TAFE QLD empowers career changers with industry-driven approach

Carole Lange, former financial planner and current Diploma of Advanced Programming Student at TAFE QLD

TAFE QLD Coomera Campus have prioritised aligning their courses with the latest industry requirements, offering a diverse range of programs designed to provide learners with practical skills and real-world experience.

Carole Lange, former financial planner and current Diploma of Advanced Programming student, turned to TAFE QLD to facilitate her transition into the IT industry.

“After high school, I pursued a double degree in commerce and IT, which laid the foundation for my professional journey,” Carole says.

Working as a paraplanner for various organisations, she eventually established her own freelancing business after discovering a passion for strategic analysis and IT.

“Leveraging IT skills to enhance the efficiency of my work has been both rewarding and fulfilling, shaping my decision to make a career change to IT after 15 years.

“However, my outdated degree and ad-hoc skills posed challenges in being considered seriously by employers. This was compounded by a lack of industry connections.

“After realising that I wouldn’t be able to make a career change without further learning, I started looking at options to up-skill and build connections,” Carole adds.

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

With a family to support, Carole opted for fee-free TAFE.

“Everything lined up with exactly what I needed: a programming course that built on my foundational skills, with a part-time classroom commitment that meant I could still work and support my family,” says Carole.

“The face-to-face learning option and real-world opportunities would enable me to start making connections right away.”

FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER

Carole entered the course with a determination to work hard and learn extensively, reflecting that, “I can confidently say this course delivers on both fronts.”

“There is a fantastically broad range of study offered in the course that is relevant to industry. The staff at TAFE Coomera have their fingers on the pulse when it comes to knowing what skills are in demand, and they work hard to adapt the content and assessments to help our learning maintain pace with industry trends.”

Carole highlights industry projects as a key example of how TAFE QLD provides opportunities to apply newly learnt skills to real-life scenarios.

“The skills we are learning by working with a client on a real project can’t compare with a simulated assessment. We are having to push ourselves hard, but the achievements along the way are even more rewarding and our preparation for the workforce more advanced,” she explains.

Furthermore, TAFE QLD invites industry to speak to students, “providing us with further real-world opportunities to learn and connect before we head into the workforce,” Carole adds.

Overall, Carole feels that the course has equipped her with “a wealth of knowledge and fantastic opportunities to build a network of industry contacts.”

“I feel confident in my ability to take the next steps forward into the workforce.”

Learn more about TAFE QLD here.