How to Handle Exclusion in the Workplace

How to Handle Exclusion in the Workplace

It hurts when you feel like a person or group of people are excluding you at work. You might wonder how to deal with this situation, especially if you’ve never encountered it. The good news is there are ways to handle exclusion in the workplace, and it doesn’t have to amount to conflict or bad feelings.

What is exclusion?  

So, how do you know if you’re being intentionally excluded in the workplace? Workplace exclusion comes in two forms, social and professional. The first means you don’t feel included in social situations, such as lunchtime catch-ups or outside-of-work functions. The latter means you feel like your suggestions or expertise in the workplace are ignored, so you don’t feel like you’re contributing fully.

There are many different ways you might be excluded – socially, professionally or both – but some examples of these behaviours include co-workers:

  • Ignoring your ideas or suggestions in meetings
  • Avoiding or ignoring you in the workplace
  • Not receiving important meeting requests
  • Leaving you out of crucial workplace emails
  • Ignoring your communications (phone calls, emails, messenger)
  • Leaving you out of meetings or social events
  • Ignoring your requests for promotion
  • Refusing to provide feedback on performance reviews
  • Harassing or bullying you as a group (mobbing)
  • Speaking down to you and patronising (condescending)

If this sounds familiar or you witness this behaviour in your workplace, there’s a good chance you’re experiencing intentional exclusion. However, it’s wise to keep an open mind because there are times when you could be misinterpreting.

Tips for handling exclusion in the workplace

When you’re dealing with exclusion in the workplace, real or perceived, these tips will help you to navigate the situation.

  1. Misinterpreting the situation

Is it a miscommunication, or are you misinterpreting the situation? Sometimes when feeling vulnerable, especially if you’re new to a workplace, it’s easy to misinterpret a situation or encounter miscommunications. It takes a while to feel at ease in a new job, so give yourself – and others – some time to adjust to your arrival.

If you’re not new and experiencing workplace exclusion, then your feelings could be valid. But remember that there may be personality differences, technical issues or your body language working against you. For example, you might feel that a co-worker is ignoring you, but have you considered they’re shy? Or, what if a firewall on your computer is not letting meeting requests and reminders through? If you’re working from home some days, this could be at play! It could also be your body language getting in the way, so make sure you look and act approachable – a smile goes a long way! 

  1. Are others feeling the same way?

Are there others in your workplace who are also feeling excluded? Try to play detective and observe how others are being treated. If you notice any behaviour towards others that might be perceived as exclusion, ask them about it privately. They may provide insight into how they handle the situation and have tips for how you can navigate feelings of exclusion.

If you can talk to former employees, that’s helpful too. These people will probably be more candid with you!

Any information you can take from others’ experiences in that workplace will help your case if you need to approach human resources or take legal action.

  1. Take detailed notes

If you decide to approach human resources or even pursue legal action about exclusion in the workplace, it’s crucial to take note of what you’re experiencing. It’s also ideal if you can document the day and time the incidents occurred. As well as describing what happened and how you felt, you should also include how it has impacted your productivity at work.

If possible, ask for witness accounts of what happened, so you have another’s perspective. You could also take photos or videos if it’s appropriate.

  1. Approach co-workers directly

Have you had any misunderstandings with co-workers that may be contributing to the situation? If so, you could talk directly to these people to see if they have any negative feelings towards you. You should also describe your feelings to this person, whether a co-worker or a manager, so they understand how their behaviour impacts you.

If you discover they do, in fact, have a gripe over something you’ve done (or haven’t done), you can talk about it and hopefully resolve the situation. If they deny a problem despite you feeling excluded, they could be gaslighting you, which means it’s time to ask for help!

  1. Ask for help

You won’t always be able to work things out on your own. Workplaces are complex organisms, and people are unpredictable, which is why we have human resources departments. If you can, make a confidential appointment with your human resources department and make sure you have your notes with you.

Smaller workplaces don’t always have a human resources department. If this is your situation, request a meeting with a manager or someone in a position of authority.

If you’ve tried all of the above and you’re not feeling any better, legal avenues are open to you but make sure it’s a last resort. Most of the time, you’ll be able to problem-solve the situation on your own or with the help of others. 

Assertiveness training can help

Do you need more confidence to handle exclusion in the workplace or other workplace conflicts? Assertiveness training can help!

Discover how to be more assertive in the workplace, or enrol in your Building Self-Esteem & Assertiveness Skills course. It’s ideal professional development for anyone navigating the workplace and the complicated people within it!

10 Career Benefits of Workplace Mentoring

So, you’re thinking about finding or becoming a mentor? If so, you might wonder about the benefits of workplace mentoring, whether you’re the mentee or the mentor. The good news is there are benefits for both parties’ careers and professional development.

What is a mentor?

A mentor advises a less experienced person (the mentee). People typically seek mentors who work in a similar field or profession to which they want to work or advance.

Mentors assist a mentee in growing and developing as a professional, frequently providing advice based on their knowledge and experience.

It’s widely accepted that finding a mentor can help build career confidence and extend professional networks, but there are many other lesser-known benefits that go both ways.

Benefits of becoming a mentor

The benefits of becoming a mentor include gaining personal satisfaction, leadership and management and interpersonal skills, and increased networking and profile.

  1. Gain personal satisfaction in helping others

There’s no better way to positively impact another’s career than to become a mentor. You don’t have to be a gifted teacher to share your expertise. You just need to be passionate about your career and share what you’ve learnt. Contributing to someone’s growth and professional development can be personally and professionally fulfilling.

  1. Develop leadership and management skills

A mentor is a leader. So, this new role, whether formal or informal, will sharpen your leadership and management skills. It’s a position that will test your initiative, adaptability and problem-solving skills – all crucial in leadership and management roles.

  1. Enhance your interpersonal skills

When you take on the responsibility of mentor, you open yourself up to working with people from different backgrounds and life stages. As a result, you learn to communicate with various people and strengthen your interpersonal skills.

Your interactions with a mentee will provide many opportunities to practice and develop interpersonal skills, including communication, active listening, empathy and patience.

  1. Boost your professional networks

When you’re at a stage in your career to be a mentor, you might think your networks are strong enough. But, taking on a mentee will broaden your horizons. You may be working with someone decades younger than yourself and will gain new skills and opportunities you hadn’t even thought of. An example is of a Baby Boomer mentoring a Millennial – there’s a generation gap that will be filled with new ways to connect with others – social media and digital marketing come to mind!

  1. Increase your profile/your organisation’s reputation

If your mentee becomes successful, it also demonstrates your value to others. It may encourage other people or businesses to seek your guidance and position you (your business) for collaboration and career and business opportunities.

Benefits of becoming a mentee

Thinking about finding a mentor? It also provides many personal and professional benefits, such as:

  1. Helps you establish realistic career goals

A mentor can help you set personal or professional goals. They can create SMART goals—specific, attainable, relevant, and time-bound—for effective goal setting. These objectives can help you prioritise your efforts and support your mentor track and evaluate your progress. The process may identify smaller tasks to pursue a larger goal, such as developing specific skills or meeting specific goals.

  1. Identify and correct gaps in skills and knowledge

A mentor can help you identify gaps in your skills or education holding you back. A mentor can also help if you’re starting a business by gaining the skills needed to create an initial business plan, budgets and marketing.

  1. Boosts your confidence

A good mentor recognises your abilities and encourages you to set and achieve your goals and seek new opportunities. Mentors will celebrate your smaller achievements and help you see the big picture, a huge confidence boost. They will also bring inspiration from their own experience to motivate your success.

  1. Helps you avoid career mistakes and pitfalls

Ideally, mentors have a wealth of experience you can draw from to help guide your career or business success. As such, they’ve made mistakes and know how to guide you around known pitfalls. Sure, you’re bound to make some mistakes, but you can avoid the big ones others have encountered before you!

  1. Extends your professional network

Enlisting the help of a mentor helps you to expand your network and visibility in our sector. As a result, more opportunities open up for career progression or business development.

Whether you’re considering becoming a mentor or finding a mentee, you’ll reap benefits to your well-being and career development. If you’re interested in developing the skills required to be a professional coach or mentor, take a look at our professional development course, Introduction to Coaching and Mentoring.

What’s it Like to be a School Administration Officer?

Working in a school office puts your clerical skills to work in a meaningful way. You’ll work with teachers, students, parents, carers and individuals connecting with the education setting daily.

The good news is that this position is predicted to grow strongly in the next few years. So, it’s a great time to partake in a school administration course.

Future growth: Strong

Labour Market Insights predicts: Employment in Education and Training is projected to grow by 149,600 (or 13.4%), and General Clerks is expected to grow strongly by 311,400 by 2026 (or 12.9%)!

Unemployment: Low

Career pathways: Education and training account for almost 12% of the main industries for General Clerks.

What is a School Administration Officer?

A School Administration Officer is a school office position for primary and high schools that involves managing and organising a school’s calendar and maintaining correspondence with parents or guardians. The role also commonly consists in helping sick children rest in the sick bay and making arrangements for them to be collected by parents/guardians. You will also help teaching staff with administrative tasks to make their job easier. You will also be the face of a school, greeting visitors and signing them in on arrival.

Skills Important for a School Administration Officer

There are some common traits School Administration Officers need to be successful in their role, regardless of the individual school in which they work. The following skills will be valuable if you’re considering a career as a School Administration Officer.

Strong communication skills

You’ll need excellent verbal and written communication skills to liaise with school students, staff, parents/guardians and those engaging with the school.

Customers service

As a first point of contact for all school students, staff, parents and visitors, you’ll need a friendly and helpful disposition with strengths in customer service.

Organisation

You’ll need excellent organisation skills to keep track of school records, communications and orders for school supplies and services.

Time management

You’ll work across many tasks with competing priorities as a School Administration Officer, so you’ll need exceptional time management skills.

Computer skills

You’ll regularly use computers, related software and equipment in a school office. So, proficiency in computer and technical skills is essential.

Patience

You’re working with children daily, so patience is a must! You will also be involved in event planning and working with outside suppliers, which also calls for a great deal of patience.

How to Work in a School Office

You don’t need formal qualifications to work as a School Administration Officer, but relevant education and training can work in your favour. The following steps will help you gain entry into this field.

  1. Complete a school administration course, such as our Certificate of Office and School Administration.
  2. Gain administrative experience in an office environment.
  3. Enrol in courses to improve skills using spreadsheets and word processing
  4. Complete a Working with Children Check and Police Check
  5. Apply for advertised positions

Fascinating Facts about Schools Around the World!

Education around the world is fascinating – here are our top most fascinating facts about schools worldwide!

  1. The oldest school in the world is Shishi High School in China. It was established between 143-141 BC by the Han dynasty governor Wen Weng. Despite its age, it has the latest equipment and modern teaching facilities.
  2. A school in the Philippines, aptly named Bottle School, is made up entirely of 9000 recycled soft drink bottles filled with sand!
  3. The largest school in the world is the City Montessori School in Lucknow, India. The school is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most students, with 56,000 current enrolments.
  4. Lunchtime in France is part of the curriculum, with children learning to appreciate different types of foods, the nutritional value of foods and table manners and etiquette.
  5. Children in Finland don’t start official schooling until 7! But they might be onto something because they also have one of the most successful education systems in the world!
  6. In Bangladesh, there are 100 boat schools. These floating educational institutions ensure that children are educated despite flooding issues in the country. The boats have internet access, a library and solar panels.
  7. Children in remote areas of Colombia travel to school by zipline! If they didn’t travel this way, they would have to traverse dense rainforests, seeing them walking for hours daily! Fun!
  8. French children attend school only four days a week, with days off on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. They also have the shortest school year attending only 36 weeks. But have the longest school day, starting at 8.30 and finishing at 4.30!
  9. In many countries worldwide, including Australia, there are Forest Schools. These schools, also known as bush or beach kindy, offer children immersion programs in natural wild spaces!
  10. China is the country that gives the most homework, with up to 14 hours a week dedicated to schoolwork at home!

Why Study a School Administration Course?

Schools need administration professionals to handle administrative tasks and facilitate communication between the principal and teaching staff, parents and students. As such, a school administration course is crucial to learn the skills and knowledge required to ensure as school runs smoothly.

Our Certificate of Office and School Administration is a comprehensive program that provides the skills and knowledge required to organise and manage school administrative tasks.

In this school administration course, you will learn to comply with school policy and procedures, meet organisational and legislative obligations, design and produce business documents, operate business software and more.

In this school administration course, you will learn to:

  • Work effectively in an education team
  • Comply with school administration requirements
  • Organise personal and work priorities
  • Use business software applications
  • Organise schedules

Learning outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking our school administration course include:

  • Relevant education team goals
  • Team purpose and success
  • High-performing teams
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Teaching / professional staff
  • Childcare workers
  • Junior and primary classroom teachers
  • Secondary teachers
  • Specialist teachers
  • Determining work requirements
  • Goals and objectives of the team
  • Record keeping for child care centres and schools
  • Administration and curriculum records
  • Linguistic and cultural differences
  • Communication in a culturally diverse environment
  • Accessing and selecting forms
  • Forms used in schools
  • Using templates from software, wizards and templates from Microsoft Office applications and available technology
  • Hardware and software
  • Creating electronic presentations
  • Develop work goals and Key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Organisational objectives
  • Technology and software applications
  • Software suitable for specific tasks
  • Layout and style
  • Basic design principles
  • Clarify format and style
  • Purpose, audience, format and presentation
  • Technology and software
  • Functions of technology
  • Scheduling new appointments according to timelines
  • Negotiating arrangements for appointments
  • Record and manage appointments and schedules

And more!

 

If you’re interested in becoming a School Administration Officer, talk to our Course Consultants about school administration courses such as the Certificate of Office and School Administration.

10 ‘Quick’ Problem-Solving Strategies

Do you ever ponder a problem, and the more time you give it, the bigger it grows? When the outcome matters, solving problems mindfully and quickly can be difficult. So, how do you problem-solve without procrastination taking over? It’s all about knowing the best problem-solving strategies!

We’ve put together 10 simple problem-solving strategies you might not have thought of. But, if you need more in-depth problem-solving skills for your professional development, take a look at our short course, Apply Critical Thinking for Complex Problem Solving.

In this online course, you’ll learn how to think critically to develop structured and innovative solutions to complex organisational issues. It’s ideal for absolutely anyone tasked with developing solutions to complex problems in the workplace!

What Does It Mean to Be a Problem-Solver?

A successful problem-solver uses critical and creative problem-solving strategies to resolve issues and challenges promptly. It’s a soft skill that takes time and patience to master, but it can be taught. True, some of us are naturally better and making decisions, but anyone can become a better problem solver.

Why is Problem-Solving Ability So Important?

Problem-solving strategies are crucial in the workplace for several reasons:

Anticipate challenges – a good problem-solver can identify risks in the workplace and implement changes to avoid problems occurring. If you’re a good problem-solver, you will be more sensitive to identifying problems before they become significant challenges.

Improve confidence – if you believe in your problem-solving ability, you’ll approach challenges more confidently. As you solve problems, your confidence grows, and you develop critical thinking skills.

Boost performance – your productivity in the workplace will improve as a result of being able to identify and address challenges quickly and effectively.

Enhance client satisfaction – when you’re able to problem-solve effectively, you will be better able to serve your clients/customers. As a result, you will be able to build stronger relationships.

Greater innovation – problem-solvers are critical and creative thinkers, which leads to new ideas and ways of doing things. Innovation is important for businesses to identify and take advantage of new opportunities to drive growth and continuous improvement.

How to Become a Better Problem-Solver

  1. Admit there is a problem

Denial is attractive when you can put off problems that seem too challenging to solve. But you can’t outrun problems. So, the first of the problem-solving strategies is to admit there is a problem and commit to solving it.

  1. Think about the worst-case scenario

If feeling overwhelmed is blocking you from seeing a solution, begin by thinking about the worst that could happen if the problem isn’t solved. It’s a great way to put things into perspective.

  1. Break down the problem into smaller parts

They say a problem shared is a problem halved, but a problem broken down into tiny pieces is even better! At the heart of any significant problem, you’ll find smaller issues at play. When you break a problem down this way, you can start tackling it from the ground up, which makes it less overwhelming!

  1. Do your research

You’ll need to gather some information to problem-solve effectively. There are plenty of unknowns behind most problems in the workplace, so seek information. You might find information in books, articles, case studies, certifications, professional development courses and even podcasts! Knowledge is power and will lower your anxiety and fear of uncertainty.

  1. Ask for help

Now, here’s where that problem shared is a problem halved! Once you’ve identified the problem and have gathered research, you should call on colleagues, clients, and acquaintances for advice. A fresh perspective is always helpful in the unknown, and problem-solving is all about confronting the unknown.

  1. Apply Parkinson’s Law

Parkinson’s Law isn’t a scientific principle, but a phenomenon people have experienced. Once coined by Parkinson to explain organisational expansion, it can be applied to other types of work. Parkinson’s Law states that the complexity of a task tends to grow the more time is allocated to complete it. In terms of problem-solving, it means setting a time limit to come up with solutions is crucial to avoid procrastination.

  1. Create a mind map

Mind mapping involves serious brainstorming, but it’s an amazing visualisation tool to help you solve problems logically and creatively. You’ll learn more about mind mapping in Apply Critical Thinking for Complex Problem Solving.

  1. Keep an open mind

When tasked with solving a complex problem, keep an open mind. It’s often difficult to listen to others’ perspectives under pressure, but it’s important to identify more solutions.

  1. Implement your solution

When you think you’ve found a solution, it’s time to take action. Implement the solution and monitor to find out if it has solved the problem. If not, don’t give up. There are multiple solutions to problems, and you’re one step closer to finding it now!

  1. Stay motivated (don’t give up) and learn

If your solution doesn’t work, stay motivated. Just because your first idea didn’t solve the problem doesn’t mean the next one won’t! Try to stay motivated and learn by trial and error.

 

Discover the courses that teach problem-solving strategies! Simply contact one of our friendly Course Consultants today at 1300 76 2221, Live Chat or Enquire Online!

6 Social Impact Careers (and Courses to Match)

If you’re a highly empathetic person, a social impact career will provide you with work that fuels your soul! You can find social impact careers across all industries and in public, private and non-profit sectors.

What is a social impact career?

A social impact career is one where your passion and purpose align at work. It’s more than just a job. You feel like you’re making a positive difference in the world.

Social impact means any significant or positive changes that address social injustice or challenges. It’s the intentional pursuit of creating a better world for everyone. So, whether your vocation is in education or healthcare, you can make a social impact.

  1. Education

If you love kids, you can’t go past a career in education to make a social impact. Kindergarten to Year 12 educators are highly valued for their influence on education and child development. Careers in the education system include teachers, teachers’ aides, sports coaches, guidance counsellors, career guidance officers and administrators.

Certificate of Educational Psychology

Certificate of Education Support – Learning Difficulties

Certificate of Education Support – Literacy and Numeracy

Certificate of Education Support – Early Childhood

Certificate of Education Support – Additional Needs

Certificate of Education Support School Administration

Certificate of Education Support – ASD

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Culture in Education

Certificate of Behaviour Management

  1. Public policy

Every industry has policy-related jobs, but the most prominent public policy roles are in law, law enforcement, justice, lobbying and advocacy. If you’re passionate about making change happen, a social impact career in public policy may be the right choice for you.

Certificate of Youth Work and Justice

Introduction to Criminal Law and Justice

Certificate of Advocacy

Introduction to Business Law

Certificate of Legal Administration Paralegal

Introduction to Company Law

Introduction to Contract Law

Confidentiality and Security in a Legal Environment

Legal Research and Writing

Legal Terminology

  1. Sustainability

A career in sustainability offers you the opportunity to positively impact environmental protection and promote change. Social impact careers in sustainability include sustainability specialist, environmental engineer, ecotourism guide and sustainability manager.

Certificate of Regenerative Agriculture

Certificate of Conservation and Environment Management

Certificate of Alternative Farming

Certificate of Environmental Chemistry

Certificate of Sustainable Agriculture

Certificate of Ecotourism Management

Advanced Certificate of Wildlife Conservation and Management

Certificate of Plant Conservation

Certificate of Water Conservation and Management

  1. Social Justice

Social justice is the belief that everyone, regardless of age, gender, orientation, race, religion or socioeconomic status, has equal rights and opportunities. The pursuit of social justice is one of the most popular social impact careers and includes counselling, advocacy, animal welfare, immigration, climate change and more.

Certificate of Advocacy

Certificate of Social Housing

Certificate of Animal Welfare

Certificate of Ethics

Certificate of Community Development

Certificate of Youth and Family Intervention

Certificate of Counselling Psychology

Certificate of Migrant and Refugee Support

  1. Healthcare

Healthcare careers are one of the most obvious ways to make a positive social impact in the community. Healthcare providers can help people in need and make a real difference in the lives of their patients.

Certificate of High Support and Complex Care – Disability Work

Certificate of Diversional Therapy

Certificate of Health & Wellbeing

Certificate of Health Care

Certificate of Human Anatomy

Certificate of Human Nutrition

Certificate of Occupational Therapy Assistance

Certificate of Psychopharmacology Drugs & Psychology

Introduction to Physiotherapy Assistance

  1. Urban planning

Urban planners play a crucial role in analysing and approving new schools, roadways, public transportation and public housing to meet the needs of communities. Urban planning is a social impact career, as it’s evolved to promote human health and well-being while ensuring environmental health through sustainable practices. Careers under the urban planning banner include urban planners, architects, landscape architects, civil engineers, building inspectors and drafters.

Introduction to Computer Assisted Design

Introduction to Strategic Planning

Certificate of Playground Design

Certificate of Landscape Design

Certificate of Natural Garden Design

 

If you’re interested in finding a social impact career, now’s the time to find your new direction. We have hundreds of professional development courses to help you build your career and impact.

So, do what you love. You’ll never work a day in your life.

Gain Counselling Skills to Fight DV

Our Certificate of Domestic Violence – Counselling is ideal professional development and a pathway towards and careers in counselling, social work, psychology, community services and welfare support work.

Future growth: Very strong

Unemployment: Low

Career pathways: Counselling, social work, psychology, community services and welfare support work.

Why Study Domestic Violence Counselling?

Counselling is an important therapy for people experiencing domestic and family violence. Domestic abuse takes many forms, including intimate partner violence – which includes physical, sexual, stalking or emotional and psychological harm.

Domestic violence can also include other members of household, including parents, siblings, relatives and roommates.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 11.8 per cent (or 2.2 million) of Australian adults have experienced violence from a partner.

If you work in a helping profession, skills in domestic violence counselling are crucial.

Domestic Violence Statistics – Australia

Family, domestic and sexual violence is a major health and welfare issue.

  • 1 in 6 (1.6 million) women have experienced physical, and/or sexual violence by a cohabiting partner since age 15.
  • 1 in 16 (0.5 million) men have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a cohabiting partner since age 15.
  • 1 woman a week and 1 man a month were killed by a current or former partner in the two years from 2012-2014
  • 2,800 women and 560 men were hospitalised in 2014-15 after being assaulted by a spouse or partner
  • Family and domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness
  • Intimate partner violence is the greatest health risk factor for women aged 25-44 years
  • The estimated cost of violence towards women and children is $22 billion
  • Almost 1 in 4 (23%) women and 1 in 6 (16%) men have experienced emotional abuse from a current or previous partner since the age of 15
  • Almost 1 in 5 (18%) women and 1 in 20 (4.7%) men have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15

Vulnerable Groups

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
  • Young women
  • Pregnant women
  • Women with disabilities
  • Women experiencing financial hardship
  • People who experienced abuse or witnessed domestic violence as children

Careers in Counselling for Domestic Violence

Psychologist

Psychologists are experts in human behaviour and can help people to change the way they think, feel, behave and react. Psychologists study the brain, memory, learning and human development. Psychological treatment can be used to help those affected by domestic and family violence.

Counsellor

A counsellor helps people with concerns or problems, including anxiety, depression, grief or relationship difficulties. These professionals are important in helping find positive ways to address issues, explore options, develop strategies and increase self-awareness in domestic violence situations.

Social Worker

Social workers provide emotional and practical support to people who have experienced domestic and family violence. They help survivors work through legal issues, explore options and choices, find accommodation, counselling, financial

Welfare Support Worker  

A welfare support worker or community services worker will help individuals, families and groups with social, emotional and financial difficulties to improve their quality of life through education, support and working towards changing their social environment.

Types of Domestic Violence Counselling

Individual counselling

This type of counselling is tailored to the specific needs of the individual and their circumstances. The client will receive one-on-one counselling from a professional counsellor to address their feelings and experiences and to formulate goals to move forward.

Support groups

Support groups provide for shared experience and reinforce that the domestic violence survivor is not alone. It’s a powerful counselling tool that promotes wellbeing and builds a sense of universality among group members.

Integrative therapies

Yoga, meditation and mindfulness are integrative therapies that can help promote enhanced wellbeing among those who have experienced domestic violence.

Creative therapies

Art, music, writing, singing, drama and craft therapies can all improve psychological health and aid in recovery for those who have experienced domestic violence.

Couples therapy

Couples counselling is never appropriate if either partner feels unsafe. The counselling must include a thorough assessment of the individuals and the relationship to determine if other forms of therapy (see above) are necessary first steps.

Certificate of Domestic Violence and Counselling

Certificate of Domestic Violence and Counselling is an online course that will provide you with the skills and strategies to counsel people who have experienced domestic and family violence.

In this online domestic violence course, you will learn to recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence and provide counselling to those impacted.

In this counselling online domestic violence course, you will learn about:

  • Recognise and respond to domestic violence
  • Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence
  • Establish and confirm the counselling relationship
  • Facilitate the counselling relationship and process
  • Select and use counselling therapies

Learning outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking online domestic violence course in counselling includes learning about:

  • Support those affected by domestic and family violence
  • Values and philosophies of domestic violence work
  • At risk groups – women and children
  • Rural and regional communities
  • Indigenous communities
  • Pregnant women
  • Economic costs
  • Social and health costs
  • Historical and political context
  • Criminal justice
  • Support client and worker safety
  • Prevention strategies
  • Client and worker safety
  • Risk assessment
  • The Danger Assessment (DA) scale
  • Records reports and referral information
  • Record keeping systems
  • Review existing case information
  • Establish professional relationships
  • Positive behaviours demonstrating respect
  • Behaviours that compromise professional relationships
  • Conducting interviews and interactions with clients
  • Developing an awareness of risk
  • Prevention strategies
  • Client/worker safety
  • Perpetrators
  • Encouraging participation
  • Maintaining privacy
  • Sensitivity to individual differences
  • Structured counselling approach
  • Analyse existing client information
  • Legal and ethical considerations
  • Transparent management of personal information
  • Health and safety legislation
  • Initial counselling session
  • Engaging with clients
  • Building rapport
  • Active listening
  • Effective questioning
  • Communication techniques
  • Following the client’s story
  • Encouraging client to tell their story
  • Closed questions
  • Legal and ethical considerations
  • Equal opportunity
  • Anti-discrimination legislation
  • Mandatory reporting legislation
  • Duty of care
  • Client presenting and underlying issues
  • Engaging with clients
  • Select counselling therapies
  • Identify and prioritising client needs
  • Establish desired changes
  • Creative problem-solving techniques
  • SMART goals
  • Client’s developmental status
  • Client’s response to change
  • Piaget’s cognitive development (4 stages)
  • Freud’s psychosexual stages of development (5 stages)
  • Id, ego and superego

And more…

If you want to gain the skills to counsel those impacted by domestic and family violence, consider our online domestic violence course in counselling, Certificate of Domestic Violence and Counselling.

9 Jobs that Work with Animals (and Courses to Match)

If you’re an animal lover, jobs that work with animals might be the most rewarding career path for you. Many jobs involve animals, from wildlife work to pet health care, grooming, sales, training and breeding. So, whatever your strengths, background and career aspirations, there’s a job working with animals that will suit you!

If you’re looking for jobs that work with animals, look at the following options for inspiration!

  1. Animal Care Assistant

Animal care assistants care for animals by keeping them clean, groomed, comfortable, active and fed! They usually care for cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and birds and other domestic pets. However, animal care assistants can specialise in catteries, kennels or farm animals.

You will need basic customer service experience, basic animal care and handling knowledge and a genuine passion for animals and their welfare!

If you’d like to learn about animal care, consider our Certificate of Animal Health Care. Other courses that may be beneficial include animal anatomy, physiology, behaviour, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, animal husbandry,

Qualities

  • Strong communication skills
  • Empathy
  • Teamwork
  • Time management
  • Physical strength and fitness
  • Flexibility
  • Patience
  • Customer service
  • Data entry

  1. Breeder

Animal breeders work with animals for many purposes, including shows, food consumption and companion pets. Most breeders will strive to produce desirable traits in animals.

Animal breeders can work in specialised fields, including self-employment as independent animal breeders (cats, dogs, horses, reptiles, cows, and chickens), livestock breeders, laboratory breeder and in the agricultural industry.

If you’d like to learn about animal breeding, consider our Certificate of Animal Breeding.

Qualities

  • Calm disposition
  • Compassion
  • Teamwork
  • Physical strength and fitness
  • Flexibility
  • Patience
  • Research orientated
  • Writing ability
  • Sales and marketing
  • Integrity

  1. Veterinary Assistant

 If you’re passionate about caring for animals and ensuring they receive the best possible health care, you might be perfect as a veterinary assistant (also known as a veterinary nurse). Veterinary assistants feed, bathe, weigh and take the temperature of animals. They also routinely administer medication and vaccinations, conduct laboratory tests, collect samples, clean cages, and provide nursing care after surgery and other medical procedures.

Veterinary assistants work predominantly in veterinary clinics and animal hospitals. But they can also find work opportunities in laboratories, colleges, universities and research facilities. Flexible hours are required, with evening, weekend and holiday shifts standard in this job.

If you’re interested in a career in veterinary assisting, consider our Certificate of Animal Health Care. You might also be interested in the Certificate of Animal Diseases,  Animal Feed and Nutrition and  Natural Animal Health Care and Animal Anatomy and Physiology.

Qualities

  • Independent
  • Persistent
  • Genuine
  • Practical
  • Patient
  • Physical strength and fitness
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Empathy

  1. National Park Manager

If you’d like to be a caretaker for our beautiful nature parks, wilderness areas, reserves and camp and picnic grounds, consider a career as a National Park Manager. In jobs that work with animals, this one is one of the best for outdoor types who love to be surrounded by nature.

National Park Managers work in various settings, including national parks, snowfields, rainforests and coastal areas. Park rangers often work weekends and public holidays.

If you’re interested in a career in national park management, consider our  Advanced Certificate of Wildlife Conservation & Management.

  1. Animal Behaviourist/Trainer

Animal behaviour is a fascinating field and is important for any job with animals, particularly for animal behaviouralists and trainers.

Animal behaviourists/trainers work with clients to help manage, modify and prevent problem behaviour in pets. They create a customised treatment and training plans and educate pet owners on how to implement them successfully.

If this is the type of job working with animals that interests you, consider our Certificate of Animal Behaviour.

Qualities

  • Patience
  • Sense of humour
  • Creativity
  • Flexibility
  • Confidence
  • Physical strength and fitness
  • Diplomacy

  1. Stable Hand/Horse Trainer

If you love horses, consider a career as a stablehand or horse trainer! Horse trainers exercise horses, get them ready for human contact, and perform certain behaviours when prompted. They also work with racehorses and show horses to prepare them for competition.

Stable hands care for horses in facilities like racing stables and breeding farms. They are responsible for feeding, grooming and exercising horses, as well as cleaning and maintaining stables and equipment. You’ll also have early starts and often have to work on weekends.

If a job with animals is your passion and you enjoy horses, consider our range of professional development courses, including Certificate of Horse Care Advanced, Intermediate and Introductory Program and Equine Behaviour.

Qualities

  • Patience
  • Physical strength and fitness
  • Alert
  • Horse-handling ability
  • Confidence

  1. Dog Groomer

Are you a dog lover? Why not work with them every day? Dog groomers provide several services, such as washing, cutting, grooming, clipping and styling their cute clients.

Dog groomers often start their own businesses or work in pet salons, mobile dog vans, veterinary clinics, pet shops, and kennels, providing a comprehensive grooming service. Dog grooming can be physically demanding and requires a quiet and calm disposition when handling pets.

If a job working with animals is what you’re looking for, grooming will have you surrounded by furry friends all day, every day! Take a look at our Certificate of Animal Grooming to get the skills and knowledge you need to set up your own business!

Qualities

  • Self-starter
  • Organised
  • Passionate (about pets)
  • pet-handling ability
  • Confidence
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Social media skills

  1. Animal Welfare/Management

If you’re an animal lover passionate about making a difference in animal welfare, why not turn it into a career?

Animal welfare activists work for animal protection agencies, animal shelters and on farms as animal welfare inspectors, animal shelter attendants, animal control officers, kennel technicians, farm managers and many other professionals where animal welfare is a priority.

Our Certificate of Animal Welfare is an excellent professional development course to get started in the animal welfare industry!

Qualities

  • Empathetic
  • Organised
  • Passionate (about animals)
  • Animal-handling ability
  • Confidence
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Communication skills
  • Integrity

  1. Zookeeper

Take the leap and pursue a career in zoology! If you’re fascinated by the study of animals, this could be the job for you! Zookeepers are responsible for all aspects of animal care, from bathing to feeding to supervising breeding programs and the not-so-glamourous job of cleaning out animal habitats!

Zookeepers work predominantly in with animals in captivity, but they also work in research roles. The hours can be unsociable, with nights, weekends and holiday shifts common in this job.

If you’re interested in a career as a zoologist, consider gaining the foundation knowledge you need to pursue further study in this fascinating field with a Certificate of Carnivore Zoology or Certificate of Vertebrate Zoology.

Qualities

  • Independent
  • Communication skills
  • Physical strength and fitness
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Empathy
  • Management

Can I work with animals without a degree?

There are many amazing jobs that work with animals where a degree isn’t required So, if you have your heart set on a career working with animals, take a look at the professional development courses to find your new direction.

 

Management V’s Leadership – What’s the Difference?

Management and Leadership

 

Future growth: Strong

Unemployment: Low

Career pathways: With enhanced management and leadership skills, you’ll be one step closer to gaining that promotion!

  • All careers
  • Professionals
  • Business owners
  • Managers
  • Supervisor
  • Recreation/sports manager or coach

 

“I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and who has the courage to develop that potential.” Brené Brown

 

Why study leadership and management courses?

If you want to be a great manager, leadership skills are crucial. So, why not combine our Certificate of Leadership and Advanced Certificate of Management to develop a strong foundation in management and leadership?

In our Certificate of Leadership, you will learn about:

  • Theories of leadership and styles
  • Leadership qualities
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Communication skills
  • Team building
  • Decision making
  • Leadership activities
  • Systematic and lateral thinking
  • Legal considerations in leadership

In our Advanced Certificate of Management, you will learn about:

  • Organisational structures
  • Management processes and functions
  • Report writing
  • Management theories and procedures
  • Problem-solving and decision making
  • Business planning
  • Management styles
  • Interview skills
  • Staff training
  • HR management
  • Dealing with grievances and complaints
  • Workplace health and safety
  • Ethics and equity
  • Contract law

Management V’s Leadership

Management and leadership sound similar, but they’re very different competencies.

What is management?

The act or art of managing: the conducting or supervising of something – such as a business.

Management is a process that involves organising, planning or controlling a company’s resources, including employees.

Managers have strong organisational, decision-making and delegation skills to achieve goals efficiently.

What is leadership?

The action of leading a group of people or an organisation.

Leadership focuses on inspiring, motivating and mentoring people towards a shared vision and is less goal-oriented than management. Leaders are not always managers but are usually widely respected and admired, allowing them to advise others on their work/tasks/goals without needing authority.

Managers are usually reflected in a title, whereas leadership is less formal.  You don’t have to have direct report employees to demonstrate leadership. You can be a leader in many situations, including the workplace, sporting or social groups.

In an ideal world, managers also have excellent leadership skills. If you’re looking to make your mark, whether in the corporate world or in your own business, you’ll need many competencies and key strengths for success in any field.

6 Powerful Leadership Qualities

Successful leaders demonstrate powerful qualities that make taking the lead almost like second nature. But don’t be fooled, as these qualities can be learned through leadership and management courses and perseverance.

  1. Communication

Great leaders communicate with influence, using active listening and an articulate and positive communication style. When leaders communicate well with people, whether in a workplace or community group, they understand the needs and expectations of others while also expressing their own.

  1. Empathy

Influential leaders have high emotional intelligence, allowing them to understand how the people around them feel. Empathy is crucial to identifying others’ struggles and helping them strive to overcome difficulties and achieve success.

  1. Self-awareness

Self-awareness is a crucial leadership strength that ensures leaders monitor their emotions and appropriately respond to others’ reactions. It’s a trait that avoids unnecessary conflict, and leadership style can be adjusted to suit team strengths and weaknesses.

  1. Team building

Building strong and successful teams is a critical leadership quality, whether in a professional or personal capacity. Team building involves other core strengths necessary for leaders, including problem-solving and communication skills.

  1. Inclusivity

Inclusivity awareness is essential to all leaders, whether in frontline supervisory roles or community groups. Creating an inclusive environment makes people comfortable sharing their ideas, thoughts and opinions. As such, leaders should be sensitive to counter discrimination and bias and build a diverse workforce or community group.

  1. Problem-solving

Problem-solving skills allow a leader to move past difficulties with minimal disruption. The ability to readily identify problems and to use critical thinking skills to help others resolve challenges is an important leadership quality.

6 Crucial Management Skills

Most successful managers will demonstrate the following skills to meet company goals. Again, these skills aren’t necessarily innate and can be developed through leadership and management courses and experience.

  1. Interpersonal Skills

Management involves people, so communicating clearly and building rapport with team members is crucial. You’ll need active listening and effective verbal communication skills at a minimum.

  1. Delegation

Delegation is another critical management skill. A manager with good delegation skills does not micro-manage but puts faith in the team to assign tasks and give authority to the right employees. As a result, a team can efficiently meet company targets and collective goals. When delegation is successful, productivity and accountability lead to optimal results.

  1. Planning and organisation

Whether managing people, teams or projects, managers need top-notch planning and organisation skills to ensure objectives and goals meet deadlines. Planning skills are instrumental in administrative tasks, such as budgeting and scheduling.

Managers are responsible for balancing many tasks simultaneously, so organisation skills can help them complete tasks efficiently and promptly.

  1. Decision-making

Decision-making is a management skill that helps managers assess a situation and determine how a company should move forward. It’s essential for implementing new policies, allocating budgets, recruitment processes, meeting organisational goals, building a brand, developing new products, and more!

  1. Strategy

A strategic manager identifies inadequacies and makes improvements quickly, overcoming obstacles to complete projects and meet deadlines. Strategy as a skill involves strategic thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, creativity and analytical thinking.

  1. Transparency

Managers need to be transparent and accountable to improve interactions with their employees. Transparent managers earn the trust of their employees and can better work toward company/department goals and vision.

 

Whether you want to gain leadership skills, management know-how, or both, our leadership and management courses will give you the confidence to pursue your personal and professional development goals.

Team Building Courses to Conquer!

Future growth: Strong

Unemployment: Low

Career pathways: With enhanced team-building skills, you’ll be one step further to finding your dream job!

Why Study Team Building Courses?

Learning about teams is helpful for everyone, as they are crucial to our success.

Teams are the building blocks of any successful business. If you want to learn how to build more productive teams, this team-building course is ideal professional development for you.

Building Better Teams is an online course that will provide you with the skills and strategies to build effective, high-performing teams.

In this team building course, you will learn how to develop teams and individuals, lead team effectiveness and promote innovation in team environments. You will also learn to apply critical thinking skills in a team environment.

In this team building course, you will learn about:

  • Workplace goals and responsibilities
  • Characteristics of high-performing teams
  • SMART goals and KPIs
  • Conflict management and communication skills
  • Leadership and decision making
  • Building and combining sentences
  • Innovation, team dynamics and diversity
  • The critical thinking processes
  • Legislative and organisational frameworks

See our course summary at the end for more!

 

Teams you’ll encounter in your career (and life)!

There’s a good chance you’re already part of a team, whether in your workplace, social life or a sporting club. Put simply, a team is a group of people who work together to achieve a common goal. You might come across four types of teams in your career or personal life. 

Functional teams

Functional teams are fixed and usually include people from the same department (sales team) with different roles to perform. A manager is the head of a functional team, and there is typically a top-down management approach. 

Cross-functional teams

Cross-functional teams are a group of people from different departments who work together on a shared goal (marketing and sales teams). These teams work well together through their various input and expertise to achieve the best outcome. All individuals should embrace different personalities and perspectives to navigate a problematic dynamic so everyone is working to their strengths.

Self-managed teams

Self-managed teams operate without a manager. Generally, they are individuals from the same organisation who work together on a shared goal. They operate autonomously and have shared leadership and responsibility for a project. High-performing teams fall into the category of self-managed teams.

Virtual teams

Remote teams work from different physical locations using technology and collaboration tools to achieve shared goals. Virtual teams are much more common and accepted today due to necessity throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s opened up opportunities to work from home and achieve a healthier work-life balance. It’s also been advantageous for organisations looking for unique skills in their employees by increasing the pool of candidates.

20 fun facts about teamwork

Scientists have proven that what we thought we knew about high-performing teams was mostly incorrect! Inc.com reports that the book Team Genius: The New Science of High-Performing Teams reveals exciting research, showing that:

  1. The ideal team size is small, between five and nine people – adding members to the team beyond this amount decreases the success
  2. Good chemistry makes teams less effective – diversity ensures there’s enough conflict to generate new ways of thinking
  3. Bonding with a team releases oxytocin – a hormone that makes you feel love and trust.
  4. The most effective teams don’t have leaders – teams work best when people talk and listen equally.
  5. Effective teams need managers – Diverse teams are creative but need a manager to help them communicate
  6. Small teams outperform solo acts – even the brightest people perform better as part of a group
  7. Conflict is critical – identifying alternative (better) approaches to a problem or goal is met by having a degree of (non-personal) conflict
  8. Men are insecure in a minority – men feel dissatisfied and less committed if outnumbered by women. This is not the case for women unaffected by gender ratio!
  9. Virtual teams are over-rated – teams work better when in close physical proximity
  10. Mixed-age teams outperform youth-only teams – youthful energy doesn’t trump practical business experience, and mixed-age groups are most effective in a team dynamic.

More fascinating facts follow in teamwork statistics!

  1. Online collaboration tools scale up productivity by 30%
  2. Effective communication generates 4.5 times higher talent retention
  3. 81% of employees rate peer collaboration apps positively
  4. Teamwork is very important for 37% of employees
  5. Recognising quality work and achievements in teams increases profits by 29%
  6. 1% want to be part of an organisation that nourishes honest communication
  7. 41% of team members who use their strengths have a better quality of life
  8. 39% of employees report a lack of collaboration
  9. One-third of HR specialists agree that collaboration improves morale
  10. Employees of all ages like to use social tools for collaboration 

Learning outcomes

 Outcomes achieved by undertaking team building courses include learning about:

  • Teams and problem solving
  • Organisational frameworks
  • Legislative frameworks
  • Key stakeholders
  • Solutions for workplace problems
  • Critical thinking that helps generate problem solutions
  • Team decision making
  • Communication/explanation
  • Criteria for assessing the suitability of options
  • The critical thinking process
  • Finalise and review the solution
  • Presenting solutions to stakeholders
  • Responding to challenges and questions
  • Critical thinking learnings (individuals and teams)
  • Demonstrate behaviour that supports innovation
  • Leaders need to role model
  • Challenge and test ideas
  • Exploring innovation ideas
  • Barriers to reflection
  • Responding to feedback
  • Stakeholder feedback
  • Documenting feedback
  • Legal requirements
  • incorporating innovation and productivity measures
  • Supporting team members to meet expected outcomes
  • Leadership
  • Promote team cohesion
  • Setting goals
  • Plans and decision making
  • Team input
  • Responsible teams
  • Creating a team culture where people cooperate
  • Modelling behaviours
  • Positive leader characteristics
  • Positive behaviour
  • Organisational vision
  • Sustainable business
  • Vision/mission statements
  • Policies and procedures
  • Performance reporting

And more!

If you want to gain a deeper understanding of how to build better, more effective teams, take a look at our team building course Building Better Teams. It’s a professional development course that will improve your teamwork and ability to create high-performing teams for any business!

Market Gardening Courses Will Reap You Profits!

Future growth: Strong

Unemployment: Low

Career pathways: Vegetable farmer, market gardener, vegetable retail sales, organic farmer, organic market operator, organic retail sales.

Why study market gardening courses? 

The organic fruit and vegetable industry in Australia is growing (literally!) to record levels. According to Australian Organic Limited, it was valued at $2.6 billion as of 2019 – and that was a few years ago! Market gardening courses like our Certificate of Commercial Vegetable Production and Certificate of Commercial Organic Vegetable Growing will teach you the skills to produce vegetables for profit, whether you sell to cafés and restaurants or through your own retail outlet or market stall.

In market gardening courses like ours, you will learn about:  

  • Commercial vegetable growing
  • Cultural practices for vegetables
  • Pest, disease and weed control
  • Hydroponic and greenhouse growing
  • Growing selected vegetable varieties
  • Irrigation
  • Harvest and post-harvest
  • Marketing vegetables
  • Growing organic vegetables
  • Cultivation and planting
  • Understanding soils
  • Soil management
  • Major varieties of organic vegetables
  • Pests and diseases
  • Seeds
  • Greenhouse growing
  • Lesser-grown varieties and herbs
  • Irrigation
  • Weed control and mulching
  • Harvesting and marketing

 See our course summary at the end for more!

What makes vegetables organic?

As you’ll learn in market gardening courses, organic food production involves a system of natural farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without pesticides or synthetic fertilisers. Non-organic farmers typically use these to control pests and weeds, but there are other not-so-great uses.

Non-organic fruit is often sprayed with antibiotics to prevent spoiling after harvest, some apples and citrus may have a wax coating to prevent moisture loss, and some fruits are picked unripe and then chemically ripened with ethylene. These are just a few examples, and may have negative consequences for consumers.

Which vegetables are important to eat organically?

With the cost of living increasing, many people can’t afford to have an entirely organic diet. But you can minimise pesticide exposure by knowing which fruits and vegetables have more residual pesticides than others.

Studies from the Environmental Working Group in the USA named the “dirty dozen”, representing the twelve fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide residues. And although Australian production systems are different, it’s still worth keeping in mind. They are:

  1. strawberries
  2. spinach
  3. kale
  4. nectarines
  5. apples
  6. grapes
  7. capsicum
  8. cherries
  9. peaches
  10. pears
  11. celery
  12. tomatoes

What does Certified Organic mean?

Australian Organic Limited (AOL) is the leading peak industry body engaging with Industry and Government to promote the social and commercial interests of those certified, and protect the integrity of the certified industry against fraud and misleading organics.

According to them, “Certified Organic” means “a product has gone through the process of ticking all the boxes with one or multiple Australian organic certification bodies. It means they have proven via multiple trials that the product is organic to use and consumers and producers can safely and confidently apply these fertilisers, soil additives, sprays and even plant seeds and seedlings knowing they are completely certified organic right from the start”.

This process can take quite some time and be costly for producers of organic produce, but in the long term, can be environmentally and financially beneficial. Organic certification has existed in Australia for more than 30 years and remains the only way to provide integrity to the organic industry.

How to become Certified Organic

  1. Choose a certifying body

Once you have decided to convert to organic production, the first step is to choose an organic certification body. The Department of Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry currently certifies six certification bodies. There are several differences between each, including price, service level, international market access, and access to the Australian Certified Organic Bud logo.

All Australian organic produce for export must be certified by the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce (NS). However, you can also certify solely to the Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACOS), which is owned and updated by Australian Organic Limited.

  1. Choose the type of certification you require

From the start of your certification application, it can take one to three years to become certified organic, depending on your previous farm chemical usage and history. However, for processors, the certification status typically takes less than three months from when you lodge documents. Given the diversity of organic agriculture, there are different documents you must complete for different sectors.

  1. Complete your application

The most important part of your application is your Organic Management Plan (OMP). It is also known as an Organic Handling Plan, an Organic System Plan or an Organic Farm Plan. An OMP details how you will proactively manage your operation to ensure it remains compliant with the standards. It must also be sufficiently detailed to allow a certification officer to understand the finer points of your operation and how you plan to ensure ongoing compliance with the organic standards.

Depending on which standard you are certified to, slightly different organic inputs will be allowed. If you are unsure whether a product is allowed or not, direct confirmation with your certifying body is always the best option to ensure they are allowed under organic certification.

  1. Initial audit

Once the certification body approves the OMP, an auditor will visit your site and ensure the approved plan matches reality. If this is not the case, they will issue you with Corrective Action Requests (CARs) that you need to rectify. A standard audit can take anywhere from several hours to a couple of days on-site, depending on your operation’s scale and complexity.

  1. One to three-year conversion

Certification can take a producer one to three years, depending on past chemical usage and history. However, for processors, this typically takes less than three months from when documents are lodged.

  1. Annual audit

Once you have completed the conversion period, you are officially certified organic and must conduct perpetual annual audits and soil testing to ensure you remain adherent to the organic standards. This involves keeping records of activities and farm inputs and outputs to facilitate the audit process.

  1. Become a member

Support your organic practices by becoming a member of Australian Organic Limited. You will join a large community of certified organic operators, opening up new opportunities to learn, engage and promote your business. Membership also provides you with resources to stay abreast of the latest industry news and updates relevant to your business.

Outcomes achieved by undertaking market gardening courses include learning about:

  • Economic principles, financial plans, budgets, marketing, risk management and sustainability
  • Soils, water quality, weeds and pests, livestock health, materials and equipment, monoculture and planning and preparing for drought
  • Crop rotation, cover crops, growing media, conservation techniques, seeds and soil pH
  • Conductivity, plant nutrition, composting, fertilisers, salts and potting mixes
  • Non-chemical pest control methods, plant pathology, fungi, insect control, diseases and viruses
  • Environmental problems, drainage problems, foliage burn, turf weedicides (herbicides) and commonly used commercial formulations
  • Wick, water culture, ebb and flow, drip and NFT hydroponics systems, fish tank water culture, greenhouse systems and shade houses
  • Environmental factors that influence plant growth, moisture, greenhouse plant nutrition, temperature control, heating and ventilation systems and greenhouse irrigation methods
  • Sweet potato, taro, artichoke, asparagus, chicory, endive, garlic, leek, okra, rhubarb and celery
  • Beetroot, capsicum, corn, eggplant, parsnip, spinach and silver beet
  • The physical and chemical properties of soil, soil profile, soil texture, soil pH, soil chemical characteristics, buffering capacity, water and air, soil temperature
  • Humus, organic matter, the nutrient elements, macronutrients and micronutrients, organic fertilisers, animal manures, rock dust and the diagnosis of plant nutritional problems
  • Cover crops, nitrogen fixation in legumes, the rhizobium bacteria and mycorrhizae
  • Composting, the C/N ratio, hot heaps versus cold heaps and how to use compost
  • Integrated pest management, disease lifecycles, pest lifecycles, plant viruses and the types of pests
  • Environmental problems, air pollution, foliage burn, drainage problems, temperature, companion planting charts and nutrient-accumulating plants
  • Seed propagation, pollination and preventing cross-pollination
  • Collecting, cleaning, storing and germinating seeds
  • Tomatoes, melons, cucumber, pumpkins, zucchini, artichoke, asparagus, leek and rhubarb
  • Chicory, fennel, endive, horseradish, okra, sweet potato, mint, watercress, rhubarb and yams
  • Cyclic watering, pulse watering, water extraction by roots, irrigation types, sprinkler systems and surface irrigation methods
  • Mulch, weed management and weed control methods
  • Harvesting, post-harvest quality considerations, harvesting hints, post-harvest treatment of vegetables,cooling methods and quantity standards
  • Marketing, market research, defining your target market, determining market segmentation and economic laws

And more!

 

Gain a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of commercial vegetable production with market gardening courses like our Certificate of Commercial Vegetable Production and Certificate of Commercial Organic Vegetable Growing.

Learn Lingo: English as a Second Language Courses!

Future growth: Strong

Unemployment: Low

Career pathways: With enhanced English writing skills, you’ll be one step further to finding your dream job!

Why study an ESL Writing Fundamentals course?

English is the most spoken language in the world. English as second language courses will help strengthen and develop your written English skills, help you communicate with others, and enhance your ability to find work opportunities.

In this ESL course, you will learn about:

  • Writing using correct grammar and sentence structure
  • Writing reports, letters and submissions
  • Editing and proofreading your work
  • The parts of speech
  • The parts of a sentence
  • Building and combining sentences
  • Vocabulary
  • Writing for different purposes
  • Study skills

See our course summary at the end for more!

What are the common languages in Australia?

According to a 2016 census by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 72 per cent of Australians speak English, and 21 per cent speak a language other than English at home or have learned a second language for work. The most common languages spoken in Australia (after English) include:

  • Mandarin (2.5 per cent)
  • Arabic (1.4 per cent)
  • Cantonese (1.2 per cent)
  • Vietnamese (1.2 per cent)
  • Italian (1.2 per cent) and
  • Indigenous languages (0.25 per cent)

Five benefits of learning English  

English is often regarded as the “international language” and is the most widely spoken language in the world. English as second language courses can help you:

  1. Communicate socially. Learning English will allow you to express yourself clearly and confidently. It can also help maximise cultural diversity.
  2. Enhance work opportunities. Being able to speak English will give you a competitive edge, and allow you to interact with recruiters. Once you’ve secured a job (think big!), it will help you communicate with your manager and colleagues.
  3. Master the language of business. English is often known as the global language of business. Learning English can help you create reports, send emails and give a presentation in English.
  4. Exercise your brain. Learning a new language is fantastic for your brain health and can help improve your problem solving skills.
  5. Enjoy better travel experiences. Being able to speak English will help you communicate with people from multiple backgrounds and cultures.

Fascinating facts about the English language

The English language is a complex one, but also very fascinating. Here are some facts that will impress your friends, family and colleagues.

  • English is the official language of over 67 countries.
  • The most common letter in the English language is “e”.
  • The most common vowel in the English language is “e”, followed by “a”.
  • The most common consonant in the English language is “r”, followed by “t”.
  • The two most common words in English are I and you.
  • The most common adjective used in English is “good”.
  • The most commonly used noun is “time”.
  • Currently, only two English words end in “-gry”. They are “angry” and “hungry”.
  • More English words begin with the letter “s” than with any other letter.
  • The following sentence contains all 26 letters of the alphabet: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”
  • The only word in English that ends with the letters “-mt” is “dreamt”.
  • A word formed by joining together parts of existing words is called a “blend”. Examples are “brunch” (breakfast + lunch), “motel” (motorcar + hotel) and “guesstimate” (guess + estimate).
  • The word “alphabet” comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet — alpha and bē
  • “Go!” is the shortest grammatically correct sentence in the English language.
  • The original name for “butterfly” was “flutterby”.
  • About 4,000 words are added to dictionaries each year.
  • English is said to be one of the happiest languages in the world. Yay!
  • One-quarter of the world’s population speaks at least some English.
  • The words “month”, “orange”, “silver”, and “purple” do not rhyme with any other word.
  • Over 80 per cent of the information stored on computers worldwide is in English.
  • The word ‘lol’ was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2011.
  • William Shakespeare invented many words, such as “birthplace”, “blushing”, “undress”, “torture”, and many more.
  • The word “Goodbye” originally comes from an Old English phrase meaning “god be with you”.
  • The first English dictionary was written in 1755.
  • The oldest English word that is still in use is “town”.

Essential parts of English speech 

When studying English as second language courses, you will begin to understand the different parts of speech that make up the language. Here are three of the most important ones.

Nouns

Nouns are used for a place, person, quality, thing, idea, feeling or activity. There are different types of nouns, including:

  • Proper nouns — the name of a specific person (eg. “David”) or a place (eg. “Australia”). They are always capitalised.
  • Common nouns — aren’t capitalised and used to describe things and general places (eg. “house”). They also have plural forms (eg. “houses”).
  • Concrete nouns — describe something we can hear, see, feel, touch or taste (eg. “grass”). They can also have plural forms (eg. “grasses”).
  • Abstract nouns — describe something we can’t perceive with our senses (eg. “happiness”).
  • Countable nouns — describe something you can count (eg. “truck”) and can have plural forms (eg. “trucks”).
  • Collective nouns — describe a group of things or people (eg. “herd”).
  • Non-collective nouns — can’t be counted (eg. “air”).

Verbs

There are three kinds of verbs in the English language:

  1. Transitive verbs — show that an action is applied to an object. In the sentence “I took the kids to school,” the verb “took” shows that I performed an action on the object of the sentence, which is “the kids.”
  2. Intransitive verbs — indicate an action that is not applied to an object. For example, in the sentence “I sang,” I performed an action that is not linked to an object.
  3. Linking verbs — link the subject to the rest of the sentence. These verbs include “being verbs” like “seem” and “feel”, as well as “helping verbs” like “be”, “have”, and “”

Adjectives

These are used to describe a noun. There are two types:

  1. Attributive adjectives — are located directly next to a noun in a sentence, e.g., “I like that blue car” (with the adjective“blue” describing the noun “car”)
  2. Predicative adjectives — are separated from the noun they describe by a verb. For example, in the sentence “I thought the girl was pretty,” the adjective “pretty” describes the noun “”

 

Learning outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking English as a second language courses include learning about:

  • Word order, parts of a speech, singular and plural nouns and pronouns
  • Irregular plurals, noun gender, pronoun gender and other parts of speech
  • Adjectives. articles and when to use an article
  • Auxiliary or helping verbs, gerunds, verb tense and verb forms
  • Present tense, a ‘mixed’ tense, past tense and future tense
  • Subject-verb agreement and verb voice
  • Active voice and passive voice
  • Clausesand phrases, subject and predicate and the position of the subject
  • The object of a sentence and the predicate of a sentence
  • Subjects and predicates in sentences and the role of verbs in a sentence
  • Sentence construction, basic sentence patterns, verb position in sentences and intransitive verbs in a sentence
  • Linking verbs in a sentence, forming questions and expanding basic sentences
  • Combining sentences, adding modifying words, phrases and clauses and linking words and phrases
  • The structure of words and commonly used prefixes and suffixes and their meanings
  • Connotation and denotation, figurative language, literal language, imprecise language and simplicity
  • Your reader, content and methods of communication
  • General guidelines for effective writing in English, language and tips for requesting and clarifying information
  • Informative writing goals, tips for providing information, good news and neutral information, bad news and persuasion
  • Business formats, memos, business letters and common workplace documents
  • Writing a formal outline
  • Understanding the topic or assignment, researching and tips to improve research and reading skills
  • Writing an answer or essay, referencing and writing a bibliography
  • Editing, structure, paragraphs, sentences, making editing decisions and proofreading

 And more!

 

Gain a foundational understanding of how to improve your written English with English as a second language courses such as our ESL Writing Fundamentals course.

Start a Pet Food Business!

The pet food manufacturing industry is worth a whopping $3 billion in Australia! There’s also growing demand for premium products, with the humanisation of pets increasing.

Future Growth (Industry) – Strong

Unemployment – Low

Career pathways

  • Pet Food Manufacturers
  • Pet Food Suppliers
  • Pet Breeders
  • Kennels and Cattery Staff
  • Animal Shelter Staff
  • Veterinary Staff
  • Zoo Staff

Do you want a slice of this lucrative market share? It’s possible when you start a pet food business! Whether you want to make cute, sweet treats for dogs or create a whole line of pet foods, you’ll learn the ropes with a course on pet food production.

Our Certificate of Pet Food Production is an excellent platform to start a pet food business. You’ll learn about all aspects of the pet manufacturing industry, from the nutritional and feed requirements to manufacturing and regulation elements.

Key learning outcomes:

  • Producing of ingredients
  • Source and supply of raw materials
  • Producing preservatives and additives (processing components)
  • Developing equipment for manufacturing and testing
  • Logistics and transportation of goods
  • Animal sales and marketing initiatives
  • Veterinarian recommended diet supplements and formulations
  • Toxins and contamination control techniques and testing
  • Regulation and governance (to reduce or prevent quality control issues)

8 Pet Food Business Success Stories!

If you’re considering venturing into the pet manufacturing space, here are a few success stories to give you some inspiration!

  1. The Golden Bone Bakery

A small Australian company with a love for animals, The Golden Bone, was inspired by a need to treat the founder’s Labrador x Blue Heeler, Jett! Jett had tummy issues with regular dog treats. The mission to transform the pet industry with an Australian-made range of natural pet treats was the result! The company also supports the animal and human community!

  1. Al La Carte

A small Australian company specialising in using the finest ingredients to produce pet food for the fussiest eaters at affordable prices. Their mission is to ‘provide honest super-premium food, without the super-premium price!’ As farmers, the company founders have always been passionate about creating quality food.

  1. Huds and Toke

Huds and Toke is a 100% family-owned Australian business recognised nationally and internationally. Their mission was to design, create, and manufacture the best pet treats Australia can offer! Huds and Toke now make Dog Treats, Horse Treats, Rabbit Treats, Guinea Pig Treats, Chicken Treats and Cat Treats.

  1. Drool Pet Co.

Drool Pet Co is an Australian-owned raw natural and natural pet food and treats company. The founders decided to start a pet food business after years of making raw pet food for their own dogs. They are passionate about providing Australian pets with the best, locally sourced, healthy, natural food and treats!

  1. Pooch Treats

Pooch Treats is a family-owned and operated business based in Melbourne, Australia! The company, established in the late 2000s, is passionate about handmade bakery treats for dogs while addressing the waste in the Australian meat market! The company’s bakery treats are all personally made and baked in-house by pastry chefs seven days a week!

  1. Doggy Eco

Doggy Eco makes affordable, durable eco-friendly dog toys and active dog gear that is sustainable! Doggy Eco was created to help pet owners to live their sustainability values by designing and manufacturing dog toys and accessories with the environment in mind. The company branched out and now also makes dog foods and treats!

  1. Savour Life

This local Australian family-owned business creates natural, nutritious, Australian-made dog food and treats! They also donate 50 per cent of profits to volunteer-run rescue groups who save and re-home abandoned dogs! Savour Life has donated to over 230 rescue groups across the country, working towards reducing the number of adoptable dogs euthanised in Australia to zero!

  1. Scratch

A love of dogs and a passion for making better food at a reasonable price were behind the venture, Scratch. Co-Founder, Doug, is ex-big pet food, and wanted to start a pet food business to change the status quo! The company envisioned a new breed of Australian-made dog food. One that’s good for dogs, better for the planet, and easier for pet owners.

Certificate of Pet Food Production

Learn all about the business of pet food, whether you want to start a pet food business, work in sales and consultancy or take better care of pets in your care! This course is ideal for those wishing to understand pet food manufacturing and the food and nutritional needs of pets.

What you’ll learn:

  • Principles in processing and manufacturing pet food, including techniques to optimise flavour, digestibility, and nutritional value.
  • Management systems for preventing and controlling contaminants in food preservation and storage, including specific risk management strategies.
  • Nutritional needs of dogs and specific diet formulation for dogs at different life stages.
  • Nutritional needs and specific diet formulation for cats at different life stages.
  • General nutritional needs for other small pets and examine relevant feeding schedules.
  • Control and testing of food-related toxins and define potential health implications of poisons or contaminants in foods.
  • Regulatory controls and legislation relevant to the production and selling of animal food.
  • Appropriate selection of food for a pet to respond to particular needs and demonstrate
  • Food labelling, including common acronyms and terminology, and describing ways of marketing products in a retail setting.

 

If you want to start a pet food business, the Certificate of Pet Food Production is ideal! If you have questions about any of our courses, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants via phone, Live Chat or email.

Dip Your Toe Into the Hydroponics Farming Sector

If you are passionate about sustainable food production, this hydroponics farming course is a refreshing career option! Hydroponics is a type of horticulture involving growing plants without soil, using water-based mineral nutrient solutions. Many crops grown in hydroponic systems yield more, grow faster, use less water and take up less space. What’s not to love?

Our Start a Hydroponics Business course will give you insights into how to start your own business providing services and products to hydroponic growers, from home garden hobbyists to commercial trade customers.

You will learn about the nature and scope of hydroponic systems, from plant nutrition requirements to vital equipment, nutrient solutions and climate control. You will also develop methods to maintain system and plant health, including controlling pests and diseases and managing system pH levels, toxicities and plant deficiencies.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course on hydroponics farming include:

  • Learning about the advantages of hydroponics
  • Exploring six main types of hydroponics systems and their essential system components
  • Gaining an understanding of building a client/supplier list
  • Studying the International Society for Soilless Culture (ISOSC) and other hydroponic societies
  • Examining suppliers in Australia, the USA, the UK and Europe
  • Understanding location, containers and grow beds and watering/nutrient application equipment
  • Attaining knowledge of trellising and root media, solution culture
  • Gaining insights into Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) systems, a horizontal rectangular plane, vertical tubes and the tier system
  • Learning about DFT (deep flow technique) and pond, raft, float or raceway systems
  • Exploring aeroponics, aggregate or media culture and rockwool culture and properties
  • Gaining an understanding of historic, hobby and lesser-used systems
  • Studying the methods of solution dispensation, closed systems, open systems and drip irrigation systems
  • Examining sub-irrigation and ebb and flow systems and organic soil-less mixes
  • Understanding plant nutrition and nutrient labels
  • Attaining knowledge of plant growth factors and the structure of a plant
  • Learning about sand and gravel aggregates, materials for use with rockwool, materials for use with sawdust and aeroponics
  • Exploring nutrition management, nutrient solutions, nutrient formulations and nutrient stock solutions
  • Gaining an understanding of fertiliser salts for formulations, stages of growth and making up hydroponic stock solutions from fertiliser salts
  • Examining conductivity and hydroponics and how to adjust nutrient solutions using electrical conductivity measurements
  • Understanding climate management equipment, growing plants in a greenhouse and other growing structures
  • Understanding scale insects, leafhoppers, slugs, snails and flies
  • Attaining knowledge of common diseases, botrytis – grey mould, mildew diseases, rusts, rots, bacterial diseases, viruses and nematodes
  • Gaining insights into deficiencies, toxicity and pH control
  • Learning about nutrient deficiencies and toxicities, nutrient mobility and deficiencies and other modes of detection
  • Exploring controllers, salinity controllers, nutrients and pH and pH controllers
  • Gaining an understanding of how to troubleshoot systems
  • Studying EC (CF) & nutrient solution levels and EC and TDS meters
  • Examining how to maintain nutrient levels, nutrient solution management, nutrient temperatures and organic hydroponic nutrient solution problems
  • Understanding water in recirculating systems, water in run-to-waste systems and water treatments

And more!

Types of Hydroponic Systems

In hydroponics farming, there are different types of hydroponic systems, and each has its benefits. Some suit hobby farmers, while others are ideal for larger commercial hydroponic businesses. Factors to consider include light, space, cost and the time required for setup and maintenance. Here we look at six common systems and their pros and cons.

  1. Wicking System

One of the most straightforward hydronic systems and perfect for beginners, a wicking system doesn’t require a water or air pump. A water reservoir is set up underneath a growing tray filled with a non-soil medium. The two containers are connected with wicks, which can be anything that absorbs water like yarn, string or fabric. Water and nutrients are then drawn up into the plants. This setup should be in a sunny spot, and the water and nutrients should be topped up when required. It’s also essential to flush the growing medium with fresh water regularly to prevent the build-up of fertiliser.

  1. Deep Water Culture

In this system, the plant’s roots grow in a well-oxygenated reservoir full of nutrients and water. It’s a relatively simple setup, only requiring a deep reservoir, a pump, an air stone, and netted pots with a suitable growing media. It’s a fast-growing and low-maintenance system, however, managing temperature, nutrient, pH and water levels can be challenging. On the plus side, it’s an ideal technique for herbs, lettuce and other leafy greens.

  1. Flood and Drain System

Also known as the “ebb and flow” system, it is a little more challenging and expensive to set up, but it allows for a wide range of plants, including beans, cucumbers and tomatoes. The system works by intermittently pumping a water-nutrient solution through the growing medium. This then drains back into the reservoir. As the medium dries out, it forces the plants’ roots to grow in search of more water. And more roots mean more nutrients and healthier, happier plants! In addition to a growing tray and water reservoir, a timer, submersible pump and tubes to fill and drain the grow medium are needed. The most challenging part of this system is getting the timing of the “floods” right. Because water is recycled for over a week before being replaced, the PH and nutrient levels can vary.

  1. Run To Waste System

This is similar to the Flood and Drain System, with a timer and a submersible pump, but it differs because instead of recirculating the nutrients and water, they are drained off into a container or the ground and disposed of. This is another system that’s great for ideal for beginner hydroponic gardeners as absorbent growing mediums may assist if the pump fails.

  1. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System

This system is ideal for growing fast-growing, shallow-rooted plants like spinach, radishes, leafy greens and herbs. Its biggest difference from the Flood and Drain System is that the water-nutrient solution flows around the reservoir and growing tray in a continuous loop rather than with timed breaks. No timer is needed, but it requires two pumps, an air stone to oxygenate the water, and tubes or channels for the plants. It is a great water-saving technique because no grow medium is required (the water flows over bare roots)

  1. Aeroponics systems

This is one of the more complicated hydroponics systems, so it suits more advanced gardeners. Like the NFT system, the plant roots are suspended in the air (the growing medium). However, unlike the NFT system, it uses a “misting” technique, where the root system is misted with a nutrient solution — continuously or on a specific cycle. It allows the roots constant access to oxygen which promotes faster growth.

Benefits of Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponics farming has many benefits. On a smaller scale, systems can be efficient and require minimal space. On an industrial scale, the benefits can be even more substantial. Hydroponic farming can:

  • Produce crops faster than soil-grown produce.
  • Make farming possible in urban areas.
  • Produce up to three or four times more produce than traditional methods (using the same or even less growing space).
  • Use fewer resources like water (up to 90 per cent less), fertiliser (up to 75 per cent less), pesticides and herbicides. This means fewer harmful pollutants are released into the atmosphere or the ground. Groundwater contamination, in particular, negatively impacts soil health, drinking water supply, and the health of nearby ecosystems.

Some Hydroponic Tricks of the Trade

  • The ideal air temperature for hydroponics is around 20C°.
  • Humidity levels should be between 40 and 60 per cent.
  • Keeping the air flowing with a fan or open window to increase carbon dioxide levels can help plants grow faster.
  • The best pH levels for most plants in hydroponics systems are slightly acidic (between 5.8 and 6.2). However, some plants may need a higher pH for optimum growth.
  • Plants should get at least six, but preferably between 12 and 16 hours of light (whether natural or artificial) daily.
  • If you choose to use artificial lights, set them at the correct distance from your plants. Different plants also have different light requirements depending on where they are in their life cycle. If a plant naturally flowers during summer, the hours of light need to be increased for blooming, and vice versa for winter flowering plants.

 

Gain the confidence to advise customers on hydroponics farming to help them successfully cultivate their home garden or business venture with our Start a Hydroponics Business course.

Work With Wildlife? Consider Management!

If you work with wildlife or in wildlife conservation, our Advanced Certificate of Wildlife Conservation & Management course will help you step up to an exciting management career! In this wildlife management course, you will learn about habitats, farming, urban planning, ecology and biology, and the recovery of threatened species.  You will also study law and administration, wildlife management techniques, and how to conduct a case study research project.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course where you’ll learn how to work with wildlife include:

  • Learning about the concepts and need to work with wildlife and conservation
  • Exploring conservation values, biological diversity and threatening processes (ecology, ecosystem and biome)
  • Gaining an understanding of biodiversity indicators, genetic drift, habitat and life span, habitat fragmentation and habitat degradation and loss
  • Studying the types of soil degradation, the types of erosion and marine degradation
  • Examining pollution, including land, air and water pollution
  • Understanding unsustainable harvesting/hunting, invasive species and climate change
  • Attaining knowledge of population isolation/conservation genetics
  • Gaining insights into disease – extinction and disease, density and disease and the impacts of disease control measures
  • Learning about the recovery of threatened species, the categories of risk, species vulnerability to endangerment, rarity and ability to disperse
  • Exploring the degree of specialisation, population variability, life span, reproductive rate, recovery of species, threat management, habitat conservation and critical habitat and protecting habitat
  • Gaining an understanding of research population growth, habitat use, conservation genetics, captive breeding, translocation, public involvement and terminology
  • Studying plant groups and plant identification (names and scientific names)
  • Examining vegetation, flora survey techniques and line surveys
  • Studying stock identity and assessment, stock biomass and stock management methods
  • Examining capture and mixed methods, non-capture methods and non-lethal whale research techniques
  • Understanding farm planning, planning farm activities, off-property effects, biological and climactic considerations, socioeconomic options, urban planning and urban management
  • Attaining knowledge of examples of information to be collected and analysed and decisions that need to be made
  • Gaining insights into managing threatened wildlife populations, recovering threatened species, manipulating populations, reintroducing species and the removal of predators/competitors
  • Learning about captive breeding, manipulating habitat, revegetation/restoration, exclusion fencing for threatened species, creating corridors and designing and planting a fire break
  • Exploring wildlife management, including the approaches and the purpose of preservation and conservation, the reasons for managing wildlife and decision-making in wildlife management
  • Gaining an understanding of decisions regarding wildlife populations, important concepts and considerations, the needs of wildlife, population limiting factors, good wildlife habitats and range, distribution and habitat
  • Studying carrying capacity, succession, habitat fragmentation, habitat diversity, biological control and integrated pest management
  • Examining wildlife ecology, including population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, interactions within a community, competition, predation, parasitism, commensalism and mutualism
  • Understanding the food web, the web of life, energy flow and imbalances
  • Attaining knowledge of wildlife habitats, the classification of habitats, habitat types, animals’ use of features within habitats and the location and characteristics of biomes and common wildlife
  • Gaining insights into nest boxes, logs, surface rocks and ground cover and creeks, wetlands and dams
  • Learning about the requirements of birds in captivity, habitat features used by birds, changes to habitats, air and water pollution, toxicants and deforestation and afforestation
  • Exploring population dynamics and pest management, birth or fecundity rate, death or mortality rate and population growth rate
  • Gaining an understanding of the control of pests or undesirable wildlife species, the objectives of control, the effects of control on a population, mortality manipulation and biological control
  • Studying mosquitoes, grasshoppers (locusts) and birds and mammals
  • Examining feral animals in Australia and the total eradication of foreign species in New Zealand

And more!

Top 10 Australian animals at risk of extinction

Australia is populated by plants and animals unlike anything else in the world (which is more than enough reason to work with wildlife!) But unfortunately, we also have an unenviable record of animal extinctions. Here are ten species currently at risk.

#1. Regent Honeyeater – Anthochaera phrygia

Status: Critically Endangered

You can find these birds in woodlands, eucalypt forests, orchards and urban gardens. They feed mainly on the nectar of a small number of eucalypt species and act as a pollinator for many flowering plants. Widespread clearance of their habitats and competition for nectar from larger, more aggressive honeyeaters have caused their numbers to decline dramatically over the past 30 years.

#2. Orange-bellied Parrot – Neophema chrysogaster

Status: Critically Endangered

Work with wildlife and you’ll understand the importance of wildlife conservation, especially with species classed as “Critically Endangered”. A small ground parrot, the Orange-bellied Parrot migrates to South Australia and coastal Victoria from Tasmania, where they spend autumn and winter foraging on salt marsh vegetation. The decline of this bird is influenced by habit loss and their breeding range.

#3. Eastern Curlew – Numenius madagascariensis

Status: Critically Endangered

The Eastern Curlew takes an extraordinary annual migratory flight to Russia and north-eastern China to breed, then fly back to Australia! You can spot them in coastal regions of southern northeastern Australia. Unfortunately, their numbers have declined by more than 80 per cent in the past 40 years due to habitat destruction.

#4. Numbat – Myrmecobius fasciatus

Status: Endangered

The Numbat is a small to medium-sized marsupial found in West Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. Numbats are hunted by many animals like foxes, feral cats, dingoes and birds of prey. Because their diet consists mainly of termites, they are active during the day, and at night, they hide in burrows or hollow logs.

#5. Gouldian Finch – Erythrura gouldiae

Status: Endangered

The impressive colour of this beautiful bird’s feathers has made them a target of the bird trade up until the early 1980s. However, currently the leading cause of their decline is changes in habitat due to fire and land clearing. But fire also plays a significant role in their survival. In the dry season, they rely on controlled fires to burn the undergrowth so they can find seeds. In the wet season, they look for lush new growth that provides plenty of seeds

#6. Mountain Pygmy-possum – Burramys parvus

Status: Endangered

These tiny possums have specific habitat needs that limit their distribution and affect their ability to increase their population significantly. They are only found in alpine and sub-alpine regions of southern Victoria and around Mt Kosciuszko in New South Wales. Every year, they go through a prolonged hibernation over winter of up to seven months and only emerge in early spring to mate. Unlike most other possum species, they are found close to the ground where they hunt for their primary food sources — Bogong moths and other invertebrates.

#7. Northern Quoll – Dasyurus hallucatus

Status: Endangered

You will find this spotted carnivorous marsupial in northern Australia, from Western Australia to southeast Queensland. They feed primarily on invertebrates and vertebrates such as birds, snakes, frogs, lizards and small mammals. In the wild, they only live for one to three years and are susceptible to fire, cane toad toxins and introduced predators like cats and foxes. Changes in habit, including habitat degradation through over-grazing and urban development, have also reduced numbers.

#8. Woylie – Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi

Status: Endangered

Also known as the Brush-tailed Bettong, this is an extremely rare, rabbit-sized marsupial. It has a largely fungivorous (mushroom) diet, so in the past, have played an essential role in the dispersal of fungal spores that helped native plants grow. Like many small Australian marsupials, their rapid decline is caused by the introduction of cats and foxes. Other factors include disease, changes in fire regimes, competition with rabbits for food, and grazing animals’ impact on land clearing.

#9. Black-flanked Rock Wallaby – Petrogale lateralis laterali

Status: Endangered

These wallabies are now endangered, although they were once found in abundance across parts of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. They are nocturnal, live in rugged, rocky areas and emerge at dusk to feed. Changes to fire patterns, clearing its habitat, and introducing wild cats and foxes have all threatened their existence. Today, they only survive in small, isolated populations.

#10. Purple-crowned Fairy Wren – Malurus coronatus coronatus

Status: Endangered

There are two subspecies of the Fairy Wren. The western subspecies are found in the Victoria River District of the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region of Western Australia. They are known as “cooperative breeders”, meaning offspring from previous breeding seasons will remain with their parents and help raise subsequent broods. Fire regimes and current pastoral practices have been detrimental to their preferred habitat, leading to their decline.

 

Gain a strong understanding of wildlife conservation and crucial management strategies to work with wildlife with our Advanced Certificate of Wildlife Conservation & Management.

Strategies for Managing Stress in the Workplace

Stress significantly impacts our physical and mental health and wellbeing, and in the workplace, can impact both productivity and revenue. This course will give professionals, managers, executives and those interested in personal development valuable strategies for managing stress in the workplace.

Our Certificate of Stress Management will give you insights into the psychological, emotional and physiological aspects of stress to boost your self-awareness and help you develop techniques to reduce its impacts — in the workplace, but also in your personal life.

In this stress management course, you will learn to identify the physical and emotional signs of stress and implement lifestyle, relationship and career management strategies to minimise it. You will also learn how relaxation and nutrition can enhance wellbeing and reduce the impacts of stress.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by studying strategies for managing stress in the workplace include:

  • Learning about body changes
  • Exploring stressors
  • Gaining an understanding of the symptoms of stress
  • Studying fight or flight response
  • Examining health and wellbeing
  • Understanding stress and the immune system
  • Attaining knowledge of lifestyle and stress
  • Gaining insights into anxiety and stress
  • Learning about self-image
  • Exploring relaxation
  • Gaining an understanding of exercise and hobbies
  • Studying how to control stress
  • Examining acupressure
  • Understanding alcohol and other drugs
  • Attaining knowledge of self esteem
  • Gaining insights into stress and perfectionism
  • Learning about altering perceptions
  • Exploring the body and self esteem
  • Gaining an understanding of social support
  • Studying how to build self-esteem in others
  • Examining career management
  • Understanding work satisfaction
  • Attaining knowledge of standing out at work
  • Gaining insights into self-assurance
  • Learning about self-analysis
  • Exploring decision making
  • Gaining an understanding of strategic thinking
  • Studying nutrition
  • Examining balanced diets
  • Understanding healthy eating
  • Attaining knowledge of weight management
  • Gaining insights into anger management
  • Learning about personality and stress
  • Exploring personality types
  • Gaining an understanding of the ideal self
  • Studying personality traits
  • Examining genes and personality
  • Understanding personality disorders
  • Attaining knowledge of personality index
  • Gaining insights into personal inventory styles
  • Learning about introversion and extraversion

And more!

Workplace burnout statistics – Australia 2021

First, let’s clarify what the word “burnout” means. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is an “occupational phenomenon” that results from chronic workplace stress. WHO describes symptoms of burnout as “energy depletion and exhaustion, increased mental disturbance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism and cynicism related to one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy”.

As the effects of the pandemic wear on, workplace burnout rates continue to rise across Australia. And it has serious consequences for businesses as well as employees. Statistics gathered by the Australia and New Zealand Autonomy of Work Index 2021 found that “92% of serious mental health concerns in the Australian workplace are attributed to work-related stressors. Alongside the individual impact, these conditions cost businesses $10.9 billion per year”.

The report also found that fifty per cent of respondents said they were overworked (a key factor of burnout), with one in three saying they aren’t able to disconnect from work. The pandemic has also affected this second factor, with enforced remote work blurring the lines between home and work life.

The report also suggests that the pandemic has fast-tracked the digital workplace. Employees are now switching between multiple apps, multiple times a day. This constant shifting can lead to several issues, including impeding ability, disrupting focus and depleting concentration. 

Signs of workplace burnout

Career burnout can build up quite slowly over time, and the very nature of it can make it mentally and physically challenging to draw on the energy you need to address it. Signs of workplace burnout include:

  • Depletion – feeling drained, not sleeping well, lacking focus and energy and becoming sick.
  • Detachment – not enjoying work anymore, isolating yourself, feeling pessimistic and being critical and cranky with people around you.
  • Ineffectiveness – being less productive, missing a sense of satisfaction, feeling apathetic and becoming snowed under at work.

Common causes of burnout

Everybody’s experience of workplace burnout is different, but some of the common causes are:

  • Poor work-life balance
  • Lack of support
  • Mental health challenges
  • Feeling constantly overwhelmed by your workload
  • Expectations of working longer hours
  • Taking on more work than you can handle
  • Not taking breaks/leave when you need to

8 ways to reduce burnout

In terms of strategies for managing stress in the workplace, small steps can encourage positive changes without you feeling overwhelmed, including:

  1. Identifying the sources of burnout. Try to work out where your stress is coming from — make a list. Then identify one thing you can do to address pressure against one or more of the things on your list. A good tip is to start small and work your way up to more significant actions when you are comfortable.
  2. Asking for help. Keeping things to yourself can often make you feel worse and limit opportunities for recovery. Find a trusted friend, leader, manager or colleague (perhaps someone in HR?) and speak to them about what you’re experiencing. Sometimes just verbalising your worries and issues can make a world of difference. Management may also be able to explore options that can help — for example, taking on additional staff, instigating training options, or allowing you to work from home for some portion of your working week. You can also make use of employee assistance programs, such as those offered by the Employee Assistance Professional Association of Australia (EAPAA).
  3. Setting boundaries. Burnout can be overwhelming, so consciously setting boundaries and committing to saying no to any additional demands made of you can be a great start.
  4. Knowing your workplace rights and responsibilities. Both employees and employers have formal rights and responsibilities under privacy, discrimination, and work health and safety legislation. Understanding these can help you keep your workplace safe through knowing what your obligations are and recognising if your rights have been breached in any way.
  5. Switching off technology. We all need a break from work to de-stress and unwind. This is particularly the case with email use. None of us should be expected to receive and send work emails at all hours. Some tips around email use include:
  • Not adding your work emails to your personal mobile.
  • Don’t make checking work emails a habit or part of your routine outside of work.
  • Don’t let late-night emails become part of your work culture.
  • Try prioritising any actions if you have to check your emails during personal time.
  1. Finding healthy ways to cope with stress. Seeking out positive emotions with wellbeing activities can improve your overall mental resilience. Some to try include:
  • Finding a new hobby
  • Learning something new
  • Showing kindness
  • Connecting more with family or friends
  • Practising mindfulness
  • Embracing nature
  • Delaying any major life changes
  • Resolving personal conflicts
  • Managing your work-life balance
  • Trying relaxation techniques
  1. Taking care of your health. One of the important strategies for managing stress in the workplace is eating, sleeping and increasing your physical activity. Physical exercise stimulates the release of chemicals in our brains, such as serotonin and endorphins, which elevate our mood. Exercise also improves sleep which plays a crucial role in boosting mood. Your diet can also affect your mood. Research has shown that mental health is improved when people embrace a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, legumes and olive oil.
  2. Understanding you’re not in it alone. Burnout can be extremely overwhelming; however, there are lots of external support services available, including from BeyondBlue and Head to Health.

 

Gain a comprehensive understanding of how to identify and minimise stress in your professional life by learning about strategies for managing stress in the workplace with our Certificate of Stress Management.

Project Manager Qualities in High Demand!

Project manager qualities are needed in a wide range of industries — from healthcare and events to construction and the scientific and IT sectors. And many of these sectors are set to boom! Our Introduction to Project Management course will give you valuable insights into how to plan, manage and review projects. You will learn about feasibility, risk management, project lifecycles, delegation, expense planning and PERT and Gantt charts.

You will also learn about evaluating, monitoring and regulating projects, and developing leadership, technical and personnel project management skills.

Learning outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course on project management, including gaining project manager qualities, include:

  • Learning about the terms “project”, “management” and “project management”
  • Exploring the power of and need for project management
  • Gaining an understanding of typical projects and the project life cycle
  • Gaining an understanding feasibility checklists, the identification test and the types of risks
  • Studying budgets, project schedules and staffing
  • Examining resources, project size and external factors
  • Understanding risk management and project documentation
  • Attaining knowledge of project planning, parameters, quality and time
  • Gaining insights into developing a strategy framework and a work breakdown structure (WBS)
  • Learning about work-based schedule components
  • Exploring the Gantt chart and the PERT chart
  • Gaining an understanding of planning expenses and delegating responsibilities
  • Studying project implementation and launch
  • Examining how to control progress and apply standards
  • Understanding project launch and implementation
  • Attaining knowledge of controlling progress and applying standards
  • Gaining insights into preparation, events and budget control charts
  • Learning about monitoring and evaluating performance
  • Exploring regulating progress and dealing with conflict
  • Gaining an understanding of projection completion and evaluation
  • Studying what’s involved at the completion stage
  • Examining contract closure and the release or reassignment of resources
  • Understanding the completion of final and necessary documentation
  • Attaining knowledge of a project’s sustainability
  • Gaining insights into project evaluation and appraisal and its benefits
  • Learning about why projects succeed and fail
  • Exploring technical project management skills
  • Learning about communication and visibility
  • Exploring leadership skills, characteristics and responsibilities
  • Gaining an understanding of conflict and how to deal with and resolve it
  • Studying sociodynamics
  • Examining people with extra strong/domineering synergy but some antagonism,
  • Understanding people with strong synergy and no antagonism
  • Attaining knowledge of people with equal amounts of synergy and antagonism
  • Gaining insights into people with both minimal synergy and minimal antagonism
  • Learning about people with antagonism that is stronger than synergy
  • Exploring people with strong antagonism and weak synergy (mutineers)
  • Gaining an understanding of behavioural changes
  • Studying common project problems and difficulties that can arise
  • Examining scheduling not being maintained, ill-defined start dates and insufficient time
  • Understanding when priorities and deadlines need to change
  • Learning about change management and change management models
  • Exploring Kotter’s 8-step change model, the McKinsey 7’s model and the ADKAR model

And more!

Future job growth for project managers

It has been a tough few years for many businesses due to COVID, however, spending across key industries is set to boost project-orientated employment growth, according to a 2021 article by PM-Partners. Here we look at some of the industries and roles tipped to open up opportunities for those with project manager qualities.

Sectors that have dealt with the COVID pandemic better than others are those that were on a strong growth trajectory already and those defined as “essential” industries. Three key areas where job growth and demand for skilled workers is expected to grow significantly over the next five to ten years include:

  • Healthcare and social assistance
  • Scientific, professional and technical services
  • Construction and infrastructure

These industries offer a multitude of project management positions, and many are interchangeable across sectors.

Healthcare and social assistance

Employing more than two million people, this is one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing industries. COVID has highlighted the need for enhanced healthcare systems, so there is an abundance of project management roles available supporting health infrastructure and health and social services. Many of these involve stakeholder relationships, and conflict management and communication skills are particularly valued in this sector.

Scientific, professional and technical services

There are over one million Australian workers in scientific, professional and technical services roles in Australia, and many of these support other industries. The Information and Communications Technology sector, in particular, is continuing to grow rapidly. Examples of project-management-based ICT roles include as an ICT Manager or ICT Project Manager. Both typically plan, direct and control ICT projects. According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of ICT managers’ jobs is expected to be over 17.7 per cent by 2026.

Infrastructure and construction

In Australia, the construction industry currently employs over one million people and is a major source of project management roles. Enhanced by government spending, there is a strong pipeline of construction and infrastructure projects scheduled over the next decade. The construction sector is also set to boom in Brisbane ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Along with a formal qualification in building or construction management and trade experience, complementary workplace health and safety (WHS) risk management skills are also in high demand.

Five valuable project manager skills

The role of a project manager demands a varied and vast skill set. This is especially true in today’s rapidly changing world as organisations continue to transform their businesses to remain competitive and adopt new technologies.

Here are the top five project manager qualities that project managers should aim for, according to the global recruitment and HR company Hays.

  1. A strategic mindset

One of the primary roles of a project manager is to lead from an operational and strategic perspective. This includes understanding project objectives and how they align with the overall business strategy, and communicating the objectives and vision to the team involved. A great PM will also resolve conflict, evaluate team performance, and empower the team to aim for the most successful project possible.

  1. Stakeholder engagement

Most projects involve engaging with key stakeholders who are interested in or can influence a project. That’s why a project manager must understand who will be affected by the project, as it will allow them to plan engagement and communication strategies to limit any issues and gain the support of any stakeholders who are advocates. “Soft” skills can be valuable here, including negotiation, communication and conflict resolution skills.

  1. Risk management

Managing business risk is an essential skill to ensure any project’s success. Project managers need to be able to develop a risk management plan to foresee potential threats and how they will be handled so that they can be quickly mitigated and issues that arise can be avoided. By effectively mitigating risk, unforeseen risks can be avoided, undue costs minimised, and the project can be delivered more effectively and efficiently.

  1. A mentoring mentality

Continuous up-skilling and “lifelong learning” are highly valued in the evolving world of work (and life!). In terms of project manager qualities, this can involve sharing your expertise, knowledge and experience to support team growth. Taking on this responsibility can enhance your team’s personal development and encourage them to be more engaged and motivated, which can deliver enhanced outcomes.

Additionally, PMs who can recognise their role as a mentor and demonstrate their willingness to commit to their team’s personal development will ensure individuals are motivated to contribute their expertise and skills to build a strong and cohesive unit.

  1. Knowledge of agile principles

“Agile” project management is more a set of principles than one particular methodology, according to the Australian Institute of Project Management. It is an umbrella term used for many methodologies and techniques, including Lean and Six Sigma (for manufacturing and product development) and Scrum, Kanban and Extreme Programming (for IT projects).

Benefits for teams using agile principles can be particularly beneficial for teams that do work based on client requirements, want to leverage user feedback, and have a dynamic and ever-evolving environment. Results include high product quality, reduced project risk, and a more collaborative and efficient workplace.

Gain insights into project manager qualities and the foundational knowledge to manage projects successfully with our Introduction to Project Management course.

25 Amazing Facts About the Human Body

The human body is a complex structure of vital organs and interconnected systems that work hard daily to fulfil the functions necessary for everyday living. Here are twenty-five amazing facts about some of those systems that will offer plenty of inspiration for our human anatomy and physiology course!

The respiratory system

  1. Did you know that our lungs float on water? In fact, they are the only organs that do. This is because they contain millions of balloon-like structures called alveoli.
  2. The human nose is a heater (it has small bone-like “shelves” called turbinates which contain blood vessels that can heat the air), a humidifier (it has “goblet” cells that help humidify the air), and a filter (the air we breathe is filtered before it goes to our lungs).
  3. Sneezing and coughing is one of the body’s natural mechanisms to help keep away foreign substances.
  4. Even with optimal health, our lungs are never sterile or germ-free.

The digestive system

  1. Whenever we eat something, our esophagus acts like a giant wave, involuntarily relaxing and constricting. This is known as peristalsis.
  2. The middle part of our intestine is called the jejunum. It is located between the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) and the ileum (the last part of the small intestine).
  3. There is a bond between our brains and digestive systems, known as the gut-brain axis. Any brain disorders or even stress can affect how our bodies digest food.
  4. Hiccups often occur when the temperature changes.

The nervous system

  1. The brain uses more energy than the rest of our organs, with only 20 per cent of energy reserved for the rest of the body.
  2. Our brains keep working hard even when we are asleep.
  3. Because new neuronal connections are constantly occurring and the brain’s structure is constantly changing, the density of our brains keeps increasing.
  4. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, and it runs from the spinal cord down to our toes.

The skeletal system

  1. Bones may present as hard substances, but are filled with a spongy substance called bone marrow.
  2. The smallest bones in the body are in our inner ear. They are called the incus (anvil), the malleus (hammer) and the stapes (stirrup). They are known collectively as the ossicles (Latin for “tiny bones”).
  3. The longest and strongest bone in the body is in the leg and is called the femur (thighbone).
  4. Bones can heal themselves by producing new cells — that’s why broken bones are often placed in a cast.
  5. The biggest joint in the body is the knee.

The reproductive system

  1. The human reproductive system contains the smallest and the largest human cells.
  2. A man produces more than 500 billion sperm cells in his entire lifetime.
  3. Some women are born with a rare congenital condition where they have two uteruses. It is known as uterus didelphys.

The muscular system

  1. The human body contains more than 600 muscles.
  2. The largest muscle in the body is the gluteus maximus, which is the primary extensor muscle of the hip.
  3. The body’s smallest muscle is inside the inner ear, and connects the inner ear and the eardrum.
  4. More than forty per cent of your body weight is made up of muscles.
  5. The heart is the hardest working muscle in the body, typically pumping over 7000 litres of blood daily.

A brief history of anatomy

The history of human anatomy and physiology extends from the earliest examinations of sacrificial victims to the sophisticated analyses of the body that modern-day scientists and anatomists have performed. And we are still learning!

Written descriptions of parts of the human body can be traced back thousands of years to ancient Egyptian papyri, where highly elaborate burial practices required much attention to detail.

Theoretical considerations of the function and structure of the human body didn’t develop until far later. Ancient Greek doctors like Hippocrates and philosophers like Empedocles and Alcmaeon paid much more attention to the causes of disease and the body’s different functions.

Aristotle performed dissections on animals to understand the causes of biological forms. Dissection of human beings took place for the first time during the Hellenistic Age with the work of Erasistratus and Herophilos. Galen also made important anatomical discoveries through his dissections and medical practice.

The Renaissance brought a reconsideration of classical medical texts, and Jacques Dubois, Berengario da Carpi and Mondino de Luzzi carried out important anatomical work in this period. This culminated in the books by Andreas Vesalius (De Humani Corporis Fabrica), which is Latin for “on the fabric of the human body in seven books”. It was a significant advance in the history of anatomy and has been an integral part of medical practice ever since.

 

Gain a strong foundation in human anatomy with a course in human anatomy and physiology such as our Certificate of Human Anatomy.

How to Write a Research Report with Confidence!

Learn how to write … right! Whether you are a student or business professional, report writing will often form part of your study or working life. This course will teach you how to write a research report, including confidently navigating the area of professional research.

In our Professional Research and Report Writing course, you will learn to plan and conduct research for any industry and discipline, and discover how research can improve your student results or the performance and sustainability of your organisation. You will also learn about statistics, research methods, and the fundamentals of research report writing.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course on how to write a research report include:

  • Learning how to identify research needs, the research goal and the research question
  • Exploring sources of information, what information is required and the depth and breadth of data
  • Gaining an understanding of realistic research parameters and constraining factors
  • Studying how to write a report and examining the introduction, method, results, references, glossary and appendices
  • Exploring how to search for information and the kinds of exploratory research
  • Gaining an understanding of primary and secondary data research
  • Studying literature reviews and the steps of a literature review
  • Examining referencing
  • Understanding research methods, key research terms and methodology
  • Attaining knowledge of experimentation, controlled environments and field trials
  • Gaining insights into the collection and analysis of data
  • Learning about running a crop trial and setting up a comparison trial
  • Exploring records and recording and interviewing skills
  • Gaining an understanding of asking questions, the different types of questions and ways of handling difficult questions
  • Studying the definition of statistics and official statistics and why they’re important
  • Examining the reasons and advantages for using statistics
  • Understanding that statistics are about our previous experience and are useful guides and motivators
  • Attaining knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of statistics and what issues to consider
  • Gaining insights into descriptive statistics, observed and expected rates and confidence intervals
  • Learning about standardising (by age), the reliability of statistics and presenting statistics
  • Exploring pie charts, bar charts and histograms
  • Gaining an understanding of descriptive statistics and the standard error of the mean
  • Studying standard deviation, the coefficient of variation and probability
  • Examining how to conduct statistical research, collect quantitative data and conduct a survey
  • Understanding exploratory research attitudes and the procedure to develop a survey
  • Attaining knowledge of forms of data, designing a questionnaire and common mistakes in questionnaires
  • Gaining insights into research reports, report writing tips and the structure of a report
  • Learning about front matter, the body of a report, the introduction, background, method and results
  • Exploring discussion, references, glossary and appendices
  • Gaining an understanding of the report outline, research papers and referencing

And more!

Tips on how to write a research report

Report writing is common in a vast range of disciplines and professions. Reports are a specific form of writing typically organised around identifying and examining events, issues or findings from research. They often involve investigating and analysing a problem and coming up with a solution that follows clear reasoning.

Regardless of the type of report, it should be clearly structured, well-written and targeted at the right audience. Analysis and results should be clear, accurate and objective, and the structure should support the key message.

However, how to write a research report can vary greatly depending on who you are writing for and the purpose of the report. For example, writing a government report can be different from writing a formal business report. Student reports can differ again (including between learning institutions), but here is a basic guide.

There are typically three main phases in reporting writing: preparation, analysis and writing.

Preparation phase

This is where you clarify precisely what is required in terms of the end result, and it could range from analysing something to solving a problem. If you are working in a group, this phase is also where you agree on the group’s communication plan.

Analysis phase

This phase is where you conduct research, gather evidence and data, and come up with your key message — the answer to a question or a solution to the problem. Your key message will then determine your report’s structure, enabling you to complete the writing phase. Reports often require you to combine your own analysis and gather research from existing sources. Some examples of sources used in reports can include:

  • Books or chapters in a book
  • Journal articles
  • Government reports
  • Newspaper articles
  • Websites

Writing phase

Determining how you’ll structure your report will make the writing phase smoother and more efficient. Once this has been determined, it’s time to get going! Key points to focus on include:

  • Setting up your key message in the introduction.
  • Developing your key message through your sections and topic sentences.
  • Supporting your ideas with evidence.
  • Summarising your findings in concluding sentences and in your conclusion.

This phase also involves considering your report’s structure. Common sections include:

  • Title page. This includes the report title, the report writer’s name, the receiver’s name and the date.
  • Table of contents.
  • Executive summary. This briefly outlines the purpose, key message, findings, conclusions and recommendations.
  • Introduction. This gives the report’s aim, scope and background and may include a suggested solution.
  • Main body. This section details your findings and analysis and needs to develop the material logically, clearly and coherently. Your findings should justify your recommendations. Subheadings can make this section easier for the reader to follow, and the structure should reflect what is outlined in your introduction.
  • This is a summary of your main findings and conclusions based on these findings. It should outline the key findings and state the recommendations from your analysis. Recommendations also often form part of the conclusion.
  • These provide details of any external evidence that’s been cited, and the style you use depends on a range of factors. Some examples of university referencing styles are covered below.
  • These include any information (like charts, tables, graphs or other data) that you’ve referred to in your report, but not included in the main body.

The “main body” section is your report’s primary element

The body can be lengthy, it’s important to break it up into manageable “pieces” for the reader. These can include:

  • Sections
  • Sub-sections
  • Points – break each section and sub-section into points
  • Paragraphs – these are points that are the building blocks of your report and should contain one main idea. Each should develop the idea in three parts:
  1. Topic sentences. This is typically the first sentence in a paragraph. It should indicate your position and be clear, as it will give insights into what the reader should expect next.
  2. Supporting sentences. These support and develop the main idea. Each should connect to the others to create a logical flow. This is where you incorporate your analysis and research and support it with evidence (and make sure it is referenced!)
  3. Concluding and linking sentences. This final sentence should summarise the idea you introduced in the topic sentence. It can also lead to the next paragraph by developing a logical link to the next main idea.

Common referencing styles

In terms of how to write a research report, referencing is a vital component as it allows you to acknowledge the contribution of other writers in your report, give credit to writers from whom you have borrowed ideas and words, and ultimately, avoid plagiarism! Some common styles used by universities include:

  • American Chemical Society (ACS). Widely used in chemistry and related disciplines.
  • Australian Guide to Legal Citation (AGLC). The standard Australian guide for referencing in law.
  • Academy of Management Journal style (AMJ). Based on the style guide for the Academy of Management journal.
  • American Psychological Association (APA). The standard style used in psychology but also widely used in other disciplines, including the social sciences.
  • Chicago Manual of Style. This footnote referencing system is widely used in the arts and humanities.
  • Council of Science Editors (CSE). Widely used in the life sciences.
  • Not an official referencing style; however, many universities base this on other referencing style manuals.
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Widely used in the fields of computer science and electrical engineering.
  • Modern Language Association of America (MLA). Widely used in the fields of linguistics and contemporary literature.
  • A generic term for a style of referencing widely used in the health sciences.

 

Gain a comprehensive understanding of how to research and write reports for professional or academic success with a course on how to write a research report, such as our Professional Research and Report Writing.

 

Go Green With a Self-Sustainable Living Course

Tired of blind consumerism? Want to do your part to enhance the planet for future generations? Then this Self-sufficiency and Sustainability course is for you! When you learn how to embrace self-sustainable living, you will not only reduce your environmental footprint, you will live a healthier lifestyle and save money at the same time. It’s a win-win-win!

In this course, you will study how to source sustainable products and services and even start your own sustainable business. You will also learn how to plan a food garden, create cost-effective meals using your own produce, rear animals, create your own clothes from sustainable materials … and so much more!

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course on self-sustainable living include:

  • Learning about self-sufficiency in terms of modern society
  • Exploring the meaning and concept of self-sufficiency
  • Gaining an understanding of what’s needed to make a successful change
  • Studying how to sustain good health and fitness and aerobic and anaerobic exercise
  • Examining mental health, clothing and human nutrition, including the major food groups
  • Understanding safety with fabrics and protective clothing, including gloves, eyewear, ear protection and face masks
  • Attaining knowledge of full body protective clothing, knee protection, footwear, sunscreen and a good hat
  • Gaining insights into the general care and hygiene of everyday clothing, including brushing and airing, sensible storage and mending and cleaning
  • Learning about first aid, including falls, bleeding or haemorrhage, bruises, foreign bodies, wounds, burns, bites, stings and spinal injuries
  • Exploring horticulture, including planning the crop, cropping programs and crop rotation
  • Gaining an understanding of soils, no-dig techniques, no-dig raised beds and building no-dig bed retainers
  • Studying how to grow mushrooms and tomatoes (growing conditions, nutrient requirements and planting)
  • Attaining knowledge of herbs, including medicinal, culinary, aromatic and ornamental herbs
  • Understanding the cultivation of herbs including soils, protection, pruning, harvesting, drying, handling and cooking
  • Attaining knowledge of herb vinegars, oils, cheeses, salts, honey, biscuits, confectionery, mustards, teas and baths
  • Gaining insights into companion planting, repellant plants, attractant plants and plants which affect the soil
  • Learning about bait, companion, soil-improving and poisonous plants
  • Exploring herbal pest management, propagating herbs and seeds and cuttings
  • Gaining an understanding of the mints
  • Studying animal husbandry, including shortcuts in animal rearing

Plus!

  • Gaining an understanding of building
  • Studying how to make mud bricks and the soil used for mud bricks
  • Examining brick size, mixing the mode, casting the bricks and foundations
  • Understanding how to lay mud bricks, wall finishes, tools and the difference between paint, stain and sealer
  • Attaining knowledge of alternative energy, using renewable energy sources and the realities of solar energy
  • Gaining insights into wind power, wind speed conversions, solar house design and solar design principles
  • Learning about energy conservation, wood as fuel, wood treated with preservatives and selecting, drying and storing firewood
  • Exploring how to build and light a fire, safety issues, the environmental aspects of using wood as fuel and firewood plantations
  • Gaining an understanding of choosing a wood burning appliance, installation and wood heating appliance use
  • Studying cresote formation and flue fires, care and maintenance and chimney fires
  • Examining craft and country skills, including marketing crafts, setting a price and protecting your designs
  • Understanding painting, including oil, watercolour, acrylic and fabric painting
  • Attaining knowledge of candle making, enamelling and herb crafts
  • Gaining insights into rustic timber furniture structures, what timber to use and how to join timber
  • Learning how to clean and sharpen tools
  • Exploring secateurs, shovels, spades, saws, chainsaws and their maintenance
  • Gaining an understanding of preparing for emergencies, being prepared for fire, maintaining fire hazards around the garden and maintenance for fire control
  • Studying home tourism, opening a bed and breakfast, open gardens, wedding photos, food and how to earn extra income by growing food
  • Examining subsistence crops, growing for a market and alternative crops
  • Understanding nursery production, open ground growing, tropical indoor plants and ferns, trees and shrubs and cut flowers

And more!

Top tips for self-sustainable living

Self-sufficient living is achievable in varying forms for everyone. But even if you aren’t aiming to become fully self-sufficient, there are ways you can add a little more self-sufficiency into your routine with just a few tweaks.

In the garden

  • Growing your own food
  • Keeping chickens
  • Creating a water-wise garden
  • Using plants to remove toxins
  • Mulching your plants and learn to compost
  • Growing an indigenous garden

In the home

Food and drink

  • Eating organic food
  • Eating less meat
  • Buying local and seasonal food
  • Avoiding genetically modified (GM) foods
  • Avoiding bottled water
  • Reducing dairy in your diet
  • Avoiding eating endangered fish
  • Adopting a vegetarian diet
  • Eating seasonally

Products

  • Buying recycled products
  • Buying wood and paper responsibly
  • Using renewable products
  • Buying from local suppliers
  • Wearing sustainable clothes
  • Using non-toxic cleaners
  • Using natural beauty products
  • Buying fair-trade food and products
  • Buying second-hand goods
  • Avoiding excessive packaging

Waste

  • Recycling technical wate
  • Cultivating waste reduction habits
  • Culling your belongings
  • Recycling organic and building waste

Work

  • Saving paper and buying green office products
  • Ride-sharing with colleagues
  • Recycling office waste
  • Powering-down your computer when it’s not in use

Transport

  • Using public transport
  • Reducing air travel
  • Riding a bike
  • Buying an energy-efficient car

The world’s most eco-friendly countries

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) measures the environmental performance of 180 countries, and the top-ranked countries are generally the ones that are closest to meeting their environmental policy goals. Here were the most sustainable countries in 2021 (which we assume have many inhabitants who embrace self-sustainable living)!

#1 – Denmark

With an EPI score of 82.5, Denmark has one of the lowest carbon dioxide growth rates as well as a high ranking for wastewater treatment, sanitation and marine protected areas. One of Denmark’s islands, Samso, is also one of the few places in the world that relies entirely on renewable energy like wind, solar and biomass energy.

#2 – Luxembourg

Luxembourg has an EPI score of 82.3. One of the goals the country has set is to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by a million tons in comparison to 2021. They are also aiming to reduce the sales of petrol.

#3 – Switzerland

Consistently ranking in the top five environmentally-friendly countries, one of Switzerland’s green claims to fame is that it doesn’t have landfill. Instead, all rubbish is incinerated with a minimal amount of air pollution. The country also has an industrial-scale carbon-capture plant that removes over 900 tons of carbon dioxide from the air annually.

#4 – United Kingdom

The UK is high on the list of environmentally-friendly countries due to its second lowest carbon dioxide growth rates. On the EPI index, they were also number one in terms of marine protected areas and clean drinking water. In 2020, the UK also banned single-use plastic stirrers, plastic straws and cotton buds from the country.

#5 – France

It is not surprising that the country where the Paris Climate Agreement was drafted is one of the most eco-friendly nations in the world. The country also has a law that any new buildings built in commercial zones must have their roofs partially covered with solar panels or plants.

#6 – Austria

Austria is one of the top countries in terms of producing organic food. In fact, over 20 per cent of Austria’s farmlands follow the environmental standards of organic farming. The country also hopes to reach climate neutrality (which refers to the emission and mitigation of all greenhouse gases, not just carbon) by 2040.

#7 – Finland

Finland’s air is one of the cleanest in the world according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). In addition to this, Finland has been reaching the point where its renewable energy is surpassing their use of fossil fuels. This mirrors a commitment by businesses to reach 50 per cent renewable energy consumption by 2030.

#8 – Sweden

In terms of sustainability, Sweden consistently ranks in the top ten, with a large number of the population purchasing eco-friendly food and consumer products. The nation also hopes to become the first fossil-free country in the world by 2050.

#9 -Norway

The number of plug-in electric vehicles in Norway is the largest per capita in the world. In March 2022, 23 per cent of passenger cars on the road were plug-in. In recent years, the country’s electricity production has also become 97 per cent renewable. It hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by the end of the year.

#10 – Germany

Germany has set a goal to close their last remaining power plant this year, and instead, power their country completely through renewables, conservation and gas. Many Germans are also embracing a vegan diet, hoping to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Embrace sustainable environmental practices and self-sustainable living with our self-sufficiency and sustainability course.

Picture Your New Career with Short Photography Courses!

Learn how to harness the power of digital images and create flawless photographs — whether it’s for personal use or to start your own business — with our Introduction to Digital Photography

In short photography courses like ours, you will learn about photographic composition, computer specifications, and the factors impacting digital imaging. You will also learn about digital editing, scanners, digital photography software, and the types and file formats of digital files.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking short photography courses include:

  • Learning about the scope and nature of digital photography
  • Exploring the digital revolution and the characteristics of digital
  • Gaining an understanding of the differences between analogue and digital
  • Studying pixels, bits and colour depth, colour and black and white and pixels and resolution
  • Examining the two colour systems, the applications for digital photography, graphics and photo application software
  • Understanding computer-aided design (CAD), multimedia and video games
  • Attaining knowledge of social media, video and digital terminology
  • Gaining insights into equipment, CCD’s and CMOS – the sensors, linear CCD’s and computer performance
  • Learning about architecture, clock speed and memory
  • Exploring the basic components of a computer, including the keyboard and power supply
  • Gaining an understanding of data storage, the motherboards, cards and the USB
  • Studying types of computers and features of a digital camera
  • Examining digital technology, colour, sensors, camera memory and using a prism with three CCDs
  • necessary
  • Learning about image formation and lenses
  • Exploring how to select a digital camera
  • Gaining an understanding of instant cameras, camera phones and tablets, compact cameras, bridge cameras, DSLRs and video conferencing
  • Studying purchasing your camera
  • Examining camera stability and depth of focus
  • Understanding taking photos, including composition, rule of thirds and time and natural lighting
  • Attaining knowledge of the principles of photographic composition, including unity, balance and proportion
  • Gaining insights into harmony, contrast and rhythm
  • Learning about the qualities of the components and how to create effects
  • Exploring scanning and the types of scanners, including hand, drum, film and printer scanners
  • Gaining insights into transformation, retouching, sharpening images and cropping
  • Learning how to use Adobe Photoshop
  • Exploring file formats and saving images using different file types
  • Gaining an understanding of image sizes and downloading and accessing digital photographs in Photoshop
  • Studying compositing and filters, including image processing, basic filters, Bas relief, Chalk and Charcoal
  • Examining Chrome, Conté crayon, Graphic pen, Note paper, Photocopy and Plaster
  • Understanding reticulation, Torn edges, Water paper, filters used in Adobe Photoshop and Coloured pencil
  • Attaining knowledge of Cut-out, Dry brush, Film grain and Fresco
  • Gaining insights into Paint daubs, Palette knife and Plastic wrap
  • Learning about Poster edges and Rough pastels
  • Exploring special effects and advanced filters
  • Attaining knowledge of Drop shadow, Blend mode, Opacity and Angle
  • Gaining insights into Distance, Spread, Size, Bevel and Emboss
  • Learning about outputs and applications
  • Exploring the purpose of digital files and storing digital images
  • Gaining an understanding of digital presentations, digital photography as art, digital photography for newsletters and invitations, portraiture/wedding photography, and commercial, fashion or advertising photography
  • Studying printers, including dot matrix, inkjet and laser jet printers and dye sublimation printers
  • Examining digital photo labs

And more!

Australian photography competitions

Photography events and competitions are a fantastic launching pad for amateur photographers, including those that have done short photography courses. Here are some recommended by the Centre for Creative Photography for those starting out (you can find out more here).

Australian Photographer of the Year 2022

Deadline: 13/11/22

Focuses on amateur photographers and includes six portfolio categories — Landscape, Animal & Nature, People, Aerial, Travel, and Black & White, and three single-image categories — Single Shot, Creative and Junior (for those under 18 years of age).

The best entries will be showcased in a special edition of Australian Photography magazine in 2023. With more than $22,000 in prizes up for grabs, there are plenty of reasons to get involved!

Annual Photography Awards 2022

Deadline: 11/12/22

Celebrates photographers of all levels, including amateur photographers who have done short photography courses. The awards offer trophies, acclaimed awards and generous cash prizes for participating winners.

Australian Photography Magazine

Deadline: Monthly at the end of the month, except for December, which is the 15/12/22.

A monthly competition … that’s FREE to enter! A different theme is announced in the first week of each month. Monthly prizes vary and include a 12-month subscription to Australian Photography or Capture magazine.

High School Student Photography Awards 2023

Deadline: 31/12/22 

Open to high school students Australia-wide, this is an open-themed competition where creativity and originality are encouraged!

Ramsay Art Prize

Deadline: 16/12/22

Held every two years, the Ramsay Art Prize invites submissions of new or recent work by Australian artists under forty working in any medium, including photography.

Updates to Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop started the digital image manipulation revolution more than 30 years ago, and it remains as one of the best photo editing software packages available. Short photography courses like ours will introduce you to many of its fantastic features, from layered image editing to a multitude of effects.

Adobe also continually updates its software, including adding new tools powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Some recent innovations include:

  • Sky Replacement. Save time and let Photoshop do all the blending and masking for you! You can also add more drama to your photos by using slider adjustments that will blend foreground and background colours.
  • Landscape Mixer Filter. This allows you to mix multiple landscape filters to make a new one! It works almost automatically and has lots of photo presets, so you can use them to make virtually any customisation.
  • Neural Filters. These “non-destructive” filters allow you to make complex designs and edits in seconds, including recolouring and retouching scenes and removing objects. You can also zoom into parts of an image to change a person’s age, pose or expression.
  • Super Resolution. This feature uses advanced machine learning to boost the resolution of an image while keeping essential details and clean edges.
  • Enhanced Object Selection tool. This tool has been advanced to (among other things) make better hair selections in human portrait images. It recognises portraits and applies hair refinement to get a mask on par with what’s delivered by the Select Subject tool.
  • Depth Blur Neural Filter. This allows you to create natural depth to portrait photos by adding haze, film grain and tweaking a background’s lighting, saturation and tonality.

History of digital photography

The history of digital photography as we know it today began in the 1950s with the first digital signals being saved to magnetic tape. In 1957, engineer Russell Kirsch produced the first digital image through a computer. It was an image of his son, Walden.

The first semiconductor image sensor was the CCD, invented by physicists George E. Smith and Willard S. Boyle. The CCD is a semiconductor circuit later used in the first digital video cameras for television broadcasting.

The first published colour digital photograph was produced in 1972 by Michael Francis Tompsett using CCD sensor technology. It was a picture of his wife and featured on the cover of Electronics Magazine.

The first self-contained (portable) digital camera was created in 1975 by Steven Sasson of Eastman Kodak. The camera weighed over three kilograms, recorded black and white images to a cassette tape, and it took 23 seconds to capture an image! And while the first consumer digital camera was not produced until 1981, the groundwork for digital photography had been laid.

The first digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera was the Nikon SVC prototype, followed by the Nikon QV-1000C, which was released in 1988. The first widely commercially available digital camera was the 1990 Dycam Model 1. It used a CCD image sensor, stored pictures digitally, and connected directly to a computer for downloading images. Originally offered to professional photographers (for a hefty price!), due to technology advancements, by the mid-to-late 1990s, digital cameras were available to the general public.

Cultural changes also eventuated — dark rooms were no longer required for image post-production. As you’ll learn in short photography courses like ours, images could be enhanced with a home computer. This allowed photographers to be more creative with their processing and editing techniques.

The camera phone also helped popularise digital photography, along with social media, the internet and the JPG image format. Sharp and Samsung produced the first phones with built-in digital cameras in the early 2000s. They have revolutionised the capturing of images — with the touch of a few mobile buttons!

Learn how to use image editing software to gain quality control and apply special effects to your photos with short photography courses like our Introduction to Digital Photography

Find your new direction today!

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