The Moruya-based NSW south coast council, actively supported their staff in pursuing this qualification, by providing laptops, instruction in software programs and the presence of qualified engineering staff to provide tutorial assistance.
Head of the Riverina Institute’s National Environment Centre Keith McDonald, emphasised the importance of employer support in the success of students, saying its impact on the level of student couldn’t be underestimated.
“The Civil Construction Supervision program, provides students with a great opportunity to integrate learning, with their current work in the civil construction industry,” he said.
For the past year, the NEC at Thurgoona near Albury, has experienced significant success delivering at certificate IV civil construction programs using e-learning and distance education.
The programs are designed so that students can study from home or work without attending formal TAFE classes. They cover aspects of planning, design and construction of structures such as roads, bridges and large buildings.
McDonald says e-learning has made a considerable difference to the Institute’s ability to deliver training to students who were once too remote, or time poor, to be able to undertake education in this field.
“E-learning has the potential to put accredited training at the finger tips of people who cannot access traditional face to face vocational courses,” he said.
To ensure students receive the level of support they need programs have certain requirements. One is that participants must be employed in the civil construction industry, and have the support of their employer, to allow them to undertake associated activities.
“We provide the theoretical framework while the practical experience is provided by civil construction managers and civil engineers,” McDonald said.
The Riverina Institute continues to offer certificate IV in civil construction cupervision and plans to further expand e-learning offerings in the future.
More information: 02 6043 6700, betty.chaloner@tafensw.edu.au, www.rit.tafensw.edu.au
