TIPS FOR TRADIES GOING BACK TO STUDY

Haven’t studied for a while? Never finished school because you went on to do an apprenticeship? Or maybe study never interested you at all.

And now you want to become a registered builder, so you know that you’re going to have to do some study. Read on for answers to some very common questions.

Is it like school?

The good news is that undertaking a certificate IV or diploma is not like school was. Vocational training is about giving you practical skills and knowledge that you will use in your everyday work life.

There are lots of discussions, activities, videos and case studies.

It’s also an opportunity to network with people who you may do business with in the future.

What about the work I need to do out of class?

You will need to complete some work out of class. This will include answering questions, doing projects, watching videos, doing some pre-reading and visiting some building sites.

We recommend that you allocate time in your calendar each week to complete these tasks. Break it down into sections and go for it! It helps if you have a dedicated space in your office or home and allocate the same time to study most weeks.

Even if it’s simply reading a couple of pages every night, figure out when you study best and get into a habit of doing this daily if possible. Even the most basic routines, when done consistently, can ensure you develop positive study habits.

And don’t forget to include time to do non-work and non-study tasks too!

Avoid an all-work and no-play approach

Make sure you don’t go the extreme and dedicate all of your time to studying. We need to rest our brains from time to time, so establish a healthy mix of study and social or pleasurable activities. This could be anything from exercising and socialising to knitting cat-themed sweaters. Whatever takes your fancy.

What if I struggle? It’s been a while!

Nearly every student gets concerned about this. If you find you struggle at any time, just let your trainer know. They can often set you back on the right path or give you additional coaching if needed. We also have a Student Welfare Coordinator that you can talk to at any time.

Consider online courses or virtual classroom services

In today’s tech savvy world, returning to study can be as convenient as going online from the comfort of your own home. If you’re too far away from the training organisation of your choice, or you honestly feel you’ll study better from home, then explore the online options available.

Builders Academy offers a unique virtual classroom, for example, that allows students and trainers to interact via their computers in an online, webinar-style learning setting. This means you’re still able to engage with your fellow classmates and talk directly to your trainer, without having to disrupt your schedule with potentially long commutes to a university or RTO.

In summary

Going back to study is a commitment to yourself – and ultimately a very rewarding one. If you focus on reminding yourself why you got into it in the first place, this will help keep you motivated. Maybe it’s to upskill into a new profession; perhaps you’re setting yourself up on a profitable career path; or maybe you’d love to one day own your own business. Whatever your end goal, if you implement some or (preferably) all of the above tips, your return to study will become even more rewarding.

To find out more about the courses on offer at Builders Academy, including our virtual classroom learning options, give our team of specialists a call today on 1300 534 363.