In the past college was very different to how it is now at Passmores’ Business College.  The skills required of business people have changed as society has progressed into a more technological society.

In the early 1980’s my mother attended Metropolitan Business College in Sydney.  The course she learnt whilst at the college was very different to that learnt here at Passmores’ Business College.  At the college there were only three main subjects and these included typewriting skills, learning to write short hand and deportment.

At Passmores’ Business College however, there are three majors to choose from; marketing and media, hospitality and tourism and real estate and legal.  Each of these majors consists of fourteen different subjects.  The knowledge and information that is expected from students now, is far greater than it was in previous times.

In the 1980’s women still did not have equal rights in the work place and the jobs that young women could aspire to  were not that varied.  Young women could aspire to be a secretary, a school teacher or a nurse.  These were roles that were seen as predominately feminine.  The class that my mother attended had no young men whatsoever, but here at Passmores’ Business College 10% of attendees are male.  No longer are the days where women have less rights in the workplace, young women can now aspire to be on par with every other male in the business.

Women have a chance to progress and develop to be anything they want to be, and here at Passmores’ Business College they are inspiring us to do so.

by student, Melanie Fraser

Posted by student on November 1st, 2011
Business College News, Uncategorized
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Real estate course student, Danielle

Danielle Wiggins, one of our real estate course students, came into the Passmores’ Business College smiling from head to foot as she described her practicum experience at Property Management Systems (PMS).

Danielle was at PMS for two weeks during which time she gained experience in completing property condition reports, building rapport with potential clients, presenting services to clients and gleaned a wealth of experience in how to be a good real estate agent.

When asked if the content of her  real estate course, Newcastle had proven to be useful she immediately commented on how helpful it had been to look at the different legal/real estate documents in class.  Danielle reflected that, ‘knowing what I was looking for when asked to get different documents was really important, it made my job so much easier’.  She was also able to put into practice her lectures on ‘how to deal with clients’ and ‘property management’.

Danielle was so pleased that she’d been able to go on practicum because it had enabled her to gain some firsthand insight into the real estate industry.

I asked Danielle if real estate was for her.   ‘Absolutely, she quipped, I loved it and am really hoping that a position opens up in property management.’

I can’t wait to catch up with some of the other Passmores’ real estate course students to hear how their practicum went!

Posted by passmores on November 1st, 2011
Business College News, Uncategorized
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Jaclyn, Real Estate student

Recently I had a chat with one of our students regarding what she had learnt from attending  an open house as part of her assessment for the Real Estate course, Passmores’.

Jaclyn made the following observations:

1.  The open house could have been run a lot better.  In class we were told to greet inspectors with a smile, ask questions and point out features, not the obvious (i.e. ‘Have you noticed the new  slate floors in the kitchen?’     Not . . . ‘here is the Kitchen’).  At the open house I attended the agent didn’t even get my contact details, let alone say hi.  He didn’t point out any of the features of the house. 

2. Throughout our Real Estate course we were taught that first impressions are everything!  At the open house I attended we were asked to take off our shoes and walk around on really cold tiles – I couldn’t wait to get out of there.  It was a cold day and yet there was a lovely gas burner sitting there turned off. I would’ve asked the client to turn on the heaters.  They also had all the curtains closed which made it feel very gloomy; opening the curtains could’ve brightened things up a bit.

3. The agent didn’t seem very interested in selling the property.  One of the things that’s been impressed upon me in class is that we need to remain impartial when selling a property.  If we don’t like a property that certainly shouldn’t come across and we should appear engaged and interested in the property we are selling.

4. As we left we weren’t given any further information about the house.  We’ve been taught that it’s really important to have a flier/brochure ready to give the inspector as they leave.

5.  As we left the realtor didn’t ask any qualifying questions such as, ‘Is this the kind of property that you’re looking for?’

Overall, Jaclyn found the experience very worthwhile as she’d never been to an open house before and realised the importance of much of what she’d been taught while completing the Real Estate course at Passmores’.

Posted by passmores on October 11th, 2011
Business College News, Students
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Night-time visit of the Melbourne Gaol

Students from Passmores’ Business College had the pleasure of experiencing one of Melbourne’s most haunted buildings on a recent excursion to Melbourne. Visiting the Old Melbourne Gaol on a cold winters evening, the Business College students were shown through the iconic landmark in an entertaining and chilling way with their guide illustrating what life was like for some of Australia’s most notorious villains.
Newcastle Hospitality course students were surprised to learn about the Gaols most famous prisoner Ned Kelly and his final moments as he uttered the legendary words “such is life” before being executed. As the Business College students made their way through the historical gaol they were shown stone walled cells that were decorated with replicas of the equipment that were used during the gaols peak in the early 19th century. When students were asked whether they enjoyed the tour, one quipped that they thought it was going to be a lot more frightening but overall they enjoyed the theatrics of the tour.
The tour served a great purpose for students as it allowed them the opportunity to experience one of Melbourne’s greatest tourist attractions whilst also helping them to understand key aspects of the tourism course curriculum studied within the Newcastle Hospitality Course at Passmores’ Business College. Most of the students agreed that the Old Melbourne Gaol tour was a valuable experience and that they would recommend the tour for future Hospitality Course students and for anyone who has an interest in experiencing one of Melbourne’s most historical buildings in a unique and entertaining way.

by student, Trudie Corrie

Posted by student on September 19th, 2011
Business College News, Hospitality Courses
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Some of our hardworking Office Administration Course students

As an office administration course teacher it comes as a constant surprise to me how much the students don’t know at the commencement of their year at Passmores’.

A lot of the students have come to us from school but, even those who’ve been working for some time, have some gaps in basic office administration skills. 

It’s a challenge to turn the students around in nine months however, in conjunction with the other subjects being offered at the College, it’s possible.

Throughout the office administration course, Newcastle we focus on teaching the students how to develop their time-management, inter-personal and attention-to-detail skills.  We spend some time looking at how to proof work, set out letters properly, send out mail correctly and how to cope with various scenarios that commonly arise in the workforce.  Students are challenged to complete everything to a high standard and to react in a calm, professional manner – no matter what is thrown at them.

It’s so rewarding to see the office administration course, Newcastle producing students that graduate with these essential skills under their belt!

Posted by passmores on August 25th, 2011
Business College News, Uncategorized
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Business College Students gaining valuable insights from Crowne Plaza Management

There’s much to be said for Newcastle. It’s well known for great beaches, fantastic restaurants and cafes, and some of the best views in Australia. But have you heard about the scores of employable, gold-plated employees being created every year, from Newcastle’s very own Passmores’ Business College Newcastle?

Through accelerated learning courses, students at Passmores’ Business College Newcastle learn a myriad of skills needed to enter the workforce. The list isn’t a small one either. In just one year, students obtain specialised management diplomas by proving themselves in a range of subjects:

• Business Management
• Tourism Management
• Event Management
• Human Resource Management
• Advertising / Consumer Behaviour
• Real Estate / Property Management
• Marketing Management
• Hospitality Management
• Sales Management
• Public Relations
• Bookkeeping 

Founded in 1983, Passmores’ Business College Newcastle prides itself on achieving an outstanding employment history of virtually 100% of graduates gaining employment, or entering further education, within three months of graduation. Satisfied employers include Royal North Shore Hospital, Star City Casino, Channel 9, QANTAS Airlines, Ernst & Young, David Jones, and many more.

by student, Simon McMillan

Posted by student on August 18th, 2011
Business College News
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Business College students delivering impromptu speeches

Passmores’ Business College Newcastle has had an outstanding employment rate since its establishment in 1982 – the reason being that they go above and beyond to ensure their students are trained to utilise skills from all areas of the business employment world.

This highly professional learning environment is designed to replicate the workforce and classes are conducted in corporate business surroundings. As a result, the students of Passmores’ Business College Newcastle are required to present themselves in a manner appropriate to a business environment – right down to details such as dress code and grooming, manners, attendance and maintaining a high standard of professionalism at all times.

To help assist with developing and refining these skills, students attend a professional development class once a week where they learn to become proficient at all the things which constitute a polished and highly desirable employee in the current business workforce, from grooming, body language and handshakes to presenting speeches confidently in a highly articulate manner with little preparation – a must in the corporate world.

As part of this professional development, students of Passmores’ Business College Newcastle participate in many practical activities. This term students had the fantastic opportunity to attend a tutorial at neighbouring college, Mask  Make-Up Academy , where females were taught some of the tips and tricks of makeup application and hair styles to help refine their corporate image. A few weeks later, all students were professionally assessed by a recruitment officer from Hunter Valley recruitment specialist’s, Peoplefusion, which provided students with feedback to improve their prowess in job interviews.

These things, while seemingly commonplace are often disregarded by many young individuals looking for work in a corporate environment, giving graduates of Passmores’ Business College Newcastle the edge in the workforce. For more information on Passmores’ business courses, please visit the course content page of our website.

by student, Anna James

Posted by student on July 25th, 2011
Business College News, Business Courses
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Business College Students with Paul Lobb, NBN

At Passmores’ Business College there are many career options available with one year diploma courses in management, marketing, media and communications, hospitality, legal and real estate and administration.

There are a number of excursions and activities in each course that enable students to further their skills and gain insight into the workplace. Excursions, activities and practicum compliment the college curriculum and are an important aspect of getting the student’s ‘ job ready’. 

Throughout each academic year, each major will be involved in both external and internal excursions.  Examples from each major are listed below.

Hospitality, Hotel Management and International Tourism:

• Crowne Plaza Newcastle
• Newcastle Tram
• Newcastle YHA
• Melbourne Excursion – Crowne Plaza Seminar
• Motivational Speakers
• Sydney Royal Easter Show
• Six weeks practicum

Real Estate, Legal and Administration:

• Motivational Speakers
• Melbourne Excursion – Immigration Centre, State Library of Victoria
• Sydney court House
• Newcastle CTTT
• Sydney Royal Easter Show
• Six weeks practicum

Management, Marketing, Media and Communications:

• NBN Excursion
• Melbourne Excursion – ACMI, George Patterson Advertising Agency
• The Newcastle Herald
• Peach Advertising, Newcastle
• NXFM
• Sydney Royal Easter Show
• Six weeks practicum

The excursions and activities that are offered at Passmores’ Business College provide opportunities for students to build upon their understanding of theory taught in lectures by experiencing the ideas and concepts when applied in practice. Students are encouraged to attend planned activities to meet the outcomes of the course requirements.

by student, Gabrielle McLiroy

Posted by student on July 25th, 2011
Business College News, Newcastle Courses News
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Students from Passmores’ Newcastle Hospitality course had the privilege on Thursday 24th of March, of attending a Newcastle tram ride excursion with the purpose of seeing some of Newcastle’s historical landmarks and scenery.

The Hospitality course students started their excursion at the Crowne Plaza where students boarded the tram to commence their tour. The ‘Newcastle’s Famous Tram’ took students past Nobby’s beach where the Pasha Bulker crashed, and past the Nobby’s beach lookout which for most students was one of the highlights of the tour. The tram also took students past King Edward Park, the historical Fort Scratchley, Newcastle’s cathedral and up Newcastle’s steepest hill in Brown Street where the train commentator provided interesting facts with some insight into the history of Newcastle.

Hospitality course students were accompanied by Passmores’ teacher, Mrs Burgess, who has been organising the Newcastle tram tour excursion for some years as a tool to help educate students on the many sights and activities that the city of Newcastle offers. For Hospitality course students wishing to work in Hospitality/Tourism within Newcastle—a sound knowledge of the Newcastle area and it’s history is an invaluable resource for their career outside of the course.
When asked whether students found the excursion useful in assisting them with their Newcaslte Hospitality course and whether the excursion should be offered to future students, their response was that although the tram ride was targeted at an older demographic, it was an interesting experience. Students were grateful for the excursion for its purpose of showing them some of the many sights and educating them on the history of Newcastle and recommend the excursion is included into Passmores’ future Hospitality courses.

By Trudie Corrie

Posted by student on April 13th, 2011
Business College News, Hospitality Courses
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Passmores’ Business College Hospitality and Marketing Students, Lauren Sorensen and Mathew Luangrath were honoured this week as the results of the Commercial Education Society (CESA) examinations were announced.

Both students achieved equal First Place internationally in the Office Practice Fundamentals examination – an outstanding achievement! In addition, Elizabeth Pettitt a Legal and Real Estate student achieved equal Second Place internationally in the Word Processing 2 examination and Katherine Horne and Jessica Logan achieved equal Second Place in the Office Practice Fundamentals exam.

These results continue the strong tradition Passmores’ Business College has in achieving outstanding placings internationally in these coveted and strongly contested examinations. These students are to be commended on their achievement. Well Done!

Posted by passmores on March 31st, 2011
Business College News
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