The Gordon has been named the Australian Large Training Provider of the Year at the 2017 Australian Training Awards.

This national honour is the most prestigious accolade in the vocational education and training (VET) sector.

Gordon CEO, Lisa Line, who accepted the award on behalf of the institution, said, “We are delighted that we are Australia’s best large training provider. Our staff work tirelessly, with vigour and drive, to make the student experience as valuable and as rewarding as we can. In our commitment to meet industry’s needs, now and into the future, we make sure that our students graduate with the skills, experience and outcomes they need to thrive in their chosen career.”

The Gordon provides access and opportunity for individuals who want to forge a new life within a transformative economy and is a major partner in a number of initiatives focused on: employment increasing educational attainment industry demand new materials, technology, and manufacturing processes and emerging industries.

This award caps off a stunning year for The Gordon, after winning the Victorian Large Provider of the Year in 2017, celebrating its 130th year of operation, the commencement of the Geelong Tech School development, and The Gordon Rejuvenation Project.

The Gordon has recently introduced a PTE Academic Preparation Course. Students can learn important elements of the PTE Academic test, which includes listening, speaking, writing and reading, as well as getting them closer to achieving their desired PTE Academic test score.

The Gordon Institute of TAFE is regarded highly and is also a NEAS-accredited provider of English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).

The English language classes offer students the resources for them to pursue further studies in Australia, improve their employment prospects in their home countries, or to use the language in both work and social settings.

On an average, there are 15-22 students in every class, so that all students obtain individual expert teaching attention they require to develop their language rapidly and, on all levels, – ranging from writing to conversational and reading skills.

A new beauty therapy course on offer

Students could become qualified beauty therapists who work in salons, day spas, resort spas, or international spas. They will develop practical skills as well as theoretical knowledge in the fundamentals of beauty therapy, business planning and marketing, and advanced spa therapy treatments.

The Gordon Institute of TAFE is highly regarded and is also the only NEAS-accredited provider of English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) in Geelong. Students can now apply to study the ELICOS courses and get a nine plus one free offer. This means students get one week free for every nine weeks of study. This will be on offer for all Gordon TAFE ELICOS programmes. The offer applies to all new applications from the 1^st of January 2020 and is available until the 9^th of November 2020.

On an average, there are between 15 and 22 students in every class, so that all students obtain individual expert teaching attention they require to develop their language rapidly on all levels, ranging from writing to conversational and reading skills. Small class sizes also give students an excellent opportunity to interact with one another and learn as they do so.

Life in Geelong

Geelong is Victoria’s largest provincial city and is only 55 minutes from Melbourne in Victoria. Geelong is a student-friendly, coastal city. The city is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia with lots of opportunities. Geelong is also the gateway to the world-renowned coastline of south-west Victoria via the Great Ocean Road. There is no shortage of fun-filled activities for students to do on weekends, from learning to surf, to seeing Australian wildlife and heading to music, food and cultural festivals. Some of the things that make Geelong such an attractive destination include:

• Geelong is a multicultural city, home and a welcoming place to people from many countries
• Great employment opportunity with health care and social assistance being the largest employment sector (source from Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Government).
• Vibrant waterfront precincts only five minutes’ walk from The Gordon’s city campus
• Morden shopping precincts and large shopping malls
• Diverse range of restaurants, cafes and bars
• Geelong is an UNESCO City of Design

Quality hands-on training that delivers

The Gordon focuses on practical training in a safe and supportive environment, which means less theory and more hands-on experience, ensuring that Gordon graduates are job-ready.

Work placements and practical training

Work placements and industry projects form a large part of the institution’s course content, giving students the practical experience they need to enter the workforce with confidence. All work placements are organised by The Gordon and are a great boost to the students’ CV.

Small classroom sizes

With an average of 15 students in each class, students will get lots of support and more contact time with their teacher. They will work on group projects with their peers so it is a great way to get to know their fellow students and make Australian and international friends.

Industry-trained teaching staff

The teachers at The Gordon are industry-trained professionals who are up-to-date with the latest industry standards and make sure the courses they teach match the needs of industry.

Connected to industry through accreditation

The Gordon is accredited and recognised by peak industry bodies including: NEAS, Australian Community Workers Association, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Design Institute of Australia.

The Gordon focuses on practical training in an environment that is safe as well as supportive, which means that students will have more hands-on experience and less theory, ensuring that graduates are ready for their jobs.

It has small classroom sizes, with an average number of 15-22 students in every class so that they will get plenty of support as well as more contact time with their teachers. Students will work on various group projects with their peers so that it is a great way for them to get to know their fellow students and establish a strong network of both Australian and international friends.

Industry projects and work placements form a significant part of the students’ course content, giving them the practical experience they need to join the workforce with confidence.

The NCVER report confirmed that its graduates obtain better outcomes in employment than the national and state average.

The Gordon offers various courses in areas including commercial cookery, hospitality, nursing and laboratory technology, to name a few.

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

The course will equip students to become a qualified cook or chef. Students will be trained in The Gordon’s specialist training kitchens with state-of-the-art equipment, completing a total of 360 work placement hours.

Certificate III in Individual Support and Diploma of Nursing

This package allows students to obtain two qualifications in 2.5 years. The Individual Support course prepares students for community and/or residential work, with the elderly or disabled. The Diploma of Nursing equips students with the knowledge and practical skills they need to register as an enrolled nurse.

Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)

Students at The Gordon will learn construction techniques and methods, site surveying, 2D and 3D software, design techniques, environmentally sustainable design principles, project management and administration, graphic presentation, scheduling and documentation management.

Certificate IV in Accounting

With this course, students will learn operational reporting, BAS statements, preparing budgets, classifying and recording, as well as reporting.

Diploma of Engineering – Technical

This course is developed for students who want to work as engineering technicians, carrying out tasks including quality control/assurance monitoring, and engineering design.

Pathway to university

Students can apply for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) as well, along with other universities and obtain similar pathways from diplomas or advanced diplomas. Graduates of The Gordon can continue their bachelor’s course in a number of fields at Deakin University, Monash University, RMIT University, Victoria University, Swinburne University of Technology, Federation University, and many others.

Students can graduate two qualifications while saving money, as TAFE courses are affordable.

Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)

The Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) prepares you for a career as a draftsperson and teaches you how to design for both residential and commercial buildings. Students will learn construction methods and techniques, design techniques, site surveying, environmentally sustainable design principles, 2D and 3D software, graphic presentation, project management and administration, scheduling and documentation management.

Certificate IV in Accounting

Get the practical skills and knowledge to enter directly into the financial services field, register with the Tax Practitioners Board or create a pathway to university. Students will learn BAS statements, operational reporting, preparing budgets, classifying and recording and reporting.

Certificate III in Commercial Cookery

During the course students will learn how to prepare and cook appetisers and salads, poultry and game, seafood, meat, hot and cold desserts, pastries, cakes, and yeast goods. Students get the opportunity to get work experience in a real commercial kitchen at the Davidson Restaurant, The Gordon’s on-campus restaurant that is open to the general public.

Diploma of Engineering – Technical

This course is designed for those wanting to work as an engineering technician, carrying out tasks such as engineering design, project management and quality control/assurance monitoring. You will learn how to use state-of-the-art CNC mills and lathes in impressive, large-scale engineering facilities.

Diploma of Nursing

This course includes 400 hours (11 weeks) of guaranteed placement throughout the two year course, which The Gordon will organise for you. As a diploma student you will put your skills into practice in our modern nursing labs and gain real work experience with a range of professional industry providers.

Certificate III in Individual Support

This course prepares you to work in community and aged care settings by combining 120 hours of practical work placement experience with class theory to boost your skills and make you work ready. You will learn to follow an individualised plan to provide personalised support due to ageing or disability.

Diploma of Hospitality Management

After completing the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery & Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery, or the Certificate III in Patisserie & Certificate IV in Patisserie students can choose the pathway to the Diploma of Hospitality Management, where they will learn how to become a highly skilled operational manager with a broad range of hospitality skills.

Read more about the courses on offer to international students…

The Gordon offers various courses in areas including building design and construction,

beauty therapy, engineering and metal trades, health services, laboratory technology, and nursing, among others.

Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)

Students at The Gordon will learn construction techniques and methods, site surveying, 2D and 3D software, design techniques, environmentally sustainable design principles, project management and administration, graphic presentation, scheduling and documentation management.

Certificate IV in Accounting

With this course, students will learn operational reporting, BAS statements, preparing budgets, classifying and recording, as well as reporting.

Diploma of Engineering – Technical

This course is developed for students who want to work as engineering technicians, carrying out tasks including quality control/assurance monitoring, and engineering design.

Pathway to university

Several of The Gordon’s diplomas as well as advanced diplomas provide pathways to Deakin University in Melbourne and Geelong. Students can apply for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) as well, along with other universities and obtain similar pathways from diplomas or advanced diplomas.

Students at The Gordon go on to finish their degrees in a number of fields at Monash University, RMIT University, Victoria University, Swinburne University of Technology, Federation University, and many others.

They can not only graduate with not one qualification, but two, and save money as TAFE courses are affordable.

The Gordon Student Residence offers an affordable, comfortable, as well as a fun place for international students to live. The current weekly rate is AUD 140 which includes all the utilities and WiFi.

Situated at the East Geelong Campus, a ten-minute drive from the city campus, the Gordon Residence is a community that is small and recognised for its friendly, as well as welcoming environment. It is comprised of three separate wings, with 50 furnished bedrooms. All rooms are spacious and include a queen-sized bed with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.

International students have the opportunity to develop independent living skills in a safe and supportive environment. Students are supported by an on-site residence manager, with the addition of 24-hour security.

Additionally, every one of the wings is comprised of a resident assistant who will handle all minor issues, which will then be relayed to the manager. Living on-campus offers students easy access to all campus facilities and provides a great way for them to make new friends.

All applicants must meet the English language requirements for entry into their preferred course.

For most certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses at The Gordon, students are required to show:

• An IELTS Academic overall score of 5.5 with no band score below 5.0 (or its equivalent) or
• Completion of Australian Year 12 certificate or
• A qualification undertaken in Australia at Certificate IV or higher and completed within the past 5 years or
• University studies in Australia of at least 2 years duration and completed within the past 5 years.

There are some courses that may require a higher IELTS score for entry.

Applicants from specified countries may be exempt from English language requirements for admissions purposes. These students will still need to provide evidence of meeting minimum English requirements for visa purposes. Students from these specified countries undertaking courses that require a higher IELTS score (6.0 and above) will not be exempt from the English language requirement and must provide evidence of meeting the IELTS (or equivalent) requirement at the time of admission.

Read more about the entry requirements here…

All of the applicants to The Gordon must meet the necessary English language requirements for them to gain entry into courses of their choice.

For most of the diploma, advanced diploma, and certificate courses at The Gordon, students must show:

• An overall score of 5.5 in IELTS Academic with no band score less than 5.0 (or its equivalent) or
• completion of the Australian Year 12 certificate or
• a qualification which is undertaken in Australia at the Certificate IV or higher level and finished within the past five years or
• that they have pursued university studies in Australia for at least one year, which they have finished within the past two years.

There are several other English language tests or qualifications which are accepted for students to enter the courses of their choice.

Some of the courses at The Gordon may require higher IELTS scores for gaining entry and students can check their individual courses’ requirements.

All of the applicants to The Gordon must meet the necessary English language requirements for them to gain entry into courses of their choice.

For most of the diploma, advanced diploma, and certificate courses at The Gordon, students must show:

• An overall score of 5.5 in IELTS Academic with no band score less than 5.0 (or its equivalent) or
• Completion of the Australian Year 12 certificate or
• A qualification which is undertaken in Australia at the Certificate IV or higher level and finished within the past five years or
• That they have pursued university studies in Australia for at least one year, which they have finished within the past two years.

There are several other English language tests or qualifications which are accepted for students to enter the courses of their choice. Some of the courses at The Gordon may require higher IELTS scores for gaining entry and students can check their individual courses’ requirements.

The Gordon has two main campuses in Geelong City and East Geelong, as well one campus in Werribee.

Geelong is a student-friendly, coastal city only one hour from Melbourne and 35 minutes from the Great Ocean Road. Close to the city, country and coast, Geelong offers an affordable cost of living and a wonderful sense of community.

Geelong is the second largest city in Victoria there is no shortage of fun-filled activities for students to do on weekends, from learning to surf, to seeing Australian wildlife and heading to music, food and cultural festivals.

Werribee is a suburb on the western edge of Melbourne that is easily accessible by public transport, it only takes 30 minutes by train to travel to the Melbourne city centre.

One of the great benefits of training at The Gordon is its purpose-built facilities, many of which are designed to replicate industry environments so when the students are learning hands-on, they also experience what it will be like to do the work in the real world.

These facilities are constantly being upgraded to reflect industry standards. In fact, more than AUD 18 million has been spent in the last five years on redevelopments, infrastructure and equipment upgrades across a number of areas.

The Gordon also has two training venues at its Geelong City Campus that are open to the public, providing more real-life experience for the students and a great service for the community.

There are three main campuses for international students - two in Geelong and one in Werribee.

The Gordon offers many advantages in training, and one among them is its purpose-built facilities, most of which are developed to replicate industry environments ensuring that the students will also experience what it will be like to work in the real world when they learn hands-on.

These facilities at The Gordon are being upgraded regularly to reflect industry standards. A sum of greater than AUD 18 million has been utilised in the past five years on infrastructure, redevelopments, as well as equipment upgrades over a number of areas.

The institution also has two venues for training at its Geelong City Campus which are accessible to the public, offering more experiences of real life for the students.

The Gordon offers many advantages in training, and one among them is its purpose-built facilities, most of which are developed to replicate industry environments ensuring that the students will also experience what it will be like to work in the real world when they learn hands-on.

A new Gordon Culinary School development will provide our students with a centre of excellence for cookery and hospitality training. The facilities will host the school and its training spaces, including the much-loved and culturally significant Davidson Restaurant, Jamie’s Ministry of Food, a social enterprise café, and a new bakery training facility.

The institution also has two venues for training at its Geelong City Campus which are accessible to the public, offering more experiences of real life for the students.

The Gordon offers the following scholarships for international students:

Endeavour Scholarships

Endeavour Vocational Education and Training (VET) Scholarships offer financial support for high

achieving international students studying a Diploma and/or Advanced Diploma in Australia. Recipients will receive a travel and establishment allowance, tuition fee stipend, monthly stipend, and

insurance coverage. To apply, students must be from a participating country and/or region.

Australian Awards

The Gordon is a proud partner of the Australian Awards, an international scholarships programme funded by the Australian Government and administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). These generous scholarships can cover full tuition fees, a stipend, a pre-departure programme, English language courses, OSHC and other expenses including supplementary academic support and travel.

Payment Plans

After completing the first semester at The Gordon current international students can apply to pay their tuition fees via a payment plan, meaning that they can opt to pay their tuition fees fortnightly or monthly, rather than paying fees up front.

CareerHub is an all-inclusive online platform for Gordon students to find casual, part-time, internship and volunteering opportunities.

Careers counsellors

The careers team at The Gordon offers students free as well as confidential career counselling appointments for both current and prospective students.

The institution’s career counsellors can also offer course application support. Its current students will be able to gain assistance with job applications, interview skills, resumes, and employment information.

CareerHub

The Gordon's Skills and Job Centre provides CareerHub services to its students where they can:

• find part-time, full-time, as well as casual jobs, apprenticeship, volunteering, placement and traineeship opportunities
• access job application review, free professional career consultations, career transition workshops as well as industry events
• learn more about what is trending and what is not, in the labour market, as well as information on the greatest and most recent in the employment and recruitment trends.

Careers counsellors

The careers team at The Gordon offers students free as well as confidential career counselling appointments for both current and prospective students.

The institution’s career counsellors can also offer course application support. Its current students will be able to gain assistance with job applications, interview skills, resumes, and employment information.

The Skills and Job Centre

The Gordon's Skills and Job Centre provides CareerHub services to its students where they can:

• Find part-time, full-time, as well as casual jobs, volunteering and placement opportunities
• Access job application review, free professional career consultations, career transition workshops as well as industry events.
• Learn more about what is trending and what is not, in the labour market, as well as information on the greatest and most recent in the employment and recruitment trends.