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Elbe Somes - Philippines
Diploma of Information Technology (Networking)
Blacktown College
Elbe Somes, an international student from the Philippines recently completed the Diploma of Information Technology (Networking) at TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, Blacktown College. He got to know about TAFE NSW through an education exhibition in the Philippines organised by IDP Education Australia - Philippines (Manila).
TAFE NSW is the largest education and training provider in Australia and offers over 1,200 practical, work-oriented training courses in over 130 campus locations in Sydney and New South Wales. TAFE NSW Institutes are government owned and operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training (DET).
Western Sydney Institute (WSI) is one of the 10 TAFE NSW Institutes and it has seven campus locations in Sydney and international students from more than 30 countries study here. The Information Technology (IT) Section at TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, Blacktown College is a Cisco Academy and offers the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) preparatory course.
When asked about his study experience at TAFE NSW, Elbe Somes said “studying at TAFE was one of the best learning experiences I have had. During my first day at Blacktown College, I was really grateful because my teachers and classmates were all welcoming. During the first week of my studies at TAFE, I was really anxious about the assignments and projects that the teachers would give us during my course.“
“I was doing Diploma of Information Technology (Networking) which I thought before I came to study at TAFE NSW was very hard. But, because my teachers were really helpful and approachable, I found it really easy to ask questions that I didn’t understand and that helped me to learn a lot about my course. Through TAFE, I have been able to access and learn about technologies like CISCO and Microsoft.”
“I feel very lucky to have studied at TAFE NSW because it’s just not that I’ve learned a lot from my course, but I also have developed my personality and interpersonal skills. It met all my expectations.”
Elbe was a nominee for the international student award for 2008. According to Catherine Miller and Brian Clarke – IT Head Teachers at Blacktown College, Elbe was an excellent international student. He achieved great results in his examinations with the majority being distinctions.
Recently Elbe’s TAFE teachers at Blacktown College forwarded a job opportunity from an industry contact and Elbe has been successfully offered a job. Elbe now works as an IT Help Desk Analyst for a Sydney based company. "This shows how employable our graduate students are and also demonstrates the industry links between our teachers and employers", said Catherine Miller, Head Teacher – Information Technology, Blacktown College. Graduates with Australian TAFE qualifications have job-ready skills, experience and knowledge and are highly regarded by employers.
Find out more information about TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute and TAFE NSW courses.
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