Tag: College

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Are you on the right career path?

Eskilz College has the answers you’re looking for.

 

 

 

Do what you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.

 

 

 

 

 

We have all been through that stage of the unknown where we had difficulty in choosing the adequate path that benefits our future and career path. Matric students are generally stressed out and already pulling their hairs out without having to deal with which is the best career path to take.

Remember that every occupation plays a vital role in society. The job market is vast so this means that you are able to choose a career path that best suits your personality and abilities. The lack of career guidance from high school is one of the main reasons why learners delay on going to university; some many even drop out mid-year because they do not have a passion for what they are studying. A few students take a year to find out what fields may peak their interest before pursuing a career.

A good place to start before entering the career path is a self-analysis; this includes asking yourself the following questions:

  • What type of person am I?
  • What are my interests?
  • What am I really good at?
  • What do I struggle with?
  • Am I a follower or a leader?

It is always beneficial to speak to individuals that are already in the respective fields to gain insight from a personal level.  At Eskilz College we have facilitators that are qualified and experienced to give you the best advice for your career path. Contact us today and let us assist you with finding the path for you. Education is power and we believe that every individual has the potential to reach for the stars and become the leaders of tomorrow by climbing the ladder to success..

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Funding options for your studies

Looking for a means to fund your studies can be one of the most stressful aspects when thinking of furthering your studies, but there are many options for students who are not financially able to simply pay for each course.

Most of the bigger universities in South Africa offer financial aid to students who are unable to fund their studies and/or have achieved excellent academic results (even more reason to hit the books in matric!)

1. Financial Aid

If you are not in the financial position to pay for your studies, Financial Aid is ample at many of the bigger institutions. You can be eligible for financial aid for a variety of things – primarily of course, if you are not in a financial position to pay for your fees. But there are also financial aid options for people who have excelled in previous studies or academics. To find out whether you are eligible for this aid, you will have to make a stop at your institution’s financial aid office, as details differ from varsity to varsity or college to college.

2. Bursaries & Scholarships

If you’re not interested in taking out a loan and have a good academic record you should consider looking for a bursary or a scholarship. While many universities will know of bursaries that are available to students (so you should definitely ask about these), you can also benefit from looking for your own bursary or scholarship.

3. Student Loans

Student loans are another option for students who are looking to fund their studies – most bank institutions have financing options for students. It is important to consider what taking out a student loan from a bank means. It requires the student begin paying back the loan after they graduate. Student loans also have a huge interest mark-up and require the student start paying between 3-6 months after graduating. It is important to note that you will need a parent or guardian to sign surety and pay the interest until you graduate and can start paying back the loan.

4. NSFAS

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is an option that often works in conjunction with your university of choice by providing funding for students who have little to no familial income. NSFAS is a government organisation which aims to provide an efficient and sustainable financial aid system for poor yet academically eligible students. NSFAS enables these kinds of students to obtain loans and bursaries at 26 public higher education institutions and 50 technical and vocational education training colleges.

A student who receives a NSFAS loan is required to start paying back the loan at the beginning of the year after the student has become employed or becomes self-employed (irrespective of whether the student has completed his or her studies).

5. Part-time Work

If all else fails, you have the option of working and studying part-time. This is certainly a harder option.  It is one which requires a vast amount of dedication to complete your studies, while being focused and committed to your day job. If working full-time and studying part-time is not an option, consider getting a student job. This can help take the pressure off your parents providing money for living expenses.

There are so many ways to fund your studies in South Africa, so don’t despair if one option doesn’t work for you. The best strategy is always to ask as many questions as you can. Talk to your university or college about funding, job opportunities, bursaries and scholarships.  They might know how to help you fund the most important decision of your life!

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Advantages and Disadvantages of taking a gap year

After 18 years in a classroom, you might be ready for a break. Taking a gap year between high school and college gives you an opportunity to recharge your batteries, whether you work, volunteer, or travel the globe, taking time away from school could give you a fresh sense of purpose.

Of course, there are also gap year disadvantages you should know about. Before committing, make sure to consider all the gap year pros and cons.

Advantage: It’ll make your CV look pretty snazzy

A gap year can provide a person with valuable new skills that any employer will be impressed by. Cultural awareness, organization, and an ability to work independently are just some of the skills that are gained by taking a year out.

Disadvantage: You’ll be a year behind

This can be a tough one for many people. They wave as their friends all trek to college and start their new lives and they are left behind. They can’t start their new adventure yet because they don’t have the cash. This is easily offset by working hard and saving cash quickly in order to jet off as soon as possible.

Advantage: You’ll meet new people

On a gap year it’s impossible not to meet new people. Throughout school and college we are surrounded by the same people but taking a gap year allows us to discover others, make new friends, and interact with people from all walks of life.

Disadvantage: You’ll be homesick

It’s something that hits most of us at some point. Whether you’re missing family, friends or simply home comforts, you may find yourself wondering why you chose a life on the road (if you chose to travel for your gap year). But fear not! The joy of travel is that there is always somebody to meet and something to do. Power through and you’ll be glad you did.

Advantage: You’ll have tons of stories

After spending a year away, the stories will mount up; these can be great conversation starters in the interview room, at parties or, simply just to look back on and remember.

Disadvantage: It’s a risk

Sure, it is! But where do we get in life if we aren’t willing to take risks? This is what makes a gap year so exciting; not knowing what to expect is all part of the adventure. The key is to take care and travel with common sense. Fun fact: I’ve yet to meet a gap year traveler or career breaker who “regretted” their decision to hit the road.

Advantage: It’s a long escape from the daily grind

A gap year, for most people, is the period of non-traditional life that you’ll ever have. It is often a once in a lifetime experience and the chance to escape the daily grind. However, if planned right, it will also be an educational opportunity of growth and other benefits and not just a “vacation” or year off. A gap year should be a year on.

 Disadvantage: It can be expensive

This depends on the destination and the duration of the trip but, chances are, when taking a gap year, you’re going to spend quite a bit of cash. The best way to fund a gap year is to work and travel at the same time. It’s also a good idea to plan trips independently as this will cut costs dramatically – for the first-time traveler this may be a little difficult and paying extra for the help of someone to do it for you might be a good idea.

 

 

 

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ECD leaners looking for placement

Over 350 learners with disabilities have enrolled for the Early Childhood Development level 4 learnership at Eskilz College. The learners are doing three to four months theory and nine to 10 months practicals, and next year they will be enrolling in level 5 which will qualify them as Grade R teachers working with children from the ages 0-6 years.
The goal for Eskilz College is to close the gap in the demand for Early Childhood Practitioners and to provide skills and employment for people with disabilities.
An Early Childhood Development qualification affords these learners with career opportunities such as working at ECD centres, primary schools and crèches. But Eskilz doesn’t just want it to end there; the learners will be assisted to register with The South African Council of Educators (SACE) and also assisted and encouraged to open up their own ECD centres in their communities.

Eskilz College is looking for partners to place these learners to do their work placement next year, we are looking for ECD centres, Primary schools and any institutions that need ECD practitioners. The placement will be a 9 to 10 months internship.

The learners are receiving a monthly stipend that covers transport for their theory. This is a great opportunity for the learners and a good way to close the national gap in the need for early childhood practitioners.

To enquire or place a learner contact coo@timmalholding.co.za or call 0100 3000 80

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Are short courses as relevant as full courses

What are Short Courses?

A short course is a great way to acquire new skills or to enhance (or refresh) your existing skills.

The course material is designed in such a way as to incorporate the theory behind the skill and the reasons why you need the skill. Courses are presented in such a way that students are easily able to relate to the content. The course content also contains numerous examples of how to apply the relevant skills in a practical environment.

How long does a short course take?

The study duration of a short course does not usually exceed a few months. This should come as a great relief, especially to those who are nervous about studying. It is quite natural to be afraid of the unknown. Short courses, however, are not scary or daunting at all. The aim of this type of course is to transfer skills in an accessible and convenient manner – hence all the practical examples. There are no examinations to study for, and students will usually not be required to submit more than a few assignments.

What is the difference between a short course and a full course?

There are a number of differences between short courses and diplomas. A diploma usually takes between one and three years to complete. Diploma courses are made up of various subjects or modules and may include components that do not interest you. You will generally be required to write examinations in order to obtain a diploma. A short course, however, requires less long-term commitment, as it should only take you a few months to complete. You will generally not be required to write any examinations.There are various types of short courses on offer. Some are designed to assist you in your current job, whilst others are industry specific and are aimed at people who would like to change careers or enter into new industries.You can enroll for both short courses and diplomas through distance learning.

Where can I study?

Gone are the days where you were geographically limited to studying courses at institutions in your current town or city. You can study a short course from anywhere in the country. You do not need physical access to a school or college anymore.You can now study via distance learning from the comfort and safety of your own home. If you struggle with the course material or need a little encouragement, friendly tutors and counsellors will only be a phone call or e-mail away.

Why should I study a short course?

There are many reasons for choosing to study a short course:

  • You can become a better employee by acquiring new skills.
  • You can update or enhance your existing skills.
  • You can acquire knowledge and skills that will enable you to change careers.
  • You can improve your CV by obtaining formal recognition for skills that you have gained through practical experience.
  • You can start with a short course in a particular subject to find out whether you have the aptitude for pursuing further studies in that field.

 

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Why study part time?

Part-time study becomes ever more popular as people try to juggle earning with learning. Whether you’re picking up a professional qualification, or progressing with your academic study, part-time study offers a viable alternative for those who can’t commit to full-time postgraduate courses.

WHAT IS PART-TIME STUDY & WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?

Essentially, part-time study involves spreading a full-time postgraduate course over a longer period of time. It’s usually tailored for those who want to continue working while studying, and usually involves committing an afternoon or an evening each week to attend classes or lectures.

Some institutions have taken it a step further and are offering some postgraduate courses through distance learning and e-learning, where the student rarely has to attend the university; receiving tuition, teaching and learning resources via the internet instead.

As a result, yearlong or shorter courses, such as master’s degrees, PGCerts and PGDips, are extended over two or three years. You can also do part-time PhDs, which might take up to six years to complete, or part-time MPhils (basically similar to a PhD but lower in the academic pecking order), which tend to take around four or five years.

Students doing part-time PhDs might juggle their research with a teaching fellowship. Alternatively, you might take a professional doctorate, which is for people pursuing professional rather than academic careers.

The majority of students on a professional doctoral course will be studying part-time, as they’ll already be well on their way in their career. Of course though, there are exceptions, with some professional doctorates only being offered on a full-time basis.

WHY STUDY PART-TIME?

Part-time courses are there for people who can’t commit the time and resources to studying full-time at postgraduate level. You might take up a part-time postgraduate course for personal development, for the purposes of career progression, or simply because you’re really interested in the subject.

If anything, part-time study can be a bit of an indulgence, a way to continue learning whilst embarking on a career.

ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING PART-TIME

– You can study whilst earning a wage. If your qualification is taken for career development reasons, then your employer might agree to pay your tuition fees.

– Studying part-time means you won’t be taking a break from your career and you won’t need to relocate for your studies, particularly if you’re studying through distance learning. You can avoid being sucked into the university bubble and keep your foot firmly in the professional world.

– It can help you to spread the cost of tuition fees, as they’re usually calculated on a pro-rata or credit equivalence basis.

– Some part-time courses don’t require you to have any prior higher education qualifications.

 – It can give you more time to spread out your studies and get that qualification.

DISADVANTAGES OF STUDYING PART-TIME

– One of the main problems of studying part-time is that it’s harder to immerse yourself in the studies.

– You won’t get the same experience as full-time students and you probably won’t get to know your fellow students in the same way.

– You’ll have reduced access to university staff, and thus you may be more easily distracted from your university work.

– Part-time postgraduate courses take far longer to complete and can add extra pressure on top of your current workload. It can be stressful juggling a career and a postgraduate degree.

– The success rate for part-time students is lower than it is for full-time students. Very few part-time PhD students make it to the finish line and complete their course.

– Part-time students will find it harder to find studentships and scholarships.

A SHORTER ALTERNATIVE

Sometime people simply miss the academic atmosphere of university and the joy of learning. Instead of committing yourself to the cost and time involved with a postgraduate qualification, you might want to look into other more casual ways of learning part-time. For instance, many universities run events for the public.

Most institutions hold open lecture series. These are usually free, open to all and are a great way of maintaining a casual interest in a particular subject area.

If you want something a bit more hands-on, some universities/colleges run ‘day schools’, which devote a day to particular studies. You’ll learn in a group under the supervision of an academic. Prices for the day are usually relatively low and they often take place on a Saturday.

Universities and institutions also offer short courses. These are great ways of testing the water and seeing whether you want to commit to a longer course or qualification. Short courses usually last a few days or a couple of weeks.

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6 benefits of studying human resource management

When a potential new employee is being interviewed, human resource professionals assess the candidate against a list of key skills and personal characteristics needed for the job. It’s time to turn the tables and see what that list of key attributes would look like for a human resource professional.

Whether you decide to do a certificate, diploma or degree in human resources management, it offers you a broader suite of knowledge that’ll increase your skills and understanding. If you want to be even more successful in your career, then doing a postgraduate course might help. You’ll also have the option to do a lot of short courses in how to work with people, conflict resolutions, and so on. As a human resource professional, having good people skills and the ability to communicate effectively is a bonus.

Many organisations claim that their employees are their most valuable asset. And for this reason, effective management of human resources is essential for every company. Human resources helps in structuring teams, it builds the organisations culture and it helps people with engagement and development. Human resource management creates a lot of difference in enhancing the productivity of the employees.

At the heart of every successful business lies the human resources team who drive all aspects of staff management. Here are a few benefits human resource professionals bring to the workplace

1. Improve employee turnover

High employee turnover hurts a company’s bottom line. It cost twice as much as a current employee’s salary to find and train a new recruit. As an human resource professional, you’ll know how to hire the right people for the company from the start. Interview candidates carefully, not just to ensure they have the right skills but also to check that they fit the company’s culture. It’s important that you outline the right compensation and benefits too. Human resource professionals also need to pay attention to employee’s personal needs. You’ll need to discuss clear career paths too as employees would like to know how they can grow within the company. Human resource professionals usually only see employees when there are problems but to reduce employee turnover they will regularly visit staff members and enquire if they are okay and happy.

2. Conflict resolutions

Workplace conflict is somewhat inevitable as employees have different personalities, lifestyles and work ethic. While doing the human resource management course, you’ll be taught how to handle conflict in the workplace and how to resolve it. You’ll also be taught how to handle the situation as professionally as possible. It doesn’t matter whether the conflict arises between employees or an employee and someone in management, you should be able to assist both parties equally and not choose sides.

3. Employee satisfaction

Human resource specialists are usually charged with the responsibility of determining employee satisfaction. As a human resource management student, you’ll learn how to set up surveys, focus groups and interview strategies to help you determine whether employees are content or not. Human resource professionals determine what the underlying causes are for employee dissatisfaction and they address those issues and motivate staff members with creative solutions. They try to find out what exactly these problems are that employees are facing and look for ways to assist them where needed.

4. Improve employee performance

Human resources teams develop performance management systems. If a company doesn’t have an human resource professional, candidates can easily get a job without having the necessary skills and expertise for the position. And for this reason, human resources is needed in every workplace. With the line-manager, you’ll have to give employee performance reviews on an annual basis. Be open about their accomplishments and things you think they could have done better.

5. Training and development

Human resource departments conduct needs assessments for employees to determine the type of skills training and employee development programmes that are required for improvement and additional qualifications. Every startup or company in a growth phase can benefit from identifying training needs for its staff. It’s less expensive to hire additional staff or more qualified candidates. This can also reduce your company’s employees turnover and improve employee retention.

6. Helps with budget control

It’s critical for human resources to define as many processes as specific projects, be it the 360-feedback review, the annual pay review or the development of a new program. As an human resource professional, it’s important and helpful to understand the broad budget of a project. Human resources curb excessive spending through developing methods for trimming workforce management costs. Human resource professionals also ensure competitive and realistic wage setting based on studying the labour market, employment trends and salary analysis based on job functions.

You’ll learn to develop a strategic approach to training, recruiting and developing the company’s most important asset: its people. As businesses expand, these professionals are needed to keep everything together. At the end of your Human Resource Management training course, you’ll be prepared to handle difficult staff members and design pay structures as well as analyse the influence of unions and government on the labour force.

To enquire on our HR courses visit https://eskilzcollege.co.za/courses/

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Should I take a gap year?

Taking a gap year can be extremely beneficial to one’s personal growth. Some studies show that those who take a gap year perform better in university and are more satisfied with their careers afterwards.

Even though it goes against the norm of starting university or college as soon as you finish high school, a gap year can be quite beneficial. Depending on how you spend your time, it can teach you a lot of valuable skills and can lead to new experiences entering your life.

Here is why you should consider taking a gap year:

Explore your interests

Often, students spend their high school careers juggling schedules packed with university preparatory courses, sports, volunteer commitments and other extracurricular activities. This means that you may not have had time to fully explore your interests as well as potential careers that align with them.

However, it is advisable to take a gap year and partake in practical experience in a field of your interest. This can help you to focus on selecting a university major that fits your interests and strengths.

Increase your work experience

There are very few jobs that don’t require some work experience, and a gap year could be a great time to start building this up. Use this time off constructively by keeping the majority of it related to a course or industry you’re interested in.

Many students who do this often start university in a more mature state. They have better time management skills and can see the importance of the material that is delivered to them.

These students also generally tend to perform very well, if not better than they would without the gap year.

Whether it’s learning to budget when planning for your vacation or using your initiative to make your way across the city/country, you’ll have developed a lot of skills that employers want.

Get to know yourself

Taking a gap year can lead to you finding yourself and getting to know more about your wants and needs. Heading straight into university can bog you down with studies and new people with little time for yourself.

A gap year will also raise your cultural awareness. Use some of the free time to get to know or even work alongside different people, whether it’s locally or abroad will allow you to appreciate other cultures.

Increase your confidence and independence

There are community programmes and organisations such as the Doctors Without Borders where you can work as a volunteer during your gap year. This will definitely help you to come out of your shell and gain more confidence.

Allows you to learn a new craft

If there’s something that you’ve always wanted to try, whether it is teaching or learning a foreign language, your gap year is a great time to give it a go and broaden your horizons.

Increased job satisfaction

Worrying about job satisfaction might not necessarily be the first priority when starting university but it is a big deal. Once you are done with your studies and join the working world, this is where you will spend most of your time.

So, having a job and a career that you will actually love will make your life much more meaningful.

Hence, taking some quality time to find a career that matches your skills, talents, and passion is important.

Building experience and education around it is also important and might make all the difference later in life.

Be more financially aware

A gap year can teach you how to become an expert at keeping an eye on expenses, saving and allocating money to different activities, especially when you will be travelling the world.

Knowing how to handle money and budgets makes being an adult much easier – and it’s a crucial skill that becomes so much more fun to perfect while exploring the world. It’ll make your resume look pretty interesting

A gap year can provide a person with valuable new skills that any employer will be impressed by. Volunteering, cultural awareness, organisation, and an ability to work independently are just some of the skills that are gained by taking a gap year.

It is a great way to learn

Taking a year out will provide you with much more than any classroom setting ever can. As much as we can learn a lot in the classroom, the only time we really understand what is going on in the real world is when we put it into practice.

So, if you do decide on taking a gap year, remember that sometimes an experience during a gap year can knock you a bit but you’ll learn just how much you can deal with when you really have to, but you’re bound to learn a lot!

 

 

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Why you need to choose relevant courses

Choosing a career is all about passion, your passion for your course, and for your future career. Because the secret to happiness is being able to love whatever it is you do in life.

And what does this all have to do with choosing the right course for you? It all starts here. Find the right course, at the right university or college, and you will be inspired to succeed.

So how do you make the right choice? Check our Top 5 tips on choosing your course for the lowdown on getting where you want to be – faster.

Top tip #1: Why?

The most important consideration when choosing your course is asking yourself why you are looking to study.

Do you want to further your career by extending your skill set? If this is the case you should choose a course in a subject that is a natural progression of your existing skills and qualifications. If the aim is to progress further with your current employer selecting a course that is relevant to your work is recommended. Discussing study options with your peers, colleagues or employer can help to determine what qualification will help with your career.

Are you looking to diversify your knowledge or change career path completely? Studying may be necessary if you are looking to change careers. If this is your motivation for studying it is important that you consider what career you wish to pursue.  Studying can be expensive, so be sure to fully research any prospective career.

In summary:

Think about your existing experience and skill set.

Consider prospective careers and employment opportunities.

Think about what subjects interest you.

Talk to your employer, colleagues or peers about which courses are relevant and may improve your career.

Top tip #2: What are you really interested in?

It’s really important to think about what you are interested in, and what course you want to study. Is it because you can see your exciting, glittering career ahead? Or is it because it’s what your parents want? By questioning yourself now, you can work out the exact path you want your course to take you on.

Top tip #3: Take a reality check

Now that you have found your dream, let’s just stop a minute and make sure it’s realistic. Can you afford transport, tuition and cost of living? Do you need to have certain qualifications first – English language proficiency? Don’t get discouraged – a bridging program may be all you need to cross those hurdles. If this really is your passion, prove it in your scholarship application and you may get some financial help.

This is also the point where you need to realistically think about how long you want to study for. To help you decide here are some example study durations for full-time study:

Postgraduate Certificate – 6 months

Undergraduate Degree – 3 years

MA – 1 year

PhD – 4 years

Top tip #4: Do your homework

You need to narrow down all your options to about five real, practical choices. That takes a lot of research. Read student blogs to see what it’s really like. Glossy prospectuses don’t always tell you the full story, so talk to people you know who have studied in that city or town about what it’s really like.

Top tip #5: What’s important to you?

While you are researching, you’ll come up with all kinds of different criteria to judge a university/college or course by. So, make a shortlist of the top three features you’re looking for. These could be school ranking or prestige, research facilities, practical experience and internships, cost of tuition, student support services, safety, social life, chance to travel… there are so many variables, and what’s right for you may be completely wrong for someone else.

Don’t spend the next five years of your life staring at textbooks you have no interest in whatsoever. Remember, it’s all about your passion – keep the excitement alive, and you will succeed!.

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Reasons students drop out of college

Stress. Anxiety. Money. Time. You may think these worries belong to working adults, but they’re also common among college students, particularly freshmen. Here are seven of the most common reasons why students drop out of college.

  1. Balancing work and school is too difficult.

Having to work is the number-one reason college students drop out, cited by 71 percent of students who left school. It’s just too difficult to find time for both. Struggling to work and study in the first year of college is often a sign that a student will not be able to get his or her degree. Of those students who failed to graduate, more than 6 in 10 said the statement “I had to work as well, and it was too stressful trying to do both” described their first year of school.

  1. Tuition is too expensive.

The second most common reason for a student to become a college dropout is the cost of tuition and fees. This is why tuition insurance is so crucial. While a student may be reluctant to pay for insurance on top of a big tuition bill, the cost is nominal compared to losing most or all of your pre-paid tuition because of a withdrawal mid-semester. Most colleges have a strict tuition refund policy that allows for only a fractional reimbursement when a student drops out after the first day or week of classes. Allianz Global Assistance tuition insurance covers the balance when a student withdraws for a covered reason, so you won’t have to shoulder a big financial loss.

  1. first years are more stressed than ever.

Stress in college students is reaching new highs. A study found that First years were studying more and socializing less than five years ago — good for grades, but bad for college mental health. Anxiety and depression in college students are serious health issues and should be treated as such.

  1. Many first years aren’t academically prepared for college.

Nearly 60 percent of first-year college students discover that despite being accepted into college, they must take bridging classes in order to catch up.

  1. Some first years socialise too much.

The siren call of parties, drugs and alcohol is strong. And the consequences can be serious. The good news is that drinking appears to be declining among new students, according to the large 2014 study. About a third said they had drunk alcohol at least occasionally in the past year, compared with almost half in a survey 10 years ago.

  1. Some first years aren’t emotionally ready for college.

Even students who are academically prepared may be overwhelmed by the prospect of so much independence and responsibility or daunted by the demands of schoolwork. “I think the biggest problem for me is that college is the beginning of adulthood, and I’m just not ready to grow up yet,” confesses one student.

If you’re a parent, talk to your college-bound child about his or her worries. If you’re a student, talk to your parents, and don’t hesitate to talk to counselors and resident advisors. Also remember there’s no rule that says, “Proceed immediately to college after high school, do not pass Go.” Taking a year to do other things may be the right decision for you..