Latest Articles
Re-centralising The Learner in VET
Dicusses the disarray the VET industry was in and why it's important to refocus on the learner being at the centre, and how.
Qualification Packaging Rules – the 3 Important Things You Need to Know
Qualification Packaging Rules – it’s a term we hear quite often in our world of Vocational Education and Training but one that we sometimes don’t understand.We have put together a video and blog to assist you in understanding Qualification packaging rules, how they work and why they are important to understanding how Qualifications work.
Professional
Every now and then, a graduating student writes a review that we believe really captures what we try to do. Instead of them ending up hidden among the others, we will share them with you, and try to explain why we think they are so appropriate.
Pieces of Paper Say More About Attitude Than Skills
Bernard Salt was giving advice in his Weekend Australian column. He reckons that being over 50, he is entitled to do so (with the European cruise to come later, in his 60s). Anyway, his advice was to kids, and it was simply two things that he believes are required to ensure career and/or business success.
Personality Type and Sales
Bringing the "service" back into the sales and customer services to better serve our customers using their personality type.
Overcoming Learner Discomfort
What is learner discomfort?“When a learner becomes conscious of their own performance – or lack of – that then can lead to them becoming anxious, which is an uncomfortable place to be.So by “learner discomfort”, I guess I am talking about feelings of anxiety, worry or concern. A lack of confidence in the learner’s ability to participate in any meaningful way; to progress in any meaningful way.”
Never Felt Pressured With My Cert IV TAE
Every now and then, a Certificate IV TAE student writes a review that we believe really captures what Fortress Learning tries to do. Instead of them ending up hidden among the others, we will share them with you, and try to explain why we think they are so appropriate.
No Cause for Worry
Every now and then, a graduating student writes a Review that we believe really captures what Fortress Learning tries to do. Instead of them ending up hidden among the others, we will share them with you, and try to explain why we think they are so appropriate.
Online Learning: 6 Tips for Good Mental Health
Online learning can sometimes be quite a lonely and tough way to learn, particularly if the content is challenging either because it’s complex and totally foreign to you, or because it’s boring as bat… stuff. This leads to the most common problem and what we’re really talking about here, which is how to keep motivated for online learning.
No Regrets About Online Study
Every now and then, a graduating student writes a Review that we believe really captures what we try to do. Instead of them ending up hidden among the others, we will share them with you, and try to explain why we think they are so appropriate.
Mixing Up Your Methods – Individual Work in Seminars and Workshops
Although the structure and delivery methods of most training and development seminars and workshops have improved dramatically over the last several decades, a valid criticism can be made regarding the proportion of group activity to individual work.In the early 1950s, American psychologist Kurt Lewin and others began to experiment with group functioning. Their work led to the T-Group (training group) movement that became immensely influential and popular into the 1960s and beyond.
Marking Assessments – Do We Need to Change Our Mind-set?
Over the years, many of my colleagues have had a whine about marking. They enjoy the training but they see marking as an unpleasant chore. I’m wondering if this is because it’s just seen as “compliance paperwork”, whereas I view marking as one of the best opportunities we can have to deliver training.
Job Opportunities for Trainers and Assessors
So, you want to become a trainer. Before you embark on a new career as a trainer, it’s important to understand how job opportunities in the industry work. This article is designed to help you get a sense of what being a trainer is about and how to go about becoming one if that’s what you desire to do.
Let’s Take a Leap of Faith, Together
Every now and then, a graduating student writes a review that we believe really captures what we try to do. Instead of them ending up hidden among the others, we will share them with you, and try to explain why we think they are so appropriate.
Keeping Up by Letting Go
Recommendations from recent reviews (and likely an outcome of the in-progress rapid review) are that ASQA needs to take an educative role to guide registered training organisations toward compliance expectations.
Is It Too Radical to Require a Workplace?
Does it make sense to have an employer tied to the student's training? What are the barriers to this being possible, and why is it important?
Investigating the Dip VET Unknown Unknowns: TAEPDD501
If you missed the background, we have decided to take a look at what experienced training professionals do, and compare that with what the TAE50116 Dip VET says they should be doing.
It’s Not Easy but It’s Worth It
Every now and then, a graduating student writes a review that we believe really captures what we try to do. Instead of them ending up hidden among the others, we will share them with you, and try to explain why we think they are so appropriate.
Investigating the Dip VET Unknown Unknowns: TAELLN501
For the sake of comparison, we will include in this table (and subsequent ones) the data for the earlier units for which we have collected data. For Performance Evidence, the figures represent the average percentages of benchmarks that were satisfactorily demonstrated and the range for that across all 50 sample candidates.
Is Any Qualification Worthless?
We need to be mindful we exist as part of a system in which education enables people to competently do useful work. At least that’s the idea. What’s the deal with so many worthless qualifications? Why are some providers duping students into studying them? Shouldn’t purveyors of that sort be stopped?
Investigating the Dip VET Unknown Unknowns: TAEDES501
The following table shows the summary of assessment outcomes in this unit. For the sake of comparison, we will include in this table (and subsequent ones) the data for the earlier units for which we have collected data.
In Defence of TAEASS502 – the Single Unit That Might Help the Vet Industry Regain Its Confidence.
On the surface, it would seem that the majority opinion is that TAEASS502 Design and develop assessment tools does not belong in the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment. We do not need to look far to find some very assertive – and often very aggressive – comments that lambast the decision to include it as a core in the new Certificate IV TAE.
Investigating Dip VET RPL Outcomes to Unearth The “Unknown Unknowns” in Trainer and Assessor Practice
We have decided to take a look at what experienced training professionals do, and compare that with what the TAE50116 Dip VET says they should be doing.
Introducing Your Monthly Compliance Strategy
Here at Fortress, we believe that by focusing on performance, compliance should follow.It’s easy to get so caught up in ticking boxes and complying that we forget why we are doing it in the first place.
I Now Know How to Function Effectively as a Trainer
Every now and then, a graduating student writes a Review that we believe really captures what we try to do. Instead of them ending up hidden among the others, we will share them with you, and try to explain why we think they are so appropriate.
What are you looking for?
Fortress Learning have always delivered an outstanding customer/student experience. Thanks again Fortress Learning for all of the amazing support and understanding provided throughout my learning journey with you. I wouldn't have gained the qualification if it wasn't for your awesome team so thanks again, it is a great feeling to have achieved successful course completion.
Kim - Trustpilot - 27 August 2025
The whole Fortress Learning team were fantastic from start to finish, allowing for flexibility in progressing throughout the units whilst providing excellent readable learning materials. I would highly recommend anyone considering completing an online course to reach out to the fantastic team at Fortress Learning.
Tom Power - Trustpilot - 20 September 2025
I can't thank enough the team of trainers and support at Fortress Learning. I am proud to say I have just completed my Cert IV in Training and Assessment and can walk away with the knowledge and confidence I needed for the next stage in my career! The course was well-structured and the learning materials were interesting and easy to understand and follow. I highly recommend Fortress Learning to anyone who is looking to evaluate their expertise and grow within their industry!
Lisa - Trustpilot - 4 October 2025
Amazing experience with Fortress Learning, the resources were relevant and informative. The learning platform was easy to navigate and the trainers were responsive and very helpful.
Jodie Pitman - Trustpilot - 19th September 2025
Hi. I really enjoyed the learning experience offered by fortress learning. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a supportive and well organised online learning experience. A great team.
Andrew Trosic
So far the best RTO that I have been with. Great support from the admin team, stable online blackboard platform, experienced trainers like Richard Gietman & Deb Thomas, along with efficient student processing services. Thank you Fortress, and 5 stars for the team!
Suresh Suppiah
I had an excellent experience completing the Diploma of Vocational Education and Training through Fortress Learning. The whole team was incredibly supportive throughout the process—special thanks to Karen, Bheng, Jane, Maniya, and Emma for their professionalism and encouragement at every step. I would particularly like to thank my trainer, Emma, for her outstanding guidance, clear feedback, and responsiveness, which made the RPL journey smooth and achievable. I highly recommend Fortress Learning to any VET professional seeking a structured, supportive, and well-managed qualification pathway.
Yun Qian
I have completed a few Cert IV and Diploma units with Fortress over the years and have had nothing but positive experiences (even with RPL). The team at Fortress are always helpful and supportive.
Christiana Mergan
The Fortress Team were extremely professional to deal with all throughout my course. Always helpful, understanding and a pleasure to deal with. I would happily recommend them to anyone.
Lee Guest
I really enjoy my study journey in fortress learning. The teachers and staff really helpful.
Physio Dian Nawir
Highly recommend. Reasonably priced, easy to use interface, quick marking times and responsive trainers.
Bel Callea
The TAE cert iv certainly isn’t an easy course to complete. I had to learn a whole new language and although I was expecting to be taught how to teach, it’s nothing like that - more like learning how best to support our students and to present the information to them in a way they can understand. The support provided by Fortress was really good - I chose the middle package as a safety net just in case I needed it. Initially my trainer was Brian, an awesome mentor, huge experience and very helpful. He left last year, and my new mentor was Richard - again fabulous support, almost always available relatively quickly and able to point me in the right direction. Marking turnaround was typically 1-2 days - shorter than the advertised time too which also helped. I have no hesitation in recommending Fortress Learning to anyone looking to further their VET journey. Many thanks Fortress and the team
Andy Graham
Ready to unlock your Training potential?
Book a free demo to see how our platform works and how our expert instructors can guide you to success.
Or get in touch with a course advisor today to discuss your goals and explore your options.