So, you’ve made the decision, you need to upskill or retrain in order to progress, change or start your career.

Now the crucial part, how do you choose?

With so much bad press recently the training industry in Australia feels like a minefield of uncertainty with students signing up for courses they are not suited to, losing motivation and being landed with thousands of dollars of debt and no qualification or entering a field that they thought was a good fit only to find the reality of securing a job in that field was not what they anticipated.

Here’s some top tips to help you choose ….

  1. Do your research ! Look for accredited courses, private providers vs TAFE or universities, completion rates, study support, recommendations, compliments and complaints.
  1. Ride on the coat tails of others – speak to your colleagues/managers or people already in a role that you aspire to. What qualifications do they have, where did they study, what advice would they give?
  1. Time restraints – full time or part time? Enthusiasm and passion for the topic you choose to study is great but in reality, study eats our precious time, can consume us and feel overwhelming on occasion.  Be honest with yourself about the time you can dedicate to your studies.  Choose a training provider that can fit in with your needs and be flexible.
  1. Duration of study – how long can you reasonably expect to study for? If you’re just starting out in a career then a university course could be the one for you. If it’s a promotion you’re looking for then maybe a certificate or diploma course is the one.
  1. Online or face-to-face – studying online is excellent when you’re holding down a job, running a family and living a life. Being able to choose when you study and fit your study around your commitments is great, but is this the best form of learning for you?  Did you know we all have different learning styles?  Do you know what learning style you have?
  1. Cost – are the fees for the course you’re considering fair and reasonable? Is the course Government funded and do you know how that works? Is the training provider offering payments plans and if so do they charge interest or expect you to pay any fees upfront?
  1. Know your rights – if you sign up for a course what happens if you change or mind? Or if your situation changes and you can no longer study?
  1. Seek advice from a professional Career Counsellor – qualified experts in the field of career development with experience across industries.

At the Career Development Centre trained professional Counsellors, Psychologists and Career Development Practitioners are available to support you to make informed decisions regarding your choice of study options and finding the right course for you. 

For an appointment call (07) 33 55 66 88 or visit www.careerdevelopmentcentre.com.au for more information.