Success stories celebrate Adult Learners' Week
23 August 2004
Two successful Kangan Batman TAFE adult students have volunteered their time in Adult Learners' Week 2004 to encourage others to return to study. Ms Eva Mazzei from Broadmeadows, and Mr Jose Pena-Diaz from Cairnlea, will be coming back to the Institute on Monday September 6, to be guest speakers at a 'Return to Study' free information session for adults.
"Returning to study at TAFE can be the answer for any adult, no matter what their previous experiences with education," said Kangan Batman psychologist, Jan Hastings, who will talk about 'Study Success without Stress' at the session. "We aim to give adult students coping strategies and make them motivated to successfully handle their study, work and home lives," said Jan.
Eva and Jose both credit their studies as adult students at Kangan Batman with improving their career progress and giving them more confidence to tackle new challenges.
"TAFE teachers are more hands-on, they explain a lot more and you really feel confident about what you are learning," Eva said. "I was encouraged to do Certificate studies in Pathology Collection at Moreland campus, as a way into a career helping people," said Eva, who quickly gained a skilled job at the Royal Melbourne Hospital once she finished her course.
Like many adults, Eva initially lacked confidence and was unsure of how she would cope, but soon found the adult learning environment at TAFE was nothing like going "back to school". "Everything made sense; the skills we learnt in class translated easily into what we actually did at work," she said.
For Jose, originally from South America, studying for a Diploma of Purchasing and Materials Management at Kangan Batman made an enormous difference to his career potential with his employer, Smorgons.
"The TAFE course made me more aware of how processes work, how to write reports and contracts, and overcame problems with the terminology in English for my job, which I couldn't easily translate from Spanish," he said. "My TAFE diploma gives me the potential to apply for the boss' job, and I want to be able to do that, and to study further," he said.
Now both Jose and Eva want to share the possibilities that returning to study can produce for adults by telling their stories at the evening information session, to be held at the Broadmeadows campus.
"If you are thinking about returning to study, come along and hear from careers counsellors, course advisors, and successful adult students like Eva and Jose," said Jan Hastings.
- What:
- Return to Study for Adults Free Information Session for Adult Learners' Week
- Where:
- Kangan Batman TAFE Auditorium (Building A), Pearcedale Pde, Broadmeadows
- When:
- Monday, 6 September, 6.00 to 7.30 pm. A light supper will be served, so please RSVP for catering on 9254 3310.
