Our students

What do students love about Wodonga TAFE?

Our courses are relevant to their future.
Our teachers make learning interesting.
Our teaching facilities provide a real-life work experience.
Our environment is friendly and welcoming.
Our surroundings are attractive and pleasant.

Why do students come to Wodonga TAFE?

I can upgrade my skills and qualifications.
I can increase my knowledge.
I can get a job.
I can get a better job.
I can change my career.

Videos

VCAL students organising the Wodonga Albury Volunteer Education Seminar (WAVES).

What our students have to say...

Briony Willet - caravan park management

I was able to complete my course via distance education; being a mother of two and being still able to work and study was a great option for me. Wodonga TAFE also recognises prior learning and has some of the best facilitators in Victoria so I was very fortunate!

My course covered a large range subjects, from accounting and office tasks to cleaning and managing staff. In the tourism industry you need to be diverse in your job skills, with managerial skills to stocks and cleaning cabins and anything in between...“that’s not in my job description,” does not apply to caravan park workers!

I am continuously using the skills that I gained at TAFE to help manage the park. I am now achieving my goals and that gives me the confidence to handle any situation in the job roles I undertake.

There’s a lot more to running a caravan park than meets the eye! Since completing the Diploma of Caravan Park Management, I have been exposed to many areas covered in the course. When dealing with new situations I find that I have more resources to draw upon and now have a detailed understanding of these areas, providing valuable workplace solutions.

My goal is to become part of the senior management at the park one day and to expand my knowledge by enrolling in further study in the tourism industry. My long term goal is to one day own my own holiday resort. I recently joined Corowa’s Tourism Committee and I am very passionate about local tourism so I plan to work with the local community on future tourism projects.

My advice for prospective students is just do it...you’ll never look back! Completing a course at Wodonga TAFE will open so many doors for your career but more importantly give you the boost you may need to re-enter the workforce or confidence to grow as a person and fulfil your dreams.

Shane Snoey - horticulture, arboriculture and landscaping

Over the past few years I have gained extensive skills and knowledge in pruning, propagation, soil analyst, complex tree climbing, implement a tree maintenance program, arial rescue, tree transplant, stone structures, concrete features and structures and brick work.

Wodonga TAFE has extremely knowledgeable teachers who are willing to pass on what they know which has helped me achieve my career goals. I believe that Wodonga TAFE has one of the best horticultural departments in Victoria.

I decided to take up the challenge of doing over and above what was required. Not only did it keep me busy and make the course go quite quickly but I now have three qualifications and many valuable contacts within the industry.

I hope to travel overseas and maybe work in a botanical garden somewhere in Europe. I would also like to manage a tropical resort somewhere either in Australia or overseas. I am currently perusing a scholarship to a botanic garden in Melbourne with the possibility of travelling overseas.

Graeme Arnold - oh&s

I completed my Certificate IV and Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety which gave me the skills needed to fulfill my role as EHS Coordinator with Tyco Water in Wangaratta. I was recently awarded a High Commendation at the Safety Institute of Australia Victoria Division Education Awards. The nomination process required me to submit examples of where I had used the knowledge gained during my studies to demonstrate results in my workplace. I feel the difference between winning and not winning the award is a tribute to the course presenter Julie Quinlan. With the information she provided and the high standards that she set made me work harder. I would recommend these courses to anyone working in OHS.

Megan Nankervis - agriculture

Megan Nankervis, 22, is half-way through a two-year traineeship with Costello Rural at Corryong. “I’ve just completed Certificate III in Rural Operations at Wodonga TAFE and I’m just about to start Certificate IV in Rural Business,” she says. “Being able to do my training on the job and have my teacher come to Corryong whenever needed has been really good. “My teacher tries to come down once a month to see how I am going and give me more modules if I need them. “It’s allowed me to do my work and my study at the same time.”

Lisa Martin - design

At 21 Lisa Martin couldn’t have designed her education path any better. After studying a Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration at Wodonga TAFE she has just graduated from Swinburne University in Melbourne. “It was a three-year degree but they gave me a credit for two years because of my TAFE study,” she says. “I went into Uni thinking that because I hadn’t done the two years that the other students might have a bit more knowledge, but it sort of worked out the other way. “Before I knew it I was teaching them stuff they hadn’t learnt. “I have a few interviews lined up in the city and hope to be working in a large firm soon.”

Frances Butler - general education

“I didn’t complete my schooling so I thought it would be a good idea to go back and study at TAFE,” says Frances Butler, 18, of Wodonga. “Last year I did general education for adults. “This year I’m studying VCAL, which is like Year 11 and 12.” “My mum did the same course in 2005, so I heard about the course from her. “It’s a more adult environment, they don’t treat you like children and it’s a really good opportunity. “When I’ve finished I want to do a nail technology course.”

Erin Aylmore - nursing

Mother of two Erin Aylmore chose Wodonga TAFE for her nursing studies so she could get into the workplace in just one year. “Instead of me having to do three years at university to become a division 1 nurse I can do one year at TAFE, then work in the industry and keep studying part-time at the same time,” Erin says. “It’s the same amount of study but it’s a different pathway. “The course is brilliant. I love it, love it. “I used to think TAFE was pretty basic but it isn’t, it’s spot on. “The teachers really know their stuff.”

Natalie Schrickker - visual merchandising

Visual merchandising (VM) is a great course to do if you enjoy the process of design, from concept to installation and if you are a hands-on person. I enjoy the planning stages and really love the hands-on aspect of putting it all together. Learning ways to correctly display products and how to incorporate elements such as lighting to enhance the overall look has been extremely valuable.

I have had a lot of positive feedback for the displays I have done as real projects throughout my course. As VM students we had the opportunity to work with various retailers in the region. A fellow student and I also won a Window Display competition which drew a lot of interest.

I love that I now have the chance to be doing something creative every day, either through my freelance work in visual merchandising and event co-ordination, or through my work in retail. I was fortunate to gain my current retail role after completing a one-week work experience placement with my employer as part of my TAFE studies.

I have learned that creativity has no limits and I now feel I have more options when working on displays and I am not limited by a lack of skills. I am a lot more confident with my ideas and trying alternate themes and methods to achieve the final result.

Bill Fraser - information technology

Wodonga’s Bill Fraser describes himself as a perpetual student and believes education is important “from the cradle to the grave”. The retired educator has been studying at Wodonga TAFE since 1992 in the areas of IT and photography. Bill has spent his whole life teaching and learning, and has two degrees under his belt, but a year-long IT course at Wodonga TAFE stands out for him. “I’ve been to school on all levels and I thought it was the best course I’ve ever done,” he says. “I wasn’t after a piece of paper. I was there to learn how to use the computer.”

Melanie Simpson - events

“Last year I moved from Yenda NSW to Wodonga to commence my one year course in Diploma of Events at Wodonga Institute of TAFE and in February 2009 I was introduced to the two teachers who would change my life, Tracey Holley and Bernie Jones.

Throughout the year we combined theory in events but also a lot of hands-on experience. As part of our course we had to create and bring together two events as a team. The first was ‘Break Out’ a concert for Uni and TAFE students. This event was held at the start of the year and we certainly learnt a lot from it.

The second event was ‘Brekkie in your Bra’, a fundraiser for the McGrath Breast Cancer Foundation. I was chosen by my classmates to be the project manager for this event. With the support of our teachers we put every effort into making it a success and ended up raising around $4000.

We also had the chance to complete two blocks of work experience in the events industry, which led to job offers for me and other classmates.

I feel that the course I chose at Wodonga TAFE was fantastic. Every class, every activity and even every assignment taught me so much and made me feel confident that I had made the right career choice. I was awarded an outstanding student award at the end of the year. My teachers said that my I was an exceptional student… truth be known, I couldn’t have done it without them!

At the end of the year my teacher, Tracey Holley, nominated me for the Meeting and Events Australia (MEA) Ruth Ellis Student Scholarship. After putting my nomination in, I found out that I was shortlisted down to three possible candidates. After a surprisingly relaxed interview I found out that I had actually won the scholarship! This was the most exciting opportunity and certainly gave me a kickstart to my career in the events industry!

The scholarship allowed me to attend the 2010 MEA National Conference in Melbourne in April 2010 and gave me great industry contacts in Melbourne and even nationally! I then went on to do work experience at ‘The Conference Manager’ with one of my scholarship judges, Jacqui Muir.

After my work experience I was ready to start applying for jobs and I applied for client relationship coordinator at Peter Rowland Catering. My teacher, Tracey, wrote a fantastic reference for me and in my application letter I mentioned my scholarship, which I won through my study at Wodonga TAFE. I was successful in gaining the position at Peter Rowland Catering, the first job I applied for!

I am now living in Melbourne, and loving every bit of it. I would not be where I am now, age 19, living in Melbourne, independent and full of confidence without the support of the teachers at Wodonga TAFE.

My time at Wodonga TAFE taught me so much. It was very worthwhile. I would recommend it to anyone. I guess you could summarize my journey like this…studying the Diploma of Events at Wodonga TAFE allowed me to win the MEA scholarship, the scholarship contributed to my success in getting a job in the events industry and all of this together has given me my dream career.

It all started at Wodonga TAFE and I will be forever thankful to my teachers who helped me along my journey. Choosing Wodonga TAFE for my studies was certainly the most successful choice for my career. I suggest you take up a course too.”

Monica Wallace - interior decoration and design

I’m an Interior Designer/Colour Consultant, working part-time for an architectural practice as well as operating my own business. My daily tasks include reading architectural drawings, liaising with clients to prepare briefs, designing colour schemes, preparing materials and finishes schedules for individual projects, and selecting furniture for clients.

The design course at Wodonga TAFE trained me well in terms of the documentation and research required for the job I do now. In this job you have to be organised, be able to prioritise tasks, and work to deadlines. Without the course I would not have been qualified for the job. At my interview I was able to show the company directors some of the projects I completed at TAFE and could speak confidently about what I could offer their company. I got the job via referral from TAFE as the position was not advertised. The fact that they contacted Wodonga TAFE to find someone for the position shows how they value the course, and they appreciate the convenience of being able to source someone locally.

If you truly love design and are genuinely fascinated by how things are made and what makes things ‘work’, as well as being prepared for a huge workload which has enormous rewards… then go for it.

Ethan Byrne - 2010 Outstanding Student of the Year-Vocational

Age 20 | Course Certificate IV and Diploma of Motorsport

Current employment Apprentice at Ford Performance Racing, Melbourne

Achievements Winner of the Wodonga TAFE Vocational Student of the Year award After completing motorsport training at Wodonga TAFE, Ethan was offered the opportunity of a lifetime - a mechanical apprenticeship at Ford Performance Racing (FPR). New employees at FPR are required to have years of training; however, during work experience Ethan’s talent was recognised by Ford and he was quickly offered an apprenticeship. Ethan now works in Melbourne and regularly travels with the FPR team to national and international destinations such as Queensland, Asia, New Zealand, Dubai and Abu Dhabi! We had a quick chat with Ethan about his experience at Wodonga TAFE.

What got you interested in cars? I really got interested in my early teenage years and loved reading Street Machine and finding out how things worked. I just got the bug and have loved everything about cars since then.

What kind of car do you drive? A Mitsubishi Triton.

Why did you choose Wodonga TAFE? I chose Wodonga TAFE because their facilities were really good and I heard it was the place to go to study motorsports. I only ever see Wodonga TAFE graduates at race meets so it seems like the most successful TAFE with most graduates getting jobs after study.

If you weren’t into cars, what would you be doing? I would probably have taken up a trade (building or something like that) or business management.

List three skills that you gained at Wodonga TAFE? Mechanical skills, organisational skills and communication skills.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? Ayrton Senna (Brazilian racing driver and three-time Formula One world champion).

What’s the best thing about your job? The travel.

Has doing the Diploma of Motorsports before entering into the apprenticeship put you ahead of other apprentices? Yes, I definitely have more knowledge and hands-on experience. I find that I have better business skills and a better understanding of the theory. We also learned a lot about occupational health and safety, and personal health and fitness as part of the Diploma, which has come in handy as well.

VCAL students

“The pre-apprenticeship course in building and construction provided me with practical and hands on learning. I really enjoyed doing work experience with a local builder as well as learning about things like concreting, power tools and roofing. I am now looking to become an apprentice builder when I complete VCAL.”- Tom Allen

“Studying at Wodonga TAFE has really broadened my horizons. I had some previous experience in the childcare industry and I enjoyed learning more about childcare and aged care. I loved the flexibility of the program and the teachers treated me with respect and as a knowledgeable adult learner. With the help of Wodonga TAFE’s teachers I plan to become a qualified teacher’s assistant.” - Kylie Yule

“I thought warehousing was only about driving trucks! The course was great and I gained skills and knowledge in all aspects of warehousing including packing, forklift operations, OH&S and logistics.” - Brad Baker