Annual Report 2006 - TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute

Our Business - Growth and DiversificationIn 2006 the Institute continued to develop productsand services to meet the needs of individuals, industry,enterprises and the community.New Products and ServicesIn response to the need to provide specialist training forEnrolled Nurses in Dialysis in NSW, Northern Sydney Institutejoined forces with Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) to developthe Advanced Diploma in Renal Dialysis. The Diplomacomprises a blend of college and workplace delivery andassessment. NSI and FMC will jointly deliver the qualificationin 2007, in a pilot program with South West Area HealthService.Northern Sydney Institute collaborated with the NationalParks Association (NPA) and the TAFE NSW PrimaryIndustry and Natural Resources Curriculum Centre inthe development of the Statement of Attainment inMarine and Coastal Conservation. The combined marineand land management course is the first of its kind inAustralia, designed particularly for volunteers in the NPA’sHarbourkeepers and Coastalkeepers programs. It providesan educational and career pathway for more than 800volunteers who are active in the programs, and will alsobe used to recognise the efforts of other environmentalvolunteers working within the community.Diploma in Software Development, to suit the specificneeds of the Games Development Industry in Australia.Thirty students started the program at NSI-Hornsby Collegein 2006. Graduates will be able to enter a University ofTechnology Sydney undergraduate degree with considerableadvanced standing in 2008.During 2006, Northern Sydney Institute developed theonly fast-track Certificate IV and Diploma in Make-upcourses available in TAFE NSW, specialising in the trainingof make-up artists for work in the film, television, fashion,entertainment and theatre industries. The program drawson the combined resources of the hairdressing, makeup,film and TV and digital media facilities of NSI-NorthSydney College and offers participants coordinated workplacement.The NSI - Le Cordon Bleu Sydney Culinary Arts Institutecommenced the Diploma of Professional CulinaryManagement (Diploma V of Hospitality Management),an intensive program to further develop the professionalmanagement skills of chefs and cookery managers.In response to industry demand, NSI-Northern BeachesCollege customised the Certificate III in Marine Studies toalso allow participants to complete deckhand qualificationsand equip them with the skills to pursue careers inecotourism or as research assistants.To meet market demand and capitalise on the introductionof a new training package, Northern Sydney Institutedeveloped an accelerated one-year full-time Diploma inAccounting and an 18-month Advanced Diploma course.The duration of part-time offerings were also reduced fromfour to three years, for trial in 2007.NSI - Meadowbank College became the first college in TAFENSW to offer the new Diploma in Financial Services (FinancialPlanning) which qualifies graduates to provide professionalfinancial advice, planning and analysis to clients.To establish the Institute as the principal provider ofenvironmental and horticulture training in the NorthernSydney region, delivery of the Certificate IV in MarineStudies and the Certificate II in Horticulture (Landscape)were expanded to NSI - Northern Beaches College.Northern Sydney Institute, in collaboration with theCemeteries and Crematoria Association of NSW (CCANSW),developed and delivered the Statement of Attainmentin Funeral Services – (Safe Grave Techniques), drawingparticipants from across the state. The course is for peopleemployed as grounds maintenance staff or gravediggers inthe funeral industry in response to a current skills shortagein the sector. On completion of the course, participantsreceive credit toward the Certificate III in Funeral Services(Gravedigging, Grounds and Maintenance).NSI commenced delivery of a Certificate III in Irrigationfrom the new Rural Production Training Package, with afocus on urban irrigation to meet the demand for trainingin issues around domestic-water conservation. The courseoffers plumbers and other trades people the opportunity toincrease their knowledge of water management.In 2006 NSI expanded delivery of the Certificates II and IVin Fitness and the Certificate IV in Sport and Recreation(Specialising in Events and Facilities) to NSI - NorthernBeaches to meet a gap in the training market on thepeninsula.A growing interest in interactive games developmentskills resulted in Northern Sydney Institute adapting andcontextualising the existing training package qualification,Annual Report 2006 13