Upskill or retrain: STEM courses that only take 12 months

RMIT’s TAFE courses in IT and surveying will give you the knowledge and experience to get job-ready sooner.

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Are you looking for a career change? Or maybe you want to further your knowledge quickly and get new skills? Discover the certificates and diplomas you can complete in just twelve months to put you on the path to a future-proof career in a STEM field, like computer technology or surveying and geospatial science.

Discover how these students used our IT courses and surveying courses to upskill or retrain for well-paying, in-demand careers.

RMIT students

Demand for skills in surveying

The Australian Government’s JobOutlook indicates strong future growth for surveying and spatial science technicians.1

Deciding what to study after high school, Harry thought a career in surveying would promise job security, lots of time spent outdoors and good opportunities for career progression.

“I wasn’t sure of what career to pursue but I wanted something that would pay decently and that I would enjoy,” said Harry. 

“Surveying seemed to offer a lot of benefits and I liked the idea of being able to work outdoors and not being restricted to just an office. 

“I found out surveying boasted generous pay and strong job security within Australia as there is a shortage of licensed surveyors. I went to RMIT Open Day, talked to a teacher, and learned they would help me secure a part-time job at a surveying firm to gain industry experience while I studied.”

 

Career outcomes of the Diploma of Surveying

“My studies have helped me get my foot in the door for surveying and given me a solid foundation I can build on,” said Harry.

“The diploma opened my eyes to all the different avenues that surveying can take you, including cadastral (land) surveying, engineering, mining, hydrographic (bathymetric), geodetic, aerial (photogrammetry and remote sensing), topographic surveying and even crime scene laser scanning. I learned that some companies are dedicated to surveying for sports, for example, the total stations used in the Tokyo Olympics to accurately measure distances. My studies have shown me all the different options I’m able to pursue in the future.”

 

Why RMIT?

“Surveying is a niche profession that doesn’t have many courses within Australia, and RMIT offers Surveying and Geospatial Science courses in both degrees and diplomas,” said Harry.

“I liked the fact that RMIT has a wide variety of clubs of societies that other universities don’t offer. I wanted to enjoy university by getting involved in the environment and not just study 24/7.” 

RMIT student

Demand for skills in IT

The IT industry is booming. According to the ACS and Deloitte, Australia’s technology workforce has grown by 4.3%, and is set to expand by a further 300,000 job vacancies over the next five years.2 The Australian Government’s JobOutlook also projects very strong future growth for jobs as ICT Support Technicians.3 

There’s a large skills gap in IT in Australia and skilled professionals are in demand. Maria moved to Australia from Damascus, Syria to study an IT course, a dream that sprung from learning to fix their family computer. 

“I was always interested in technology because I would fix our PC or router when they broke or got a virus,” said Maria. 

 

Career outcomes of the Certificate IV in Information Technology

After completing this IT course, you can work in IT support, web programming, managing IT projects or network administration.

“Studying IT networking has given me the experience and knowledge I need to prepare for the future,” said Maria.

“It's made me more confident and helped me discover my career path. When I first started the certificate, I wanted to be a programmer or web developer, and as I got to know the majors more it helped me understand what I’m suited to and what I’m interested in.”

 

Why RMIT?

Maria chose RMIT for her IT course because she already knew she flourished in the welcoming learning environment.

“I studied English at RMIT in the Certificate IV in EAL (Further Study) where I made friends, learned about new cultures, and found the perfect uni,” said Maria.

"The teachers were amazing and always available to answer my questions, no matter how simple the question was. That’s what made me want to study at RMIT, because they told me to never feel bad for asking questions, and that they’d explain the answer to me until I could understand it.”

Story: Hilary Jones

 

1 Australian Government’s JobOutlook website occupations page for Architectural, Building & Surveying Technicians. Accessed 28 October 2021. https://joboutlook.gov.au/occupations/architectural-building-surveying-technicians?occupationCode=3121

2 ACS, Deloitte ‘ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse report 2021’. Accessed 4 November 2021. https://www.acs.org.au/insightsandpublications/reports-publications/digital-pulse-2021.html

3 Australian Government’s JobOutlook website occupations page for ICT Support Technicians. Accessed 28 October 2021. https://joboutlook.gov.au/occupations/ict-support-technicians?occupationCode=3131 

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.