Page 18 - StudyTravel Magazine August 2024 Issue & Star Awards 2024 Supplement

SPECIAL REPORT

Marketing vocational
Marketing vocational

courses overseas
courses overseas
Many vocational providers attest
that agents form an important part
of their marketing plans due to the
complex and often niche sectors
that they work in. Vinnie Nobre from
Greystone College in Canada says,
“Agents are really the key to our
success. Agents offer tailored advice

and support to prospective students,
helping them navigate the application
process and make informed decisions
about their education. Their
personalised approach and local
presence make them particularly

effective in connecting with
international students. We do often
attend student fairs organised by
our agent partners and employ a
variety of traditional and digital
marketing strategies as well, all
designed to support our agents’
recruitment success.”
networking Staying Andy Tolhurst from Greenwich
opportunities.” up-to-date and College agrees but points out that
Routes to liaising with the visa challenges are acute in this
the job market are requirements of the sector. “We market in every way, but
a key consideration wider job market are the majority of our VET recruitment
for vocational education both key to staying relevant actually happens onshore - much
providers and Mimi says that SEG to today’s well-informed international of it is our own English students, or
boasts some impressive statistics students. Adam Swiatowy, National English/VET students from elsewhere

in this regard. “The effectiveness Director of Greystone College in who shop around onshore, so it’s very

of our vocational programmes is Australia, says, “We offer programs competitive. Agents are absolutely
reflected in the career outcomes of designed to ensure graduates are crucial here. Some markets send

our graduates,” she says. “Over 97 prepared for the workforce, meeting from offshore (particularly Vietnam

per cent of our students receive job the professional standards and best and Philippines), however at present
offers by graduation day, with 89 practices required in the Australian visa refusals for offshore VET

per cent securing management roles and global job markets. Although applications are quite high, which
or starting their own businesses. work placements are not a formal makes things challenging.”
This high employability rate is a requirement of our courses, all Tereza adds that a variety of
testament to our industry-led, programs include simulated work marketing methods is often the
career-driven, and student- assessments and case studies that best way of reaching target student
centric approach. The demand provide real-world exposure and markets. She says, “We market our
for hospitality professionals with experience preparing our students courses overseas through a variety

international profiles and diverse for the ever-changing global business of channels, including agents,
skills is growing, driven by the need environment. A comprehensive high school counsellor fairs, high
for businesses to rejuvenate post- re-evaluation of all units and school visits, fairs, Education USA
Covid and upcoming global events outcomes done in 2020 and 2021 and industry events. Each method
such as the Paris Olympics, Expo ensures our students are meeting contributes to our outreach, but high
2025 in Japan, and the 2026 in-demand skills.” school visits and education fairs have
FIFA World Cup.” bethan@studytravel.network been particularly successful.”

AUGUST 2024 15