Wollongong TAFE real estate teacher Murray Bergmeier said this week that the Certificate IV course for aspiring real estate agents is now taking enrolments for the February intake.

This fully online course, a Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate), is part of TAFE Digital and facilitated at Wollongong.

It runs over a 52-week period, features weekly Adobe Connect sessions and aims to provide strong teacher connectivity to support students.

Mr Bergmeier said there are minimal educational breaks throughout and it runs through the traditional TAFE holidays.

He said the course was structured this way so that the participants complete the necessary 24 subjects that will provide the educational qualification for an application to Fair Trading for a real estate license. 

There is weekly student participation in online sessions, as well as auctioneer qualification endorsement.

“It is a modern holistically based course, student friendly and easy to navigate as well,” Mr Bergmeier said. 

A current mature age student who is nearing completion of the course, Rochelle McDonald juggles her online studies in Property Services along with full-time work, and attending to three children, sheep, goats and a farm-stay guesthouse.

Ms McDonald embarked on this Certificate IV in Property Services via flexible delivery.

This included studying via correspondence through TAFE NSW Wollongong.

“I don’t have the time to actually sit in the classroom and learn,” she said.

“I can study when I’ve got time.

“It is nothing for me to pull out the laptop at 9pm and complete a module. 

“The Adobe Connect sessions are one of the highlights for me because I feel a part of a group and I’ve got to know my fellow students.

“You get a little chat box so you can check in with each other. I have enjoyed the whole experience.

“I’m loving the learning and loving the people.”

For more details, phone 1300 766 123. 

Mr Bergmeier also said that substantial educational legislation changes are coming in 2018, and one of these will require real estate agents that hold a Certificate Of Registration to upgrade to a Certificate IV within four years.

He said RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) could well be a considered pathway here for those that currently work in the industry and want to upgrade.

Mr Bergmeier is also part of a TAFE Digital working party to refine the RPL process for existing agents wanting to do this.

He said RPL has the capacity to reduce the time required to complete a course, lower the cost and means “you don’t have to learn what you already do”. 

Do you have an interesting real estate story that could be featured in an upcoming edition?

Please email brendan.crabb@fairfaxmedia.com.au with more details. 

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