Learn the lingo
Did you know that as a CGEA student, you can be assessed for RPL/RCC for some competencies? What? Translation: adult students who can show they have already mastered some of a course can apply for credit for those parts.
For all those who think TAFE has more jargon that a medical dictionary, don't despair. Just use this Kangan Institute 'Learn the Lingo' page, and find out what that document, file, website or brochure is really trying to tell you!
Australian Apprenticeship Centre (AAC)
Government-funded centres staffed by experts on all things to do with apprenticeships/traineeships.
Academic Year
Commences in early February, and finishes in December. Divided into two half year semesters, with a mid year break.
AQF
Australian Qualifications Framework-a nationally recognised structure for TAFE qualifications.
Australian Apprenticeships
Formerly called New Apprenticeships, these are TAFE courses which combine part time study with paid work. Shorter ones (6 to 18 months) are called traineeships.
Articulation
Transfer to higher level tertiary courses, such as university degrees, with credit given for previous TAFE studies.
Assessment
A piece of work (e.g. essay, presentation, test or exam) which is marked/graded.
ACE
Automotive Centre of Excellence, Kangan Institute's newest campus, based in the Docklands.
ACFE
Adult, Community and Further Education
AITC
Aviation Industry Training Centre, one of Kangan Institute's specialist training facilities based at the Broadmeadows campus.
ATSI
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
BEC
Business Enterprise Centre. A specialled support and training centre for small business.
Block release
Studying for the off-the-job part of an apprenticeship or traineeship course by attending a full time TAFE courses for a 'block' of time, usually one week in every six. See also Day Release.
Certificate
Basic TAFE qualification, with four levels.
Competency
Showing that you have mastered the understanding and practice required for a unit of a course.
Campus
A location, buildings and grounds where classes are conducted
CGEA
Certificate in General Education for Adults
CMC
Centre for Competitive Operations
Core Unit
Basic compulsory unit of study within a course.
Credit Transfer
Ability to transfer from one TAFE course into another, or into university, reducing the length of the course.
CRICOS
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
Customised course
A TAFE course which is modified and adapted to fit the specific needs of a business or enterprise, or a specific group of students.
Day Release
Studying for the off-the-job part of an apprenticeship or traineeship course by attending a one day per week at TAFE, while working four days. See also Block Release.
DEWR
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
DET
Department of Education and Training (Victorian Government)
DEST
Department of Education Science and Training (Federal Government)
Diploma
Higher level TAFE qualification, usually following on from Certificate level courses.
Direct Entry
Applying for a course by filling out an application form directly with the Institute.
Distance Learning
Electives
Units of study that allow students a choice according to interest and relevance
ENTER
Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank. A national ranking system for tertiary entrance, based on VCE results for Victorian students.
ELICOS
English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students.
Employment Centre
A free service of Kangan Institute to assist students with career guidance and job applications. Learn more about the Employment Centre.
ESL
English as a second language
Flexible Learning
A course option which allows you to study in ways other than in classrooms. This type of learning includes online materials, CD/DVDs, and printed materials for home/workplace study. Learn more about Flexible Learning.
FITC
Fashion Industry Training Centre
Group Training Company
A company which employs numbers of apprentices and/or trainees and contracts them out to other companies in rotation for their practical training.
HECS
Higher Education Contribution Scheme. A fee charged by the Government for study at university. Does not apply to TAFE courses.
International Student
A student who does not hold a permanent Australian residency visa, and is living temporarily in Australia on a student visa while studying full time.
Indenture
Training contract which is an agreement between employer and apprentice detailing the on-the-job training and confirming off-the-job training by a registered training organisation
SSR
Kangan Institute Student Support & Recreation, provides resources and support for students.
Koori (or Koorie)
Indigenous Australian person from Victoria or southern NSW.
LLC
Library and Learning Centre are located at Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, Essendon, Moreland, Coburg and Richmond campuses.
Module
A subject or unit of a course
Mature Age
At TAFE, a mature age student is someone over the age of 18 years, who has been out of full time study for one year.
Mid-year entry
A second chance to commence a TAFE course, starting at the beginning of second semester in July.
Nationally Accredited Course
A TAFE course which provides a qualification that is recognised and accepted in all states and territories of Australia.
NEIS
New Enterprise Incentive Scheme. A Government funded scheme to encourage and support participants to develop a viable small business. Kangan Institute's Business Enterprise Centre delivers NEIS courses.
Off-campus study
A flexible way of studying at home or in your workplace, using computers, CDs/DVDs or printed materials.
OH&S
Occupational health and safety
Orientation
An introduction program to TAFE and study at Kangan Institute for new students.
OSHC
Overseas Student Health Cover
OTTE
Office of Training and Tertiary Education. The Victorian Government department responsible for TAFE.
Pathway
A way of moving from one course to another, usually at a higher level, and gaining credit for some of the studies you have already completed, to shorten the length of the new course. Learn more about Pathways.
PCEP
Post Compulsory Education Pathways
Pre-requisite
Subject or qualification that must be successfully completed before applying for a particular course of study.
Quality Training Framework
The Australian Quality Training Framework sets out a standard which must be achieved for registration as a registered training organisation (RTO).
Recognition
Also known as Skills Recognition, Recognition of Prior Learning, or RPL. A process which matches the skills and knowledge you have against units in the course you want to do. If Recognition is granted in a unit, you do not have to study the unit.
RCC
Recognition of Current Competencies. Similar to Recognition
RTO
Registered Training Organisation.
SCH
Student Contact Hours. The amount of time students meet teachers in classes, also used to calculate tuition fees.
TAFE
Technical and Further Education, or TAFEs, are institutions which provide vocational education and training.
Traineeships
TAFE courses which combine part time study with paid work, usually for six to 12 months.
Training Packages
Sets of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications for recognising and assessing people's skills. A Training Package describes what sort of skills and knowledge a person needs in the workplace.
Undergraduate course
Entry level course to university, for those who have completed VCE or equivalent, or a TAFE Diploma level course with relevant studies.
University articulation
A scheme of credit transfer which allows you to apply for entry to university undergraduate courses, with credits for relevant TAFE studies you have completed.
VC
Virtual Campus. Internet based framework for online study of TAFE courses. See www.tafevc.com.au
VCE
Victorian Certificate Education, a senior secondary qualification (Year 12 of Victorian school education), usually the basic requirement for entry into higher level TAFE courses, and university undergraduate courses.
VE & T or VET
Vocational Education and Training
VET in Schools
Vocational education and training in schools. Learn more about VET in Schools.
VCAL
Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning, a senior secondary school level course with a strong vocational component.
VTAC
Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre, a centralised organisation which handles many of the applications for admission to TAFE courses at Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma levels.
Victorian Qualifications Authority (VQA)
Responsible for the accreditation of all post-compulsory education courses (not including higher education) in Victoria.
WorldSkills
National trade competitions to showcase the apprentices, trainees and VET students of Australia.
YPP
Youth Pathways Program
Youth Allowance
Government funded assistance available to eligible full-time TAFE students.
If you would like us to translate TAFE lingo for you, please send an email with your question to corporatecommunications@kangan.edu.au
