Certificate Ii In Computer Applications For The Office
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday March 28, 2001
Certificate II in Computer
Applications for the Office
TAFE's Sydney Institute
Phone 1300 360 601
www.sit.nsw.edu.au
Accreditation: This course is accredited by the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB).
Where: TAFE's Sydney Institute (Randwick, Petersham and Ultimo colleges).
Duration: The course can be studied for nine weeks full-time, 18 weeks part-time (three days a week) or one year part-time (two nights a week).
Cost: The TAFE administration fee is $110 for the one-semester course or $220 for the year.
When: There are two intakes annually (February and June). The next course starts June 28.
Prerequisites: Year 10 or equivalent.
Books and equipment: Students have access to TAFE's computing facilities, but they need to purchase course textbooks about $120.
Who is it for?: This course is for people who want to work as computer operators or clerical/office assistants in an office and need basic computer training. It is also for those who want to improve their skills or retrain for a position requiring computer literacy. The course teaches a range of skills in office technology including touch-typing, word processing (Microsoft Word) plus database and spreadsheet software packages (Excel and Access). Students also gain practical experience of the Internet, e-commerce and e-banking. About 70 per cent of students are mature-age. Many applicants are women who have left the workforce to have a family and need basic computer skills for re-entry, or retrenched employees looking for a new start.
Success rate: TAFE spokeswoman Barbara Dewar says most graduates gain employment in the clerical/administrative sector in full-time or part-time jobs soon after completing the course. Some go on to complete further study with TAFE in areas such as office administration and information technology.
``In most office jobs you need to have some computer literacy," Dewar says. ``The role of the secretary has changed a lot over the years. It's become a more administrative role and, as with all jobs, there is more multiskilling and multi-tasking. Even if you are working a cash register it is usually computerised these days [and] I think that's the attraction of the course: that you can learn all these basic computer applications and skills."
What past students think
Dylan Hales, 17, property officer, Smart & Starr Real Estate, Double Bay. Graduated 2000.
``I chose this course because I felt the skills were very valued now for any career. I needed the computer skills but I was also interested in the job-seeking skills like applying for interviews, writing your resume and cover letter, that sort of thing. I had already completed a short course in real estate and I had done some work experience with a firm and realised the need for basic computer skills. The course is very intensive and I use the programs I learnt. I think whatever industries you are going into, these skills are really helpful. The teachers were very good, very supportive, and knew what they were talking about."
Lyn Proud, 44, receptionist, Boston Scientific medical manufacturers, Botany. Graduated 2000.
``One of the reasons I did the course was because I needed the computer skills. I had worked at Johnson & Johnson for about 25 years. The last 11 years I was doing bookkeeping, switchboard and working in the mail room. I didn't know about computers but I had done a course in time management through university and realised I enjoyed studying. I was made redundant and was out of the workforce for about a year and was bored. I did the course with my 19-year-old daughter and I thought she would fly through it and I would struggle, but in the end I got better marks. It was quite challenging. I really enjoyed it and got a job within a couple of weeks of finishing. I would certainly recommend it to others."
What employers think
Kevin Sullivan, company director, H Ramsay & Co land surveyors, Harris Park.
``We needed someone to organise our computers, typing and filing. All the people we interviewed had no recent skills. We first employed [Naga Kugathansan] because of his knowledge of computers and because we needed someone to answer phones, do the files, and the job sort of progressed. He was a guy of 58 who had been employed as an engineer in Sri Lanka and knew part of the surveying language, but he had had trouble finding a position here, so he retrained. He now manages the office and has been extremely helpful in organising our computers.He does all our books and works with our accountant, which is especially important now because of the GST."
© 2001 Sydney Morning Herald