TAFE Ultimo offers fast summer course to help fill skills shortage in the advertising media industry

TAFE Ultimo is offering a fast Certificate 4 this summer to help fill the skills shortage in the advertising media industry. Career opportunities continue to explode due to the escalating number of destinations that carry advertising messages.

And now even more new staff are needed for new roles with new expertise in social networks, apps, games, smart phones and an array of handheld media players, because they all these new platforms are opportunities for advertising revenue.

The changing and growing media landscape is great news for TAFE Media graduates. To keep up with industry demand for trained entry level Media staff, the Sydney Institute Ultimo College is re-launching the Media Bootcamp with more digital content, to run over five weeks in December and January. Many graduates of the 5 week accelerated course are enjoying successful careers in both large and boutique Sydney media agencies.

This summer’s course will feature lectures from current industry experts representing: media buying software; media agencies; measurement and monitoring agencies; digital strategy, creative, content and social networking experts; and radio, TV, print and online media sellers.

Upon completion, students receive a Certificate 4 in Advertising Media.

Such is the demand for entry-level recruits, the Sydney Institute, Ultimo College receives requests from media agencies for talented students to fill roles as entry-level media planner/buyers every semester.

“Media agencies are looking to their staff to be more creative, more digitally savvy and increasingly take the lead. So what has always been a terrific career path has become even more dynamic. And this year’s Media Bootcamp is specifically tailored to provide entry level practice and theory – with a skew towards digital skills; and ultimately to produce industry-ready graduates,” explained industry veteran and course convenor, Marcus Bear.

2009 Media Bootcamp graduate Amanda Margariti, now employed as a “Communications Trader” at Ikon Communications, recently won an MFA Award. Says Margariti: “I can’t imagine beginning this job without the training I received at Sydney Institute. Without a doubt, what I learned in the course enabled me to hit the ground running at Ikon and throw myself into my job and the industry.

“Now I’m now part of a team which manages one of the most well known brands in the world, and have opportunities to try my hand at writing strategies and working with exciting new digital platforms at one of the most awarded media agencies in Australia . The dedication and commitment of the teaching staff in the Advertising Media course at Sydney Institute is remarkable, and their support and encouragement has been invaluable to me as I took my first steps into the world of advertising.”

“The five week accelerated Media course will attract a wide variety of students. Current TAFE students will receive credit for relevant study already undertaken – and anyone wanting a career change will be Media agency ready after five weeks intensive study. The course will also attract students wanting to fast track their studies and enter the workforce in early 2011,” said head teacher of advertising and public relations, Sharon Bennett-Hill.

Enrolment for the Cert IV Advertising Media Summer Course takes place on Friday November 26 November, 10:00am – 7:00pm, at Sydney Institute TAFE Ultimo, Building G, level 6, near the corner of Harris and Thomas Streets.

The Intensive five week course will be run from 9:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday Dec.6 – 22 & Jan.10 – 28.

For more information on classes or enrolment assistance contact Marcus Bear on 0401 419 191 or Marcus.Bear1@tafensw.edu.au