Five reasons to study a certificate or diploma at RMIT

Considering upskilling or reskilling? Here are five reasons why a TAFE course in Melbourne could be perfect for you.

The largest dual sector university in Australia, RMIT offers Technical and Further Education (TAFE) courses that can lead to your dream career or degree.

Whether you're aiming to launch your career, reskill for the future of work or just wondering ‘what is a diploma?’, TAFE study options give you the foundational knowledge and confidence to land many different work and career opportunities. TAFE courses, also called ‘vocational courses’, are a study option for those that are looking to upskill for their next career opportunity, gain a professional skillset sooner or progress on to further study.

To help you decide what’s right for you, here are a few reasons why a TAFE course may be a perfect fit.

“RMIT has a strong and proud history of learning through doing,” – Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Vocational Education Mish Eastman

#1: You'll learn by gaining hands-on experience

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You might be asking: what is a diploma and how is it different from other degrees and courses?

TAFE courses come under the broader term ‘vocational study’, which includes certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, apprenticeships and traineeships. You might have also heard it referred to as vocational education (VE) or vocational education and training (VET). 

Certificates I – IV – These technical courses allow you to pick up job-specific skills in just 6 - 12 months. They’re a great place to start gaining practical knowledge in your field.
Diplomas and advanced diplomas – Diplomas give you the specialised knowledge that’s needed to work in skilled or paraprofessional areas. These programs normally take one to two years of full-time study.
Apprenticeships and traineeships - Apprenticeships and traineeships combine training and employment, normally over three to four years. They’re a study option that allows you to learn on the job and earn money while studying.
Associate degrees - An associate degree is a two-year, stand-alone course that focuses on giving you a strong understanding of a field and prepares you to enter the workforce. The classes for an associate degree typically involves more one-on-one time with teachers to make sure you get the mot out of your studies.

Studying a TAFE course in Melbourne gives you the practical knowledge you need to find employment, start a business or change careers. At RMIT, you won’t just be learning in the classroom: you’ll be learning by building résumé-worthy experience in workshops, projects, internships and more. 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Vocational Education Mish Eastman said that while industries might be shifting and changing, RMIT focuses on graduate outcomes that help students build knowledge for what’s next. 

“Vocational education at RMIT University is hands-on and proud of it. Our qualifications and training meet tomorrow’s demand today, with key skills for the real world,” she said.

#2: You can get job-ready in as little as six months (or three if you’re learning a trade)

Looking to land a job as soon as possible? Or maybe you’re concerned about balancing your work, life and study? At RMIT, upskilling doesn’t have to take years. Some Melbourne TAFE courses can be completed in just six months of full-time study, and if you’re looking to learn a trade, you could even do a Certificate II in just three months.

Making the leap into a new field might feel like a risk at first, but Eastman said it starts with knowing what you bring to the table, and aligning your interests with the in-demand skills that your future employers are seeking.

“Ask people what you’re good at, what you should keep doing and maybe what you should stop doing – this can really help you work out what might be right for you next,” she said. 

“And don’t be afraid to give things a go when opportunities arise. The future of work is full of possibilities, and education and training are just the first steps to finding your place in it.” 

With part-time study and a selection of free course available, it’s easier than ever to find the option that aligns perfectly to your interests and circumstances. 

“Nowadays with lifelong learning you’re not stuck in the one career path.” – Mechanical engineering student Brayden Henderson

#3: Your ideal course might be a Free TAFE option

Free TAFE courses give more Victorians the chance to get the skills they need to land a job that’s in demand. These options are also priority areas across a number of industries, meaning they give you the skills that employers are looking for.

Put simply, Free TAFE means students pay no tuition fees at all if their course is eligible.

After Craig Bruty’s business was impacted in 2020 and he became a full-time dad, he decided to obtain the Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping as part of the Free TAFE initiative.

“Free TAFE provided me with a quick and smooth transition back into further education," he said. 

“I am now empowered with the knowledge to establish, operate and maintain an accounting system for any small business.”

#4: You could use your certificate or diploma to transfer into a degree

RMIT’s pathways and Guaranteed Pathways mean your TAFE course can unlock opportunities in further study. Both options recognise completed and partly completed vocational studies, and could save you time and money by allowing you to skip parts of the degree you already covered in your certificate or diploma.  

Upon learning that RMIT was ranked high globally for mechanical engineering¹, Brayden Henderson chose to study the Advanced Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical). His TAFE course opened a pathway into the Associate Degree in Engineering Technology.

“RMIT was the only uni I knew of that had that pathway up from vocational education to higher education,” he said. 

After completing the associate degree, Brayden found another pathway to the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours), which he's now completed.

“Nowadays with lifelong learning you’re not stuck in the one career path. You can always go back to uni and do a different degree or a different diploma.” 

#5: You’ll learn from practitioners with years of experience in the industry

In your certificate or diploma, you’ll learn in workshops and real-world scenarios alongside your future employers.  

"By embedding students in the Epworth Healthcare environment, we give an in-depth introduction to the workplace," said Director of Clinical Services at the Epworth Richmond, Kate Steen.  

Classes are also be led by industry practitioners with years of specialised expertise. You’ll know you made the right choice when you are learning from someone who’s had first-hand experience in the field you’re interested in.

“[Vocational study] as a whole plays a critical role in providing foundational training, and as a dual-sector university, RMIT has the infrastructure, resources and industry relationships to provide the skilled training being demanded by employers,” Eastman said. 

Story: Pallavi Daniel and Jacob Johnston

¹NTU Ranking (Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities) 2022 

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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Five reasons to study a certificate or diploma at RMIT