Everything you need to know about finding a course provider

Enrolling in a course or workshop is a great way of developing your skills and marketability, or it can help to further your interest in a hobby or pastime. An effective and well designed course or workshop should be able to impart new knowledge, develop and strengthen your existing knowledge and stimulate further interest in the subject matter. If you are looking to learn more about renovating, there are a host of short courses and workshops available, including interior decoration and styling specific rooms in your home. If you are after more formal and career-oriented training, you can enrol in an apprenticeship or traineeship which typically leads to a career in a trade.

Evaluating a Course or Workshop

Before embarking on any course of study you need to evaluate it to ensure it meets all the right criteria. These include:

Accreditation: Is the institution registered with the relevant educational authorities? The course should also be accredited and recognised by other education providers and potential employers, preferably on a national scale.
Content: Does the course or workshop cover all the subject matter that interests you or is critical to the work involved?
Cost: The duration of a course and the quality of the teaching staff often determines the cost of a course, so compare institutions offering similar courses before deciding.
Duration: Tertiary institutions offer everything from short courses that last a few hours to degree courses and postgraduate programs that last years. You should be aware of the duration and hours of study required by a course in advance.
Flexibility: Some courses are offered online or via correspondence, giving you the flexibility to learn from home or via distance. There is also the option of full time study or part time if you have other commitments.
Specialisation: Institutions offering a particular area of specialisation are likely to offer a more comprehensive and rounded course or workshop.
Teaching quality: More reputable institutions tend to have better qualified staff that are likelier to facilitate a more stimulating course or workshop.