What's new at Didasko
Dear valued subscriber,
Welcome to the second Didasko Update for 2007, looking at some of the recent initiatives across our Australian and New Zealand businesses.
Firstly, we are pleased to be able to participate in the Australian Skills Vouchers Programme as a Government approved training provider. This programme allows eligible Australians to apply for a voucher up to the value of $3000 which can be used to help cover the cost of training. Didasko is offering Certificate level courses in hospitality, retail, business and cleaning as part of this programme.
Our New Zealand schools, Computer Power and the New Zealand School of Travel and Tourism, have established an international student recruit team to promote the schools overseas. As part of this initiative we are applying to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to establish an English School to provide international students with the language skills they need to take on further courses of study.
Didasko was proud to present the 2007 Outstanding Student Award to two highly talented hospitality graduate students and we wish them every success in their chosen careers. Also in the hospitality sector, we have released three new learning resources specially developed for hospitality and commercial cookery.
We now provide five new courses in first aid, which are nationally accredited and have been designed to provide practical, competency based skills underpinned by comprehensive theoretical information.
Finally, we have finished expanding and upgrading the Auckland campus of the New Zealand School of Travel and Tourism.
The new facilities include seven spacious classrooms, an administration office and a new student area. New IT equipment
and an upgraded airline cabin simulator all add to the enhanced environment for students and teachers.
I hope you enjoy this issue of Didasko Update and appreciate your comments and feedback.
Best regards,
Andrew Horton
Group Managing Director
Australian Work Skills Vouchers
The Australian Skills Vouchers Programme is a federal government initiative that allows eligible Australians to apply for a voucher (up to the value of $3000) which helps cover the cost of training.
Didasko Learning Institute is a government approved training provider that provides training under this Programme. We are offering Certificate II courses in Cleaning, Hospitality, Retail and Business. Participants in selected courses also receive a free retail gift voucher reward as part of this special offer.
Didasko Learning Institute provides the highest quality training and assessment in a wide range of nationally accredited pre-vocational and Certificate courses. All Didasko courses are industry-approved and delivered by qualified, experienced trainers and meet the Australian Quality Training Framework standards for Registered Training Organisations.
For more information please contact workskills@didasko.com or phone Leon on (03) 9573 3900. Further details on the Australian Skills Vouchers Programme is available at www.australia.gov.au/skillsforthefuture
International student recruitment
Computer Power (CPNZ) in cooperation with its sister school, The New Zealand School of Travel and Tourism, has established an international student recruit team to promote the school both overseas and to local agents.
Attracting international students adds to the multicultural nature of the student body, supports government policies and addresses the IT skills shortage in New Zealand. The increase in student population also allows the school to better support students through further investments in curriculum and infrastructure.
Over the past few months CPNZ has re-developed its literature and online resources to support prospective international students and conducted in-country seminars in Russia, China, Korea, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Fiji and Australia. Additional activities will be pursued throughout the year as the school seeks to attract over 100 new students.
2007 Outstanding Student Award
Didasko congratulates Louise Garland and Kelly Hanmer, graduates of the VET–VCE Hospitality program at Holmesglen Institute of TAFE and recipients of the 2007 Outstanding Student Award sponsored by The Didasko Group.
Louise received Outstanding Student – Culinary and Kelly received Outstanding Student – Food and Beverage Studies.
It has been a busy time of awards for Louise, who represented Holmesglen Institute of TAFE in the State final of the International Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge which her and her team member went on to win.
Louise and her team member then represented Victoria in the national final and won a gold medal. They placed third in the international competition overall, after Taiwan and Canberra.
Louise is currently undertaking an apprenticeship with Poci’s Restaurant in Hampton, Victoria.
Kelly completed the VET in Schools program in both Kitchen Operations and Front of House Operations while completing her full-time study.
She is currently undertaking the Diploma in Hospitality Management at Holmesglen Institute of TAFE.
Kelly’s future aspirations are to travel to England to work in the hospitality industry, particularly the English pub culture and hopefully in the long term establish more of the culture here in Australia.
Didasko is proud to sponsor the 2007 Outstanding Student Awards and we wish Louise and Kelly every success in their chosen careers.
New learning resources!
Didasko has just released three new resources that add to its suite of Hospitality and Commercial Cookery learning resources.
Plan and control menu-based catering
This unit deals with the basic planning, preparation and controlling of menu-based catering within hospitality enterprises.
In summary, the unit covers the history and development of the modern menu, including different types of menus and courses. It explains how to design a balanced menu, taking into consideration things such as culinary and nutritional balance. Menu costing, purchasing and stock control is outlined. The unit also deals with controlling costs through effective staffing and rostering policies and production scheduling.
Featuring the latest multimedia design and interactivity, the resource engages learners with pictures, video, audio, animation, interactive challenges and a final validation test. The supporting print trainer and learner guides provide additional learning materials.
Prepare, cook and serve food for menus
This text-only unit deals with the processes and activities required to organise, produce and serve food for menus. It explains how to follow a systematic work approach, using work schedules and jobs checklists to complete tasks to a high standard in the most efficient way. It discusses teamwork including the characteristics of successful teams and how to promote team performance.
The unit also outlines how to develop standard recipes, store food appropriately and select, assemble and operate equipment. Elements of good food presentation are covered, along with how to cater to customers with special dietary requirements. It looks at how to delegate effectively as well as workplace safety and hygiene and end-of-service procedures.
Interpret financial information
This text-only unit deals with the skills and knowledge needed to interpret the various types of financial information used by operational supervisors and managers in their day-to-day work activities. It explains key financial terminology, different types of financial reports and how financial information is used in managing a business.
For more information on these new resources please contact Graham Brown or telephone (03) 9573 3900.
New First Aid training!
Didasko Learning Institute now provides First Aid training. The new first aid courses give participants the skills and competencies to provide emergency life support and treatment of injury and illness.
The new first aid courses are:
21592VIC Level 1 – Emergency Life Support
21593VIC Level 2 – Provide First Aid
HLTFA301B Apply First Aid
HLTCPR201A Perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
HLTFA201A Provide Basic Emergency Life Support
The first aid courses are nationally accredited and feature practical, competency based skills training and comprehensive theoretical information.
These new courses are delivered by qualified and experienced instructors as part of Didasko’s quality training delivery system.
There are no pre-requisites for the courses. Statements of Attainment are issued on successful completion, which are valid for three years. Courses can be delivered as fee for service or included as part of an Australian Apprenticeship at no extra cost!
For more information please contact firstaid@didasko.com or phone Leon on (03) 9573 3900.
New Zealand School of Travel and Tourism campus improvements
Over the last six weeks the Auckland Campus of NZSTT has undergone a major transformation.
Having taken over extra floor space on the seventh floor, this area has been completely redeveloped in the form of seven new and spacious classrooms, an administration office and a new student area.
English School
The new space, as well as providing extra teaching facilities for our existing students and programmes, will house the NZSTT English School, which should be up and running by early August.
This is an important initiative for NZSTT that will support the School’s recruitment of international students regardless of their English language ability and to ensure that they have the required skills to progress successfully in their academic studies.
New computers and cabin simulator
Four new offices are under construction on level 3 of the school and the Tutor Room has been extended to accommodate the entire tutorial staff. This will mean that the workstations of Academic, Management and Administration Staff are located in close proximity to each other, facilitating communication and service to stakeholders.
As well as the renovations to the Campus, the airline cabin simulator, a training resource unique to NZSTT, has been extensively remodeled and its functionality greatly improved.
All of the above, combined with the recent arrival of 30 new Dell desktop computers, has made May a very progressive month.
NZSTT has always prided itself on providing a professional and inspiring learning environment for students, and these developments take the presentation and functionality of the Campus to a new level.
New Sydney address
Our Sydney office has a new location. Please call in and visit us in our new surrounds!
The new address is:
47 High Street
Harris Park NSW 2150
Ph: (02) 9687 0621
Fax: (02) 9687 0647
