r/TAFE

So I (16f) have been "homeschooled" since I was 7 or 8 years old. I've been taught absolutely nothing. I can read and comprehend stuff, but my spelling is a bit iffy. My maths, scince and basic history, is non existent. But mainly my math. I can do very basic addition, and extremely basic subtraction, and that's it.

I started working recently (my parents weren't happy) and I ended up in tears trying to caulate very simple change. I legit wish I was kidding. I've known I was bad at maths for a while, but this was when i really realised it.

Somebody suggested to look at TAFE to see if they can help out. Next week I'm planning on going down to my local one and seeing what they offer.

But I just wanted to check here, to see if there actually is something along the lines of what I'm looking for, before I go there, so I don't look like an idiot lol. I want to learn everything I missed out on. Obviously I won't learn everything but I want just the basics.

Plus, I REALLY want to do forensic science and criminology at uni, but there's no way I'll even be accepted into the uni itself with where I'm at now.

It just really sucks because it's such a "rare" situation. I didn't leave school, I wasn't tutored, my parents didn't try to teach me. I was just left to myself. I havent been taught AT ALL.

And being 8 years old, and an idiot, I didn't bother to try and learn. But now that im older, and actually know what I want to do in life, and have realised how dumb I am, it's really difficult to figure out how to fix it.

Thank you in advance!!

What’s the oldest someone’s been in your class, and did it even matter once the course got going?

Edit: I've made a teams group for anyone looking to find people to do roleplay assignments with, please send me a message for the link

I've nearly finished my certificate III in community services and there have been lots of roleplays but each one has only required one person. I'm doing some units now which have a requirement for roleplays but one requires two participants and another one requires 5 people. For both of these people have to be on zoom with me and I have to record. For the one with 5 people we have to choose a time when the teacher can join the zoom and she only works two days a week. During my last tutorial I spoke to the teacher and said I can't find two people to help with my roleplay and I'm concerned about what to do as it's due next week. She suggested I use my parents but they aren't an option as I'm not in contact with them. In the past girlfriend has done the roleplays with me but she recently had a family member pass away and can't help at the moment. I have a friend who has helped in the past as well but she is in hospital. I have grandparents but they are also in hospital at the moment. My teacher just said that this is a challenge of online study and I should contact some people in my class to see if they would help but she couldn't give out contact details so I have no idea how id actually contact them. I have no idea how I'm going to get these assignments done. Is there anywhere I can go for help?

One thing I’ve noticed during my electrical apprenticeship in Australia is how disconnected TAFE and workplaces actually are.

At TAFE, teachers push apprentices to get experience and exposure in specific areas so we can complete units properly and build competency. But a lot of workplaces simply don’t provide that exposure at all.

The problem is TAFE has basically no authority over the workplace.

Teachers can tell students they need more experience in certain types of work, but they can’t actually force employers to train apprentices properly or rotate them into those areas. In many cases, the apprentice ends up getting blamed by TAFE for lacking experience, while the workplace still expects them to just keep working normally.

It lowers the effectiveness of the teaching completely.

A lot of the material taught at TAFE doesn’t get reinforced at work because apprentices either never get to use it, or the workplace methods and expectations don’t align with what’s being taught. Sometimes the knowledge from TAFE and the workplace almost feel disconnected from each other entirely.

The apprentice gets stuck in the middle getting pressure from both sides.

TAFE says you need certain experience and competencies. The workplace says “just do your job.” But there’s almost no direct communication between TAFE and employers because everyone knows it usually won’t end well.

There’s also another layer to this where some workplaces, often out of misinformation or pressure for labour, try pushing apprentices to finish early so they can work more full-time instead of attending training properly. Some apprentices even get contacted during TAFE hours about jobs previously worked on, work questions, or site issues while they’re supposed to be in class learning.

People love saying “the apprentice is an adult and should sort it out themselves,” but that ignores the actual power dynamic. Apprentices are both students and employees at the same time. Realistically, most apprentices are not in a position where they can safely challenge employers, ask for different training opportunities, or refuse expectations without worrying about consequences at work.

It feels like the whole system relies on apprentices somehow managing the conflict between education requirements and workplace reality by themselves.

EDIT: This post was edited and cleaned up with ChatGPT for readability, but all opinions and experiences written here are based on my own experiences as an apprentice.

Hi all, I am wondering what BSKSD stands for at TAFE Queensland? Also, I have a disability, and I'm wondering if it will be taken into consideration as it affects me by learning. I am sick of working in retail and have decided to do a course.

I currently volunteer with a business which is focused on goats and alpacas. I understand this course is mainly focused on cats/ dogs so i’m wondering if this would even be eligible for work experience? Theres also dingoes but not working with them atm

It just a curious question that I have in my head and would want to know

Finished at TAFE thinking I’d be ready to step into something, but every so called entry level ad still wants experience. Feels like you can’t even get a foot in the door without already having done the job. How are people actually landing that first role? Are you ringing around or just firing off applications and hoping something sticks?

Does anyone have any advice for the LLN test? I’m not sure how complex the questions will be for the math section and what specifically to study

Heyo, got a pretty sick job offer lined up that can fit around my tafe days, however it won’t be open for long, and I don’t know for sure if I’ve made it into this course or not. I prioritise my education over work but this is a really good upskill, any chance we will know if we got accepted earlier???

Hey guys i started this course last month.... my oh my is it confusing. im up to the CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships role play assesment and i have never been so confused in my life!! if anyone has completed this please give some tips on how to do the role play, like how long does it go for ect.

thank you so much!!

I want to graduate to do tafe after year 12 and was thinking on transfering a diploma or certificate to get into university. But I don't know which cert or diploma I should do to get into a bachelor.

I dont have a specific type of diploma but I can say what I like and want:

1. I want a stable job in the future

2. Salary around 90k -120k or more

3. Want to travel anywhere

4. Be able to rent or afford a apartment or house

5. Like to meet new people

6. I can work under stress

7. Do other side projects or side hustle in my own time (Like creating games, art, joining combat sport competition)

That all I want to do, which diploma or cert can I get into uni?

Hi Everyone, I will be starting this course around October at Macquarie Fields Campus and was wondering If anyone will also be taking this course around that time. It will also be my first time studying at TAFE. so I’m both excited and a little nervous. Looking forward to meeting new people and hearing any advice or tips you may have. Thanks everyone

Hey guys I’m looking to enrol in semester 2 for the diploma of Nursing.

The only issue I have is that I have a holiday that is already booked and paid for that is happening from 4th Oct to 21st Oct.

Will I still be able to do this course.

Just looking for some help.

Thanks

Hi, I’m a speech pathologist and am studying my TAE40122. I have almost 2 years experience, but want to move out of clinical work into teaching. I know NSW tafe requires at least 3 years experience.

1. How likely is it I could get a job with the minimum 3 years experience?
2. What’s the starting pay for someone with a masters in speech pathology and TAE40122?
3. Is it attractive to a tafe if you can teach across subjects? I was thinking of doing allied health assistance and individual support (disability) as I have extensive experience working with NDIS clients and support workers.
4. How do you progress your salary? I’ve read you need to do a masters or similar in education - is that a short course and does it require placements? Any insight into pay progression would be helpful!!

Thanks for any advice.

I enrolled in a course last year and I had some personal issues that made it impossible for me to finish two of my assignments for two separate classes in that one course at the end of the year which made me fail the whole things.

Is there any way they might allow me to redo those two classes at all? Or do I have to re-enroll in the whole course? I will be calling them to check but I thought I’d ask here just in case anyone else can give me some insight.

Thanks!

hi, tomorrow i’m going to be starting an tafe course in beauty professionalism and i’m not really sure what their policy around makeup is. i know that i will potentially be taking part in pracs but not when, and i often wear false lashes. i’m not sure if i should wear my false lashes or not for tomorrow.

I'm 16, but wasn't educated. I've been "homeschooled" but not properly. I made a post the other day, asking for the best recommendations for courses that will help me fix my education. (Thank you so much to everyone for their help and kind words, I really appreciate it!!)

Im planing on going down to my local tafe next week and enrolling/asking for the best courses, that will help me. (everone here recommended SEE or some kind of adult education program)

I'm just curious on what the "most common" age range is? I hardly know anyone my own age, so I'm hoping maybe I might meet some people there!!

Also how accepting is everyone there? Like of queer/alt people. I live in Logan, so I'll either be going to the one here or at Mt Gravatt. But I often get alot of dirty looks when i go out, so I'm just curious if it would be the same on campus.

Thank you in advance!!

I live semi rurual and have contacted over 20+ company’s for my placement. The teachers are being next to no help and told me to look for a job and pretty much wing it and see if I can get a placement.
I have told them I am unable to do that as I already have a job and this tafe is my backup plan. Has anyone been through this and been able to skip placement and been given extra assignments or simulated work environment assignments ?