The new Flowers for Fun short course at CIT is one of a suite of new short courses on offer this spring, designed to fast-track hands-on learning. Photo: Supplied.
Have you ever imagined yourself effortlessly creating a gorgeous floral arrangement from your own garden, but weren’t sure where to start?
Or perhaps you’d like to plan the flowers for a special event, such as a wedding, birthday, or even a community market stall?
Well, a short course at Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) can help you do just that in a matter of weeks.
CIT’s new Flowers for Fun short course is one of 12 exciting programs launching this spring.
From floral arranging to flatpack kitchen assembly, coffee to car care, DIY and DJ skills through to welding and intensive cybersecurity training, these short, hands-on learning opportunities are designed to give participants “real skills, real fast”.
As for the floristry course, it’s about putting the “fun” into flowers, says teacher Narelle Phillips.
It’s designed to be a joyful experience – for both teachers and students – and the results are sure to be bloomin’ marvellous, she says.
Each class combines demonstration, discussion and guided practice on a different arrangement style, including hand-tied bunches, posies, feature displays, and table centrepieces.
“We provide all the flowers and materials, we teach you how to arrange them using industry tricks and techniques, and you get to take your arrangements home,” Narelle says.
“There are no assessments, it’s flexible, practical and we can adapt to people’s levels and goals.”
Narelle, who also teaches the more advanced floristry courses at CIT, says shorter courses offer a taster and personal interest learning opportunities, as well as insight into the industry for those who want to learn more.
“This particular course would be ideal for those who have a love of flowers, allowing them to play and build their confidence in floral design,” she says.
“I love seeing students progress from that first week. Someone might turn up saying ‘Oh, I’m no good with colour’, but by the end, they’ll be able to whip up two or three designs in a very short space of time.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see students grow in confidence as they develop their skills.”
For CIT’s Education Futures and Students Executive Director Josephine Andersen, the beauty of short courses is that they offer accessible, industry-led training opportunities that can fit into people’s busy lives.
To that end, CIT has worked particularly hard to ensure the enrolment process for these short courses is simple and easily completed in just a few short steps.
With flexible hours and a lower time commitment, short courses offer pathways for people to try something new, regardless of their age or stage in life.
It’s fast-tracked learning without compromising on the quality of the content, she says.
That’s because one of the great strengths of CIT is that its educators are also industry professionals who teach from experience, according to Josephine.
Even in shorter courses, you’ll learn real-world, hands-on skills from experts, she says.
Among the new offerings is a flatpack kitchen design and installation course. The latest evening program is tailored for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts preparing for home renovations.
Participants will learn how to plan, design and install flatpack kitchens, including using online tools for layout design, insider tips and tricks for cabinet assembly, and which tools to use. It’s ideal for those wanting to save on renovation costs or gain confidence before tackling a kitchen upgrade.
Other new courses range from the intensive cybersecurity course aligned with the Essential Eight maturity framework to barista basics, welding, and car maintenance.
“Whether it’s for personal or professional growth, offering short courses provides an opportunity to learn in a way that easily fits into people’s lives,” Josephine says.
“These flexible, hands-on options give students the chance to upskill, explore creative interests, build on existing knowledge or try something completely new.
“They also give Canberrans the opportunity to connect, meet new people and enrich their learning outside of traditional school or work settings.”
To explore the short courses available, visit the CIT website.
