Sydney Community College Blog | by Claire Pickard on 18 December 2020
Life, as John Lennon said, is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.
It’s all in the daily bits and pieces. Life is the happy accidents, chance meetings and opportunities taken and missed. It’s the up days, the down days, and the everything in between.
And that’s a little like short courses. They’re every day, last minute, achievable, practical learning experiences that enrich us while we’re “busy making other plans”.
Of course, we say yes, absolutely, to the hard-gained apprenticeship, the undergraduate degree, the Honours year or the Masters. And yes to the Certificate courses that keep our community safe, smart and skilled. But there’s also so much to be gained from the short course experience.
Here’s why…
Short courses are learning activities that enrich a student’s knowledge on a particular subject, usually providing hands-on experience. Delivered face-to-face or online in a friendly and relaxed environment, in most cases there are no entry requirements and no assessments or homework required. You could try, for example, our range of Adobe Creative Cloud courses to get you up and running with these popular design apps.
The low commitment of time required makes short course learning easy to fit into a busy routine and pays off quickly, with actual ready-to-use skills in a short period of time. The learning is specific and efficient. If it turns out that photography or creative writing wasn’t for you, then that’s a lesson learned, and you can move on to the next interest.
Many students come for the friendly and relaxed learning environment, the affordability, and the timing of classes that are generally after working hours or on weekends. Short courses are a way to pick up knowledge and skills without a large commitment of time and money.
A short course can be added to a résumé to open new job or promotion opportunities. It’s also a great way to meet new people, develop professional and personal relationships, and have fun while learning.
According to career advice website, SkillsRoad, short courses “can help you to get specific skills training in a shorter amount of time... They lean more towards practical skills than mountains of theory... and are a valuable way of showing potential employers that you are proactive and that you value continued learning.”
There’s also the option of turning an interest into a paying job. As SkillsRoad suggests, social media and digital selling platforms make it “easier than ever to turn your passions or hobbies into viable careers... Short courses are often perfect for people with an entrepreneurial mindset, providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to move quickly and capitalise on opportunities.”
Or maybe it’s just for fun…
Let’s not forget the important social aspect. An evening spent learning a new skill is a great way to connect with a friend or meet new people. It’s a chance to catch up in a different environment than in a restaurant, gym or bar.
With over 400 short courses to choose from, Sydney Community College helps enrich the daily life of more than 8,000 Sydneysiders each year. That’s a lot of learning - and a lot of life living.
Short Courses in Sydney
- Accounting & Bookkeeping Course for Beginners
- Acrylic Painting Course
- Acrylic Painting Workshop
- Acrylic Painting Workshop: Abstract Art
- Acrylic Painting Workshop: Landscape
- Adobe After Effects Course for Beginners
- Adobe Illustrator Course for Beginners
- Adobe InDesign Course for Beginners
- Adobe Photoshop Course for Beginners
- Adobe Premiere Pro Course for Beginners
- Advanced Acting: Actors Lab
- Advanced Acting: The Play
- Advanced Bicycle Maintenance Course
- Arabic Course: Reading & Writing Course (Level 1B)
- Arabic Course: Speaking & Listening (Level 1A)
- Archery Lessons for Beginners
- Aromatherapy Workshop for Beginners
- Art Kintsugi Introductory Workshop
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business Course
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Social Media Marketing Course
- Australian Native & Indigenous Plants Workshop
- Authentic Indian Street Food Workshop
- Basic Upholstery Short Course
- Beaded Jewellery Course
- Beginner's Acting Level 1: The Monologue
- Beginner's Acting Level 2: The Scene
- Beginner's Acting Level 3: The Story
- Beginner's Acting Trial Class
- Beginners Bridge Basics: Learn to Play
- Black & White Photography Workshop
- Bookbinding Course for Beginners at NSW Guild
- Build Your Own Bike Course
- Build a Step Stool Course
- Build a Tiny House Course
- Candle Making Masterclass
- Cantonese Course: Beginners Level 1
- Cantonese Course: Beginners Level 2
- Car Maintenance Course for Beginners
- Cartoon Drawing Course for Beginners
- Cartoon Drawing Course: Level 2
- Chinese Brush Painting Course
- Chinese Calligraphy Workshop
- Chinese Dumpling Making Workshop
- Cinematic Podcasting Course
- Cold Process Soap Making Workshop
- Computer Skills Course for Beginners
- Copperplate Hand Calligraphy Workshop
- Copperplate Hand Calligraphy Workshop: Intermediate
- Creating Repeating Patterns in Procreate: Beginners
- Creative Writing Course for Beginners
- Creative Writing Course: Children's Books
- Creative Writing Course: Fairy Tales & Lore
- Creative Writing Course: How to Write a Romance Novel
- Creative Writing Course: Journal & Letter Writing
- Creative Writing Course: Memoir & Life Writing
- Creative Writing Course: Mystery Writing
- Creative Writing Course: Novel Planning
- Creative Writing Course: Novel Writing
- Creative Writing Course: Reading & Writing Lyric Poetry
- Creative Writing Course: Screenwriting
- Creative Writing Course: Stories Short & True
- Creative Writing Course: Writing for Hollywood
- Creative Writing: Screenwriter's Lab
- Crochet Course for Beginners
- Crochet Course for Continuers
- Cupcake Decorating Masterclass
- Customer Service Excellence Training Course
- DIY Perfume Making Workshop
- Digital Art Course for Beginners: Procreate
- Digital Art Course for Continuers: Procreate
- Digital Marketing with AI Course
- Dog Training for Beginners Course
- Dragon Boating for Beginners
- Drawing & Painting Course: Continuers
- Drawing & Painting Course: Introduction
- Drawing & Painting Studio
- Drawing Course for Beginners
- Drawing Course for Continuers
- Drawing Workshop : Zentangle®
- Drawing Workshop: Botanical Art
- Drawing with Wire: Sculpture Workshop
- Drip Cake & Florals Cake Decorating Course
- Drum Lessons for Beginners
- Drum Lessons for Beginners: Level 2
- Edible Organic Gardening Workshop
- English Course: A Comprehensive Introduction
- English Course: Beginner English
- English Course: Business English
- English Course: Communication Skills
- English Course: Elementary English
- English Course: English Grammar
- English Course: IELTS Preparation
- English Course: Intermediate English
- English Course: Pre-Intermediate English
- Facebook & Instagram Advertising Course
- Fermenting & Pickling for the Seasons Course
- Festive Ferments Course
- Figma Course for Beginners
- Filmmaking Course for Beginners
- First Home Buyers Course
- Fitness Course: Nordic Walking for Beginners
- Fitness Course: Seniors Health & Fitness Package
- Floristry Course for Beginners
- Fondant Cake Decorating Course
- Food Styling & Photography Course
- Free Small Business Coaching by Asuria's Self-Employment Assistance Program
- French Course: Beginner French
- French Course: Communication Skills
- French Course: Elementary French
- French Course: Intermediate French
- Fruit Carving Course for Beginners
- Furniture Cord Weaving Course
- Furniture Finishing Workshop
- Furniture Painting & Finishing Workshop
- Furniture Repair & Restoration Workshop (at Among The Trees)
- Furniture Repair & Restoration Workshop (at The Bower)
- Garden Landscaping Course
- Gardening for Beginners Course
- Gentle Yoga for Wellness Course
- German Course for Intermediate to Continuers
- German Course: Beginner German
- German Course: Communication Skills
- German Course: Elementary German
- German Course: German Grammar
- German Course: Language for Travel
- German Course: Pre-Intermediate German
- Glass Platters: Kiln Fired Course
- Golf Lessons for Beginners
- Graphite Wash: Sketching Workshop
- Green Walls & Vertical Gardens Workshop
- Green Wood Spoon Carving Course
- Guitar Lessons for Beginners
- Guitar Lessons: Intermediate
- Hair Styling Course: Braiding
- Hair Styling Course: Curl & Straighten
- Hair Styling Course: Upstyles
- Halloween Pumpkin Carving Workshop
- Hand Lettering: Brush Pen Course for Beginners
- Hand Plane Chopping Board Course
- Hand Tool Sharpening Course
- Hand Tool Woodwork Fundamentals for Beginners
- Handmade Pasta Masterclass
- Harmonica Lessons: How To Play Harmonica
- Haute Couture Beading Course for Beginners
- Home Beer Brewing for Beginners
- Home Building & Renovating Course
- Home DIY Workshop
- Horse Riding Lessons for Beginners
- How To Prepare A Will: Estate Planning Course for Beginners
- How to Design & Develop a Tiny House Course
- How to Hang a Door in 10 Easy Steps
- How to Market & Sell your First Home Course
- How to Start a Business Course
- How to Start a Cafe or Restaurant Course
- How to Start an E-Commerce Business Course
- Ikebana Masterclass: Japanese Flower Arrangement
- Improvisation Classes Level 2: TheatreSports Games
- Improvisation Classes for Beginners
- Indonesian Course: Beginners Level 1
- Indonesian Course: Beginners Level 2
- Indonesian Course: Intermediate Level 1
- Indonesian Course: Intermediate Level 2
- Indoor Plants & Gardens Workshop
- Indoor Rock Climbing Course for Beginners
- Ink Art Workshop
- Interior Design & Styling Course: Beginners
- Interior Design Colour Theory Course
- Interior Design for Small Spaces Course
- Introduction to Carpentry Course
- Introduction to Classical Latin
- Introduction to Furniture Building
- Introduction to Upholstery Course
- Introduction to Woodwork Course: Timber Bangle Carving
- Introduction to Woodwork: Chopstick Making Course
- Introduction to Woodwork: Hardwood Paddle Carving Course
- Introduction to Woodwork: Ramen Dinner Set Course
- Introduction to Woodwork: Spatula Carving Course
- Introduction to Woodwork: Woodturning Course
- Italian Course: Beginners Level 1
- Italian Course: Beginners Level 2
- Italian Course: Beginners Level 3
- Italian Course: Italian for Continuers
- Italian Course: Language for Travel
- Italic Script Calligraphy Workshop
- Japanese Bento Box Workshop
- Japanese Course: Beginners Level 1
- Japanese Course: Beginners Level 2
- Japanese Course: Intermediate
- Japanese Home Cooking Workshop
- Jewellery: Wire Wrapped Workshop
- Kids Woodworking Course: Step Stool
- Kids Woodworking Course: Timber Car Making
- Knife Skills Cooking Course
- Knitting Course for Beginners
- Korean Course: Beginners Level 1
- Korean Course: Beginners Level 2
- Learn Stud Wall Construction with Recycled Timber
- Learn to Cook Indian Cuisine Course
- Learn to DJ: Beginners Course
- Learn to Play Didgeridoo with Charlie McMahon
- Life Drawing Course for Beginners
- Life Drawing Course for Continuers
- Life Drawing Studio
- Lightroom Classic Photo Editing Course: Advanced
- Lightroom Classic Photo Editing Course: Beginners
- Lingerie Sewing Course
- LinkedIn Course for Business
- Linocut Printmaking Workshop: Beginners
- MYOB AccountRight Course for Beginners
- Mahjong Basics Course
- Make Your Own Concrete Planter Workshop
- Makeup Course for Beginners: Contour, Highlight, Blush & Bronzer Masterclass
- Makeup Course for Beginners: Eyebrows, False Lashes & Lips Masterclass
- Makeup Course for Beginners: Eyeshadow Masterclass
- Makeup Course for Beginners: Foundation & Concealing Masterclass
- Mandarin Chinese Course: Beginners Level 1
- Mandarin Chinese Course: Beginners Level 2
- Mandarin Chinese Course: Intermediate Level 1
- Mandarin Chinese Course: Intermediate Level 2
- Massage Course for Beginners
- Mastering Small Talk Course
- Mastering the Art of Communication Course
- Maths Course for Adults
- Mental Health First Aid Course
- Microsoft Excel Course: Level 1
- Microsoft Excel Course: Level 2
- Microsoft Power BI Course: Level 1
- Microsoft PowerPoint Course: Level 1
- Microsoft PowerPoint Course: Level 2
- Microsoft Word Course: Level 1
- Millinery (Hat-Making) Course for Beginners
- Modern Greek Course: Beginners Level 1
- Modern Greek Course: Beginners Level 2
- Modern Greek Course: Intermediate Level 1
- Modern Greek Course: Intermediate Level 2
- Modern Pointed Pen Calligraphy Course
- Music Production with Ableton Live: Beginners Course
- Music Production with Ableton Live: Intermediate Course
- Music Skills Essentials Course: Learn to Read Music
- MySQL Coding Course for Beginners
- NLP Course: Communication Skills
- NLP Course: Empower Yourself for Change
- NLP Course: Stop Procrastinating Now
- Natural Body Care Products DIY Course
- Natural Face Care DIY Course
- Night Photography Workshop at Circular Quay
- Oil Painting Course
- Oil Painting Workshop
- Online Brush Pen Course for Beginners
- Online Drawing Course for Beginners
- Origami Workshop for Beginners
- Painting Course for Beginners
- Palette Knife Painting Workshop
- Patchwork & Quilting Course for Beginners: Make a Double Irish Chain Quilt
- Paving using recycled materials
- Pelvic Floor Health Workshop
- Perspective Drawing Workshop
- Philosophy Course: The Great Modern Philosophers
- Philosophy Course: The Great Philosophers
- Philosophy Course: The Great Political Philosophers
- Philosophy Course: The Philosophy of Human Nature
- Philosophy Course: The Philosophy of World Religions
- Photographic Lighting Course
- Photography Course for Beginners
- Photography Course: Close-up, Macro & Focus Stacking
- Photography: Beginners Intensive Workshop
- Photography: Composition Skills Workshop
- Photography: Light Painting Workshop
- Photography: Technical Skills Workshop
- Piano Lessons for Beginners: Level 1
- Piano Lessons for Beginners: Level 2
- Piano Lessons for Beginners: Level 3
- Piano Lessons for Continuers
- Plant Propagation Course
- Plants, Pots & Container Gardening Course
- Podcasting Course for Beginners
- Portraiture Drawing Course with Life Models
- Portraiture Drawing Studio
- Portraiture Oil Painting Course
- Pottery & Ceramics Course: Hand Building
- Pottery & Ceramics Course: Surface Decoration
- Pottery & Ceramics: Hand Building Masterclass
- Pottery & Ceramics: Nerikomi Course
- Pottery & Ceramics: Wheel Throwing 8-Week Course
- Pottery & Ceramics: Wheel Throwing Masterclass
- Pottery & Ceramics: Wheel Throwing Short Course
- Practical Art History Course
- Practical Psychology Course for Beginners
- Presentation Skills Course for Beginners
- Project Management Course: Introduction
- Proofreading & Editing Course
- Property Development Course: An Introduction
- Property Investment Course for Beginners
- Property Styling Course
- Public Speaking Training Course
- Python Coding Course for Beginners
- Qigong Course for Beginners
- Qigong Course for Continuers
- Random Weave Sculpture Course
- Recreational Fishing for Beginners
- Recycled Timber Picture Framing Course
- Repair & Replace: Window Workshop
- Resin Homewares Workshop
- Resin Jewellery & Silicone Mould Making Course
- Resin Lamp Making Workshop
- Resin Wall Art Workshop
- Resin Workshop for Beginners
- Sculpture & Mould Making Course
- Sewing Essentials Course
- Sewing Extension Course
- Sewing: Patternmaking Essentials Course
- Sewing: Patternmaking Extension Course
- Sign Language Course: Auslan Level 2
- Sign Language Course: Introduction to Auslan 1
- Silver Jewellery Course: Wax Modelling for Silver Casting
- Silver Jewellery Introduction Workshop
- Silver Jewellery Making Course: Beginners 101
- Silver Jewellery Making Course: Continuers
- Silver Jewellery Making Course: Stackable (Semainier) Rings
- Silver Jewellery Making Course: Textured Earrings
- Silver Jewellery Making: Mixed Level Course
- Silver Jewellery: Precious Metal Clay Course
- Singing Lessons for Beginners
- Singing Lessons for Beginners: Level 2
- Singing: a Cappella for Beginners
- Small Space Gardening Course
- Social Media Manager Course
- Songwriting Course for Beginners
- Sound Design Course for Beginners
- Spanish Course: Beginners Level 1
- Spanish Course: Beginners Level 2
- Spanish Course: Beginners Level 3
- Spanish Course: Communication Skills
- Spanish Course: Spanish Grammar
- Spanish Immersion Course: Sydney
- Spanish for Travel Course
- Stained Glass Course: Leadlight Windows for Beginners
- Stand-up Comedy Course for Beginners
- Stockmarket Investing Course for Beginners
- Storytelling Course: Write & Tell Stories With Impact
- Street Photography Workshop in Sydney's CBD
- Sushi Making Workshop
- Sustainable Coiled Basket Weaving Workshop: Beginners
- Sustainable Coiled Basket Weaving Workshop: Continuers
- Swimming Lessons: Learn to Swim
- Swimming Lessons: Stroke Development
- Sydney Community College Choir
- Table for One: A Single's Culinary Journey
- Tai Chi Course for Beginners
- Tai Chi: Continuers
- Tech Savvy Seniors: Introduction to Computers, Smartphones & Tablets I
- Tech Savvy Seniors: Introduction to Computers, Smartphones & Tablets II
- Tech Savvy Seniors: Introduction to Cyber Safety, Online Shopping & Online Banking
- Tech Savvy Seniors: Introduction to Email
- Tech Savvy Seniors: Introduction to Social Media
- Tech Savvy Seniors: Introduction to Video Calling
- Tech Savvy Seniors: Introduction to the Internet
- Tech Savvy Seniors: Managing Your Digital Assets
- Tennis Course for Beginners
- Textile & Pattern Design Course
- Textile Collage & Slow Stitch Course
- Thai Course: Beginners Level 1
- Thai Course: Beginners Level 2
- Traditional Rug Making Workshop for Beginners
- Tunisian Crochet Course for Beginners
- Ukulele Lessons for Beginners
- Ukulele Lessons: Level 2
- Upcycling Sewing Course
- Urban Beekeeping for Beginners Workshop
- Urban Sketching Group
- Urban Sketching: Drawing Course
- Urban Sketching: Pen & Wash Course
- User Experience (UX) Design Course
- Vegan Cheese Board Cooking Course
- Vegetable Gardening Workshop
- Videography Course for Beginners: DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras
- Vietnamese Course: Beginners Level 1
- Vietnamese Course: Beginners Level 2
- Vietnamese Immersion Course: Cabramatta
- Violin Lessons for Beginners
- Violin Lessons for Beginners: Level 2
- Watercolour & Sketching Course: Advanced
- Watercolour & Sketching Course: Beginners
- Watercolour Essentials: A Beginner's Guide
- Watercolour Painting Course
- Watercolour Painting Course: Botanical Art
- Watercolour Painting Workshop: Botanical Art
- Watercolour Painting Workshop: Expressive Art
- Watercolour Painting Workshop: Still Life
- Web Development Course for Beginners: HTML & CSS
- Wind Instrument Beginners Course: Learn Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, or Trumpet
- Woodcarving Course: Spoons
- Wooden Mallet Making Course
- Wooden Rolling Pin Making Course
- Woodturning Class: Intro to Pen Turning
- Woodwork Course for Beginners: Build a 3-Legged Stool
- Woodwork: Build a Planter Box
- Woodwork: DIY Balsa Wood Surfboard Course
- Woodwork: DIY Native Bee Hive Course
- Woodworking Course: Dovetail Stools
- Woodworking Course: Five Days of Turning
- Woodworking Course: Hand Cut Joints
- Woodworking Course: Mitered Boxes
- Woodworking Course: Sharpening
- Woodworking Course: Steam Bent Shaker Boxes
- Woodworking Course: Turning Bowls & Platters
- WordPress Course: How to Create a Website
- Yoga: Chair Yoga for Beginners
- iPhone Photography Course
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