Author Archives: Wellington Ramalho

With technology a big part of our lives today, it seems natural to pursue a qualification in it. The language of the future workplace is AI, bots, algorithm and automation. You can’t be ignorant of any of them. Having said that, there is a training and qualification that transcends time and the socioeconomic environment – marketing. In this article, we list the reasons you should consider acquiring a marketing degree.

1. Listen to be heard

The best marketers are excellent listeners. Their ability to pick out the general trend of sentiment and conversations amongst people is what distinguishes them from others in the workplace. More importantly, they can differentiate facts from noise. This is handy in the cluttered and noisy business environment companies have to operate in these days.

2. Better decision-making

Marketers are adept at joining the dots. Marrying insights and foresight, marketers are known to make decisions that others may hesitate over. It’s not just being about being creative or reliant on entrepreneurial acumen. They are trained to dive deep into the information given to them. And with the advanced analytical tools present today, they can only become better at it.

3. Be sensitive and sensible

There’s so much happening out there, change is the only constant variable. But in those changes are gems to be turned into opportunities, ideas and innovation. A good marketer takes it upon himself/herself to be aware of what’s happening in politics, society and culture – in essence, around people’s lives – not just the industry they are in. It’s their hunting ground.

4. Foster good communication

It is the marketer’s job to rally the troops behind an idea. But this can happen only if he is able to communicate and convince them of the idea, plan or strategy. As such, one of the components of marketing education is communication, more specifically communicating to be understood. Be they internal or external stakeholders, the marketer has to sell to all.

Looking at the list above, you’ll notice the universal application of marketing skills and training. With technology a central feature in marketing, the marketer has more firepower than before to make an impact in the organisation. Find out more about our marketing and communications degree program here [https://ssbt.edu.au/courses/marketing-courses/bsb52415-diploma-of-marketing-and-communication/].

Everyone learns differently and it can be almost impossible to decide which type of study is the best for you. Of course, whether a vocational school is for you depends largely on the type of career you want to enter. There are all sorts of options open to you, be it a Childcare course, Hospitality course, Project Management course, Marketing and Communications course or Commercial Cookery course; if you are interested in something practical, vocational training may be the best choice for you.

What is the difference between vocational and higher learning?

Vocational courses tend to be significantly more practical, providing you with skills that can be directly applied to your chosen career. Higher education leans towards theory. For those of us who learn by doing, vocational courses can be an excellent alternative to coursework and written exams. Where higher learning is based upon a purely academic model, vocational courses work with the apprenticeship model.

Practical learning

We all learn in different ways, but a lot of studies have proven that many of us absorb practical learning more efficiently. Practical learning found in vocational courses will often be more flexible, varied and adaptable than many forms of higher or academic learning. Practical courses allow tutors to tailor to the individual rather than expecting everyone to absorb information in a similar manner. Many of us have had our learning style limited by the structure of school, but vocational learning can be a great way to explore your mind and your own learning methods.

Choosing a Course

Vocational training is often great for those of us who would like to enhance an already beloved hobby or skill. For example, if you love cooking and would like to move into the professional sector, Commercial Cookery may be for you. Or if you have a passion for event planning and the public sector then Hospitality or Marketing may appeal. This is also for those of us who are already in a career but would benefit from further training and qualifications. This is where courses such as Project Management or Marketing and Communication can be extremely useful. No matter your passion, you will likely find a course that suits you.

Currently, the hospitality industry has a job vacancy rate of about 28%. The shortage is caused by the unwillingness of younger Australians to work in the industry as well as the retirement of older workers. Hence, to those willing to give the sector a try, the future looks bright. With the skills discussed below, your career advancement is limited only by your ambition.

1. Effective communication

It is a people-to-people industry. There’s hardly a moment where you’ll not be communicating with another person, guests or colleagues. The ability to communicate well is probably the most essential skill you need to succeed in the industry.

2. Teamwork

Positive guest experience is a team effort. Upon arrival, the concierge, receptionist and cocktail waiter have the responsibility of creating a good first impression. Unless they are able to work together as one, it matters little how helpful the concierge was. To this end, your ability to work effectively as a member of a team is important.

3. Grace under pressure

A key characteristic of an excellent hospitality employee is his/her ability to work under pressure. It is a ‘now’ industry. Every request is expected to be met immediately after it has been asked. Amidst the chaos of requests and complaints, staying calm is important. It helps if you have received the right training as well as possess the skill set to do the job well.

4. Empathy

In every people-to-people industry, placing yourself in the shoes of the customer is helpful in attending to a situation. Things always look different from the opposite side. So the first step in attempting to help the other person is always to look at it from their perspective. Showing empathy can suggest to the other person you are listening to them. That can be a tension diffuser.

The hospitality industry is expected to grow steadily in the next 3 years. But there are strong headwinds. As such, having well-trained staff will boost the industry’s ability to meet these challenges and prosper. Visit any one of our campuses to learn more about the hospitality courses we offer.

Is it possible? It is but you’ll have to work at it. You’ll need to stay focused, disciplined and driven. There will be steep climbs and sharp turns. But your hunger for success will sustain you through them. In this article, we share tips to help you sync work, studies and life perfectly. Whether you are pursuing a qualification in childcare management or hospitality, achieving that balance holds the key to success.

1. Avoid procrastination

Procrastination is a false relief from the work that lies ahead. The time that could have been given to chip away at the work is wasted as a result. It only adds the pressure of time to the tasks waiting to be completed.

2. The discipline of a schedule

Some people dismiss having a schedule because of its rigidity and inflexibility. They fail to recognise the benefits of allocating time to tasks that need to be done. A myth people have about schedules is it is a stretch of work without breaks. In reality, an effective schedule incorporates breaks.

3. Minimise distractions

We live in the most distracted era of human civilisation, thanks to increasingly mobile social and digital media technology. With push notifications, one does not have to do anything to be distracted by a beep. While it has to some extent made us more efficient, technology has become overly intrusive. Keep them away when you are work or when completing an assignment. They take away more than just time; they will disrupt your train of thought and focus too.

4. Healthy body, efficient mind

Pursing a career and course is physically demanding. When fatigue or illness befalls you, it impedes your progress. But you can take steps to ensure you are in good physical shape. Making time to run, workout or play sports is essential. Similarly having time with family and friends keeps your mind fresh.

To remain relevant in the new economy, upskilling and re-skilling are vital traits. Our range of courses will equip you to survive and thrive, now and in the future. Visit any of our campuses to find out more.

The modern world for a job seeker can be overwhelming. In our ever-changing world in which school, university and sometimes even real job experience can leave you under-qualified. Employers are seeking only the best person for the job, and if you lack experience or qualifications, you will lose out every time. This leaves many people in the position of taking on unpaid work to build experience, costing them a healthy work-life balance as well as the income they need to thrive. However, there is a way to become job-ready, and it doesn’t have to be with an unpaid internship. Vocational training may well be the answer you have been seeking.

Vocational training can be undertaken either as part of, or post, secondary school. These courses provide learners with all the skills and knowledge they need to be employed in their chosen industry. For example, rather than scrambling to build your experience in hospitality, you can start a job straight out of secondary school with experience already under your belt with a hospitality course. But also remember that it’s never too late to study vocational courses in Sydney; it can even be an important part of up-skilling yourself in your current role.

Here at SSBT, we offer a wide variety of vocational training courses to suit your individual needs. All employers are seeking industry-ready employees. With vocational training at SSBT, you can be certain that you are building the skills and knowledge required to be hired in today’s world. While there are many aspects of a job that can be learnt on the go, coming in with a wide knowledge base before starting work makes for a much better relationship with your employer.

If it’s university qualifications that you seek, vocational training may still be the right choice. We support our students with direct pathways to higher education opportunities. This means that vocational training can not only get you that long-awaited job but can also take you onto higher education and the ability to pursue your passions.

If vocational training sounds the like the right fit for you, here at Sydney School of Business and Technology we will have a course to suit your needs.