The Gordon is one of the largest regional TAFE institutions in the state of Victoria, south-east Australia. Home to students from over 75 countries, The Gordon has three main campuses with two located in Geelong and another in Werribee. The Gordon prides itself on helping students gain real skills with hands-on training, pathways and work placements to help them progress onto university study or a career.

Classes at The Gordon generally have between 15 and 22 students, which allows for more support and close attention from teachers. This teaching style also offers students with the opportunity to work on group projects and encourages interaction between peers to give students the chance to get to know each other.

The Gordon won the Australian Large Training Provider of the Year Award for delivering outstanding courses and has developed a 12,000 strong international alumni network. The institution also works closely with the local community including schools, universities and employers as well as industry-leading organisations.

Teachers at the institution are highly trained professionals with industry expertise to provide up-to-date training to ensure that students are job-ready. According to the NCVER report, graduates from the institution achieve better employment outcomes than the national average.

The Gordon's campuses are both affordable and student-centric, within close proximity to Melbourne and the coast. Students can use the institution as a base to explore other parts of Australia such as the infamous Great Ocean Road. Geelong, in particular, is the second biggest city in the state of Victoria, offering plenty for students to do such as food, music and cultural festivals.

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's ELICOS program enables students to learn and practice English make friends, develop workplace communication skills and to prepare for TAFE vocational study.

The program has been designed by experienced English Language Teachers with feedback from industry and vocational trainers. Each week students experience sessions in

• Course book study. Weekly topics to develop English language skills in listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
• Student-directed learning. Each student discusses their progress with a teacher, then chooses the focus of their learning.
• Project-based learning. Students work together to negotiate a project topic. They use English skills to research and problem-solve, while building skills in collaboration, creativity, leadership, communication and time management.

With an average ELICOS class size of 12 – 15 students, students have more personalised teaching and learning, and the teachers have more time for each student. Each week students receive one-on-one feedback from their teacher to help them achieve their English language-learning goals. Students can choose from a wide range of study resources, including conversation practice, exam preparation, listening, grammar, vocabulary and writing

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.

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 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.

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 cafe, 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.

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.