Homepage Switched on Media newsroom

The challenge of further education in rural Australia

Announcement posted by Switched on Media 09 Mar 2010

When living in remotes areas, many young people ask themselves this, “How can I continue studying without having to move away from my home town?”.Recently, one of Australia’s oldest and largest distance education providers, Cengage Education, took t
When Bega local Tanya Oliver left school 14 years ago, she asked herself the same question that many school leavers today ask when they want to pursue further education to achieve their dreams: “How can I continue studying without having to move away from my home town?”

Recently, one of Australia’s oldest and largest distance education providers, Cengage Education, took the unusual step of writing to the principal of Bega High School, requesting that information about its online and correspondence education courses be passed on to the careers advisor and Year 12 students.

“We took this step because we appreciate the daunting challenge faced by the school leavers in Bega in deciding on a career and the training necessary to achieve their dreams. For those outside of the major cities, the traditional correspondence education option is now vastly more accessible through the latest technology, providing online courses that allow students to complete their studies at their own pace to fit in with their work and other commitments.

“Most importantly, students need to receive close and continuing personal support and encouragement. This is achieved by having dedicated tutors who provide not only technical advice but the reassurance that comes with one-to-one counselling,” explains Dirk Drieberg, Head of Academic for Cengage Education.

Tanya Oliver, now a chef, intends to establish her own caf business in Bega and her long experience in the industry taught her the importance of getting to know the commercial realities of running a business

She realised that she had little business experience and needed to gain some formal training in this area but she did not want to leave town, or indeed her home.

“I opted to complete a two year Certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management) by correspondence. Having a two year-old daughter and planning a larger family, I was attracted to the flexibility offered by the Cengage Education correspondence course, as I needed to stay close to home and would not be able to work, study and look after my daughter otherwise.”

Tanya has now finished her course and has her eye on suitable premises to start her new life as a local business person in Bega.

Tanya Oliver is available for comment on 0429 157 113/6492 3993.


For further information or comment from Cengage Education, please call Glen Pleffer on (02) 9433 3605.