Australia's Science Forum

There are 7 of us doing the Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Management at Newcastle TAFE. Thoroughly enjoying it! One night a week : short lecture then into the laboratory to do prac work mainly on instruments. The rest of it is competency based - we have to supply evidence of our competency in many areas.
For me it is like 25 years has dropped away - I haven't forgotten much at all. All that confuses me is the instruments are controlled by computers,, whereas I used to have to set them up by myself completely.. not so hard to do now!
I woudl recommend this course - especially with the teacher at Newcastle TAFE - she is brilliant!
Over the past few years I have applied for jobs in industry but not got to first base. I found out that my 'skills' were outdated and the companies would have to bring me up to speed on instruments, whereas with someone more recently trained they can start work immediately.
So this will also help me bring my skills up to speed - and maybe I can get a higher paid job in industry!

Hi all,
Dubbo TAFE is apparently offering a course for 2015 (short on details at this stage) but wait for it .............. the course is going to cost $6,000!!!!!!
The government isn't going to subsidise fees any more. So the fees will be payed for like Uni.HEC fees. I really can't see this course getting the numbers which would be soooooooooo disappointing. In the smaller schools far out west it will be near impossible to gain experience. Once again distance is a killer.
The course probably could be offered through distance education but I don't know if this would even be possible.

Mother

Some of us did Cert III online through Armidale TAFE. 3 semesters, with 2 weekend workshops at Armidale University per semester. The weekends were full-on and we had to pay for accommodation, but got the Certificate at the end of it - and it didn't cost anywhere near $6000 - OMG!!

I"m enjoying the course....Only 8 people in the class....& Im the only School Labbie.

Hey Amanda, I can beat that, only 4 in my class (it was 3 but they convinced a day student to come to the night classes where she would fit in better). I, too though, am the only school labbie. We're doing a subject on quality control - I don't know, I just can't get into it for some reason

I'm just concerned with what will happen next year as I'm the only one who will have to continue on next year. Add this to the increase in fees and I think there may not be too many people queuing up to enrol!

I think the TAFE staff are worried. Who will pay that much money for courses? The only saving point is that Uni degrees are going to be SO expensive that TAFE will still be the cheaper option. BUT it is becoming education for the RICH only - making the separation between rich and poor even wider in our country.

Hi all,
I have just enrolled in course 19411 Lab Skills Cert III at Griffith TAFE. The course is done by distance and booklets are sent out to be worked through at your own pace. It does not involve weekend residentials, but I will be sending photos,video footage of my work. My head teacher is going to supervise my work and sign off that I can do it. You need to be working as a labbie to enroll. The course is run over 2 years at 6 hours per week. I plan to complete it in 1 year to save on fees. This semester is costing me $469. At least I am getting in one semester at cheaper rates. TAFE are not sure on next years fees, but I understand, for me, it will depend on how many modules I have to complete next year. I have been a labbie for 6years (casual) and want recognition for my skills.
Hope this information helps.
Cheers
ferret

For the Lab Techs out west........ sorry to tell you that Dubbo TAFE is not running a Laboratory Certificate 111 Course.
Such a shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mother

Good Afternoon All
I'm up on the northern border in the Tweed Area.
Does anyone know of a Cert lll happening anywhere near here.
I'm very new in a large school. HELP!!!!!
Toni

Hi Toni, we are always here to help you. Sorry I do not know of a course in your area, but give the local tafe a call, they may be able to help you. If you are stuck come onto chemtalk, we will always help you.

I noticed on this forum a bit earlier that someone had enrolled at Griffith by distance ed with no residentials - that might suit you Toni.

Campbelltown TAFE is running the Cert III again next year for those of us in this part of the world. There was a glitch earlier on which didn't list Campbelltown in the campuses running the course, but it is definitely going ahead, if they get the numbers. I have a personal interest in recruiting as I need to enrol next semester to complete the course.

Hi all
I have just completed 9 units (in one semester) of lab skill Cert III course 19411 at Griffith Tafe. I am waiting to see what my costs will be next year to contniue and complete my remaining 4 units. My understanding is that my fees will be based on units to complete. I have just had a look at this course online and the costs for next year, for a new enrollment are $2660. Thought this might be useful for some labbies.
Cheers
ferret

Yes, that's the amount I've been quoted for next year. I haven't enrolled yet - who has that sort of money this side of Christmas?!

Armidale TAFE are running a Cert III next year through distance ed, with 5 or 6 weekend residentials during the year. The advertised course fee is $2660 subsidised by the government, or $3300 full fee. I'm enrolling & hopefully they'll get enough participants so they don't have to cancel it.

Mel

Thank goodness when we did this course through Armidale TAFE a couple of years ago, it was not so expensive. Those course fees, if not out of reach, would at the very least make you stop and think about how badly you want to do it. I would not have done it at that price.

I have just completed Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Management at Hunter TAFE - cost $900 this year - $13000. Very challenging - unless you have done your Cert 4 don't attempt it. A lot of instrumentation in it .. which I thoroughly enjoyed - took me back years to working in Research and industry!

I think there may be HECS-type arrangements for higher level courses at TAFE. Worth checking out if you are interested in doing something beyond Cert III.

I have just finished this course at Blacktown TAFE and as its not hard or has a lot to do with our JOBS it still gives new people some good general knowledge of what to do with spills and how to make agar, first aid, how to read symbols of chemicals. I found it interesting and worth it.

Hi,
I am just wondering if anyone knows of a Laboratory Skills course coming up in 2016 for new Labbies in Western NSW.

TAFE New England were planning on running a course externally this year. You would have to be able to travel to Armidale for weekend workshops, about 6 of them all up I think. I completed the Cert III there last year. Most courses would have started at the beginning of this semester. Good luck!

Mel