Management V’s Leadership – What’s the Difference?

Management V’s Leadership – What’s the Difference?

Management and Leadership

 

Future growth: Strong

Unemployment: Low

Career pathways: With enhanced management and leadership skills, you’ll be one step closer to gaining that promotion!

  • All careers
  • Professionals
  • Business owners
  • Managers
  • Supervisor
  • Recreation/sports manager or coach

 

“I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and who has the courage to develop that potential.” Brené Brown

 

Why study leadership and management courses?

If you want to be a great manager, leadership skills are crucial. So, why not combine our Certificate of Leadership and Advanced Certificate of Management to develop a strong foundation in management and leadership?

In our Certificate of Leadership, you will learn about:

  • Theories of leadership and styles
  • Leadership qualities
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Communication skills
  • Team building
  • Decision making
  • Leadership activities
  • Systematic and lateral thinking
  • Legal considerations in leadership

In our Advanced Certificate of Management, you will learn about:

  • Organisational structures
  • Management processes and functions
  • Report writing
  • Management theories and procedures
  • Problem-solving and decision making
  • Business planning
  • Management styles
  • Interview skills
  • Staff training
  • HR management
  • Dealing with grievances and complaints
  • Workplace health and safety
  • Ethics and equity
  • Contract law

Management V’s Leadership

Management and leadership sound similar, but they’re very different competencies.

What is management?

The act or art of managing: the conducting or supervising of something – such as a business.

Management is a process that involves organising, planning or controlling a company’s resources, including employees.

Managers have strong organisational, decision-making and delegation skills to achieve goals efficiently.

What is leadership?

The action of leading a group of people or an organisation.

Leadership focuses on inspiring, motivating and mentoring people towards a shared vision and is less goal-oriented than management. Leaders are not always managers but are usually widely respected and admired, allowing them to advise others on their work/tasks/goals without needing authority.

Managers are usually reflected in a title, whereas leadership is less formal.  You don’t have to have direct report employees to demonstrate leadership. You can be a leader in many situations, including the workplace, sporting or social groups.

In an ideal world, managers also have excellent leadership skills. If you’re looking to make your mark, whether in the corporate world or in your own business, you’ll need many competencies and key strengths for success in any field.

6 Powerful Leadership Qualities

Successful leaders demonstrate powerful qualities that make taking the lead almost like second nature. But don’t be fooled, as these qualities can be learned through leadership and management courses and perseverance.

  1. Communication

Great leaders communicate with influence, using active listening and an articulate and positive communication style. When leaders communicate well with people, whether in a workplace or community group, they understand the needs and expectations of others while also expressing their own.

  1. Empathy

Influential leaders have high emotional intelligence, allowing them to understand how the people around them feel. Empathy is crucial to identifying others’ struggles and helping them strive to overcome difficulties and achieve success.

  1. Self-awareness

Self-awareness is a crucial leadership strength that ensures leaders monitor their emotions and appropriately respond to others’ reactions. It’s a trait that avoids unnecessary conflict, and leadership style can be adjusted to suit team strengths and weaknesses.

  1. Team building

Building strong and successful teams is a critical leadership quality, whether in a professional or personal capacity. Team building involves other core strengths necessary for leaders, including problem-solving and communication skills.

  1. Inclusivity

Inclusivity awareness is essential to all leaders, whether in frontline supervisory roles or community groups. Creating an inclusive environment makes people comfortable sharing their ideas, thoughts and opinions. As such, leaders should be sensitive to counter discrimination and bias and build a diverse workforce or community group.

  1. Problem-solving

Problem-solving skills allow a leader to move past difficulties with minimal disruption. The ability to readily identify problems and to use critical thinking skills to help others resolve challenges is an important leadership quality.

6 Crucial Management Skills

Most successful managers will demonstrate the following skills to meet company goals. Again, these skills aren’t necessarily innate and can be developed through leadership and management courses and experience.

  1. Interpersonal Skills

Management involves people, so communicating clearly and building rapport with team members is crucial. You’ll need active listening and effective verbal communication skills at a minimum.

  1. Delegation

Delegation is another critical management skill. A manager with good delegation skills does not micro-manage but puts faith in the team to assign tasks and give authority to the right employees. As a result, a team can efficiently meet company targets and collective goals. When delegation is successful, productivity and accountability lead to optimal results.

  1. Planning and organisation

Whether managing people, teams or projects, managers need top-notch planning and organisation skills to ensure objectives and goals meet deadlines. Planning skills are instrumental in administrative tasks, such as budgeting and scheduling.

Managers are responsible for balancing many tasks simultaneously, so organisation skills can help them complete tasks efficiently and promptly.

  1. Decision-making

Decision-making is a management skill that helps managers assess a situation and determine how a company should move forward. It’s essential for implementing new policies, allocating budgets, recruitment processes, meeting organisational goals, building a brand, developing new products, and more!

  1. Strategy

A strategic manager identifies inadequacies and makes improvements quickly, overcoming obstacles to complete projects and meet deadlines. Strategy as a skill involves strategic thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, creativity and analytical thinking.

  1. Transparency

Managers need to be transparent and accountable to improve interactions with their employees. Transparent managers earn the trust of their employees and can better work toward company/department goals and vision.

 

Whether you want to gain leadership skills, management know-how, or both, our leadership and management courses will give you the confidence to pursue your personal and professional development goals.

Team Building Courses to Conquer!

Future growth: Strong

Unemployment: Low

Career pathways: With enhanced team-building skills, you’ll be one step further to finding your dream job!

Why Study Team Building Courses?

Learning about teams is helpful for everyone, as they are crucial to our success.

Teams are the building blocks of any successful business. If you want to learn how to build more productive teams, this team-building course is ideal professional development for you.

Building Better Teams is an online course that will provide you with the skills and strategies to build effective, high-performing teams.

In this team building course, you will learn how to develop teams and individuals, lead team effectiveness and promote innovation in team environments. You will also learn to apply critical thinking skills in a team environment.

In this team building course, you will learn about:

  • Workplace goals and responsibilities
  • Characteristics of high-performing teams
  • SMART goals and KPIs
  • Conflict management and communication skills
  • Leadership and decision making
  • Building and combining sentences
  • Innovation, team dynamics and diversity
  • The critical thinking processes
  • Legislative and organisational frameworks

See our course summary at the end for more!

 

Teams you’ll encounter in your career (and life)!

There’s a good chance you’re already part of a team, whether in your workplace, social life or a sporting club. Put simply, a team is a group of people who work together to achieve a common goal. You might come across four types of teams in your career or personal life. 

Functional teams

Functional teams are fixed and usually include people from the same department (sales team) with different roles to perform. A manager is the head of a functional team, and there is typically a top-down management approach. 

Cross-functional teams

Cross-functional teams are a group of people from different departments who work together on a shared goal (marketing and sales teams). These teams work well together through their various input and expertise to achieve the best outcome. All individuals should embrace different personalities and perspectives to navigate a problematic dynamic so everyone is working to their strengths.

Self-managed teams

Self-managed teams operate without a manager. Generally, they are individuals from the same organisation who work together on a shared goal. They operate autonomously and have shared leadership and responsibility for a project. High-performing teams fall into the category of self-managed teams.

Virtual teams

Remote teams work from different physical locations using technology and collaboration tools to achieve shared goals. Virtual teams are much more common and accepted today due to necessity throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s opened up opportunities to work from home and achieve a healthier work-life balance. It’s also been advantageous for organisations looking for unique skills in their employees by increasing the pool of candidates.

20 fun facts about teamwork

Scientists have proven that what we thought we knew about high-performing teams was mostly incorrect! Inc.com reports that the book Team Genius: The New Science of High-Performing Teams reveals exciting research, showing that:

  1. The ideal team size is small, between five and nine people – adding members to the team beyond this amount decreases the success
  2. Good chemistry makes teams less effective – diversity ensures there’s enough conflict to generate new ways of thinking
  3. Bonding with a team releases oxytocin – a hormone that makes you feel love and trust.
  4. The most effective teams don’t have leaders – teams work best when people talk and listen equally.
  5. Effective teams need managers – Diverse teams are creative but need a manager to help them communicate
  6. Small teams outperform solo acts – even the brightest people perform better as part of a group
  7. Conflict is critical – identifying alternative (better) approaches to a problem or goal is met by having a degree of (non-personal) conflict
  8. Men are insecure in a minority – men feel dissatisfied and less committed if outnumbered by women. This is not the case for women unaffected by gender ratio!
  9. Virtual teams are over-rated – teams work better when in close physical proximity
  10. Mixed-age teams outperform youth-only teams – youthful energy doesn’t trump practical business experience, and mixed-age groups are most effective in a team dynamic.

More fascinating facts follow in teamwork statistics!

  1. Online collaboration tools scale up productivity by 30%
  2. Effective communication generates 4.5 times higher talent retention
  3. 81% of employees rate peer collaboration apps positively
  4. Teamwork is very important for 37% of employees
  5. Recognising quality work and achievements in teams increases profits by 29%
  6. 1% want to be part of an organisation that nourishes honest communication
  7. 41% of team members who use their strengths have a better quality of life
  8. 39% of employees report a lack of collaboration
  9. One-third of HR specialists agree that collaboration improves morale
  10. Employees of all ages like to use social tools for collaboration 

Learning outcomes

 Outcomes achieved by undertaking team building courses include learning about:

  • Teams and problem solving
  • Organisational frameworks
  • Legislative frameworks
  • Key stakeholders
  • Solutions for workplace problems
  • Critical thinking that helps generate problem solutions
  • Team decision making
  • Communication/explanation
  • Criteria for assessing the suitability of options
  • The critical thinking process
  • Finalise and review the solution
  • Presenting solutions to stakeholders
  • Responding to challenges and questions
  • Critical thinking learnings (individuals and teams)
  • Demonstrate behaviour that supports innovation
  • Leaders need to role model
  • Challenge and test ideas
  • Exploring innovation ideas
  • Barriers to reflection
  • Responding to feedback
  • Stakeholder feedback
  • Documenting feedback
  • Legal requirements
  • incorporating innovation and productivity measures
  • Supporting team members to meet expected outcomes
  • Leadership
  • Promote team cohesion
  • Setting goals
  • Plans and decision making
  • Team input
  • Responsible teams
  • Creating a team culture where people cooperate
  • Modelling behaviours
  • Positive leader characteristics
  • Positive behaviour
  • Organisational vision
  • Sustainable business
  • Vision/mission statements
  • Policies and procedures
  • Performance reporting

And more!

If you want to gain a deeper understanding of how to build better, more effective teams, take a look at our team building course Building Better Teams. It’s a professional development course that will improve your teamwork and ability to create high-performing teams for any business!

Market Gardening Courses Will Reap You Profits!

Future growth: Strong

Unemployment: Low

Career pathways: Vegetable farmer, market gardener, vegetable retail sales, organic farmer, organic market operator, organic retail sales.

Why study market gardening courses? 

The organic fruit and vegetable industry in Australia is growing (literally!) to record levels. According to Australian Organic Limited, it was valued at $2.6 billion as of 2019 – and that was a few years ago! Market gardening courses like our Certificate of Commercial Vegetable Production and Certificate of Commercial Organic Vegetable Growing will teach you the skills to produce vegetables for profit, whether you sell to cafés and restaurants or through your own retail outlet or market stall.

In market gardening courses like ours, you will learn about:  

  • Commercial vegetable growing
  • Cultural practices for vegetables
  • Pest, disease and weed control
  • Hydroponic and greenhouse growing
  • Growing selected vegetable varieties
  • Irrigation
  • Harvest and post-harvest
  • Marketing vegetables
  • Growing organic vegetables
  • Cultivation and planting
  • Understanding soils
  • Soil management
  • Major varieties of organic vegetables
  • Pests and diseases
  • Seeds
  • Greenhouse growing
  • Lesser-grown varieties and herbs
  • Irrigation
  • Weed control and mulching
  • Harvesting and marketing

 See our course summary at the end for more!

What makes vegetables organic?

As you’ll learn in market gardening courses, organic food production involves a system of natural farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without pesticides or synthetic fertilisers. Non-organic farmers typically use these to control pests and weeds, but there are other not-so-great uses.

Non-organic fruit is often sprayed with antibiotics to prevent spoiling after harvest, some apples and citrus may have a wax coating to prevent moisture loss, and some fruits are picked unripe and then chemically ripened with ethylene. These are just a few examples, and may have negative consequences for consumers.

Which vegetables are important to eat organically?

With the cost of living increasing, many people can’t afford to have an entirely organic diet. But you can minimise pesticide exposure by knowing which fruits and vegetables have more residual pesticides than others.

Studies from the Environmental Working Group in the USA named the “dirty dozen”, representing the twelve fruits and vegetables with the most pesticide residues. And although Australian production systems are different, it’s still worth keeping in mind. They are:

  1. strawberries
  2. spinach
  3. kale
  4. nectarines
  5. apples
  6. grapes
  7. capsicum
  8. cherries
  9. peaches
  10. pears
  11. celery
  12. tomatoes

What does Certified Organic mean?

Australian Organic Limited (AOL) is the leading peak industry body engaging with Industry and Government to promote the social and commercial interests of those certified, and protect the integrity of the certified industry against fraud and misleading organics.

According to them, “Certified Organic” means “a product has gone through the process of ticking all the boxes with one or multiple Australian organic certification bodies. It means they have proven via multiple trials that the product is organic to use and consumers and producers can safely and confidently apply these fertilisers, soil additives, sprays and even plant seeds and seedlings knowing they are completely certified organic right from the start”.

This process can take quite some time and be costly for producers of organic produce, but in the long term, can be environmentally and financially beneficial. Organic certification has existed in Australia for more than 30 years and remains the only way to provide integrity to the organic industry.

How to become Certified Organic

  1. Choose a certifying body

Once you have decided to convert to organic production, the first step is to choose an organic certification body. The Department of Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry currently certifies six certification bodies. There are several differences between each, including price, service level, international market access, and access to the Australian Certified Organic Bud logo.

All Australian organic produce for export must be certified by the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce (NS). However, you can also certify solely to the Australian Certified Organic Standard (ACOS), which is owned and updated by Australian Organic Limited.

  1. Choose the type of certification you require

From the start of your certification application, it can take one to three years to become certified organic, depending on your previous farm chemical usage and history. However, for processors, the certification status typically takes less than three months from when you lodge documents. Given the diversity of organic agriculture, there are different documents you must complete for different sectors.

  1. Complete your application

The most important part of your application is your Organic Management Plan (OMP). It is also known as an Organic Handling Plan, an Organic System Plan or an Organic Farm Plan. An OMP details how you will proactively manage your operation to ensure it remains compliant with the standards. It must also be sufficiently detailed to allow a certification officer to understand the finer points of your operation and how you plan to ensure ongoing compliance with the organic standards.

Depending on which standard you are certified to, slightly different organic inputs will be allowed. If you are unsure whether a product is allowed or not, direct confirmation with your certifying body is always the best option to ensure they are allowed under organic certification.

  1. Initial audit

Once the certification body approves the OMP, an auditor will visit your site and ensure the approved plan matches reality. If this is not the case, they will issue you with Corrective Action Requests (CARs) that you need to rectify. A standard audit can take anywhere from several hours to a couple of days on-site, depending on your operation’s scale and complexity.

  1. One to three-year conversion

Certification can take a producer one to three years, depending on past chemical usage and history. However, for processors, this typically takes less than three months from when documents are lodged.

  1. Annual audit

Once you have completed the conversion period, you are officially certified organic and must conduct perpetual annual audits and soil testing to ensure you remain adherent to the organic standards. This involves keeping records of activities and farm inputs and outputs to facilitate the audit process.

  1. Become a member

Support your organic practices by becoming a member of Australian Organic Limited. You will join a large community of certified organic operators, opening up new opportunities to learn, engage and promote your business. Membership also provides you with resources to stay abreast of the latest industry news and updates relevant to your business.

Outcomes achieved by undertaking market gardening courses include learning about:

  • Economic principles, financial plans, budgets, marketing, risk management and sustainability
  • Soils, water quality, weeds and pests, livestock health, materials and equipment, monoculture and planning and preparing for drought
  • Crop rotation, cover crops, growing media, conservation techniques, seeds and soil pH
  • Conductivity, plant nutrition, composting, fertilisers, salts and potting mixes
  • Non-chemical pest control methods, plant pathology, fungi, insect control, diseases and viruses
  • Environmental problems, drainage problems, foliage burn, turf weedicides (herbicides) and commonly used commercial formulations
  • Wick, water culture, ebb and flow, drip and NFT hydroponics systems, fish tank water culture, greenhouse systems and shade houses
  • Environmental factors that influence plant growth, moisture, greenhouse plant nutrition, temperature control, heating and ventilation systems and greenhouse irrigation methods
  • Sweet potato, taro, artichoke, asparagus, chicory, endive, garlic, leek, okra, rhubarb and celery
  • Beetroot, capsicum, corn, eggplant, parsnip, spinach and silver beet
  • The physical and chemical properties of soil, soil profile, soil texture, soil pH, soil chemical characteristics, buffering capacity, water and air, soil temperature
  • Humus, organic matter, the nutrient elements, macronutrients and micronutrients, organic fertilisers, animal manures, rock dust and the diagnosis of plant nutritional problems
  • Cover crops, nitrogen fixation in legumes, the rhizobium bacteria and mycorrhizae
  • Composting, the C/N ratio, hot heaps versus cold heaps and how to use compost
  • Integrated pest management, disease lifecycles, pest lifecycles, plant viruses and the types of pests
  • Environmental problems, air pollution, foliage burn, drainage problems, temperature, companion planting charts and nutrient-accumulating plants
  • Seed propagation, pollination and preventing cross-pollination
  • Collecting, cleaning, storing and germinating seeds
  • Tomatoes, melons, cucumber, pumpkins, zucchini, artichoke, asparagus, leek and rhubarb
  • Chicory, fennel, endive, horseradish, okra, sweet potato, mint, watercress, rhubarb and yams
  • Cyclic watering, pulse watering, water extraction by roots, irrigation types, sprinkler systems and surface irrigation methods
  • Mulch, weed management and weed control methods
  • Harvesting, post-harvest quality considerations, harvesting hints, post-harvest treatment of vegetables,cooling methods and quantity standards
  • Marketing, market research, defining your target market, determining market segmentation and economic laws

And more!

 

Gain a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of commercial vegetable production with market gardening courses like our Certificate of Commercial Vegetable Production and Certificate of Commercial Organic Vegetable Growing.

Learn Lingo: English as a Second Language Courses!

Future growth: Strong

Unemployment: Low

Career pathways: With enhanced English writing skills, you’ll be one step further to finding your dream job!

Why study an ESL Writing Fundamentals course?

English is the most spoken language in the world. English as second language courses will help strengthen and develop your written English skills, help you communicate with others, and enhance your ability to find work opportunities.

In this ESL course, you will learn about:

  • Writing using correct grammar and sentence structure
  • Writing reports, letters and submissions
  • Editing and proofreading your work
  • The parts of speech
  • The parts of a sentence
  • Building and combining sentences
  • Vocabulary
  • Writing for different purposes
  • Study skills

See our course summary at the end for more!

What are the common languages in Australia?

According to a 2016 census by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 72 per cent of Australians speak English, and 21 per cent speak a language other than English at home or have learned a second language for work. The most common languages spoken in Australia (after English) include:

  • Mandarin (2.5 per cent)
  • Arabic (1.4 per cent)
  • Cantonese (1.2 per cent)
  • Vietnamese (1.2 per cent)
  • Italian (1.2 per cent) and
  • Indigenous languages (0.25 per cent)

Five benefits of learning English  

English is often regarded as the “international language” and is the most widely spoken language in the world. English as second language courses can help you:

  1. Communicate socially. Learning English will allow you to express yourself clearly and confidently. It can also help maximise cultural diversity.
  2. Enhance work opportunities. Being able to speak English will give you a competitive edge, and allow you to interact with recruiters. Once you’ve secured a job (think big!), it will help you communicate with your manager and colleagues.
  3. Master the language of business. English is often known as the global language of business. Learning English can help you create reports, send emails and give a presentation in English.
  4. Exercise your brain. Learning a new language is fantastic for your brain health and can help improve your problem solving skills.
  5. Enjoy better travel experiences. Being able to speak English will help you communicate with people from multiple backgrounds and cultures.

Fascinating facts about the English language

The English language is a complex one, but also very fascinating. Here are some facts that will impress your friends, family and colleagues.

  • English is the official language of over 67 countries.
  • The most common letter in the English language is “e”.
  • The most common vowel in the English language is “e”, followed by “a”.
  • The most common consonant in the English language is “r”, followed by “t”.
  • The two most common words in English are I and you.
  • The most common adjective used in English is “good”.
  • The most commonly used noun is “time”.
  • Currently, only two English words end in “-gry”. They are “angry” and “hungry”.
  • More English words begin with the letter “s” than with any other letter.
  • The following sentence contains all 26 letters of the alphabet: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”
  • The only word in English that ends with the letters “-mt” is “dreamt”.
  • A word formed by joining together parts of existing words is called a “blend”. Examples are “brunch” (breakfast + lunch), “motel” (motorcar + hotel) and “guesstimate” (guess + estimate).
  • The word “alphabet” comes from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet — alpha and bē
  • “Go!” is the shortest grammatically correct sentence in the English language.
  • The original name for “butterfly” was “flutterby”.
  • About 4,000 words are added to dictionaries each year.
  • English is said to be one of the happiest languages in the world. Yay!
  • One-quarter of the world’s population speaks at least some English.
  • The words “month”, “orange”, “silver”, and “purple” do not rhyme with any other word.
  • Over 80 per cent of the information stored on computers worldwide is in English.
  • The word ‘lol’ was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2011.
  • William Shakespeare invented many words, such as “birthplace”, “blushing”, “undress”, “torture”, and many more.
  • The word “Goodbye” originally comes from an Old English phrase meaning “god be with you”.
  • The first English dictionary was written in 1755.
  • The oldest English word that is still in use is “town”.

Essential parts of English speech 

When studying English as second language courses, you will begin to understand the different parts of speech that make up the language. Here are three of the most important ones.

Nouns

Nouns are used for a place, person, quality, thing, idea, feeling or activity. There are different types of nouns, including:

  • Proper nouns — the name of a specific person (eg. “David”) or a place (eg. “Australia”). They are always capitalised.
  • Common nouns — aren’t capitalised and used to describe things and general places (eg. “house”). They also have plural forms (eg. “houses”).
  • Concrete nouns — describe something we can hear, see, feel, touch or taste (eg. “grass”). They can also have plural forms (eg. “grasses”).
  • Abstract nouns — describe something we can’t perceive with our senses (eg. “happiness”).
  • Countable nouns — describe something you can count (eg. “truck”) and can have plural forms (eg. “trucks”).
  • Collective nouns — describe a group of things or people (eg. “herd”).
  • Non-collective nouns — can’t be counted (eg. “air”).

Verbs

There are three kinds of verbs in the English language:

  1. Transitive verbs — show that an action is applied to an object. In the sentence “I took the kids to school,” the verb “took” shows that I performed an action on the object of the sentence, which is “the kids.”
  2. Intransitive verbs — indicate an action that is not applied to an object. For example, in the sentence “I sang,” I performed an action that is not linked to an object.
  3. Linking verbs — link the subject to the rest of the sentence. These verbs include “being verbs” like “seem” and “feel”, as well as “helping verbs” like “be”, “have”, and “”

Adjectives

These are used to describe a noun. There are two types:

  1. Attributive adjectives — are located directly next to a noun in a sentence, e.g., “I like that blue car” (with the adjective“blue” describing the noun “car”)
  2. Predicative adjectives — are separated from the noun they describe by a verb. For example, in the sentence “I thought the girl was pretty,” the adjective “pretty” describes the noun “”

 

Learning outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking English as a second language courses include learning about:

  • Word order, parts of a speech, singular and plural nouns and pronouns
  • Irregular plurals, noun gender, pronoun gender and other parts of speech
  • Adjectives. articles and when to use an article
  • Auxiliary or helping verbs, gerunds, verb tense and verb forms
  • Present tense, a ‘mixed’ tense, past tense and future tense
  • Subject-verb agreement and verb voice
  • Active voice and passive voice
  • Clausesand phrases, subject and predicate and the position of the subject
  • The object of a sentence and the predicate of a sentence
  • Subjects and predicates in sentences and the role of verbs in a sentence
  • Sentence construction, basic sentence patterns, verb position in sentences and intransitive verbs in a sentence
  • Linking verbs in a sentence, forming questions and expanding basic sentences
  • Combining sentences, adding modifying words, phrases and clauses and linking words and phrases
  • The structure of words and commonly used prefixes and suffixes and their meanings
  • Connotation and denotation, figurative language, literal language, imprecise language and simplicity
  • Your reader, content and methods of communication
  • General guidelines for effective writing in English, language and tips for requesting and clarifying information
  • Informative writing goals, tips for providing information, good news and neutral information, bad news and persuasion
  • Business formats, memos, business letters and common workplace documents
  • Writing a formal outline
  • Understanding the topic or assignment, researching and tips to improve research and reading skills
  • Writing an answer or essay, referencing and writing a bibliography
  • Editing, structure, paragraphs, sentences, making editing decisions and proofreading

 And more!

 

Gain a foundational understanding of how to improve your written English with English as a second language courses such as our ESL Writing Fundamentals course.

Start a Pet Food Business!

The pet food manufacturing industry is worth a whopping $3 billion in Australia! There’s also growing demand for premium products, with the humanisation of pets increasing.

Future Growth (Industry) – Strong

Unemployment – Low

Career pathways

  • Pet Food Manufacturers
  • Pet Food Suppliers
  • Pet Breeders
  • Kennels and Cattery Staff
  • Animal Shelter Staff
  • Veterinary Staff
  • Zoo Staff

Do you want a slice of this lucrative market share? It’s possible when you start a pet food business! Whether you want to make cute, sweet treats for dogs or create a whole line of pet foods, you’ll learn the ropes with a course on pet food production.

Our Certificate of Pet Food Production is an excellent platform to start a pet food business. You’ll learn about all aspects of the pet manufacturing industry, from the nutritional and feed requirements to manufacturing and regulation elements.

Key learning outcomes:

  • Producing of ingredients
  • Source and supply of raw materials
  • Producing preservatives and additives (processing components)
  • Developing equipment for manufacturing and testing
  • Logistics and transportation of goods
  • Animal sales and marketing initiatives
  • Veterinarian recommended diet supplements and formulations
  • Toxins and contamination control techniques and testing
  • Regulation and governance (to reduce or prevent quality control issues)

8 Pet Food Business Success Stories!

If you’re considering venturing into the pet manufacturing space, here are a few success stories to give you some inspiration!

  1. The Golden Bone Bakery

A small Australian company with a love for animals, The Golden Bone, was inspired by a need to treat the founder’s Labrador x Blue Heeler, Jett! Jett had tummy issues with regular dog treats. The mission to transform the pet industry with an Australian-made range of natural pet treats was the result! The company also supports the animal and human community!

  1. Al La Carte

A small Australian company specialising in using the finest ingredients to produce pet food for the fussiest eaters at affordable prices. Their mission is to ‘provide honest super-premium food, without the super-premium price!’ As farmers, the company founders have always been passionate about creating quality food.

  1. Huds and Toke

Huds and Toke is a 100% family-owned Australian business recognised nationally and internationally. Their mission was to design, create, and manufacture the best pet treats Australia can offer! Huds and Toke now make Dog Treats, Horse Treats, Rabbit Treats, Guinea Pig Treats, Chicken Treats and Cat Treats.

  1. Drool Pet Co.

Drool Pet Co is an Australian-owned raw natural and natural pet food and treats company. The founders decided to start a pet food business after years of making raw pet food for their own dogs. They are passionate about providing Australian pets with the best, locally sourced, healthy, natural food and treats!

  1. Pooch Treats

Pooch Treats is a family-owned and operated business based in Melbourne, Australia! The company, established in the late 2000s, is passionate about handmade bakery treats for dogs while addressing the waste in the Australian meat market! The company’s bakery treats are all personally made and baked in-house by pastry chefs seven days a week!

  1. Doggy Eco

Doggy Eco makes affordable, durable eco-friendly dog toys and active dog gear that is sustainable! Doggy Eco was created to help pet owners to live their sustainability values by designing and manufacturing dog toys and accessories with the environment in mind. The company branched out and now also makes dog foods and treats!

  1. Savour Life

This local Australian family-owned business creates natural, nutritious, Australian-made dog food and treats! They also donate 50 per cent of profits to volunteer-run rescue groups who save and re-home abandoned dogs! Savour Life has donated to over 230 rescue groups across the country, working towards reducing the number of adoptable dogs euthanised in Australia to zero!

  1. Scratch

A love of dogs and a passion for making better food at a reasonable price were behind the venture, Scratch. Co-Founder, Doug, is ex-big pet food, and wanted to start a pet food business to change the status quo! The company envisioned a new breed of Australian-made dog food. One that’s good for dogs, better for the planet, and easier for pet owners.

Certificate of Pet Food Production

Learn all about the business of pet food, whether you want to start a pet food business, work in sales and consultancy or take better care of pets in your care! This course is ideal for those wishing to understand pet food manufacturing and the food and nutritional needs of pets.

What you’ll learn:

  • Principles in processing and manufacturing pet food, including techniques to optimise flavour, digestibility, and nutritional value.
  • Management systems for preventing and controlling contaminants in food preservation and storage, including specific risk management strategies.
  • Nutritional needs of dogs and specific diet formulation for dogs at different life stages.
  • Nutritional needs and specific diet formulation for cats at different life stages.
  • General nutritional needs for other small pets and examine relevant feeding schedules.
  • Control and testing of food-related toxins and define potential health implications of poisons or contaminants in foods.
  • Regulatory controls and legislation relevant to the production and selling of animal food.
  • Appropriate selection of food for a pet to respond to particular needs and demonstrate
  • Food labelling, including common acronyms and terminology, and describing ways of marketing products in a retail setting.

 

If you want to start a pet food business, the Certificate of Pet Food Production is ideal! If you have questions about any of our courses, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants via phone, Live Chat or email.

Dip Your Toe Into the Hydroponics Farming Sector

If you are passionate about sustainable food production, this hydroponics farming course is a refreshing career option! Hydroponics is a type of horticulture involving growing plants without soil, using water-based mineral nutrient solutions. Many crops grown in hydroponic systems yield more, grow faster, use less water and take up less space. What’s not to love?

Our Start a Hydroponics Business course will give you insights into how to start your own business providing services and products to hydroponic growers, from home garden hobbyists to commercial trade customers.

You will learn about the nature and scope of hydroponic systems, from plant nutrition requirements to vital equipment, nutrient solutions and climate control. You will also develop methods to maintain system and plant health, including controlling pests and diseases and managing system pH levels, toxicities and plant deficiencies.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course on hydroponics farming include:

  • Learning about the advantages of hydroponics
  • Exploring six main types of hydroponics systems and their essential system components
  • Gaining an understanding of building a client/supplier list
  • Studying the International Society for Soilless Culture (ISOSC) and other hydroponic societies
  • Examining suppliers in Australia, the USA, the UK and Europe
  • Understanding location, containers and grow beds and watering/nutrient application equipment
  • Attaining knowledge of trellising and root media, solution culture
  • Gaining insights into Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) systems, a horizontal rectangular plane, vertical tubes and the tier system
  • Learning about DFT (deep flow technique) and pond, raft, float or raceway systems
  • Exploring aeroponics, aggregate or media culture and rockwool culture and properties
  • Gaining an understanding of historic, hobby and lesser-used systems
  • Studying the methods of solution dispensation, closed systems, open systems and drip irrigation systems
  • Examining sub-irrigation and ebb and flow systems and organic soil-less mixes
  • Understanding plant nutrition and nutrient labels
  • Attaining knowledge of plant growth factors and the structure of a plant
  • Learning about sand and gravel aggregates, materials for use with rockwool, materials for use with sawdust and aeroponics
  • Exploring nutrition management, nutrient solutions, nutrient formulations and nutrient stock solutions
  • Gaining an understanding of fertiliser salts for formulations, stages of growth and making up hydroponic stock solutions from fertiliser salts
  • Examining conductivity and hydroponics and how to adjust nutrient solutions using electrical conductivity measurements
  • Understanding climate management equipment, growing plants in a greenhouse and other growing structures
  • Understanding scale insects, leafhoppers, slugs, snails and flies
  • Attaining knowledge of common diseases, botrytis – grey mould, mildew diseases, rusts, rots, bacterial diseases, viruses and nematodes
  • Gaining insights into deficiencies, toxicity and pH control
  • Learning about nutrient deficiencies and toxicities, nutrient mobility and deficiencies and other modes of detection
  • Exploring controllers, salinity controllers, nutrients and pH and pH controllers
  • Gaining an understanding of how to troubleshoot systems
  • Studying EC (CF) & nutrient solution levels and EC and TDS meters
  • Examining how to maintain nutrient levels, nutrient solution management, nutrient temperatures and organic hydroponic nutrient solution problems
  • Understanding water in recirculating systems, water in run-to-waste systems and water treatments

And more!

Types of Hydroponic Systems

In hydroponics farming, there are different types of hydroponic systems, and each has its benefits. Some suit hobby farmers, while others are ideal for larger commercial hydroponic businesses. Factors to consider include light, space, cost and the time required for setup and maintenance. Here we look at six common systems and their pros and cons.

  1. Wicking System

One of the most straightforward hydronic systems and perfect for beginners, a wicking system doesn’t require a water or air pump. A water reservoir is set up underneath a growing tray filled with a non-soil medium. The two containers are connected with wicks, which can be anything that absorbs water like yarn, string or fabric. Water and nutrients are then drawn up into the plants. This setup should be in a sunny spot, and the water and nutrients should be topped up when required. It’s also essential to flush the growing medium with fresh water regularly to prevent the build-up of fertiliser.

  1. Deep Water Culture

In this system, the plant’s roots grow in a well-oxygenated reservoir full of nutrients and water. It’s a relatively simple setup, only requiring a deep reservoir, a pump, an air stone, and netted pots with a suitable growing media. It’s a fast-growing and low-maintenance system, however, managing temperature, nutrient, pH and water levels can be challenging. On the plus side, it’s an ideal technique for herbs, lettuce and other leafy greens.

  1. Flood and Drain System

Also known as the “ebb and flow” system, it is a little more challenging and expensive to set up, but it allows for a wide range of plants, including beans, cucumbers and tomatoes. The system works by intermittently pumping a water-nutrient solution through the growing medium. This then drains back into the reservoir. As the medium dries out, it forces the plants’ roots to grow in search of more water. And more roots mean more nutrients and healthier, happier plants! In addition to a growing tray and water reservoir, a timer, submersible pump and tubes to fill and drain the grow medium are needed. The most challenging part of this system is getting the timing of the “floods” right. Because water is recycled for over a week before being replaced, the PH and nutrient levels can vary.

  1. Run To Waste System

This is similar to the Flood and Drain System, with a timer and a submersible pump, but it differs because instead of recirculating the nutrients and water, they are drained off into a container or the ground and disposed of. This is another system that’s great for ideal for beginner hydroponic gardeners as absorbent growing mediums may assist if the pump fails.

  1. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System

This system is ideal for growing fast-growing, shallow-rooted plants like spinach, radishes, leafy greens and herbs. Its biggest difference from the Flood and Drain System is that the water-nutrient solution flows around the reservoir and growing tray in a continuous loop rather than with timed breaks. No timer is needed, but it requires two pumps, an air stone to oxygenate the water, and tubes or channels for the plants. It is a great water-saving technique because no grow medium is required (the water flows over bare roots)

  1. Aeroponics systems

This is one of the more complicated hydroponics systems, so it suits more advanced gardeners. Like the NFT system, the plant roots are suspended in the air (the growing medium). However, unlike the NFT system, it uses a “misting” technique, where the root system is misted with a nutrient solution — continuously or on a specific cycle. It allows the roots constant access to oxygen which promotes faster growth.

Benefits of Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponics farming has many benefits. On a smaller scale, systems can be efficient and require minimal space. On an industrial scale, the benefits can be even more substantial. Hydroponic farming can:

  • Produce crops faster than soil-grown produce.
  • Make farming possible in urban areas.
  • Produce up to three or four times more produce than traditional methods (using the same or even less growing space).
  • Use fewer resources like water (up to 90 per cent less), fertiliser (up to 75 per cent less), pesticides and herbicides. This means fewer harmful pollutants are released into the atmosphere or the ground. Groundwater contamination, in particular, negatively impacts soil health, drinking water supply, and the health of nearby ecosystems.

Some Hydroponic Tricks of the Trade

  • The ideal air temperature for hydroponics is around 20C°.
  • Humidity levels should be between 40 and 60 per cent.
  • Keeping the air flowing with a fan or open window to increase carbon dioxide levels can help plants grow faster.
  • The best pH levels for most plants in hydroponics systems are slightly acidic (between 5.8 and 6.2). However, some plants may need a higher pH for optimum growth.
  • Plants should get at least six, but preferably between 12 and 16 hours of light (whether natural or artificial) daily.
  • If you choose to use artificial lights, set them at the correct distance from your plants. Different plants also have different light requirements depending on where they are in their life cycle. If a plant naturally flowers during summer, the hours of light need to be increased for blooming, and vice versa for winter flowering plants.

 

Gain the confidence to advise customers on hydroponics farming to help them successfully cultivate their home garden or business venture with our Start a Hydroponics Business course.

Work With Wildlife? Consider Management!

If you work with wildlife or in wildlife conservation, our Advanced Certificate of Wildlife Conservation & Management course will help you step up to an exciting management career! In this wildlife management course, you will learn about habitats, farming, urban planning, ecology and biology, and the recovery of threatened species.  You will also study law and administration, wildlife management techniques, and how to conduct a case study research project.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course where you’ll learn how to work with wildlife include:

  • Learning about the concepts and need to work with wildlife and conservation
  • Exploring conservation values, biological diversity and threatening processes (ecology, ecosystem and biome)
  • Gaining an understanding of biodiversity indicators, genetic drift, habitat and life span, habitat fragmentation and habitat degradation and loss
  • Studying the types of soil degradation, the types of erosion and marine degradation
  • Examining pollution, including land, air and water pollution
  • Understanding unsustainable harvesting/hunting, invasive species and climate change
  • Attaining knowledge of population isolation/conservation genetics
  • Gaining insights into disease – extinction and disease, density and disease and the impacts of disease control measures
  • Learning about the recovery of threatened species, the categories of risk, species vulnerability to endangerment, rarity and ability to disperse
  • Exploring the degree of specialisation, population variability, life span, reproductive rate, recovery of species, threat management, habitat conservation and critical habitat and protecting habitat
  • Gaining an understanding of research population growth, habitat use, conservation genetics, captive breeding, translocation, public involvement and terminology
  • Studying plant groups and plant identification (names and scientific names)
  • Examining vegetation, flora survey techniques and line surveys
  • Studying stock identity and assessment, stock biomass and stock management methods
  • Examining capture and mixed methods, non-capture methods and non-lethal whale research techniques
  • Understanding farm planning, planning farm activities, off-property effects, biological and climactic considerations, socioeconomic options, urban planning and urban management
  • Attaining knowledge of examples of information to be collected and analysed and decisions that need to be made
  • Gaining insights into managing threatened wildlife populations, recovering threatened species, manipulating populations, reintroducing species and the removal of predators/competitors
  • Learning about captive breeding, manipulating habitat, revegetation/restoration, exclusion fencing for threatened species, creating corridors and designing and planting a fire break
  • Exploring wildlife management, including the approaches and the purpose of preservation and conservation, the reasons for managing wildlife and decision-making in wildlife management
  • Gaining an understanding of decisions regarding wildlife populations, important concepts and considerations, the needs of wildlife, population limiting factors, good wildlife habitats and range, distribution and habitat
  • Studying carrying capacity, succession, habitat fragmentation, habitat diversity, biological control and integrated pest management
  • Examining wildlife ecology, including population ecology, community ecology, ecosystem ecology, interactions within a community, competition, predation, parasitism, commensalism and mutualism
  • Understanding the food web, the web of life, energy flow and imbalances
  • Attaining knowledge of wildlife habitats, the classification of habitats, habitat types, animals’ use of features within habitats and the location and characteristics of biomes and common wildlife
  • Gaining insights into nest boxes, logs, surface rocks and ground cover and creeks, wetlands and dams
  • Learning about the requirements of birds in captivity, habitat features used by birds, changes to habitats, air and water pollution, toxicants and deforestation and afforestation
  • Exploring population dynamics and pest management, birth or fecundity rate, death or mortality rate and population growth rate
  • Gaining an understanding of the control of pests or undesirable wildlife species, the objectives of control, the effects of control on a population, mortality manipulation and biological control
  • Studying mosquitoes, grasshoppers (locusts) and birds and mammals
  • Examining feral animals in Australia and the total eradication of foreign species in New Zealand

And more!

Top 10 Australian animals at risk of extinction

Australia is populated by plants and animals unlike anything else in the world (which is more than enough reason to work with wildlife!) But unfortunately, we also have an unenviable record of animal extinctions. Here are ten species currently at risk.

#1. Regent Honeyeater – Anthochaera phrygia

Status: Critically Endangered

You can find these birds in woodlands, eucalypt forests, orchards and urban gardens. They feed mainly on the nectar of a small number of eucalypt species and act as a pollinator for many flowering plants. Widespread clearance of their habitats and competition for nectar from larger, more aggressive honeyeaters have caused their numbers to decline dramatically over the past 30 years.

#2. Orange-bellied Parrot – Neophema chrysogaster

Status: Critically Endangered

Work with wildlife and you’ll understand the importance of wildlife conservation, especially with species classed as “Critically Endangered”. A small ground parrot, the Orange-bellied Parrot migrates to South Australia and coastal Victoria from Tasmania, where they spend autumn and winter foraging on salt marsh vegetation. The decline of this bird is influenced by habit loss and their breeding range.

#3. Eastern Curlew – Numenius madagascariensis

Status: Critically Endangered

The Eastern Curlew takes an extraordinary annual migratory flight to Russia and north-eastern China to breed, then fly back to Australia! You can spot them in coastal regions of southern northeastern Australia. Unfortunately, their numbers have declined by more than 80 per cent in the past 40 years due to habitat destruction.

#4. Numbat – Myrmecobius fasciatus

Status: Endangered

The Numbat is a small to medium-sized marsupial found in West Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. Numbats are hunted by many animals like foxes, feral cats, dingoes and birds of prey. Because their diet consists mainly of termites, they are active during the day, and at night, they hide in burrows or hollow logs.

#5. Gouldian Finch – Erythrura gouldiae

Status: Endangered

The impressive colour of this beautiful bird’s feathers has made them a target of the bird trade up until the early 1980s. However, currently the leading cause of their decline is changes in habitat due to fire and land clearing. But fire also plays a significant role in their survival. In the dry season, they rely on controlled fires to burn the undergrowth so they can find seeds. In the wet season, they look for lush new growth that provides plenty of seeds

#6. Mountain Pygmy-possum – Burramys parvus

Status: Endangered

These tiny possums have specific habitat needs that limit their distribution and affect their ability to increase their population significantly. They are only found in alpine and sub-alpine regions of southern Victoria and around Mt Kosciuszko in New South Wales. Every year, they go through a prolonged hibernation over winter of up to seven months and only emerge in early spring to mate. Unlike most other possum species, they are found close to the ground where they hunt for their primary food sources — Bogong moths and other invertebrates.

#7. Northern Quoll – Dasyurus hallucatus

Status: Endangered

You will find this spotted carnivorous marsupial in northern Australia, from Western Australia to southeast Queensland. They feed primarily on invertebrates and vertebrates such as birds, snakes, frogs, lizards and small mammals. In the wild, they only live for one to three years and are susceptible to fire, cane toad toxins and introduced predators like cats and foxes. Changes in habit, including habitat degradation through over-grazing and urban development, have also reduced numbers.

#8. Woylie – Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi

Status: Endangered

Also known as the Brush-tailed Bettong, this is an extremely rare, rabbit-sized marsupial. It has a largely fungivorous (mushroom) diet, so in the past, have played an essential role in the dispersal of fungal spores that helped native plants grow. Like many small Australian marsupials, their rapid decline is caused by the introduction of cats and foxes. Other factors include disease, changes in fire regimes, competition with rabbits for food, and grazing animals’ impact on land clearing.

#9. Black-flanked Rock Wallaby – Petrogale lateralis laterali

Status: Endangered

These wallabies are now endangered, although they were once found in abundance across parts of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. They are nocturnal, live in rugged, rocky areas and emerge at dusk to feed. Changes to fire patterns, clearing its habitat, and introducing wild cats and foxes have all threatened their existence. Today, they only survive in small, isolated populations.

#10. Purple-crowned Fairy Wren – Malurus coronatus coronatus

Status: Endangered

There are two subspecies of the Fairy Wren. The western subspecies are found in the Victoria River District of the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region of Western Australia. They are known as “cooperative breeders”, meaning offspring from previous breeding seasons will remain with their parents and help raise subsequent broods. Fire regimes and current pastoral practices have been detrimental to their preferred habitat, leading to their decline.

 

Gain a strong understanding of wildlife conservation and crucial management strategies to work with wildlife with our Advanced Certificate of Wildlife Conservation & Management.

Logistics Careers Are On the Rise!

Crucial to ensuring business longevity and profitability, our Introduction to Logistics course will give you insights into logistics and supply chain management. You will learn about competitor analysis, distribution channels, supply chain dynamics and logistics management strategies. You will also study risk mitigation, the procurement cycle, robotics, customer service, drop shipping, warehousing, transport, delivery and inventory management. This course is a fantastic introduction to a range of logistics careers, including as a:

  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Logistics Professional
  • Warehouse Logistics Manager
  • Logistics Engineer
  • Freight Agent
  • Inventory Manager
  • Customer Service Representative

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course that will enable you to pursue logistics careers include:

  • Learning about logistics management, inbound and outbound logistics, logistics or supply chain management and the goals and objectives of logistics
  • Exploring increased efficiency, responding to efficiency, reducing unexpected events, keeping inventory to a minimum and just-in-time inventory management
  • Gaining an understanding of transport cost reduction, improving quality, supply chain channels, the types of distribution channels, and direct and indirect channels
  • Studying the nature and value of a product, target market and legal requirements
  • Examining competitor activities, global changes and how E-commerce has altered supply chain management, logistics and business
  • Understanding strategies and operations, decisions within logistics, customer service and logistics network design
  • Attaining knowledge of vertical integration vs. outsourcing, vertical integration, outsourcing (advantages and disadvantages), the components of a logistics strategy and how to develop and design a logistics strategy
  • Gaining insights into developing a strategic plan, identifying a key strategic focus, implementing logistic strategies in strategic planning and using Kaizen as a business strategy
  • Learning about procurement in terms of the procurement cycle, raw materials, the tendering process and obtaining goods or services
  • Exploring forecasting and how to monitor and evaluate supplier performance
  • Gaining an understanding of procurement challenges, risk mitigation and reputation
  • Studying sustainability, green strategies and corporate social responsibility (CSR)
  • Examining warehouse storage and activities, the purpose of a warehouse, the types of warehouses, including public, private and cooperative warehouses and bonded storage
  • Understanding warehouse management systems (WHS), drop shipping and warehousing, how a WHS works and why to use one
  • Attaining knowledge of technology affecting warehousing, big data, robotics and autonomous machines, blockchain, tech networks and the cloud
  • Gaining insights into warehouse regulation and customer service in warehousing
  • Learning about materials in logistics, material handling, material handling equipment, bulk material handling and how to design a material handling system
  • Exploring engineered systems, industrial trucks, packaging, storage and handling equipment, materials used for shipping and containers and pallets
  • Gaining an understanding of ethical issues and sustainability, the ethical sourcing of materials, ethical packaging and re-using materials
  • Studying transportation management and the modes of transport
  • Examining road transportation (truck freight) and its benefits and challenges
  • Understanding marine transportation (ship freight) and its benefits and challenges
  • Attaining knowledge of the Suez Canal construction
  • Gaining insights into rail transportation (train freight) and its advantages and disadvantages
  • Learning about air transportation (plane freight) and its advantages and disadvantages
  • Exploring intermodal transport, delivery scheduling and what tools to use when planning a delivery schedule
  • Gaining an understanding of inventory management, including the types of inventories, how inventory is planned and controlled, planning approaches and basic stock methods and the challenges of inventory planning
  • Studying the percentage variation method, inaccurate or incomplete data, multiple locations, insufficient order management and human error
  • Examining software and systems, automated store ordering, robotic stock handling, blockchain, supply and demand, sensitivity analysis, review systems, and the vendor-managed inventory
  • Understanding the toilet paper shortages during COVID and the impact of semiconductor shortage on car manufacturing
  • Attaining knowledge of risk management in terms of health and safety, slips, trips and falls, dangerous goods and vehicles in and around the warehouse
  • Gaining insights into employee stress and management, the signs and symptoms of stress, the positive and negative side of stress, the symptoms and effects of stress and the simple techniques to reduce stress
  • Learning about the chain of responsibility, issues with transportation, political changes, safety recalls, climate change, technology and how to evaluate and mitigate risk
  • Exploring time frames, legalities, strategies, tools, and processes to mitigate risk and safety checklists
  • Gaining an understanding of root cause analysis, SWOT analysis and the probability impact matrix
  • Studying supply chain dynamics, anticipating disruption, thinking creatively, reinvention, the types of change in a business, identifying problems and planning for change
  • Examining organisational change management and choosing the right behaviour change intervention
  • Understanding reverse logistics, returns, re-selling returns, repairs, recycling, replacements, obsolescence, traceability, mapping and transparency
  • Attaining knowledge of building a better supply chain, future technology, artificial intelligence (AI), drone technology, robotics, advances in E-commerce, drop shipping, outsourcing and track and trace

And more!

Common careers in the logistics industry

Logistic careers (including those in the transport industry) are wide and varied and include roles as a consultant, procurement officer, logistics manager, supply chain manager and data analyst. The sector also contains transport, business management, engineering, IT and statistics roles (among many others). The transportation and logistics sector is significant in Australia because of the country’s isolation from key international markets. Therefore, it must maintain efficient domestic supply chains to compete on a global scale.

Together, these professionals work for various types of businesses, including:

  • Freight companies – manage the transportation required to shift goods.
  • Distribution companies – help businesses move their goods from the site of manufacture to the marketplace
  • Supply chain and logistics companies – manage how products are connected with consumers and make the process more manageable, efficient and profitable.
  • Distribution logistics companies – focus on getting goods to customers.
  • Disposal logistics companies – deal with the transportation of waste.
  • Digital logistics companies – aim to improve efficiency using computer software and automation.

 Supply Chain Industry Outlook 2022

If you are interested in logistics careers, staying abreast of the current supply chain industry trends could give you the employment edge you need! The Supply Chain Industry Outlook 2022, released by the Australian Industry Standards (AIS), identified six megatrends impacting the supply chain across the aviation, rail, maritime, transport and logistics sectors. They include:

#1 – Double disruptors

The current pandemic and digital transformation have caused a “double disruption” to the industry, leading economic and business activities to shift rapidly to the online world. According to the report,  “the pace of technology adoption in response to COVID-19 is expected to continue to increase and has already created more in-demand skills, as well as skills gaps that will need to be addressed”. But according to the Learning Country: Digital Transformation Skills Strategy, it’s not just about digital technologies but also about human skills that can’t be replaced or replicated by algorithms.

#2 – Supply chain resilience

According to the report, “unprecedented disruptions coupled with consumers’ changing behaviour has highlighted the need for resilient supply chains through planning and investment in supply chain operating models”. Supply chain visibility, transparency, sustainability and the environment are gaining more attention across most industry sectors. Supply chain leaders have also emphasised the role of innovations, including artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, optimisation and robot automation in warehousing and transport operations.

#3 – Data analytics and logistics

The pandemic has also quickened the implementation of data-capturing technologies, according to the report. “Organisations are increasingly employing data analytics to inform their decision-making and improve processes. The Internet of Things (IoT) connected networks of digital devices, appliances, software and sensors, continue to open up new frontiers”.

#4 – Automation

“The logistics and transport sector is increasingly using robotics and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) in warehouses to perform tasks more efficiently and safely”, according to the report. Some examples already in place include automated stacking cranes in some of Australia’s ports, autonomous trains like the one operating in the Pilbara, and the trials of autonomous ships currently underway in the Asia Pacific region.

#5 – Labour shortages

An industry-wide labour shortage is one of the main challenges adversely affecting Australia’s economic recovery. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), more than a quarter of businesses have experienced difficulty in recruiting suitable staff.  The top three factors which have strained the labour market are the lack of required qualifications and skills, the lack of job applicants, and international border closures.

 

#6 – Digital transformation

The onset of the global pandemic provided the impetus for the dramatic uptake of digital technologies to offset the adverse economic impacts. Many businesses, like the retail sector, quickly shifted to the online world with systems to support customers and manage their supply chains. As such, business leaders in Australia “consider digital transformation and up-skilling and re-skilling to be among the top priorities in the next three to five years on the path to a more digitalised future”.

What are warehouse management systems?

A warehouse management system (WMS) is a set of processes and policies intended to organise the work of a distribution centre or warehouse and ensure the facility can meet its objectives and operate efficiently. In the 20th century, the term “warehouse management information system” was often used to distinguish software or processes that fulfilled this function. However, these days, the term typically refers to computer systems themselves.

Their levels of complexity

Some software vendors offer as many features as possible in a “one-size-fits-all” solution. In contrast, more complex systems tend to include specialised features designed for specific facilities or industries. Typically, the classification system is as follows:

  • A basic WMS – supports location control and inventory management, similar to an inventory management system. The performance data produced at this level is generally limited to “throughput. This how much stock moves through the warehouse in a given period.
  • An advanced WMS – can analyse stock levels and capacity and possibly also track how much labour and time is spent on different activities. This allows data to be generated that measures efficiency and suggest ways to improve it. At this level, advanced WMS may begin to overlap or supersede those of a Warehouse Execution System or Warehouse Control System.
  • A controlled WMS – can exchange data with other systems to take into account information from outside the warehouse. This includes customer orders, manufacturing needs and transportation. It may control or obtain feedback from IoT devices or from automation in facilities that have them. It may also continuously simulate or test strategies for improving operations, perhaps using machine learning.

 

Develop a comprehensive introductory knowledge to managing logistics and supply chains for a range of logistics careers with our Introduction to Logistics

Strategies for Managing Stress in the Workplace

Stress significantly impacts our physical and mental health and wellbeing, and in the workplace, can impact both productivity and revenue. This course will give professionals, managers, executives and those interested in personal development valuable strategies for managing stress in the workplace.

Our Certificate of Stress Management will give you insights into the psychological, emotional and physiological aspects of stress to boost your self-awareness and help you develop techniques to reduce its impacts — in the workplace, but also in your personal life.

In this stress management course, you will learn to identify the physical and emotional signs of stress and implement lifestyle, relationship and career management strategies to minimise it. You will also learn how relaxation and nutrition can enhance wellbeing and reduce the impacts of stress.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by studying strategies for managing stress in the workplace include:

  • Learning about body changes
  • Exploring stressors
  • Gaining an understanding of the symptoms of stress
  • Studying fight or flight response
  • Examining health and wellbeing
  • Understanding stress and the immune system
  • Attaining knowledge of lifestyle and stress
  • Gaining insights into anxiety and stress
  • Learning about self-image
  • Exploring relaxation
  • Gaining an understanding of exercise and hobbies
  • Studying how to control stress
  • Examining acupressure
  • Understanding alcohol and other drugs
  • Attaining knowledge of self esteem
  • Gaining insights into stress and perfectionism
  • Learning about altering perceptions
  • Exploring the body and self esteem
  • Gaining an understanding of social support
  • Studying how to build self-esteem in others
  • Examining career management
  • Understanding work satisfaction
  • Attaining knowledge of standing out at work
  • Gaining insights into self-assurance
  • Learning about self-analysis
  • Exploring decision making
  • Gaining an understanding of strategic thinking
  • Studying nutrition
  • Examining balanced diets
  • Understanding healthy eating
  • Attaining knowledge of weight management
  • Gaining insights into anger management
  • Learning about personality and stress
  • Exploring personality types
  • Gaining an understanding of the ideal self
  • Studying personality traits
  • Examining genes and personality
  • Understanding personality disorders
  • Attaining knowledge of personality index
  • Gaining insights into personal inventory styles
  • Learning about introversion and extraversion

And more!

Workplace burnout statistics – Australia 2021

First, let’s clarify what the word “burnout” means. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is an “occupational phenomenon” that results from chronic workplace stress. WHO describes symptoms of burnout as “energy depletion and exhaustion, increased mental disturbance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism and cynicism related to one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy”.

As the effects of the pandemic wear on, workplace burnout rates continue to rise across Australia. And it has serious consequences for businesses as well as employees. Statistics gathered by the Australia and New Zealand Autonomy of Work Index 2021 found that “92% of serious mental health concerns in the Australian workplace are attributed to work-related stressors. Alongside the individual impact, these conditions cost businesses $10.9 billion per year”.

The report also found that fifty per cent of respondents said they were overworked (a key factor of burnout), with one in three saying they aren’t able to disconnect from work. The pandemic has also affected this second factor, with enforced remote work blurring the lines between home and work life.

The report also suggests that the pandemic has fast-tracked the digital workplace. Employees are now switching between multiple apps, multiple times a day. This constant shifting can lead to several issues, including impeding ability, disrupting focus and depleting concentration. 

Signs of workplace burnout

Career burnout can build up quite slowly over time, and the very nature of it can make it mentally and physically challenging to draw on the energy you need to address it. Signs of workplace burnout include:

  • Depletion – feeling drained, not sleeping well, lacking focus and energy and becoming sick.
  • Detachment – not enjoying work anymore, isolating yourself, feeling pessimistic and being critical and cranky with people around you.
  • Ineffectiveness – being less productive, missing a sense of satisfaction, feeling apathetic and becoming snowed under at work.

Common causes of burnout

Everybody’s experience of workplace burnout is different, but some of the common causes are:

  • Poor work-life balance
  • Lack of support
  • Mental health challenges
  • Feeling constantly overwhelmed by your workload
  • Expectations of working longer hours
  • Taking on more work than you can handle
  • Not taking breaks/leave when you need to

8 ways to reduce burnout

In terms of strategies for managing stress in the workplace, small steps can encourage positive changes without you feeling overwhelmed, including:

  1. Identifying the sources of burnout. Try to work out where your stress is coming from — make a list. Then identify one thing you can do to address pressure against one or more of the things on your list. A good tip is to start small and work your way up to more significant actions when you are comfortable.
  2. Asking for help. Keeping things to yourself can often make you feel worse and limit opportunities for recovery. Find a trusted friend, leader, manager or colleague (perhaps someone in HR?) and speak to them about what you’re experiencing. Sometimes just verbalising your worries and issues can make a world of difference. Management may also be able to explore options that can help — for example, taking on additional staff, instigating training options, or allowing you to work from home for some portion of your working week. You can also make use of employee assistance programs, such as those offered by the Employee Assistance Professional Association of Australia (EAPAA).
  3. Setting boundaries. Burnout can be overwhelming, so consciously setting boundaries and committing to saying no to any additional demands made of you can be a great start.
  4. Knowing your workplace rights and responsibilities. Both employees and employers have formal rights and responsibilities under privacy, discrimination, and work health and safety legislation. Understanding these can help you keep your workplace safe through knowing what your obligations are and recognising if your rights have been breached in any way.
  5. Switching off technology. We all need a break from work to de-stress and unwind. This is particularly the case with email use. None of us should be expected to receive and send work emails at all hours. Some tips around email use include:
  • Not adding your work emails to your personal mobile.
  • Don’t make checking work emails a habit or part of your routine outside of work.
  • Don’t let late-night emails become part of your work culture.
  • Try prioritising any actions if you have to check your emails during personal time.
  1. Finding healthy ways to cope with stress. Seeking out positive emotions with wellbeing activities can improve your overall mental resilience. Some to try include:
  • Finding a new hobby
  • Learning something new
  • Showing kindness
  • Connecting more with family or friends
  • Practising mindfulness
  • Embracing nature
  • Delaying any major life changes
  • Resolving personal conflicts
  • Managing your work-life balance
  • Trying relaxation techniques
  1. Taking care of your health. One of the important strategies for managing stress in the workplace is eating, sleeping and increasing your physical activity. Physical exercise stimulates the release of chemicals in our brains, such as serotonin and endorphins, which elevate our mood. Exercise also improves sleep which plays a crucial role in boosting mood. Your diet can also affect your mood. Research has shown that mental health is improved when people embrace a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, legumes and olive oil.
  2. Understanding you’re not in it alone. Burnout can be extremely overwhelming; however, there are lots of external support services available, including from BeyondBlue and Head to Health.

 

Gain a comprehensive understanding of how to identify and minimise stress in your professional life by learning about strategies for managing stress in the workplace with our Certificate of Stress Management.

Project Manager Qualities in High Demand!

Project manager qualities are needed in a wide range of industries — from healthcare and events to construction and the scientific and IT sectors. And many of these sectors are set to boom! Our Introduction to Project Management course will give you valuable insights into how to plan, manage and review projects. You will learn about feasibility, risk management, project lifecycles, delegation, expense planning and PERT and Gantt charts.

You will also learn about evaluating, monitoring and regulating projects, and developing leadership, technical and personnel project management skills.

Learning outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course on project management, including gaining project manager qualities, include:

  • Learning about the terms “project”, “management” and “project management”
  • Exploring the power of and need for project management
  • Gaining an understanding of typical projects and the project life cycle
  • Gaining an understanding feasibility checklists, the identification test and the types of risks
  • Studying budgets, project schedules and staffing
  • Examining resources, project size and external factors
  • Understanding risk management and project documentation
  • Attaining knowledge of project planning, parameters, quality and time
  • Gaining insights into developing a strategy framework and a work breakdown structure (WBS)
  • Learning about work-based schedule components
  • Exploring the Gantt chart and the PERT chart
  • Gaining an understanding of planning expenses and delegating responsibilities
  • Studying project implementation and launch
  • Examining how to control progress and apply standards
  • Understanding project launch and implementation
  • Attaining knowledge of controlling progress and applying standards
  • Gaining insights into preparation, events and budget control charts
  • Learning about monitoring and evaluating performance
  • Exploring regulating progress and dealing with conflict
  • Gaining an understanding of projection completion and evaluation
  • Studying what’s involved at the completion stage
  • Examining contract closure and the release or reassignment of resources
  • Understanding the completion of final and necessary documentation
  • Attaining knowledge of a project’s sustainability
  • Gaining insights into project evaluation and appraisal and its benefits
  • Learning about why projects succeed and fail
  • Exploring technical project management skills
  • Learning about communication and visibility
  • Exploring leadership skills, characteristics and responsibilities
  • Gaining an understanding of conflict and how to deal with and resolve it
  • Studying sociodynamics
  • Examining people with extra strong/domineering synergy but some antagonism,
  • Understanding people with strong synergy and no antagonism
  • Attaining knowledge of people with equal amounts of synergy and antagonism
  • Gaining insights into people with both minimal synergy and minimal antagonism
  • Learning about people with antagonism that is stronger than synergy
  • Exploring people with strong antagonism and weak synergy (mutineers)
  • Gaining an understanding of behavioural changes
  • Studying common project problems and difficulties that can arise
  • Examining scheduling not being maintained, ill-defined start dates and insufficient time
  • Understanding when priorities and deadlines need to change
  • Learning about change management and change management models
  • Exploring Kotter’s 8-step change model, the McKinsey 7’s model and the ADKAR model

And more!

Future job growth for project managers

It has been a tough few years for many businesses due to COVID, however, spending across key industries is set to boost project-orientated employment growth, according to a 2021 article by PM-Partners. Here we look at some of the industries and roles tipped to open up opportunities for those with project manager qualities.

Sectors that have dealt with the COVID pandemic better than others are those that were on a strong growth trajectory already and those defined as “essential” industries. Three key areas where job growth and demand for skilled workers is expected to grow significantly over the next five to ten years include:

  • Healthcare and social assistance
  • Scientific, professional and technical services
  • Construction and infrastructure

These industries offer a multitude of project management positions, and many are interchangeable across sectors.

Healthcare and social assistance

Employing more than two million people, this is one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing industries. COVID has highlighted the need for enhanced healthcare systems, so there is an abundance of project management roles available supporting health infrastructure and health and social services. Many of these involve stakeholder relationships, and conflict management and communication skills are particularly valued in this sector.

Scientific, professional and technical services

There are over one million Australian workers in scientific, professional and technical services roles in Australia, and many of these support other industries. The Information and Communications Technology sector, in particular, is continuing to grow rapidly. Examples of project-management-based ICT roles include as an ICT Manager or ICT Project Manager. Both typically plan, direct and control ICT projects. According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights, the future growth of ICT managers’ jobs is expected to be over 17.7 per cent by 2026.

Infrastructure and construction

In Australia, the construction industry currently employs over one million people and is a major source of project management roles. Enhanced by government spending, there is a strong pipeline of construction and infrastructure projects scheduled over the next decade. The construction sector is also set to boom in Brisbane ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Along with a formal qualification in building or construction management and trade experience, complementary workplace health and safety (WHS) risk management skills are also in high demand.

Five valuable project manager skills

The role of a project manager demands a varied and vast skill set. This is especially true in today’s rapidly changing world as organisations continue to transform their businesses to remain competitive and adopt new technologies.

Here are the top five project manager qualities that project managers should aim for, according to the global recruitment and HR company Hays.

  1. A strategic mindset

One of the primary roles of a project manager is to lead from an operational and strategic perspective. This includes understanding project objectives and how they align with the overall business strategy, and communicating the objectives and vision to the team involved. A great PM will also resolve conflict, evaluate team performance, and empower the team to aim for the most successful project possible.

  1. Stakeholder engagement

Most projects involve engaging with key stakeholders who are interested in or can influence a project. That’s why a project manager must understand who will be affected by the project, as it will allow them to plan engagement and communication strategies to limit any issues and gain the support of any stakeholders who are advocates. “Soft” skills can be valuable here, including negotiation, communication and conflict resolution skills.

  1. Risk management

Managing business risk is an essential skill to ensure any project’s success. Project managers need to be able to develop a risk management plan to foresee potential threats and how they will be handled so that they can be quickly mitigated and issues that arise can be avoided. By effectively mitigating risk, unforeseen risks can be avoided, undue costs minimised, and the project can be delivered more effectively and efficiently.

  1. A mentoring mentality

Continuous up-skilling and “lifelong learning” are highly valued in the evolving world of work (and life!). In terms of project manager qualities, this can involve sharing your expertise, knowledge and experience to support team growth. Taking on this responsibility can enhance your team’s personal development and encourage them to be more engaged and motivated, which can deliver enhanced outcomes.

Additionally, PMs who can recognise their role as a mentor and demonstrate their willingness to commit to their team’s personal development will ensure individuals are motivated to contribute their expertise and skills to build a strong and cohesive unit.

  1. Knowledge of agile principles

“Agile” project management is more a set of principles than one particular methodology, according to the Australian Institute of Project Management. It is an umbrella term used for many methodologies and techniques, including Lean and Six Sigma (for manufacturing and product development) and Scrum, Kanban and Extreme Programming (for IT projects).

Benefits for teams using agile principles can be particularly beneficial for teams that do work based on client requirements, want to leverage user feedback, and have a dynamic and ever-evolving environment. Results include high product quality, reduced project risk, and a more collaborative and efficient workplace.

Gain insights into project manager qualities and the foundational knowledge to manage projects successfully with our Introduction to Project Management course.

25 Amazing Facts About the Human Body

The human body is a complex structure of vital organs and interconnected systems that work hard daily to fulfil the functions necessary for everyday living. Here are twenty-five amazing facts about some of those systems that will offer plenty of inspiration for our human anatomy and physiology course!

The respiratory system

  1. Did you know that our lungs float on water? In fact, they are the only organs that do. This is because they contain millions of balloon-like structures called alveoli.
  2. The human nose is a heater (it has small bone-like “shelves” called turbinates which contain blood vessels that can heat the air), a humidifier (it has “goblet” cells that help humidify the air), and a filter (the air we breathe is filtered before it goes to our lungs).
  3. Sneezing and coughing is one of the body’s natural mechanisms to help keep away foreign substances.
  4. Even with optimal health, our lungs are never sterile or germ-free.

The digestive system

  1. Whenever we eat something, our esophagus acts like a giant wave, involuntarily relaxing and constricting. This is known as peristalsis.
  2. The middle part of our intestine is called the jejunum. It is located between the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) and the ileum (the last part of the small intestine).
  3. There is a bond between our brains and digestive systems, known as the gut-brain axis. Any brain disorders or even stress can affect how our bodies digest food.
  4. Hiccups often occur when the temperature changes.

The nervous system

  1. The brain uses more energy than the rest of our organs, with only 20 per cent of energy reserved for the rest of the body.
  2. Our brains keep working hard even when we are asleep.
  3. Because new neuronal connections are constantly occurring and the brain’s structure is constantly changing, the density of our brains keeps increasing.
  4. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, and it runs from the spinal cord down to our toes.

The skeletal system

  1. Bones may present as hard substances, but are filled with a spongy substance called bone marrow.
  2. The smallest bones in the body are in our inner ear. They are called the incus (anvil), the malleus (hammer) and the stapes (stirrup). They are known collectively as the ossicles (Latin for “tiny bones”).
  3. The longest and strongest bone in the body is in the leg and is called the femur (thighbone).
  4. Bones can heal themselves by producing new cells — that’s why broken bones are often placed in a cast.
  5. The biggest joint in the body is the knee.

The reproductive system

  1. The human reproductive system contains the smallest and the largest human cells.
  2. A man produces more than 500 billion sperm cells in his entire lifetime.
  3. Some women are born with a rare congenital condition where they have two uteruses. It is known as uterus didelphys.

The muscular system

  1. The human body contains more than 600 muscles.
  2. The largest muscle in the body is the gluteus maximus, which is the primary extensor muscle of the hip.
  3. The body’s smallest muscle is inside the inner ear, and connects the inner ear and the eardrum.
  4. More than forty per cent of your body weight is made up of muscles.
  5. The heart is the hardest working muscle in the body, typically pumping over 7000 litres of blood daily.

A brief history of anatomy

The history of human anatomy and physiology extends from the earliest examinations of sacrificial victims to the sophisticated analyses of the body that modern-day scientists and anatomists have performed. And we are still learning!

Written descriptions of parts of the human body can be traced back thousands of years to ancient Egyptian papyri, where highly elaborate burial practices required much attention to detail.

Theoretical considerations of the function and structure of the human body didn’t develop until far later. Ancient Greek doctors like Hippocrates and philosophers like Empedocles and Alcmaeon paid much more attention to the causes of disease and the body’s different functions.

Aristotle performed dissections on animals to understand the causes of biological forms. Dissection of human beings took place for the first time during the Hellenistic Age with the work of Erasistratus and Herophilos. Galen also made important anatomical discoveries through his dissections and medical practice.

The Renaissance brought a reconsideration of classical medical texts, and Jacques Dubois, Berengario da Carpi and Mondino de Luzzi carried out important anatomical work in this period. This culminated in the books by Andreas Vesalius (De Humani Corporis Fabrica), which is Latin for “on the fabric of the human body in seven books”. It was a significant advance in the history of anatomy and has been an integral part of medical practice ever since.

 

Gain a strong foundation in human anatomy with a course in human anatomy and physiology such as our Certificate of Human Anatomy.

How to Write a Research Report with Confidence!

Learn how to write … right! Whether you are a student or business professional, report writing will often form part of your study or working life. This course will teach you how to write a research report, including confidently navigating the area of professional research.

In our Professional Research and Report Writing course, you will learn to plan and conduct research for any industry and discipline, and discover how research can improve your student results or the performance and sustainability of your organisation. You will also learn about statistics, research methods, and the fundamentals of research report writing.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course on how to write a research report include:

  • Learning how to identify research needs, the research goal and the research question
  • Exploring sources of information, what information is required and the depth and breadth of data
  • Gaining an understanding of realistic research parameters and constraining factors
  • Studying how to write a report and examining the introduction, method, results, references, glossary and appendices
  • Exploring how to search for information and the kinds of exploratory research
  • Gaining an understanding of primary and secondary data research
  • Studying literature reviews and the steps of a literature review
  • Examining referencing
  • Understanding research methods, key research terms and methodology
  • Attaining knowledge of experimentation, controlled environments and field trials
  • Gaining insights into the collection and analysis of data
  • Learning about running a crop trial and setting up a comparison trial
  • Exploring records and recording and interviewing skills
  • Gaining an understanding of asking questions, the different types of questions and ways of handling difficult questions
  • Studying the definition of statistics and official statistics and why they’re important
  • Examining the reasons and advantages for using statistics
  • Understanding that statistics are about our previous experience and are useful guides and motivators
  • Attaining knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of statistics and what issues to consider
  • Gaining insights into descriptive statistics, observed and expected rates and confidence intervals
  • Learning about standardising (by age), the reliability of statistics and presenting statistics
  • Exploring pie charts, bar charts and histograms
  • Gaining an understanding of descriptive statistics and the standard error of the mean
  • Studying standard deviation, the coefficient of variation and probability
  • Examining how to conduct statistical research, collect quantitative data and conduct a survey
  • Understanding exploratory research attitudes and the procedure to develop a survey
  • Attaining knowledge of forms of data, designing a questionnaire and common mistakes in questionnaires
  • Gaining insights into research reports, report writing tips and the structure of a report
  • Learning about front matter, the body of a report, the introduction, background, method and results
  • Exploring discussion, references, glossary and appendices
  • Gaining an understanding of the report outline, research papers and referencing

And more!

Tips on how to write a research report

Report writing is common in a vast range of disciplines and professions. Reports are a specific form of writing typically organised around identifying and examining events, issues or findings from research. They often involve investigating and analysing a problem and coming up with a solution that follows clear reasoning.

Regardless of the type of report, it should be clearly structured, well-written and targeted at the right audience. Analysis and results should be clear, accurate and objective, and the structure should support the key message.

However, how to write a research report can vary greatly depending on who you are writing for and the purpose of the report. For example, writing a government report can be different from writing a formal business report. Student reports can differ again (including between learning institutions), but here is a basic guide.

There are typically three main phases in reporting writing: preparation, analysis and writing.

Preparation phase

This is where you clarify precisely what is required in terms of the end result, and it could range from analysing something to solving a problem. If you are working in a group, this phase is also where you agree on the group’s communication plan.

Analysis phase

This phase is where you conduct research, gather evidence and data, and come up with your key message — the answer to a question or a solution to the problem. Your key message will then determine your report’s structure, enabling you to complete the writing phase. Reports often require you to combine your own analysis and gather research from existing sources. Some examples of sources used in reports can include:

  • Books or chapters in a book
  • Journal articles
  • Government reports
  • Newspaper articles
  • Websites

Writing phase

Determining how you’ll structure your report will make the writing phase smoother and more efficient. Once this has been determined, it’s time to get going! Key points to focus on include:

  • Setting up your key message in the introduction.
  • Developing your key message through your sections and topic sentences.
  • Supporting your ideas with evidence.
  • Summarising your findings in concluding sentences and in your conclusion.

This phase also involves considering your report’s structure. Common sections include:

  • Title page. This includes the report title, the report writer’s name, the receiver’s name and the date.
  • Table of contents.
  • Executive summary. This briefly outlines the purpose, key message, findings, conclusions and recommendations.
  • Introduction. This gives the report’s aim, scope and background and may include a suggested solution.
  • Main body. This section details your findings and analysis and needs to develop the material logically, clearly and coherently. Your findings should justify your recommendations. Subheadings can make this section easier for the reader to follow, and the structure should reflect what is outlined in your introduction.
  • This is a summary of your main findings and conclusions based on these findings. It should outline the key findings and state the recommendations from your analysis. Recommendations also often form part of the conclusion.
  • These provide details of any external evidence that’s been cited, and the style you use depends on a range of factors. Some examples of university referencing styles are covered below.
  • These include any information (like charts, tables, graphs or other data) that you’ve referred to in your report, but not included in the main body.

The “main body” section is your report’s primary element

The body can be lengthy, it’s important to break it up into manageable “pieces” for the reader. These can include:

  • Sections
  • Sub-sections
  • Points – break each section and sub-section into points
  • Paragraphs – these are points that are the building blocks of your report and should contain one main idea. Each should develop the idea in three parts:
  1. Topic sentences. This is typically the first sentence in a paragraph. It should indicate your position and be clear, as it will give insights into what the reader should expect next.
  2. Supporting sentences. These support and develop the main idea. Each should connect to the others to create a logical flow. This is where you incorporate your analysis and research and support it with evidence (and make sure it is referenced!)
  3. Concluding and linking sentences. This final sentence should summarise the idea you introduced in the topic sentence. It can also lead to the next paragraph by developing a logical link to the next main idea.

Common referencing styles

In terms of how to write a research report, referencing is a vital component as it allows you to acknowledge the contribution of other writers in your report, give credit to writers from whom you have borrowed ideas and words, and ultimately, avoid plagiarism! Some common styles used by universities include:

  • American Chemical Society (ACS). Widely used in chemistry and related disciplines.
  • Australian Guide to Legal Citation (AGLC). The standard Australian guide for referencing in law.
  • Academy of Management Journal style (AMJ). Based on the style guide for the Academy of Management journal.
  • American Psychological Association (APA). The standard style used in psychology but also widely used in other disciplines, including the social sciences.
  • Chicago Manual of Style. This footnote referencing system is widely used in the arts and humanities.
  • Council of Science Editors (CSE). Widely used in the life sciences.
  • Not an official referencing style; however, many universities base this on other referencing style manuals.
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Widely used in the fields of computer science and electrical engineering.
  • Modern Language Association of America (MLA). Widely used in the fields of linguistics and contemporary literature.
  • A generic term for a style of referencing widely used in the health sciences.

 

Gain a comprehensive understanding of how to research and write reports for professional or academic success with a course on how to write a research report, such as our Professional Research and Report Writing.

 

Go Green With a Self-Sustainable Living Course

Tired of blind consumerism? Want to do your part to enhance the planet for future generations? Then this Self-sufficiency and Sustainability course is for you! When you learn how to embrace self-sustainable living, you will not only reduce your environmental footprint, you will live a healthier lifestyle and save money at the same time. It’s a win-win-win!

In this course, you will study how to source sustainable products and services and even start your own sustainable business. You will also learn how to plan a food garden, create cost-effective meals using your own produce, rear animals, create your own clothes from sustainable materials … and so much more!

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course on self-sustainable living include:

  • Learning about self-sufficiency in terms of modern society
  • Exploring the meaning and concept of self-sufficiency
  • Gaining an understanding of what’s needed to make a successful change
  • Studying how to sustain good health and fitness and aerobic and anaerobic exercise
  • Examining mental health, clothing and human nutrition, including the major food groups
  • Understanding safety with fabrics and protective clothing, including gloves, eyewear, ear protection and face masks
  • Attaining knowledge of full body protective clothing, knee protection, footwear, sunscreen and a good hat
  • Gaining insights into the general care and hygiene of everyday clothing, including brushing and airing, sensible storage and mending and cleaning
  • Learning about first aid, including falls, bleeding or haemorrhage, bruises, foreign bodies, wounds, burns, bites, stings and spinal injuries
  • Exploring horticulture, including planning the crop, cropping programs and crop rotation
  • Gaining an understanding of soils, no-dig techniques, no-dig raised beds and building no-dig bed retainers
  • Studying how to grow mushrooms and tomatoes (growing conditions, nutrient requirements and planting)
  • Attaining knowledge of herbs, including medicinal, culinary, aromatic and ornamental herbs
  • Understanding the cultivation of herbs including soils, protection, pruning, harvesting, drying, handling and cooking
  • Attaining knowledge of herb vinegars, oils, cheeses, salts, honey, biscuits, confectionery, mustards, teas and baths
  • Gaining insights into companion planting, repellant plants, attractant plants and plants which affect the soil
  • Learning about bait, companion, soil-improving and poisonous plants
  • Exploring herbal pest management, propagating herbs and seeds and cuttings
  • Gaining an understanding of the mints
  • Studying animal husbandry, including shortcuts in animal rearing

Plus!

  • Gaining an understanding of building
  • Studying how to make mud bricks and the soil used for mud bricks
  • Examining brick size, mixing the mode, casting the bricks and foundations
  • Understanding how to lay mud bricks, wall finishes, tools and the difference between paint, stain and sealer
  • Attaining knowledge of alternative energy, using renewable energy sources and the realities of solar energy
  • Gaining insights into wind power, wind speed conversions, solar house design and solar design principles
  • Learning about energy conservation, wood as fuel, wood treated with preservatives and selecting, drying and storing firewood
  • Exploring how to build and light a fire, safety issues, the environmental aspects of using wood as fuel and firewood plantations
  • Gaining an understanding of choosing a wood burning appliance, installation and wood heating appliance use
  • Studying cresote formation and flue fires, care and maintenance and chimney fires
  • Examining craft and country skills, including marketing crafts, setting a price and protecting your designs
  • Understanding painting, including oil, watercolour, acrylic and fabric painting
  • Attaining knowledge of candle making, enamelling and herb crafts
  • Gaining insights into rustic timber furniture structures, what timber to use and how to join timber
  • Learning how to clean and sharpen tools
  • Exploring secateurs, shovels, spades, saws, chainsaws and their maintenance
  • Gaining an understanding of preparing for emergencies, being prepared for fire, maintaining fire hazards around the garden and maintenance for fire control
  • Studying home tourism, opening a bed and breakfast, open gardens, wedding photos, food and how to earn extra income by growing food
  • Examining subsistence crops, growing for a market and alternative crops
  • Understanding nursery production, open ground growing, tropical indoor plants and ferns, trees and shrubs and cut flowers

And more!

Top tips for self-sustainable living

Self-sufficient living is achievable in varying forms for everyone. But even if you aren’t aiming to become fully self-sufficient, there are ways you can add a little more self-sufficiency into your routine with just a few tweaks.

In the garden

  • Growing your own food
  • Keeping chickens
  • Creating a water-wise garden
  • Using plants to remove toxins
  • Mulching your plants and learn to compost
  • Growing an indigenous garden

In the home

Food and drink

  • Eating organic food
  • Eating less meat
  • Buying local and seasonal food
  • Avoiding genetically modified (GM) foods
  • Avoiding bottled water
  • Reducing dairy in your diet
  • Avoiding eating endangered fish
  • Adopting a vegetarian diet
  • Eating seasonally

Products

  • Buying recycled products
  • Buying wood and paper responsibly
  • Using renewable products
  • Buying from local suppliers
  • Wearing sustainable clothes
  • Using non-toxic cleaners
  • Using natural beauty products
  • Buying fair-trade food and products
  • Buying second-hand goods
  • Avoiding excessive packaging

Waste

  • Recycling technical wate
  • Cultivating waste reduction habits
  • Culling your belongings
  • Recycling organic and building waste

Work

  • Saving paper and buying green office products
  • Ride-sharing with colleagues
  • Recycling office waste
  • Powering-down your computer when it’s not in use

Transport

  • Using public transport
  • Reducing air travel
  • Riding a bike
  • Buying an energy-efficient car

The world’s most eco-friendly countries

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) measures the environmental performance of 180 countries, and the top-ranked countries are generally the ones that are closest to meeting their environmental policy goals. Here were the most sustainable countries in 2021 (which we assume have many inhabitants who embrace self-sustainable living)!

#1 – Denmark

With an EPI score of 82.5, Denmark has one of the lowest carbon dioxide growth rates as well as a high ranking for wastewater treatment, sanitation and marine protected areas. One of Denmark’s islands, Samso, is also one of the few places in the world that relies entirely on renewable energy like wind, solar and biomass energy.

#2 – Luxembourg

Luxembourg has an EPI score of 82.3. One of the goals the country has set is to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by a million tons in comparison to 2021. They are also aiming to reduce the sales of petrol.

#3 – Switzerland

Consistently ranking in the top five environmentally-friendly countries, one of Switzerland’s green claims to fame is that it doesn’t have landfill. Instead, all rubbish is incinerated with a minimal amount of air pollution. The country also has an industrial-scale carbon-capture plant that removes over 900 tons of carbon dioxide from the air annually.

#4 – United Kingdom

The UK is high on the list of environmentally-friendly countries due to its second lowest carbon dioxide growth rates. On the EPI index, they were also number one in terms of marine protected areas and clean drinking water. In 2020, the UK also banned single-use plastic stirrers, plastic straws and cotton buds from the country.

#5 – France

It is not surprising that the country where the Paris Climate Agreement was drafted is one of the most eco-friendly nations in the world. The country also has a law that any new buildings built in commercial zones must have their roofs partially covered with solar panels or plants.

#6 – Austria

Austria is one of the top countries in terms of producing organic food. In fact, over 20 per cent of Austria’s farmlands follow the environmental standards of organic farming. The country also hopes to reach climate neutrality (which refers to the emission and mitigation of all greenhouse gases, not just carbon) by 2040.

#7 – Finland

Finland’s air is one of the cleanest in the world according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). In addition to this, Finland has been reaching the point where its renewable energy is surpassing their use of fossil fuels. This mirrors a commitment by businesses to reach 50 per cent renewable energy consumption by 2030.

#8 – Sweden

In terms of sustainability, Sweden consistently ranks in the top ten, with a large number of the population purchasing eco-friendly food and consumer products. The nation also hopes to become the first fossil-free country in the world by 2050.

#9 -Norway

The number of plug-in electric vehicles in Norway is the largest per capita in the world. In March 2022, 23 per cent of passenger cars on the road were plug-in. In recent years, the country’s electricity production has also become 97 per cent renewable. It hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by the end of the year.

#10 – Germany

Germany has set a goal to close their last remaining power plant this year, and instead, power their country completely through renewables, conservation and gas. Many Germans are also embracing a vegan diet, hoping to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Embrace sustainable environmental practices and self-sustainable living with our self-sufficiency and sustainability course.

Picture Your New Career with Short Photography Courses!

Learn how to harness the power of digital images and create flawless photographs — whether it’s for personal use or to start your own business — with our Introduction to Digital Photography

In short photography courses like ours, you will learn about photographic composition, computer specifications, and the factors impacting digital imaging. You will also learn about digital editing, scanners, digital photography software, and the types and file formats of digital files.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking short photography courses include:

  • Learning about the scope and nature of digital photography
  • Exploring the digital revolution and the characteristics of digital
  • Gaining an understanding of the differences between analogue and digital
  • Studying pixels, bits and colour depth, colour and black and white and pixels and resolution
  • Examining the two colour systems, the applications for digital photography, graphics and photo application software
  • Understanding computer-aided design (CAD), multimedia and video games
  • Attaining knowledge of social media, video and digital terminology
  • Gaining insights into equipment, CCD’s and CMOS – the sensors, linear CCD’s and computer performance
  • Learning about architecture, clock speed and memory
  • Exploring the basic components of a computer, including the keyboard and power supply
  • Gaining an understanding of data storage, the motherboards, cards and the USB
  • Studying types of computers and features of a digital camera
  • Examining digital technology, colour, sensors, camera memory and using a prism with three CCDs
  • necessary
  • Learning about image formation and lenses
  • Exploring how to select a digital camera
  • Gaining an understanding of instant cameras, camera phones and tablets, compact cameras, bridge cameras, DSLRs and video conferencing
  • Studying purchasing your camera
  • Examining camera stability and depth of focus
  • Understanding taking photos, including composition, rule of thirds and time and natural lighting
  • Attaining knowledge of the principles of photographic composition, including unity, balance and proportion
  • Gaining insights into harmony, contrast and rhythm
  • Learning about the qualities of the components and how to create effects
  • Exploring scanning and the types of scanners, including hand, drum, film and printer scanners
  • Gaining insights into transformation, retouching, sharpening images and cropping
  • Learning how to use Adobe Photoshop
  • Exploring file formats and saving images using different file types
  • Gaining an understanding of image sizes and downloading and accessing digital photographs in Photoshop
  • Studying compositing and filters, including image processing, basic filters, Bas relief, Chalk and Charcoal
  • Examining Chrome, Conté crayon, Graphic pen, Note paper, Photocopy and Plaster
  • Understanding reticulation, Torn edges, Water paper, filters used in Adobe Photoshop and Coloured pencil
  • Attaining knowledge of Cut-out, Dry brush, Film grain and Fresco
  • Gaining insights into Paint daubs, Palette knife and Plastic wrap
  • Learning about Poster edges and Rough pastels
  • Exploring special effects and advanced filters
  • Attaining knowledge of Drop shadow, Blend mode, Opacity and Angle
  • Gaining insights into Distance, Spread, Size, Bevel and Emboss
  • Learning about outputs and applications
  • Exploring the purpose of digital files and storing digital images
  • Gaining an understanding of digital presentations, digital photography as art, digital photography for newsletters and invitations, portraiture/wedding photography, and commercial, fashion or advertising photography
  • Studying printers, including dot matrix, inkjet and laser jet printers and dye sublimation printers
  • Examining digital photo labs

And more!

Australian photography competitions

Photography events and competitions are a fantastic launching pad for amateur photographers, including those that have done short photography courses. Here are some recommended by the Centre for Creative Photography for those starting out (you can find out more here).

Australian Photographer of the Year 2022

Deadline: 13/11/22

Focuses on amateur photographers and includes six portfolio categories — Landscape, Animal & Nature, People, Aerial, Travel, and Black & White, and three single-image categories — Single Shot, Creative and Junior (for those under 18 years of age).

The best entries will be showcased in a special edition of Australian Photography magazine in 2023. With more than $22,000 in prizes up for grabs, there are plenty of reasons to get involved!

Annual Photography Awards 2022

Deadline: 11/12/22

Celebrates photographers of all levels, including amateur photographers who have done short photography courses. The awards offer trophies, acclaimed awards and generous cash prizes for participating winners.

Australian Photography Magazine

Deadline: Monthly at the end of the month, except for December, which is the 15/12/22.

A monthly competition … that’s FREE to enter! A different theme is announced in the first week of each month. Monthly prizes vary and include a 12-month subscription to Australian Photography or Capture magazine.

High School Student Photography Awards 2023

Deadline: 31/12/22 

Open to high school students Australia-wide, this is an open-themed competition where creativity and originality are encouraged!

Ramsay Art Prize

Deadline: 16/12/22

Held every two years, the Ramsay Art Prize invites submissions of new or recent work by Australian artists under forty working in any medium, including photography.

Updates to Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop started the digital image manipulation revolution more than 30 years ago, and it remains as one of the best photo editing software packages available. Short photography courses like ours will introduce you to many of its fantastic features, from layered image editing to a multitude of effects.

Adobe also continually updates its software, including adding new tools powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Some recent innovations include:

  • Sky Replacement. Save time and let Photoshop do all the blending and masking for you! You can also add more drama to your photos by using slider adjustments that will blend foreground and background colours.
  • Landscape Mixer Filter. This allows you to mix multiple landscape filters to make a new one! It works almost automatically and has lots of photo presets, so you can use them to make virtually any customisation.
  • Neural Filters. These “non-destructive” filters allow you to make complex designs and edits in seconds, including recolouring and retouching scenes and removing objects. You can also zoom into parts of an image to change a person’s age, pose or expression.
  • Super Resolution. This feature uses advanced machine learning to boost the resolution of an image while keeping essential details and clean edges.
  • Enhanced Object Selection tool. This tool has been advanced to (among other things) make better hair selections in human portrait images. It recognises portraits and applies hair refinement to get a mask on par with what’s delivered by the Select Subject tool.
  • Depth Blur Neural Filter. This allows you to create natural depth to portrait photos by adding haze, film grain and tweaking a background’s lighting, saturation and tonality.

History of digital photography

The history of digital photography as we know it today began in the 1950s with the first digital signals being saved to magnetic tape. In 1957, engineer Russell Kirsch produced the first digital image through a computer. It was an image of his son, Walden.

The first semiconductor image sensor was the CCD, invented by physicists George E. Smith and Willard S. Boyle. The CCD is a semiconductor circuit later used in the first digital video cameras for television broadcasting.

The first published colour digital photograph was produced in 1972 by Michael Francis Tompsett using CCD sensor technology. It was a picture of his wife and featured on the cover of Electronics Magazine.

The first self-contained (portable) digital camera was created in 1975 by Steven Sasson of Eastman Kodak. The camera weighed over three kilograms, recorded black and white images to a cassette tape, and it took 23 seconds to capture an image! And while the first consumer digital camera was not produced until 1981, the groundwork for digital photography had been laid.

The first digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera was the Nikon SVC prototype, followed by the Nikon QV-1000C, which was released in 1988. The first widely commercially available digital camera was the 1990 Dycam Model 1. It used a CCD image sensor, stored pictures digitally, and connected directly to a computer for downloading images. Originally offered to professional photographers (for a hefty price!), due to technology advancements, by the mid-to-late 1990s, digital cameras were available to the general public.

Cultural changes also eventuated — dark rooms were no longer required for image post-production. As you’ll learn in short photography courses like ours, images could be enhanced with a home computer. This allowed photographers to be more creative with their processing and editing techniques.

The camera phone also helped popularise digital photography, along with social media, the internet and the JPG image format. Sharp and Samsung produced the first phones with built-in digital cameras in the early 2000s. They have revolutionised the capturing of images — with the touch of a few mobile buttons!

Learn how to use image editing software to gain quality control and apply special effects to your photos with short photography courses like our Introduction to Digital Photography

Counselling as a Career – 10 Specialities to Consider

Are you considering counselling as a career? If so, you might like to explore the many different areas of counselling, from relationship counselling to career counselling, to find the right direction for you.

Many counsellors gain skills in various counselling areas, while others find their niche and become experts in that field. The following are ten of the most common areas of specialisation in counselling – let us know if we can help you explore any of these in more depth before enrolling in further study.

  1. Crisis Counselling

Crisis counselling is often a short-term form of therapy that helps people to overcome the aftermath of a crisis. The focus is on helping people to confront stressful situations, treat their immediate needs and assist them in developing coping skills.

Crisis counsellors work in many healthcare settings and as phone support with hotlines. A crisis counsellor should be resilient, empathetic, collaborative, and self-aware. If you’d like to explore crisis counselling as a career option, our Certificate of Crisis Counselling is an ideal place to start.

  1. Relationship Counselling

Relationship counselling involves working with couples to explore relationship difficulties and find clarity and mutually agreeable solutions. Helping people understand their issues and change their perspective to resolve conflicts is at the heart of what relationships counsellors do.

Relationship counsellors work in private practice and other healthcare settings. Relationship counselling as a career requires a high level of interpersonal skills, tolerance, compassion, ethics and patience. If you’d like to build a career in relationship counselling, consider an introductory course like our Certificate of Relationship and Communication Counselling.

  1. Grief & Loss Counselling

Greif & Loss Counselling (also known as bereavement counselling) involves helping bereaved individuals, families, young people and children to work through the stages of grief and loss in healthy ways. Grief counsellors provide a safe space for clients to talk about their lost loved one and can help them maintain a connection with that person.

Grief and loss counsellors work in private practice, hospitals and other community and healthcare settings. If you feel you’re right for a counselling career in grief and loss, consider our Certificate of Grief & Loss Counselling to explore your aptitude further.

  1. Child & Adolescent Counselling

Child and adolescent counsellors help young people facing challenges develop coping strategies. They liaise with parents, carers, teachers and other care providers to improve a child’s happiness and emotional well-being.

Child & adolescent counsellors can work in private practice or as a team in other healthcare and community settings. If you’d like to explore a counselling career working with young people, our Certificate of Counselling Children is an ideal place to start.

  1. Aged Care Counselling

As our aging population grows, older Australians need counselling services that are unique to them. A counselling career specialising in aged care will help you better understand more senior people and provide for their needs.

Aged care counsellors work in the community and retirement, aged care residential, and hospital settings. Explore the aged care counselling specialisation with our Certificate of Aged Care Counselling.

  1. Trauma Counselling

Trauma has a profound impact on an individual’s wellbeing and functioning. Trauma counselling is a specialist field that focuses on helping those who have suffered trauma.

These type of counsellors work in various settings, from hospitals to community centres and private practice. If you’d like to learn more about trauma counselling, take a look at our Certificate of Trauma Counselling.

  1. Addiction Counselling

Helping people with alcohol or drug dependency requires specialist knowledge in addiction support.

Addiction counsellors work across community settings, hospitals and private practice. If you’d like to give your counselling career the edge, enrol in our Certificate of Counselling/Certificate of Alcohol and Other Drugs dual program.

  1. Career Counselling

Career counsellors provide guidance on choosing study and work options to those looking for direction. If you aspire you help people navigate educational endeavours and career opportunities, career counselling as a career is an excellent choice for you.

Career counsellors (or guidance counsellors) work in universities, schools, colleges, and private practice. If you’re interested in this counselling career, explore our Certificate of Career Counselling.

  1. Family Therapy

Family therapy is a type of counselling that focuses on helping families to navigate difficulties. It’s a therapy that incorporates coping mechanisms that promote recovery of relationships.

Family therapists work primarily in private practice. If you’re interested in developing insights into a range of techniques in family therapy, take a look at our Certificate of Family Therapy.

  1. Youth Work

Are you passionate about working with young people in need? A counselling career in youth work and justice might be your calling. Youth workers make a real difference in the lives of young people. They organise activities and delivering interventions and critical counselling services.

Youth workers work in community centres, schools, youth refuges or private organisations, such as Scouts or Guides. If you’d like to explore youth work, take a look at our Certificate of Youth Work.

Is a counselling career for you? If you’re still unsure about what course to choose, talk to one of our Course Counsellors via phone, Live Chat or email today to gain clarity. We can’t wait to help you find your new direction!

Leverage Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Claimed to be one of the keys to success in life and in business, many people (including recruiters) also believe that our “emotion quotient” (EQ) is even more important than our “intelligence quotient” (IQ). And this seems to be a continuing trend, with the World Economic Forum citing emotional intelligence as one of the top 15 skills for 2025 in their Future of Jobs report.

Emotional intelligence (EI) is often defined as the ability to “perceive, use, understand, manage and handle emotions”. People with high emotional intelligence can typically “recognise their own emotions and those of others, use emotional information to guide thinking and behaviour, discern between different feelings and label them appropriately, and adjust emotions to adapt to environments”.

Having EI is also particularly valuable for those in management positions. According to Indeed, emotional intelligence in leadership can help leaders:

  • Collaborate and communicate more effectively.
  • Build stronger relationships.
  • Form more effective teams.
  • Understand the emotion of others to help achieve team goals.
  • Relate well to others and help them be recognised for their contributions.
  • Decrease employee turnover.
  • Demonstrate empathy and communicate effectively when addressing conflict.
  • Assess challenging situations calmly, respond appropriately and inspire others to take positive action.
  • Set the tone for leadership within an entire organisation.

This emotional intelligence in leadership course will teach you how to develop and apply EQ for personal and professional success. In our Certificate of Emotional Intelligence, you will also learn about the biology and physiology of EQ, how to measure it, and its crucial applications in marketing, management, education and relationships.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking an emotional intelligence in leadership course include:

  • Learning about IQ or intelligence quotient, social intelligence and emotional intelligence.
  • Exploring how to understand emotions and the definition of emotion.
  • Gaining an understanding of mood versus emotion, models of emotions, the wheel of emotions and the function of emotions.
  • Studying emotional development; motivation, cognition and emotion and the elements of emotional intelligence.
  • Examining self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills.
  • Understanding why studying EI is valuable and which type of intelligence is more important.
  • Attaining knowledge of the biology of emotions, emotions as feelings and the development of emotions.
  • Gaining insights into emotional intelligence in infancy, toddler to early childhood, middle to late childhood and adolescence.
  • Learning about the nervous system and emotions and the theories of emotion.
  • Gaining an understanding of facial feedback theory links to emotional intelligence, unusual sensory states, highly sensitive people and synaesthesia.
  • Studying models of emotional intelligence, including EI models, the Salovey & Mayer ability model and Goleman’s performance-based model.
  • Examining self-awareness, social awareness, self-management and relationship management.
  • Understanding the Bar-On competency-based model, five dimensions and intrapersonal and interpersonal skill
  • Attaining knowledge of stress management, adaptability and the 15 competencies contributing to an individual’s overall emotional intelligence.
  • Gaining insights into measuring emotional intelligence and why to measure intelligence in leadership.
  • Attaining knowledge of low EI and the ethical considerations of using EI in recruitment.
  • Gaining insights into EI applications in terms of managing employees.
  • Learning about how EI can be applied to leadership and workplace management?
  • Exploring the five EI competencies, social skills, motivation and self-awareness.
  • Gaining an understanding of empathy, leadership training, training employees, the limitations of training programs in EI and empirically-based training programs.
  • Exploring how to recognise and define self-awareness; self-awareness, emotional intelligence and well-being and negative self-talk.
  • Gaining an understanding of major problems with negative self-talk, procrastination, the procrastination management framework and stress.
  • Studying EI and romantic and other relationships and building relationships.
  • Examining arguments and discussions, conflict management, EI and relationship strategies and setting goals.
  • Understanding how to consider alternate perspectives, writing redirection phrases and feeling statements ahead of time and tools for developing self-awareness.
  • Attaining knowledge of emotional observation and how to recognise and channel strong emotions.
  • Gaining insights into EI applications in education and training, and how our emotions affect our attention and emotion.
  • Learning about EI and studying, EI an academic performance and teaching and emotional intelligence.
  • Exploring the self-assessment of EI, how teachers model emotional intelligence in classroom settings and classroom tools for developing emotional intelligence.
  • Gaining an understanding of resilience, social and emotional learning, mood monitoring, journalling and reflection.
  • Studying education at work, communication, facilitation and engagement and motivation.

And more!

The Five Components of Emotional Intelligence

Although the term “emotional intelligence” first appeared in the mid-1960s, it gained popularity in the book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, written by psychologist Daniel Goleman in 1995. Goleman defined EI as the array of characteristics and skills that drive leadership performance, including emotional intelligence in leadership, and he cited five different components.

#1. Self-awareness

  • The capacity to recognise and understand emotions.
  • Have a sense of how actions, moods and the emotions of others take effect.
  • Keeping track of emotions and noticing different emotional reactions.
  • Being able to identify emotions correctly.
  • Recognising that how we feel and what we do are related.
  • Having awareness of our own personal strengths and limitations.

#2. Self-regulation

  • The appropriate expression of emotion.
  • Coping with change, being flexible, and managing conflict.
  • Diffusing tense or difficult situations.
  • Being aware of how actions affect others and taking ownership of them.

#3. Social skills

  • Interacting well with other people.
  • Applying an understanding of the emotions of ourselves and others to interact and communicate with others.
  • Verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, developing rapport, and emotional intelligence in leadership.

#4. Empathy

  • Being able to understand how other people are feeling.
  • Respond appropriately to other people based on recognising their emotions.
  • Understanding power dynamics and how these affect behaviour and feelings.

#5. Intrinsic motivation

  • Being driven to meet personal goals and needs rather than being motivated by external rewards such as fame, money and recognition.
  • Being action-oriented and setting goals.

Models and Frameworks of the EI Concept

The three major models of emotional intelligence have been developed from analysis, research and scientific studies. And as you’ll discover below, many of them have similar components.

Goleman’s EI Performance Model

In addition to the five components of EI, Goleman also suggests twelve sub-scales of EI.

  1. Emotional self-awareness
  2. Emotional self-control
  3. Adaptability
  4. Achievement orientation
  5. Positive outlook
  6. Influence
  7. Coaching and mentoring
  8. Empathy
  9. Conflict management
  10. Teamwork
  11. Organisational awareness
  12. Emotional intelligence in leadership,including being inspirational

Bar-On’s EI Competencies Model

Psychologist Reuven Bar-On suggested that EI is a system of interconnected behaviour that arises from social and emotional competencies that influence behaviour and performance. His model consists of five scales — self-expression, self-perception, decision-making, interpersonal and stress management. He also proposed fifteen sub-scales:

  1. Self-regard
  2. Self-actualisation
  3. Emotional self-awareness
  4. Emotional expression
  5. Assertiveness
  6. Independence
  7. Interpersonal relationships
  8. Empathy
  9. Social responsibility
  10. Problem-solving
  11. Reality testing
  12. Impulse control
  13. Flexibility
  14. Stress tolerance
  15. Optimism

Mayer, Salovey and Caruso’s EI Ability Model

This model, developed by academics John D. Mayer, Peter Salovey and David R. Caruso, suggests that “information from the perceived understanding of emotions and managing emotions is used to facilitate thinking and guide our decision making”. The framework emphasises a four-branch model of EI in terms of the ability to:

  1. Perceive emotion — including the ability to identify emotions in the postural and facial expressions of others. It reflects emotional expression and non-verbal perception to communicate via the face and voice.
  2. Use emotion to facilitate thought — including the ability to use emotions to aid thinking.
  3. Understand emotions — including being able to “analyse emotions and awareness of the likely trends in emotion over time, as well as an appreciation of the outcomes from emotions. It also includes the capacity to label and discriminate between feelings”.
  4. Manage emotion — including managing an individual’s personality with self-knowledge, goals and social awareness shaping how emotions are managed.

The branches are ordered from “emotion perception” to management via more basic skills through to more sophisticated skills. Branches one and two represent the separate parts of information processing that are thought to be bound in the emotion system. Branch four is integrated into an individual’s plans and goals.

This model can be measured using the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). It measures four aspects of EI. The ability to:

  1. Accurately identify the emotions of people and symbolised by objects in pictures. Question types: identifying and reading emotions in landscapes, people and designs.
  2. Use emotions and solve problems with emotions. Question types: comparing and matching emotions to sensations such as light, colour and temperature.
  3. Understand the cause of emotion. Question types: multiple choice emotion vocabulary (scenario presented) questions.
  4. Be open to emotions and fuse emotions with thinking. Question types: answering which emotional strategy would be best in social relationships, as well as managing one’s self.

Learn valuable knowledge and skills that will help you apply your knowledge of emotional intelligence in your personal and professional life with our Certificate of Emotional Intelligence.

Considering Event Management as a Career?

If you’re considering event management as a career, take note! The event management sector is shifting, and those with virtual skills are in high demand. From digitalised to virtual and hybrid formats, event managers and planners are now challenged to multiply event attendance, reach global audiences, and grow brands.

Our Certificate of Virtual & Hybrid Event Management will develop and enhance your skills to design, manage and deliver a virtual or hybrid event. In this virtual event management course, you will learn how to plan an event’s marketing and promotional strategies, arrange equipment and technology and implement costs and ticketing. You will also gain insights into virtual tours, social media, sales techniques, financial management and content curation for virtual and hybrid events.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course in studying event management as a career include:

  • Learning about recent changes in the event sector
  • Exploring the advantages and disadvantages of virtual events
  • Gaining an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid events
  • Studying the differences between in-person and virtual events
  • Examining successful events that have gone from in-person to online
  • Understanding the challenges of delivering events, including attention span and distractions
  • Attaining knowledge of how to create a virtual event, having clear and specific goals, and considering how and when the event be hosted
  • Gaining insights into audience engagement, promoting a virtual event, having a clear agenda and having a troubleshooter and moderators available
  • Learning about getting feedback, event planning/conception/purpose, setting a date and creating a plan and budget
  • Exploring registration, determining staff requirements, technical resources, activities and how the event will be hosted
  • Gaining an understanding of data capture, invitations/promotion, marketing approaches, event day and evaluating the event
  • Studying how to create a hybrid event, internal and internal hybrid events
  • Examining event goals and registration, interesting content, time zones, venue selection and virtual attendees’ content
  • Gaining an understanding of audience members, networking and using breakout rooms
  • Studying social media ideas, online etiquette, choosing the right platform, the social wall, hashtags, advertising and influences, live tweets and “ask me anything” (AMA)
  • Examining contests, festivals, conferences, exhibitions, live streaming, webinars/workshops and app features
  • Understanding marketing approaches, including digital, email, social media, social media banners and multimedia content
  • Gaining an understanding of sponsorship metrics, ticketing and advertising, communicating value and attendee and sponsor value
  • Studying pricing strategies, early bird offers and developing packages
  • Examining benching, flexible pricing and packages for groups
  • Understanding technology requirements and their importance, challenges in technology and the lack of technical knowledge
  • Attaining knowledge of connectivity, security, cost, the preference of potential clientele, sourcing technology suppliers and accessibility for potential attendees
  • Gaining insights into flexibility for the future, support and level of customisation
  • Learning about content type, in-platform tools, analytics, outsourcing strategy, attendee technology and communicating with audiences ahead of the event
  • Exploring technology during the event, polls/voting and tasks
  • Gaining an understanding of evaluation tools, using SMART goals, evaluating competitors and observations
  • Studying how to evaluate the event in terms of feedback, and evaluating the media attention, social media engagement, people and the budget
  • Examining different approaches to traditional events and how to manage feedback
  • Understanding stakeholder engagement and how to focus on sponsor engagement

And more!

What is the difference between live, virtual and hybrid events?

If you are considering event management as a career, you will become familiar with the various platforms the sector engages in. Live events require all attendees to be present in a physical location at the time of the event. Virtual events are where everyone attends online. Hybrid events combine the two — some people participate in person, and others attend online.

What are some of the benefits of a hybrid event?

Hybrid events are becoming increasingly popular in the event management space and are an essential element if event management as a career is on your job radar in the future. Some examples of incorporating hybrid elements into an event include elements of virtual network or “breakout rooms”, virtual Q&A and polling during live streams, and post-event libraries of on-demand content for all participants.

The reasons for hosting a hybrid event don’t necessarily differ from in-person or virtual events. All aim to deliver a message, connect and engage with an audience, generate brand loyalty and drive leads and revenue. But aside from the obvious travel and social distancing measures in place due to COVID-19, there are some other valuable benefits of a hybrid event.

Flexibility

Hybrid events can ensure an event can go ahead regardless of challenging circumstances such as COVID-19. Isolation and close contact requirements are ever-changing and often last minute. Hybrid events can pivot to more live or entirely virtual if need be.

Greater audience reach

Apart from the challenges of COVID-19, many people don’t have the money, time or physical capacity to attend events in person. Offering an online component enables you to promote inclusivity and connect with a larger and more diverse audience. The barrier to entry can also be lowered in terms of two primary demographics. Those who are unsure if your event is suitable for them and those who want to attend but can’t. Seamless integration of technology will ensure virtual audiences gain as much value from your event as those attending in person.

Access to more speakers

Quality speakers at an event are paramount; however many events have limitations in terms of location, availability and budget. By removing these barriers, there is the potential to access a larger pool of potential speakers and add value to your overall event.

Enhancing sponsorship

Hybrid events can allow you to offer sponsors great value through broader audience exposure and a larger network of in-person and digital avenues. Sponsors can effectively reach both audiences, leading to a more significant number of possible leads. Instead of sponsoring strictly “live” on-site collateral, they can also sponsor live apps, live streams, and more!

Data and analytics

Data is a powerful tool in most businesses, and in terms of the event sector, it can give you insights into what does and doesn’t work for your event. Importantly, a hybrid model allows you to track audience engagement. A larger audience base inherently increases your internal database, which can grant bigger and more comprehensive demographic insights. Surveys and polling (which can be tricky to navigate with in-person registrations) can help you refine and improve your structure and content for future events.

What are some of the current trends in event management?

Trends in event management consistently evolve — as in most business sectors. A couple to watch out for when pursuing event management as a career include:

Event technology

Technology is advancing at a rapid rate — in virtually all business sectors. In terms of the event industry, a range of digital tools are being explored and implemented to help event planners perform essential event organisation tasks and enhance the whole customer experience.

  • RFID and facial recognition. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) can streamline the attendee experience by replacing tickets and physical payments. Facial recognition technologies could dramatically reduce waiting times via automated check-in terminals and attendee check-in apps. And advanced software can read body language and facial expressions to predict the mood of attendees. That takes feedback to a whole new level!
  • Many of us have embraced digital assistance tools like Alexa and Siri to play our favourite songs or add bread to our shopping lists. Chatbots powered by AI are also being explored by the event industry as well. By automating customer service, attendees receive more-rapid responses, allowing event planners to focus even more on creating an amazing event.
  • Data collection. AI is increasingly being used to analyse data and offer personalised recommendations. This can enhance attendees’ experiences and reactions and be used to interpret and leverage data post-event.
  • AI and VR. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) can transport attendees into a whole new world, offering an experiential event like no other. (Here’s a little inspiration).

Sustainability

Event sustainability is a significant event trend across the sector. Choosing a hybrid event allows your attendees to participate sustainably, including reducing the need for travel-related expenses. This can reduce your event’s carbon footprint and enhance your brand by positioning your organisation as environmentally conscious and forward-thinking.

“Going green” with an event not only has benefits for the planet, but it can also benefit your event and brand in other ways. A virtual event obviously enhances sustainability in many ways; however, if you are hosting a hybrid event, consider the following:

  • Cutting down on waste and cost. Sustainable event planning can include creating a carbon-neutral event by working with a “circular economy”. This can involve planning an event by re-purposing items, areas and materials and switching to electronic rather than paper ticketing, meaning waste management can be easier and less complicated.
  • Reducing the environmental impacts of travel. According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the United Nation’s aviation body, aviation contributes about two per cent of the world’s carbon emissions. That’s why many event planners are hosting smaller, more frequent events in multiple locations and incorporating hybrid or virtual events.
  • Creating positive brand awareness. Supporting environmentally friendly initiatives can enhance trust with potential attendees. In fact, many people are more willing to attend eco-friendly events.

Develop the skills and knowledge to design and deliver successful, engaging and profitable events and realise your dream of event management as a career with our Certificate of Virtual & Hybrid Event Management.

8 Reasons Marketing & Sales Work Best Together!

Marketing and sales may be entirely different departments, but when they work together, they’re destined for success. Similarly, when they’re misaligned, it costs a business dearly.

HubSpot reports misalignment of sales and marketing costs companies $1 trillion* a year. That’s down to the fact that 79% of a lead generation never converts to sales. Companies with the proper alignment enjoy 27% faster three-year profit growth, close 38% more deals and 208% higher marketing revenue than organisations with disjointed teams.

So, what are the most convincing arguments for marketing and sales to work collaboratively? We can think of at least eight, but we’re sure there are more!

  1. Deeper Appreciation of Audience

One of the main advantages for marketers working with sales teams is the insight into the customer. As a result, marketers have a clearer understanding of their audience when creating marketing and promotional campaigns.

  1. Understand the Customer

One of the main advantages for marketers working with sales teams is the insight into the customer. As a result, marketers have a clearer understanding of their audience when creating marketing and promotional campaigns.

  1. Improved Customer Experience

When a collaboration exists between sales and marketing, customers enjoy an improved experience in engaging with a business. There are no gaps between what’s been promised (marketing messages) and what’s delivered (sales teams).

A 7000+ survey by LinkedIn and Join the Dots shows that 58% of organisations with integrated sales and marketing experienced improved efficiency, and 52% saw increased productivity. The study also showed 71% of them believe they more effectively addressed their customer needs because of this collaboration.

  1. Greater Engagement

Engagement is compromised when sales teams and marketing have tunnel vision, focusing on their specific goals. Alternatively, when working collaboratively, marketing can create impactful campaigns, and sales teams are better able to nurture leads. As a result, prospective customers are impressed.

  1. Stronger Relationships

Relationships improve if marketing and sales teams see themselves as friends rather than foes! A strong relationship improves trust; as a result, both are invested in helping the other reach their targets.

  1. Better Buyer Personas

Encourage employees, residents or students to care for their health and wellbeing. Health and Wellness Coordinators educate and inspire people to enjoy better mental, emotional and physical health.

  1. Faster Feedback

The feedback given to a sales team may indicate that a specific marketing strategy doesn’t resonate with the prospective customer. If there is a culture of open communication between teams, stronger relationships and the ability to quickly adjust strategies result.

  1. Improved Marketing Materials

It’s often a struggle for a marketing team to gauge the success of marketing efforts accurately. On the other hand, a sales team has direct contact with the customer and can help marketers create more valuable and informative content.

Sales teams have direct communication with prospects and customers and often repeatedly hear the same questions. When a marketing team works with sales, these queries will be invaluable in creating valuable marketing materials. This marketing collateral can include blog posts, eBooks, newsletters and social media posts. Prospective customers make better decisions when targeted with appropriate marketing materials.

Advanced Certificate of Sales & Marketing

Give your career the edge with a sales and marketing short course, which combines marketing foundations with strong sales skills. Whether you’re interested in pursuing sales management or marketing opportunities, this course is ideal professional development for you.

What will you learn:

  • Marketing and business
  • Scope of marketing
  • Target marketing
  • The marketing mix
  • Managing the marketing effort
  • Product presentation and packaging
  • Promotion communication skills
  • Product pricing and distribution
  • Customer service
  • Market research
  • Organisations – structures and roles
  • Developing sales concepts
  • Developing sales relationships
  • Sales ethics and law
  • Building product knowledge
  • Developing a customer strategy
  • Presentation strategy options
  • Closing the sale
  • Managing yourself
  • Managing a sales team

Our online sales and marketing courses are an excellent way to further your career or find a new direction. If you have questions about any of our courses, contact one of our friendly Course Consultants via phone, Live Chat or email.

 

*US dollars

Optimise Stock Needs by Improving Pastures

Farmers can often turn unprofitable farm enterprises into commercial successes by simply improving pastures. Ideal for farm owners, farm managers and farm hands, produce or land agents, farm supplies managers and those in the agriculture sector, our Certificate of Pasture Management will develop your capacity to manage pasture for commercial success and gain employment in various agricultural jobs.

In this pasture management course, you will learn to select plant varieties, evaluate sites for pasture development and manage established pastures. You will also study animal feed, stock management, grazing behaviour, weed control, the nutritional and commercial value of plant species, and how to develop a work program for a pasture farmer.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course in improving pastures include:

  • Learning about pasture farmers, the distribution of pasture species and pasture improvement
  • Exploring how to choose a pasture mix, seed coating, variety selection, sustainability and maintenance
  • Gaining an understanding of the pasture plant in terms of what is valuable and the grass plant
  • Studying the stem, leaves, roots and inflorescence (the flower head, including panicle, spike and raceme inflorescence
  • Examining the growth and development of the grass family, including the seedling, the vegetative stage and the decline in growth rate and quality
  • Understanding annual and perennial grasses, carbohydrate “sinks”, the physiology of grasses and the structure of a typical grass
  • Attaining knowledge of flowers, characteristics common to grasses, growth habits and tillering, stolons and rhizomes
  • Gaining insights into the ways to identify grasses, using a botanical key and identification keys to selected common turf grasses
  • Learning about legumes, including identifying tips for common grasses
  • Gaining insights into winter dormant and winter active plants and Alpine meadow grass (poa alpina)
  • Learning about bent grasses and ryegrasses, fescues, bluegrasses, couches, zoysia grasses and carpet grasses
  • Exploring legumes, the importance of legumes in a pasture, nitrogen fixation in legumes and nitrogen amounts fixed by different types of legumes
  • Gaining an understanding of the rhizobium bacteria
  • Studying lucerne, perennial clovers, vetches, sainfoin and grasses to grow with clovers
  • Examining how to manage pastures, farm or site planning, choosing the correct site for a pasture and choosing the correct seed mix
  • Understanding rainfall, temperature and soils
  • Attaining knowledge of annual or perennial grass, when grazing is required and seed quality
  • Gaining insights into establishing a new pasture, preparing the land for pasture, preparing the seedbed and sowing and germination
  • Learning about direct drilling, aerial establishment, weed control and weed reduction via slashing, heavy grazing etc.
  • Exploring herbicides, seeders, band seeders, air seeders and other planters
  • Understanding continuous light stocking, season systems, one-herd-four-paddock systems, intensive systems and fire in grassland management
  • Attaining knowledge of horse pastures and ways to improve or maintain horse pasture
  • Gaining insights into pasture for free-range poultry, fodder trees and shrubs and their nutritional value
  • Learning about fertiliser/soil nutrients, pest and weed control, biological control and the advantages and disadvantages of biological methods
  • Exploring good pasture practices, irrigation, fallowing, hay feeders and cultivation
  • Gaining an understanding of cultivation, pasture renovation, complimentary practices, legumes and managing pasture after drought
  • Studying how to manage pasture after a drought breaks and fire and manage stock on burnt pasture

And more!

Pasture Management Tips 

Managing and improving pastures is a critical part of being a livestock farmer, and these skills are also extremely valuable to other agricultural roles. It can involve using existing natural grasses or planting additional grasses to maximise a property’s productivity and properly managing farm animals. It also involves being able to distinguish between desirable and undesirable plants and understanding the grazing habits of stock.

However, the process can be highly complex as there are many elements, and each constantly changes. For example, many plant varieties are used for grazing in specific areas. Each plant will also will react differently to different treatments and environmental conditions.

Different stock also graze in various ways — goats typically browse on bushes, sheep prefer to graze close rather than eating long grass, and cattle eat long grass. It’s complicated!

Natural pasture is also constantly changing and developing depending on the number and types of animals that graze on it and environmental conditions, and these aren’t often immediately apparent.

Farmers also rarely have one type of pasture. Most farms will have “natural” pasture, which is often a mix of grasses with some suited to one kind of animal, and others that suit a different type of animal. Many will also have “improved” pastures. These are specially planted to provide grazing at various times of the year;  therefore, they need different management. By understanding the different elements that affect grassland, those involved in pasture management can gain insights into how to effectively manage a critical resource — grazing.

Choosing a Pasture

Pastures differ on many levels. From the mix of plants they are composed of to how plants grow and their general vigour and health. For effective grazing and in terms of improving pastures, pastures need to match their use, and the type and number of animals being grazed should be carefully considered.

Seed coating is a new development available to farmers. It was essentially developed because grass seeds face many hazards before and during germination. They need precise amounts of nutrients and moisture to germinate and grow, and they are also light, so they can be blown away. If the seed is a legume, it requires a specific type of Rhizobium bacteria to enable it to “fix nitrogen”.

Fixing nitrogen is a term that’s used to describe a process by which bacteria living on the roots of legumes extract nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that is used by plants. A coating around the seed offers a great deal of protection, including from stresses like sun, acid, wind, low moisture and infertile soil.  Birds and rodents also avoid coated seeds. Coated seeds makes sowing by machine easier, and even grasses like Digit Grass (Digitaria eriantha spp. eriantha) are more evenly distributed when coated.

Pasture Growth and Development

An important part of improving pastures is understanding the phases of a grass plant’s growth and development. These can be divided into three phases, and they coincide with the summer period from early November through to March or April. The times of these phases are essential so that rest periods can be built into a farmer’s grazing management progress, ensuring there is no mismanagement of grass.

Phase 1: November and December

Seedlings are very small in this phase because they use the maximum amount of light to produce carbohydrates via the process of photosynthesis. Carbohydrates are required for root system growth and development, which ensures the grass plant receives the maximum amount of nutrients and moisture from the soil.

During this phase, seedlings are sensitive to bad management by overgrazing, particularly by hoofs and teeth! Hence, paddocks should have a substantial “rest” time at this stage to successfully establish these small grasses.

Phase 2: January and early February

This is a stage when a vast amount of leafy material is produced, so it should be the stage where grazing is utilised to its fullest. The “graze half and leave half” rule is applied whenever animals graze on a particular paddock. Progress is made in maintaining and regaining the grasses’ vigour. Some farmers believe this forces livestock to level the paddock, hence they remove the long tuft-like grass that is not productive. However, this thought process can be misguided.

Firstly, fussy stock won’t touch the long, tuft grass, preferring to graze on more palatable vegetation, including vulnerable new shots. This puts strain on the more desirable grass, which in time can die out. Secondly, leaving a certain amount of leaf canopy after each grazing period enables plants to recover quickly.

If farmers want to level the grazing, they should do this mechanically (such as with a mower) rather than having it grazed down severely. This “graze half and leave half” rule also applies to cutting. If a plant is severely cut, the roots typically stop growing within twenty-four hours. So, if 50 per cent of the leaves are removed, the roots will continue to grow, but probably at a slower rate. And if more than 50 per cent of the leaves are removed, root growth may stop for three to eight days. Above 80 per cent defoliation, roots will start dying back from their tips.

Phase 3: late February and early March

This is the reproductive phase, which is essential for the development and release of seeds. Seeds are vital for the establishment and maintenance of pasture. At this stage, farmers should encourage the reproduction of more desirable grass species.

 

Gain a comprehensive understanding of pasture management to work towards improving pastures for more productive farms with our Certificate of Pasture Management.

Gain Vital Ag Skills With a Raising Calves Course

Rearing and breeding calves is fundamental to cattle and dairy farming and can increase profits. Ideal for farm managers, farm hands and agricultural consultants, our Introduction to Calf Rearing will give you a comprehensive understanding of calf production in the dairy and beef cattle industry.

In this raising calves course, you will learn how to select calves for breeding and dairy, manage calf operations on a farm, identify health issues, and design housing facilities for animal production. You will also gain insights into post-weaning requirements and weaning procedures for commercial operations.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course on raising calves include:

  • Learning about calving and culling
  • Exploring research into raising dairy calves
  • Gaining an understanding of the principles of good calf rearing
  • Studying pre-calving management and managing the cow for a healthy calf
  • Examining colostrum management, calf selection and estimated breeding value (EBV)
  • Understanding how to assess calves for suitability in a rearing system
  • Attaining knowledge of the size and weight of the calf
  • Gaining insights into deformities
  • Learning about teats, legs and feet
  • Exploring the birth of a calf and the stages in a normal birth
  • Gaining an understanding of calving problems
  • Studying abnormal presentations and normal and abnormal birth positions
  • Examining colostrum and stress and pathogen exposure
  • Understanding how to manage pathogen exposure
  • Attaining knowledge of the calf digestive tract
  • Gaining insights into rumen development
  • Learning about calf health management and common calf diseases
  • Exploring scours (or diarrhoea), roundworm scours and coccidiosis
  • Gaining an understanding of lungworm, calf diphtheria, pneumonia and clostridial diseases
  • Studying salmonella and navel or joint ill
  • Examining stress and the young calf, feeding stress, transport stress and stress from heat or cold
  • Understanding calf rearing systems, including natural systems of calf rearing
  • Attaining knowledge of birth to learning, single suckling and calving patterns
  • Gaining insights into the breed or cross, growth rates and creep feeding of calves
  • Learning about the advantages of the single suckling method and multiple suckling
  • Exploring foster and race suckling, early weaning and artificial systems of calf rearing
  • Gaining an understanding of how to teach a calf to drink and a basic feeding program
  • Studying milk substitute feeding and the standard mixture of milk substitutes
  • Examining common calf rearing systems, rearing calves with grass and the five-and-a-half-day system
  • Understanding the once-a-day system and the cold milk system
  • Attaining knowledge of acidified milk replacers, mildly acidic milk replacers and strongly acidic milk replacers
  • Gaining insights into milk-fed veal production and housing and management practices
  • Learning about calf housing, good ventilation, calf isolation, comfort, calf pens, metal crates and the calf hutch
  • Exploring weaning, including stress at weaning and general weaning transition strategies
  • Gaining an understanding of weaning at twelve and eight weeks and steps to weaning calves
  • Studying how to wean at five weeks, ten days, thirty-five days and eighty-four days old
  • Examining post-weaning, including transition into the main herd and calf husbandry practices
  • Understanding how to reduce surgical stress, cattle identification, castration and bloodless castration
  • Attaining knowledge of bloodless emasculator (calves and bulls), elastrator (calves) and surgical castration
  • Gaining insights into knife or scalpel or open castration and triple crush emasculator
  • Learning about when to dehorn, dehorning instruments and equipment and choosing the right dehorning instrument
  • Exploring hot iron dehorning, dehorning knives, scoop dehorners and successful horn removal
  • Gaining an understanding of tetanus and vaccination and worming programs

And more!

Common Calf Diseases

One of the important aspects of raising calves is how to identify and treat calf diseases. Here are the most common ones, according to Dairy Australia.

Rotavirus

This infection is caused by calves ingesting the virus from adult and other calves’ manure. Pregnant cows are also known to pass high virus levels around calving time. No specific drugs are available to destroy this virus, and treatment is focused on fluid/electrolyte replacement and other supportive measures. Prevention strategies include minimising calf contact with manure from adult cattle, and ensuring calves consume high-quality colostrum within 12 hours of birth.

Salmonellosis

This is a family of bacteria (Salmonella sp.), and many strains can cause disease in many species, including humans. Calves are infected by ingesting the bacteria found in soil, manure or water. It can also be found in the nasal secretions and saliva of infected animals. High temperatures are common with this disease, and some strains can cause joint infections and pneumonia. Prevention measures include cleaning up grain to reduce bird droppings, avoiding exposure to possible sources of infection, and minimising calf contact with adult cattle manure.

Cryptosporidium parvum

Another disease to be aware of when raising calves is Cryptosporidium Parvum. It is very common in the industry, and infection is caused by a calf ingesting an organism that is found in soil, manure or water. This disease invades the wall of the intestine, and eggs are produced. These either re-infect calves or are shed into the environment. No specific drugs are available that destroy this protozoan. Treatment is focused on adequate fluid replacement and other supportive measures. To prevent it, avoid overcrowding and exposure to possible sources such as pasture grazed by older cattle, contaminated water, and manure from other animal species.

Coronavirus

Calves get infected by this virus by ingesting manure from adults and other calves. Pregnant cows are known to pass high levels of the virus around the time of calving. No specific drugs are available that destroy this virus. Treatment is focused on adequate fluid replacement and other supportive measures. Prevention is based on minimising calf contact with adult cattle manure and ensuring calves aren’t exposed to manure during rearing or transportation. In Australia, vaccines are available against coronavirus, and are given to cows before calving.

Colibacillosis – E coli

This is caused by a bacterium (E coli), which is a normal inhabitant in the gut of cattle. There are many different strains, and not all cause disease. E coli (K99/F5) is the most common cause of diarrhoea (known as calf scours) in calves in Australia. Treatment relies on electrolyte and fluid replacement and anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal drugs. Prevention revolves around minimising calf contact with manure. Vaccination in conjunction with good colostrum management can also effectively minimise the impact of this disease. A vaccine is now available in Australia that is administered to dams before calving to increase antibodies in their colostrum.

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is caused by a protozoan. Infection is caused by ingesting the organism which is found

in soil, manure or water. Treatment options include using medications such as sulpha-based antibiotics. Prevention measures include avoiding overcrowding and minimising exposure to manure and contaminated pastures.

Non-infectious, nutritional scours

This condition presents as scouring with no identifiable infectious agent present. The actual cause is unknown, but an overly-large feed may cause a digestive upset or simple indigestion disrupting normal manure production. Changes in milk temperature and milk composition may also play a role. Treatment is focused on fluid replacement and other supportive measures. Reduction in volumes of milk fed per feed and increasing feeding frequency may be of value, and good quality milk should be fed at constant temperatures.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is another condition to be aware of when raising calves. It is a viral or bacterial infection of the lungs, and clinical signs may include coughing, fever, drooling, an increased respiratory rate and a decreased appetite. Viruses can also play a significant role as an initial cause of lung inflammation. Stressors such as cold weather, poor nutrition and overcrowding make calves more susceptible to viral infections. Treatment involves antibiotics administered by a vet. Prevention measures include ensuring facilities have shelter from draughts, adequate ventilation and good air quality.

Joint Ill

Symptoms include swollen, painful joints with limping progressing to non-weight bearing lameness. It is caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream and lodging in the joints. Treatment with the appropriate antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be helpful. Prevention strategies include spraying a dam’s umbilical cord with an effective disinfectant shortly after birth and repeating as necessary.

Mouth or cheek abscess

When raising calves, a common symptom associated with a mouth or cheek abscess is visible as a swelling of the cheek region. It is usually caused by a penetrating mouth wound that becomes infected with bacteria. Most wounds will heal with draining and flushing, but antibiotics are administered in severe cases.

Mycoplasma

This condition is caused by a bacteria – Mycoplasma bovis. It is known to cause ear infections, lung infections and swollen joints or joint infections. It is highly contagious, and can be spread by respiratory secretions, airborne particles, feeding equipment and contaminated water, feed and bedding. M bovis is challenging to treat successfully with common antibiotics — a long course of antibiotics is typically required. The best prevention strategy is to main a high level of biosecurity where calves are born and reared.

 

Gain a broad understanding of calf production and rearing to enhance your agriculture career with a course on raising calves, such as our Introduction to Calf Rearing.

Find your new direction today!

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