Is doing a Tafe course worth it?

Hi all,
The local tafe collage has a Professional Groomers course coming up that I am interested in taking. However before I spend the thousands they want in tuition fees - will it be worth it? It is on campas with 40hours off campas work experience. Is this going to be enough for me to go out and get a decent job at the end of it? Or am I better off doing training cheaply (working cheaply for someone else) somewhere else first and then go and do the course later?
All thoughts, opinions appreciated.

Hi Milesnmiles

I can't comment on the Tafe course but I can comment on training with Jodie Graham at Groomers Friend.

I did their professional groomer course and loved every minute of it, It covers everything you need to know about grooming. The Guy who did the course with me at the same time had never groomed a dog before and by the end of the 2 weeks could groom extremely well.

I would recommend it to anyone.

Carissa

Thanks Carissa, Groomers Friend -where can I find them? Are they listed anywhere - phone book etc?

they have a website

http://www.groomersfriend.com.au/index

feel free to email or call them if you have any questions

Thanks will do

The cost of the TAFE course "Professional Dog Grooming" at Richmond shocked me a little.

$2700?

Hi Woofwoofclub,
Yes the price freaked me out a bit, especially as it is a three month course, not a yearly course. However there are some other courses I have since found and they are not much cheaper - especially if you have to factor in cost of accomodation if not living near time.

Thanks.

Before you sink the hard earned $$$ might I suggest you try do a bit of work experience as some people have the wrong idea on being a groomer. It is not easy work by a long shot but it is very rewarding knowing you styled a fluffy and when the client collects fluffy and they have the biggest smile what could be better than that
I have personally had 3 ladies do a bit of work experience before they went to school. All 3 went to Groomers Friend and 2 of them I can vouch for as running successful businesses. I myself did the same course 3 odd years ago and I have never looked back. Often it is asked "the course is only x weeks long what can I learn in that time?" Enough to get you up and running with confidence and as like any professional trade you never stop learning. Personal development throughout the year like going to seminars, groom expos etc will always further your knowledge and APG forum members are always here to help you.

Good Luck...
Christopher...

Hi, Thanks for the replies. You have given me much to think about, along with other contacts.
So have put off starting the course that is coming up, as they run twice a year anyway, which will give me about 5 months before the next TAFE course, to keep researching and talking to professional groomers.
Thanks everyone for your time, much appreciated.

Great post Chris. Do you have any equipment at all? Also, do you have any friends with dogs that need grooming, that you can try a few grooms out on them for free. Then post some pics and we can help you out We've all started at the beginning too (some days I feel like I'm back there)

Personally i have no preofessional training at all.. eccept from what i get on this site..

I however started at 14 years old grooming my own dogs and friends dogs. This helped me develop MY style and MY way of doing things.. I did experiance in a big salon and DID NOT LIKE IT one bit it was far to impersonal and rushed.

Go buy some books and dvd's then as cutter said get some simple tools and groom some mates dogs for free that way you get a feel for the job! I find if i posted pics here and asked for help everybody was more than whilling to give me advise and it helped alot!.

As for courses finding a good one that is worth the cash can be hard and it is only a starting point it will of course take years of pratice and experiance and you will learn everyday. Personaly i think a good course should not only cover the basics but should also focus on teaching the the dogs SHAPES as this healps in bucket loads to sculpt the dog well! Before i studied the antomy of the dogs my grooms where no where near as good!

Good luck and dont hesitate to post pics! everybody here will help however they can!!

Thankyou all so much! Was told to join as you are all a great bunch and very helpful - and you are!
Loads to think about and try now.
TA.