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Your Best Investment in July

Become a Trainer at Work

Do you need to train people at work?  Certificate IV Training & Assessment TAE 40110 and Upgrades from the old TAA40104 are available now.

This month, MCO hosted a 5 day intensive Certificate IV Training & Assessment for a terrific group of 7 keen Managers from Fielders, Seasons Aged Care, Plantation Homes, Fulton Hogan and Broad Construction.

“A 5 day Certificate IV TAE is a BOOTCAMP:  you need to be prepared to nail down and work hard” (Rosina Aston)

The TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment specifies the competencies required to deliver training in an industry area, and to conduct competency-based assessment in a range of contexts.  It has 10 units and includes the design and development of learning programs, using training packages, planning, organizing and delivering group based learning, developing assessment and assessing competence.

“In this course, we are modeling the methodology of TAE through our teaching”, Rosina said.

“We have a cross section of people from construction to aged care, to manufacturing, who are very interactive with each other.  There is a blending of ideas from different industries which is very helpful” Rosina said.

“Bringing back the passion in training” is how participant Jamie Smith Caves from Plantation Homes relates to this training.  He is happy to be learning new skills which can be readily applied in his workplace.  Jamie is an IT Support Engineer with Plantation Homes, based at Springwood with 70 or 80 staff.  He and his assistant support 7 remote sites across South East Queensland and he liaises with a team in Melbourne.  He has a Certificate III in IT, has completed server administration courses and has also run his own business computer training10 years ago and been responsible for developing training plans for computer training companies.  Plantation Homes is looking to bring IT Training back in-house including Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Word.

“The training is wonderful, an excellent dynamic.   Our trainer Rosina Aston contextualizes it really well to different industries.  I also like the fact that much of the work is done in class rather than after hours, as I travel from Ipswich every day.  I am also exploring future training opportunities in this field” Jamie said.

We were also delighted to meet Seasons Aged Care, Quality Facilitator Collette Barry and Manager, Sheelagh Whitton.

"I enjoy listening to other people from other companies and getting their perspective” (Collette Barry)

Most people would agree that having a Cert IV Training & Assessment is a boost to the Resume in terms of career enhancement and advancement.  The ladies had mixed views on the methods and benefits of the training, including how the training will be used back in the workplace.

“I am enjoying the training.  It is very fast paced, dynamic with a strong focus on getting it done in class”, Collette said.  “I have found that much of the oral content and questions assist me to answer the Assessments.”

“The company is constantly evolving and changing and the future is not always clear.  It is certainly good for the company to have two qualified trainers who can educate others”, Collette said.

Collette and Sheelagh will be able to apply this training to inductions and opening of Villages, and working 1 on 1 with new staff or managers.  It will also be useful in clinical work with nurses and others.

“This training will also help with writing policies and procedures”, Sheelagh said.

Best Wishes to all the group on the successful completion of your Certificate IV in Training & Assessment.

Sheelagh Whitton (below) with her "Master Class" Fried Rice  training presentation.  Congratulations to Sheelagh and all the group for your wonderful achievement.

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Interested in Training & Assessment and work in Manufacturing?  Places also available in Dip Project Management and OH&S

MCO can still offer some funded places through Manufacturing Skills Qld for the Certificate IV Training & Assessment .  Please call us to book in your training as places are filling fast.

We still have available funded places in Project Management for those in the Manufacturing industry for Certificate IV and Diplomas.  Also we have places in the Diploma of Management.  So, please give us a call to book in your organisation and take advantage of these generous government incentives.

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HR - Is your Business creating a Forward Thinking Culture?

MCO can offer your business training in Certificate IV in Human Resources and Diploma in Human Resource Management.

The Weekend Australian article (9/10 July) "HR steps out into a firm's front line ..." gives an example of a company adding value to HR in an organisation and seeing HR as an integral part of the business.  HR still provides basic services like payroll, superannuation, care and maintenance to the workforce that work for the clients but it is possible to get HR to be more involved in financial revenue generation for the company.

The article looks at the associated morale boost for HR staff when they  feel  they are an essential part of the business’ approach to clients.  The organisation featured is moving HR away from being an internally focused part of the organisation, just for the people inside the organization, to a department that is part of the work provision to the clients.   HR can be thinking about the business as a whole in a commercial sense as well as an employee sense.  The bottom line for this company, was how productively and efficiently the company used the people who provide its services to clients.

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Student of the Month - Human Resources Student - Kathy Michel

Congratulations to Kathy Michel from Savills Australia who is our Student of the Month.  Kathy has kindly provided some insight into how she applies her HR studies directly to her work and is spreading the word on the value of this training.

Kathy is Process Manager/HR Administrator with Savills Australia, a leading global real estate service provider in Brisbane.  Kathy commenced her double Diploma in Management and Human Resource Management in May this year and has only 8 units to complete as she was able to obtain credit transfer for some of the units.   Kathy said this was definitely “more bang for your bucks”.

“The government incentive of $4,000 is good in that my employer pays quarterly training fees to MCO and is reimbursed at the end, so ultimately it won’t cost the company anything”, Kathy said.  She sees the immediate benefits to the organization as being her improved skills and knowledge.

“As I have been going through my subjects, each one relates back to something I have been doing in the workplace e.g. Time Management, being effective and efficient.  I have been putting a lot of this into practice:  it has benefited me greatly.   Regarding the Performance Planning subject, we are already doing this at work e.g. setting objectives and key performance indicators, and I’ve been able to use real life examples in my studies, as was the case with Performance Reviews when I was able to use information from work to answer the assignment questions.   Even though I hadn’t yet done work on Change Management, I was able to look ahead to the book for guidance.”

“I have recommended this training to quite a few others both inside and outside the workplace as it benefits the company as well as the student”, Kathy says

Best Wishes Kathy in your work and studies.  Thank you also for recommending MCO and the value of this training, to others.

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Age Irrelevant, hard work and perseverance gets results

This month, we feature Kayla Billerwell, a recent school leaver who is currently the Receptionist at Blackburne Jackson Design located in Maroochydore and  ready to graduate in her Certificate IV in Business.  Kayla was offered her current position for  6 months, her first full time job,  and was delighted to be asked to do the Certificate IV in Business during this time.  Her typical day includes mailing duties, data entry, filing, banking, answering of the telephone and passing on messages and appropriate phone calls, general office cleaning, organisation of meetings and representatives to see designers, stationary and stock control and other office tasks.

Kayla has amazed the staff at MCO with the speed and determination she has shown in completing the Certificate IV in only 5 months.

“I completed 5 units in 5 weeks”, Kayla said.  I was fortunate in that I sometimes could work on it during business hours.  When I was at school, I hated study but with this type of study, it is at your own speed and I was readily able to apply what I am doing at work.”

“Thank you to MCO and Trainer Meryl Willis for the support I was able to receive when I needed it.  We were able to even meet at coffee shops between 5.30 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. at night”.

“Thank you also to Jo Smith, MCO’s Office/Compliance Coordinator who was able to give me another 2 modules and 2 textbooks when I needed them and for providing great customer service and to the many different options given to me by Jo and Mel Symon”.

Kayla has the study bug and would like to now pursue Certificate IV in Finance – self funded and do the Double Diploma in Accounting and Business.

WELL DONE KAYLA, you are an inspiration to others!
 

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Training Young Employees - debunking the myth

Kayla is an example of a school leaver doing an amazing job for herself and her employer.  Sometimes young employees can cop some bad press, sometimes associated with literacy or other perceived shortfalls.  Younger workers can bring energy, drive and enthusiasm to your company as they want to be challenged and have the confidence to achieve whatever they put their minds to.  However, be prepared to put a lot of attention into your young staff and give plenty of feedback.  Some tips for young workers include:  being clear from the outset, giving extra structure, giving them free rein to multitask and making sure you strive for work-life balance. (www.allbusiness.com/human-resources.employee-development leadership).

Perhaps also motivating your young employees with recognition for a job well done? How about applause at the next staff meeting?(Joshua Cook www.associated content.com).  Sometimes, what young staff may lack in experience, they can make up for with innovative new ideas.

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Where your Qualification may take you - How about to Bond University?

“I don’t believe a Diploma is enough these days, you have to do something exceptional.”     John Pavone

This month, meet former student of MCO, John Pavone who is currently the Production Manager at Terex Cranes Australia, where they manufacture the Franna Pick and Carry crane. John has been with this company for 6-7 years and in the management position for 5.  He completed a Diploma of Frontline Management in 2007 with MCO’s Trainer Rosina Aston.  He had previous trade qualifications as an Engineering Trades Person.

“I remember this study with Rosina as being a very good way to complete the Diploma.  The fact that Rosina was seeing me once a month to keep me on track and to go through my work to date and the fact that she was always contactable by email or phone for whenever I had any questions was very effective“, John said.

MCO recently caught up with John to see what current challenges he has set for himself.  He mentioned he had recently been accepted into Bond University, set to start in August, for a 2 year course to complete an Executive Masters of Business and Administration.  After John had completed his Diploma at MCO he looked for more ways to learn and so completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and then an Introductory to University Course through Open Universities.  As one of John’s life values is to be a lifelong learner, he then pursued a degree.  In his search, and using the knowledge learned from his Introductory to University course, John found Bond University suited him best.  John applied through the normal process and was accepted.  John likes to think he is a superachiever and always seeks to test and challenge himself.  He is very ambitious, not happy with mediocrity and will always try to motivate and push himself that little bit further!  John likes to put in 100% effort into everything he does and has very high expectations of himself.

“I think that the format for completing a Diploma with MCO was very useful to me and it would be useful especially if it has been some time since your previous studies” John said.

“As a result of the training I’ve had, I am now able to support others in management roles and offer advice.  I am also able to mentor my subordinates and help them to grow and learn", John said.

Thank you John and Best Wishes at Bond University.

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Get Wired Electrical - Debra strives every day

Debra Armstrong from Get Wired Electrical at Carina is another example of a hard working MCO student achieving great things every day as an Office Manager while managing to steal a few precious hours for study in the evening after the children have gone to bed.

Debra started her double Diploma in Business and Diploma in Management last August and will soon be celebrating her graduation, with only 1 more unit to complete.

“My work is very full on, as I am the Office Manager for our 4 businesses.  My work can see me dealing with Accountants and the Legal Team, assisting with forecasting, reconciling, debt collecting, to managing quotes, proposals and even answering the phone and collecting the mail."

“This training has helped me to see the structure in what I do, it has helped me to fill some of the holes and join it all together nicely.  I can readily apply everything I learn in my daily work”, Debra says.

“Thank you to MCO Trainers Angela Edmonds and Neville Kussrow for their terrific support.  “Neville had a wealth of knowledge, was very patient and always ready to help and answer any questions I had.  Being so supportive increased my confidence greatly.”

Thank you Debra and best wishes on your pending completion of your Double Diploma.

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We'd like to hear from you!

At MCO we love to hear your feedback on how your training is progressing.  One of our aims is to inspire others to stay with their studies and gain their qualification as intended.  Thank you to those who have recommended us to others.  If you have a story to share, please contact MCO Marketing Officer, Cecilia McDonald on 07 3205 2270 or by email on info@mcosite.com.  Don't forget, if you have graduates at your workplace, we are also happy to come to you for a morning tea/graduation ceremony.  Just let us know.

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Its never been a better time to contact MCO

Take advantage of the generous government incentives for businesses and help to relieve the current skills shortage by partnering with MCO for all your training needs.  Your staff - your best investment.

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