Latest Articles
How to Get Your Study Motivation Ignited
Sometimes getting study motivation is like playing hide-and-seek when it comes to online learning, only… it’s really good at hiding, right?We get it. We see it and hear about it all the time from our students who are struggling to get started, or keep going, on their online studies for the Cert IV TAE or the Diploma of Training and Assessment.
How to Identify Target Learner Characteristics
When developing an e-learning resource for a client, it’s essential that you understand the participants who are likely to engage with the material on the other end (i.e. the target learner) so you can create a learning solution that meets their needs.In this article we discuss how to paint a picture of the target learner, so you can create a resource with the right impact.
How to Develop Effective E-learning Resources and Tools
E-learning resources can come in all shapes and sizes but regardless of how they look, feel and work, one thing remains the same: the resource is only as good as the research that’s gone into it. Ultimately, an e-learning resource needs to meet the needs of the clients creating it and the learners engaging with it; otherwise, it will fall flat and prevent both from reaching their goals.
How E-learning Has Impacted Education
Since its inception over two decades ago, e-learning has continuously grown and made its way into all corners of the education sector, including schools, universities, registered training organisations (RTOs), and technical and further education (TAFEs).In this article, we cover how e-learning has impacted the education sector, and how you can make sure any e-learning resource you create effectively engages students.
How E-learning Can Unlock Your Employee Development
In this new age of digitisation and remote working, many companies are choosing to upskill and train their employees through e-learning, instead of via in-person meetings, to meet them where they are. This less traditional training method allows employees to learn anywhere at any time, on whatever devices they like, giving them more control over their professional development. It also brings about many benefits for the business itself.
How Long Does It Take to Complete the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment?
Before we get into why it is difficult to provide a specific timeframe for completing the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, we want to provide some context as to why this question is a popular one. The predecessors of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment were known to have been delivered within a very short almost unrealistic time frame, some in a few days, some in just a couple of weeks. But with the introduction of TAE16 (replacing TAE10) the industry’s feedback to the regulator was that longer, more in-depth training was required as trainers were not completing the course with the depth and breadth of skills and knowledge required to do the job.
How Does Fortress Learning Respond to the Challenges of Online Learning?
One thing our staff like to do is to listen. It’s a skill we look for when recruiting our people. We like to listen because that tells us if our students are succeeding, and we want to know that for the simple reason that if they don’t succeed, then neither do we.Since we started delivering the TAA Cert IV online in 2009, we have listened to thousands of students.
Honestly, the Trainers Were Amazing
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.
How and When to Upgrade Your Certificate IV TAE
The following information will outline the difference between adding the two core units to your existing TAE40110 Certificate IV or going the whole hog and upgrading to the new TAE40116 Certificate IV Training and Assessment.
Highly Motivated and Extremely Organised: is Online Learning Right for You?
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.
Give Me a Little Feedback
Feedback is one of the greatest quality tools ever invented. Think about it a moment; who knows better whether you are meeting the customer’s quality expectations than the customer themselves. So, their feedback is essentially a quality control report, telling you how well you are meeting the only quality specification that matters… that of the customer.
Frequently Asked Questions About the New TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
With the endorsement of the new TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment by the Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) on 8 November 2022 and endorsed by Skills Ministers on 18 November 2022, there are lots of questions being asked, chief among these are;What happens now?Do I need to do anything about this?
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fortress Learning Dip VET/TDD Program
Everything you needed to know about the Diploma VET/TDD Program and more.
Getting Your Network on
“Networking” is one of the business buzzwords of today. This word originated with the idea of connecting computers together in a “local area network” so that they could communicate with one another. Today, the whole world is networked together through the Internet.
Genuine
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.
Fun Games to Boost Learner Engagement
Learner engagement: sounds easy enough, but in reality, sometimes engaging a class can prove to be an uphill battle.Whether you have just started your lesson, just resumed class after a break, or if things are starting to get out of control, you need to have some strategies in place to get things back on track.
Four Techniques to Help You Learn
Believe it or not, hearing is not learning. Neither is reading. In order to learn, you need to create connections in your brain between the old stuff you know and the new stuff you’re learning.
Frustrating, But Necessary
Every now and then, a TAE Diploma 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.
Fixing the Cert IV TAE Can Be Done With Instruments Less Blunt Than TAEASS502
I write to disagree with what Bryan West (previous owner and founder of Fortress Learning) wrote about the merits of ASS502 (In defence of TAEASS502-the single unit that might help the VET industry regain its confidence), but not with what he felt. I rely on historical data and my own (current) views on what was not fixed with Certificate IV TAE.
Feel the Power With the Small Stuff!
Silence… Pause… Predictability… While these three things may sound like the character traits of your 90-year-old Grandfather, they can prove to be very powerful when used in the classroom. The three episodes below are from Fortress Learning’s series on teaching micro-skills called The Small Stuff.
Financial Caps in VET Compared With HECS for University
After the travesty that was the VET Fee-Help scheme and the ‘shonky providers’ publicity that went along with that (whereby all RTOs – good and bad – were lumped into one ‘shonky’ basket) – the government introduced the ill-conceived and almost unworkable VET Student Loan scheme (VSL).
Expectations Associated With Assessment
There’s probably no surprise that someone would bring up Assessment as a challenge in VET sooner or later. Audit results show it as a number one issue, anecdotal evidence shows it as a number one issue, and the number of forums, webinars and other PD offerings available and dedicated to explaining assessment-related concepts show it as a number one issue.
Eleven Tricks for Effective Powerpoint Presentations
It seems like everyone is using PowerPoint and other presentation software these days. Where schoolchildren used to write reports on things, now they create a presentation instead. Salesmen use presentations to show off their products’ benefits, and of course, trainers use them to train their learners. Even with so many people using PowerPoint presentations, it’s amazing how few people can put a really good presentation together. Here are 11 points on how to make your presentations stand out.
Encourage Learner Participation
Any trainer who’s been in the business for a while can tell which learners are going to do well on their assessment and which ones are going to struggle. The winners all follow a similar pattern, while the losers follow a much different pattern. A lot of the difference between the two is how much they participate in the learning process.
Entitlement And The Erosion of Standards
Erosion of quality training and assessment practices at the front line occurs due to various reasons. Certain trends are developing. These have been observed over a period of time and have also been discussed with a number of colleagues operating in enterprise RTOs.
What are you looking for?
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
Fortress learning was fantastic in all areas. From the customer support team to the trainers. The support team was always professional at all times and the communication was fantastic. The trainers were knowledgeable, empathetic and supportive during the whole course. I would highly recommend fortress learning. A special mention to Deb who is definitely an asset to the team and any future students.
Clint Parkes
I have recently completed the TAESS00021 Facilitation Skillset, and the training material and content was not only top quality but also interesting. The admin staff and trainers were extremely punctual and helpful. Big thankyou to trainer Deb. I highly recommend training with Fortress Learning.
Sienna hardie
I am so glad that I chose Fortress Learning for my course. The team was available and helpful along my entire journey. It was not easy, but my advisor exceled in encouraging me and enabling me to keep going! I highly recommend Fortress Learning to anyone! They are amazing at what they do.
Tim Hildebrand
Fortress Learning is an outstanding RTO that delivers exceptional training and support. I recently completed my TAE upgrade, and the process was seamless, efficient, and well-structured. A huge thank you to Mel, Jan, and my incredible assessor, Deb, for their guidance and professionalism. Their expertise and dedication truly make them champions of TAE!
Daniela Accary
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