TAFE Queensland Face-To-Face Learning Makes All the Difference

Two local students are crediting face-to-face learning and hands-on training for giving them the confidence to step into new careers in aged and disability support.

Sera Armitage and Annabel Tink are among the first to complete a new six-month Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) at TAFE Queensland’s Whitsundays campus in Cannonvale. With just 20 hours of placement remaining, both women say it was the in-person learning that made the biggest impact.

“For me personally, I enjoyed having a teacher direct us face-to-face,” said Sera.

“And our teacher, Christina Fletcher, was amazing, very supportive. Being able to get feedback straight away from a teacher and being in one room together with other students, bouncing ideas off one another was really good.”

The pair were part of a small class, allowing for a collaborative and personalised learning environment.

“There’s different sorts of learning,” Annabel said.

“Some people learn by doing. Some people learn by reading. I like to write things down, and I think Christina was brilliant, if you didn’t understand something, she could explain it in a different way to you. I don’t think you’d get that on a computer.”

The course also featured extensive practical learning both simulated and real-world.

At the Bowen campus the students trained in an on-site mock hospital complete with hoists and mobility aids to mimic a real hospital ward. They have also completed 100 hours of placement at the Proserpine Nursing Home.

“The practical side of the course is really good,” said Annabel. “You’re put in an environment where you can practise your skills instead of just going straight into a nursing home and going, ‘Oh, I’ve never seen one of those.’ You’re prepared.”

“It was good to go and learn how to use hoists and things I’d never thought of before, for example getting somebody from a wheelchair into your car and back again,” she added.

Next is their 20 hours of disability work placement and while they are yet to complete their disability sector placement, both Sera and Annabel feel the course has already opened their eyes to the range of support roles available and given them the tools to pursue work with confidence.

“I’ve learned a lot about the industry,” said Sera. “Now going into it, I feel more knowledgeable, confident and comfortable looking after somebody and helping them.”

Annabel agreed, “It was an amazing course and I think being face-to-face was a huge part of why it worked so well.”

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Annabel Tink and Sera Armitage have loved the face-to-face teaching component at TAFE. Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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