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ACS Distance Education | |
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NEWSLETTER |
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ACS STUDENT FINDS DREAM JOB (Recently we received an email from Jaquii Eyley, a student in our Freelance Writing course. She wrote, "This course has just helped me get a job as a proof reader!" So we asked her to tell us about her new job.)
"At last I have found my dream job! I have read so many books on finding the perfect career, and then, advertised in the local paper, in between 'cleaner available' and 'care assistants wanted' was my job, 'proof reader required'. The work was for a national newspaper and they were looking for someone with a high level of literacy, an interest in farming and an eye for detail. In addition to (my Freelance Writing course with ACS), I have a degree in law, a small holding, and I can pick nits till the cows come home; perfect! I couldn't believe my luck; someone was actually going to pay me to read the newspaper. The work was part time and so flexible I could even bring it home with me. My imagination worked overtime; I was already laid back in my hammock casually marking out mistakes with a glass of something cold and fizzy by my side.
Of course in reality it is nothing like that; proof reading requires intense concentration and the ability to read very fast while picking out a variety of errors. The newspaper is a farming publication and while many articles are interesting, the technical subjects are hard work. One thing the job has taught methough, is that some writers are a lot better than others. If you know your subject well and are reliable, just about anyone can get published"
TSUNAMI AFTERMATH The whole world has been moved by the extraordinary events in South East Asia. This event will have repercussions throughout our entire lifetime; not only economic but also physical and psychological. Without diminishing the overwhelming tragedy for those directly involved, we should also recognise this is an event that has the potential to impact in virtually every corner of the world. Not Even children in Australia, America or Europe can escape the media blitz that has brought images of the tragedy into homes across the globe.
Where might we be in 3 months from now?
People in South East Asia will undoubtedly have a poorer life; even with overwhelming international aid, facing a life without loved ones, many with ongoing health problems initiated by the event, and many more with enormous psychological problems. Many people beyond South East Asia will have anything from mild to serious psychological problems, from occasional nightmares, to serious psychoses, such as being scared to visit a beach or enter a swimming pool.
Everyone needs to recognise these facts, and be sympathetic to those around them. In many cases both within and beyond Asia the need for professional counselling services is likely to be an ongoing repercussion for years to come, and in many parts of the world.
SPENDING ON PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPING RISING Recent research into consumer spending on professional landscaping in the U.S. shows “steady growth during the past five years” and “explosive” growth over the past three years.(Reported in Landscape Life, vol 10, Nov/Dec 2004).
Until the drought put the brakes on horticulture for the last two years, landscaping was definitely a growth industry, fuelled by a deluge of T.V. home improvement programs and growing interest in property investment. After a slow-down, the recent drought relief promises new possibilities for landscaping growth in Australia, as well. If the demand for our landscaping courses is any indicator, there are many people preparing to ride the wave of a reviving landscaping industry. See details of our landscaping courses on www.acs.edu.au/courses Click on Horticulture, then on Landscaping
NEW LEADERSHIP COURSE Leadership skills are needed in all areas of our society: business, politics, religion, youth services, and leisure industries, etc. This course will develop your understanding of, and capacity to develop and apply leadership skills in different situations and careers. It covers the following:
1. Introduction to Leadership (nature and scope, styles)
2. Leadership Characteristics/Qualities
3. Interpersonal Relationships
4. Communication Skills
5. Team Building
6. Systematic and Lateral Thinking
7. Applications
To enrol, go to:
http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/product.aspx?id=567
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN PARKS Over the past 20 years, governments have increasingly cut back on parks staff, and sub contracted work such as mowing, pest control and landscaping. Though contractors often reemployed former government employees, they have not supported training as was previously the case.
Now a skills shortage is looming, as reported in the November 2004 edition of The Garden ( Journal of the RHS): “a report suggests that council parks departments are facing a serious skills shortage”
OPPORTUNITIES in this field appear set to increase over coming years if this report is correct. It would appear that a course in Parks management may offer greater career prospects in the future than in the past.
NEW CERTIFICATE IN LIFE COACHING
This certificate is designed for people who already have some basic knowledge or experience in a related area such as fitness leadership, psychology, but are limited in their knowledge of biopsychology. They may be a graduate of another course at certificate, Proficiency Award or even degree level. Prerequisites however are not necessary. This is a stand alone course. To complete this qualification you must take and pass the following modules:
Life Coaching
Career Counselling
Stress Management
Human Nutrition I
Psychological Assessment Either Health & Fitness I (for anyone without prior Health & Fitness studies); or Professional Practice for Consultants.
To enrol on our online course, go to: http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/product.aspx?id=547 |
WORRIES OVER LACK OF PARKS TRAINING Over the past two decades, governments in several countries have been employing less parks staff, and increasingly sub contracting out work, frequently to whoever bids the lowest price. Contractors who are motivated by short term profit have not been investing in training staff, or employing the most qualified workers, in the same way that parks departments once did.
ACS AND HOTCOURSES.CO.UK ACS Distance Education is pleased to announce its recent registration with Hotcourses. www.hotcourses.com is the UK’s largest publisher of retail guides and websites to help people find the right school, college, university or school for them. Hotcourses is associated with many of the leading bodies in the UK education sector.
This includes UCAS, the British Council, Learn Direct, Work Train, Education UK, BBC.co.uk home, The Guardian and The Association of Colleges.
Learndirect in particular offers impartial advice and information on courses from providers throughout the UK, which of course includes ACS.
FUNDING REGISTRATION with BRITISH DEFENCE FORCES ELCAS (Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme) We are approved for funding through this Department of Defence scheme. Provider Reference No: 1853 Period: Granted approval 09/04 Notes: Ministry of Defence in UK
NEW CERTIFICATE IN BIOPSYCHOLOGY A person’s psychological state of mind is affected not only by their environment (ie. the situation they are in, and interaction with other people), but also by what happens within the body. Biopsychology examines the mind-body relationship and its effect on human behaviour.
This course is designed for people who already have knowledge of psychology, but are limited in their knowledge of biopsychology. They may be a graduate of another course at certificate, Proficiency Award or even degree level. Prerequisites however are not necessary. This is a stand alone course. To complete this qualification you must take and pass the following modules:
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Biochemistry I -Animals
Biopsychology I & II
Neuropsychology
Psychopharmacology
To enrol, go to:
http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/product.aspx?id=548
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NEW COURSE HYDROPONIC MANAGEMENT (HYDROPONICS II) - BHT213 Develop your capacity to make informed decisions regarding the management of commercially significant hydroponic crops. There are eleven lessons as follows: 1. How the Crop Plant Grows 2. How to Run a Small Evaluation Trial 3. Harvest and Post Harvest 4. Tomatoes 5. Capsicum 6. Lettuce, Salad Greens and Foliage Herb Crops 7. Cucurbits (Cucumber and Melons) 8. Strawberries 9. Roses 10. Carnations 11. Orchids Prerequisite: Hydroponics I or significant experience. Duration: 100 hours Fee: $517 (includes gst)
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Volume 1, Issue 6 |
January 2005 |
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Inside this Issue: |
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Many people don’t really understand Education.
Parents know that their children need education and young adults often recognise that “extra study” is essential to progress well in a career. There are three things you can get from education:
1. Information based learning (eg. Factual information, language skills)
2. Changed attitudes (ie. By becoming more aware your attitude changes)
3. Problem solving skill (eg. Confidence and capacity to understand problems and find workable solutions).
Most people and most courses, focus heavily on Information based learning.
Research however, shows that success in both a career and personal life, is more dependant upon a person’s problem solving and attitude.
In today’s world, information is not difficult to find when needed; but the ability to understand and apply that information to solve problems, together with an appropriate attitude toward a task at hand; are the things which a good education should really provide.
John Mason, Principal
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FREE STUFF |
FREE 88 page Handbook available on request
FREE GARDEN EZINE :New features & product reviews monthly. www.acsgarden.com
PROMOTE YOUR GARDEN ORGANISATION or BUSINESS for FREE on our automated web directories.
See here: acsgarden.com for more details
PROMOTE YOUR I.T. ORGANISATION or BUSINESS for FREEon our automated web directories. To Submit a Listing or search our directory.
To submit a listing: CLICK HERE To search the directory: CLICK HERE
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USE THE VIDEO LOAN LIBRARY |
Borrowing videos is a great way to supplement your study.
Students of ACS only need pay a post and handling fee and a video can be borrowed from anywhere in the world. See the student manual for videos available.
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10% STUDENT DISCOUNT ON BOOKS |
If you are already a student with ACS, you are entitled to claim a 10% discount on any books purchased through our bookshop.
See books available at www.acs.edu.au/shop
If you wish to order, email the school to ensure you claim your student discount.
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PAST STUDENTS |
It’s always a thrill to hear from past students and their successes.
Jamie Speeding (Certificate in Horticulture in 1997) recently hosted a party to open his new landscape design office in Burleigh (Queensland).
The principal attended along with some of the region’s industry leaders. Well done Jamie.
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COURSE REVISIONS |
Two thirds of ACS Courses were revised in 2004.
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NEW WRITING DIRECTORY |
Free Promotion for organisations, Businesses, Web Sites Search for information; or you can submit a site to the list automatically. All we ask is you give us a link back from your site. To submit a link or search the directory.
To submit a link: CLICK HERE. To search the directory: CLICK HERE
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NEW BUSINESS RESOURCES DIRECTORY |
Free Promotion for organisations, Businesses, Web Sites
Search for information; or you can submit a site to the list automatically. All we ask is you give us a link back from your site. To submit a listing or search the directory.
To submit a link: CLICK HERE. To search the directory: CLICK HERE
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