidance sessions via Zoom. These sessions are an interactive way to reach high school students and also meet social distancing guidelines. The Zoom sessions can be for large groups or individual students at a time that’s suitable. The sessions cover the courses offered at ACBC and cover other education and training options and the resulting job opportunities. We give students the opportunity to ask questions, assisting them to make choices for 2021 and beyond. When possible, under current guidelines, we are happy to visit schools for live sessions.

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

TERM 1 | ISSUE 4
7 June 2020

Message from the CEO

Although the past few months have been a challenge for everyone, we can look forward to recovery and growth in the future. Education and training continue to play an important role in supporting the economy and increasing productivity.

The research supports the need to support vocational education and training. According to the Productivity Commission’s interim Skills and Workforce Development Agreement Report released on 5 June 2020, the proportion of people without qualifications at a Certificate 3 level or above decreased from 47.1% in 2009 to 37.5% in 2019. But this missed the COAG goal of reducing this number to 23.6% by 2020.

In addition, although the number of diplomas and advanced diplomas sharply increased between 2009 and 2012, this number has since fallen to its 2009 level. So there is a long way to go in meeting Australia’s education and training needs.

VET providers have a critical role to play in increasing skills and boosting employment. According to NCVER’s  School-to-Work Pathways report, 97% of young adults who entered full-time work early (which usually involves some VET) were employed full or part-time by the age of 25.

During these recent challenging times, the Federal Government has been trying to support people across the community. One of the initiatives that we think is very important is the support of employers to encourage them not to let their trainees go during the downturn. The government is offering up to $21,000 in wage support for employers of trainees who were in traineeships at 1 March 2020. This is such a positive approach to making sure that training continues for trainees, as having well trained staff is one of the key tools for businesses to recover from the downturn.

It’s not well known that to access benefits from Centrelink, students must study an approved course at an approved education provider to access Youth Allowance, Austudy, or Pensioner Education Supplement. ACBC is an approved education provider for this. Online students may also be eligible for support if they complete their Diploma courses within 12 months based on 75% of the full-time face-to-face study load.

Like everyone else, ACBC has had to adapt to the changes we’ve seen due to COVID-19. We are very excited that our team has started conducting career guidance sessions via Zoom. These sessions are an interactive way to reach your students and also meet the social distancing guidelines in your school. The Zoom sessions can be for large groups or individual students at a time that suits you. The sessions cover the courses offered at ACBC, but also cover other education and training options and the resulting job opportunities. We give students the opportunity to ask questions, assisting them to make choices for 2021 and beyond. When possible, under current guidelines, we are happy visit schools for live sessions.

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

TERM 1 | ISSUE 3
4 May 2020

Message from the CEO

At ACBC, we have been changing with the times to overcome the current challenges. Social distancing and movement restrictions have meant that ACBC has had to be innovative for our CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care students and our trainees. In April, we have transitioned to using Zoom to conduct workplace observations instead of  visiting. Our regulator, ASQA, has been supportive of innovative ways to conduct assessment and workplace observations. The most important thing is that our students and trainees have continuity of training and assessment, and this new way of doing things via technology looks like it will be a part of the way all RTOs conduct their training into the future. Thanks to our employers and students for welcoming the changes and being supportive.

We are excited to announce that we are now offering our CHC50113 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care as an online option for people living outside of New South Wales. Many course applicants from other states wanted to study with ACBC, but couldn’t. However, we have developed a delivery model that enables us to manage compulsory practicum arrangements in other states. This is great news for people wanting to gain their industry qualifications by studying online with us across Australia. Demand in the childcare sector continues to grow and the online option from ACBC is helping people to train or retrain for a career in this exciting and rewarding industry.

One of the challenges for studying online is planning study to make sure that assessments are submitted on time and in sequence within the course timeframe. After feedback from our online students and trainers, ACBC has now implemented a new system for our online students. We issue ‘assessment schedules’ with due dates for assessments. This way, our trainers can support and coach and better track progress. Of course, there is flexibility in the system, but experience tells us that a good study plan can help our students achieve outcomes in all delivery modes. The idea of studying at ‘your own pace’ sounds appealing, but for many students, who are returning to study or have busy lives, a plan is very helpful. Initial feedback from our students has been very positive.

During these recent challenging times, the Federal Government has been trying to support people across the community. One of the initiatives that we think is very important is the support for employers to encourage them not to let their trainees go during the downturn. The government is offering up to $21,000 in wage support for employers of trainees who were in traineeships at 1 March 2020. This is such a positive approach to making sure that training continues for trainees, as having well trained staff is one of the key tools for businesses to recover from the downturn.

The Federal Government recognises the importance of Vocational Education and Training in setting up the economy for long-term recovery. Several recent support initiatives have included updating the MySkills website to make it easier to find online training options to upskill during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other developments to support the VET sector include waiving of ASQA fees and charges, and the delay to ASQA’s move to full cost recovery, to help maintain the cash flow of VET providers and support education and training.

It’s not well known that to access benefits from Centrelink, students must study an approved course at an approved education provider to access Youth Allowance, Austudy, or Pensioner Education Supplement. ACBC is an approved education provider for this. Online students may also be eligible for support if they complete their Diploma courses within 12 months based on 75% of the full-time face-to-face study load.

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

TERM 1 | ISSUE 2
5 April 2020

Message from the CEO

We hope your families, friends and associates are staying well during these challenging times. At ACBC, we have taken steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This has included taking all campus studies online using video conferencing tools. During this time, our careers advisors and student services staff are remaining on campus to ensure that everything keeps running smoothly.

While focusing on the present challenges, it’s also a good time to look to the future when the pandemic has passed. Employers rebuilding businesses in the future will be looking for skilled and qualified staff. So it’s the perfect time to focus on gaining skills and knowledge while obtaining a nationally recognised qualification.

The Australian Government has recently increased the Youth Allowance and Austudy for the next six months. This makes it an excellent opportunity for young people to gain the knowledge and skills to launch successful careers. Find out more about government assistance for full-time and online study.

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