Information Technology (ICT)

What is the Professional Year Program (IT)?

The Professional Year Program (IT) is a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) approved course that equips students with the professional and practical skills required to work in the Accounting industry in Australia. This program is one of the pathways from university to employment within Australia. The program has been designed, under Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
guidelines, principally for international students seeking to gain permanent residence. At the completion of your program you are able to apply to gain 10 additional points towards migration. The Professional Year Program (IT) does not guarantee permanent residence, but does assist in gaining the additional points required.

ECA’S Professional Year Program (IT) is aimed at graduates of an IT Bachelor or Masters degree that have recently graduated and are holding a 485 Skilled Graduate (temporary) visa or Bridging Visa A. For details on the 485 visa, visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/professional-year.htm

The program takes participants through the fundamentals of Australian workplace practice, Business communications and the professional code of conduct and ethics expected of professionals working in the IT industry. This includes a 12 week work experience module.

About Education Centre of Australia

Education Centre of Australia (ECA) is a modern and diverse educational institution that emphasizes innovation and excellence in our educational programs and research across a wide range of disciplines that are in demand in Australia. ECA is offering the Skilled Migration Internship Program (Accounting) in partnership with Australian Computer Society (ACS).

What Professions are covered?

The three occupations nominated by the Australian Government for the Professional Year are:

• Computer Science
• Accounting
• Engineering

At present ECA is offering the Professional Year in Computer Science and Accounting

What are the Entry Requirements?

To be able to enrol, your study must be related to one of the above fields as a visa requirement and you must study the Professional Year related to your study.

To study Professional Year, you must have completed:

• a two year study program in Australia in a qualification related to Accounting
• Completed over a minimum of 16 months in Australia.
• Minimum of IELTS 6.0

What documents do I require?

• Resume and Cover letter
• Certified copies of all certificates, degrees and transcripts with English proficiency results
• (IELTS)
• Passport copy
• Bridging A or 485 GSM visa
• Skill Assessment code & Professional Membership number, provided by the relevant Professional Body

Course description:

The course covers Business Communication including working in teams, planning, problem solving and self management. It also covers Australian Workplace Practice which includes workplace safety issues and other Australian Government Regulations. This is where students undertake a 12 week practical work experience (unpaid) program in a company to assist them in developing their employment skills.

The internship module is an all important component of the Professional Year program (IT). It allows students to experience work with a credentialed company in a professional environment. The Professional Year program (IT). covers material approved by Australian Computer Society. Graduates of the PYP (IT) are entitled to membership of ACS.

The course is structured over 4 Modules with a total of 44 weeks tuition. The mode of delivery is face to face teaching (classroom based) with students attending 10 hours of classes per week. Traditionally ECA policy is to limit class sizes to no more than 25 students. ECA believes that this will provide for a more effective and efficient learning environment. This policy has also been determined to:

• Ensure the safety and comfort of students
• Ensure quality of education by allowing better student / teacher interaction

Students may not apply to have any prior learning recognized for full or partial unit credit. According to the Australian Federal Government Recognition of Prior Learning cannot be awarded towards a Skilled Migration Internship Program in Accounting.

Course Structure

Opening Boot Camp

The Professional Year program (IT) opens with a “boot camp” conducted by ECA. This one day boot camp covers registration and induction, and at the end of the day participants will have a full understanding of course structure, content and purpose. The boot camp workshops will illustrate how practical and relevant to the actual workplace the SMIPA (Accounting) program is.

Australian Workplace culture and practise- 130 hours (Classroom based)

This is a comprehensive program that introduces students to the Australian way of work and business. This module consists of a 130 hours of classroom based training, where participants learn about common work practices, values and the things that are important in the

Australian workplace culture. The module covers:

• Resume writing and things employers want in a good portfolio
• Interview techniques and how to prepare for an interview
• How to develop a career plan
• How to understand and respond to employers expectations
• The importance of socialising to Australian Business culture
• How participants can contribute positively to the culture diversity in the Australian workplace
• Management systems and how they are aimed at achieving continuous improvement in business
• The importance given to a safe and healthy working environment in Australian workplace culture, as achieved through Occupational Health and Safety guidelines (OSHE).

Business English Communication- 130 hours (Classroom based)

Communicating in the workplace can be different to every day interactions. This module equips participants with the skills needed to communicate verbally and in writing as a business professional. The module covers:

• Using appropriate written and spoken English in the workplace.
• Writing reports and other documents relevant to the participant’s profession.
• Understanding workplace culture and the different modes of communication that are appropriate to different groups in an organisation.
• The different types of communications in the modern workplace.
• Awareness of the role of language in the workplace and how to communicate effectively with colleagues, subordinate, superiors and clients.
• Using initiative, problem solving skills and critical thinking in workplace contexts.