Faq
Please find below some helpful answers to some of the questions you may have about our courses. For further information our course consultants are available via Online Chat or by email or phone.
What is the Australian Academy of Wedding and Event Planning?
AAWEP is a private training institution which is dedicated to providing training in the areas of Event and Wedding Planning, Design and Styling. The team behind the Academy are all industry professionals who have extensive industry experience themselves. It is this knowledge that forms the foundation of the courses, together with ongoing research into this exciting industry. The Academy strives to provide student with a ‘toolbox’ of practical skills and knowledge that will help Graduates to carry out the myriad of duties required by someone working in this industry.
Is the Academy a Registered Training Organisation?
In Australia educators fall into two categories; Registered Training Organisations and Private Training Organisations. Registered Training Organisation include institutions such as Tafes and Universities. The Academy is proudly a private training organisation. This means that we are able to deliver training that relates specifically to the Events Industry. It also enables us to have control over the content of courses and the ways in which we deliver this information to students. Furthermore it enables us to keep our costs at a minimum which means we can focus on our students.
However the Academy is also conscious of the obligation of any training organisation to meet expected minimum standards of education. In fact the Academy’s philosophy is to exceed expected standards of education and training. With this in mind the Academy has achieved recognition through the following organisations:
- ACPET - Australian Council for Private Education and Training
- IADL - International Association for Distance Learning
- Box Hill Tafe, Victoria
The Academy is also the only wedding and event training provider in Australia who is an Accredited Member of the Australian Bridal Service. All our courses are recommended by the ABS.
If AAWEP is not a RTO why do they use the terms, Diploma and Certificate?
The AAWEP uses the terms Certificate and Diploma in the way that any training organisation does, to distinguish between levels of study within its courses.
How long does the course take?
Our courses are self-paced. This means that you can study them with the time you have available. We find that this approach enables people with busy schedules to still commit to study.
Generally we find that someone who is working full-time and studying our Certificate course part-time will complete it within 6 months. If you choose to study the Diploma course part-time it should take between 6-8 months and the Advanced Diploma up to 12 months. However these are just guidelines. We encourage students to complete our courses within two years and we are here to support you to do that.
Do I have due dates for assignments?
No. We do not set due dates for assignments. As per above the course is self-paced which means you set your own study schedule. We understand that some months you may have more time than others and we accommodate that by letting you submit your assignments when you are ready. We also want you to get the most that you can out of the course, rather than pressuring you to adhere to due dates. What we do ask is that when you submit an assignment you wait to receive your grade and feedback before submitting the next.
If you would like to set a study schedule and would like assistance with that you tutor can assist you.
Do you have payment plans?
Yes we do. Refer to our enrolment form for full details. The payment plans do attract an administrative surcharge, however they are an excellent way to spread the cost of your course if you need to.
I don’t have any experience of running a business.
Will I be able to start my own business after completing the course?
The answer is, Yes. We have many students who have gone on to start their own successful Wedding and Event Planning businesses after completing the course. You can read more about some of our students success stories by clicking here.
The course does cover the fundamentals of your own Wedding and Event Planning business. In addition the Academy works with specialized mentors who are dedicated to teaching you the ins and outs of a Wedding/Event Planning business. We also offer a Graduate Package that allows students access to a business mentor once they have completed their course. This can be done on a month by month basis and provides support both by email and phone @ a cost of $75 per month.
I don’t want to work in my own business. Are there employment opportunities for Wedding and Event Planners?
Yes. Take some time to browse some of the larger job sites and you will find many listing for Event Managers, Assistants and Coordinators. We also encourage you to research these sites for jobs which have ‘events’ as a component of another job; for e.g. Marketing, Administrative and Secretarial roles often have an event component and this can be a great way to gain experience in the events field.
Employment opportunities in the Wedding Planning field have typically been less than you may find in the Event Management sector as most Wedding Planners do prefer to work as freelancers (to venues) or within their own businesses. However this is starting to change and we are now finding jobs advertised on job boards for Wedding Planners at both Wedding Planning businesses and venues. These types of roles are a great way to gain experience, particularly if you eventually would like to run your own Wedding Planning business.
I am a high school student. Can I study with the Academy?
Yes you can. All of our courses can be studied part-time whilst you are still at school however we have designed a course especially for 15-21 year olds.
I have never studied via a virtual campus before. What is it?
Our virtual campus allows you to complete your course through what we refer to as an online campus. When you enrol in our Virtual Campus you are given a login and this will take you to your own ‘student page’. Here you will find your course materials and will submit your assignments. We also have a Social Centre that houses our online library, career centre, tutor forums and the ability to communicate with other students through student forums and online chat.
Your course notes are also contained within a Dropbox file and these can be read offline (the green way) or printed off for your convenience. Each unit will also include additional material and this varies from unit to unit. In some cases you will have a podcast from Special Event Show, YouTube videos to view and quizzes to take.
I don’t want to study online. Can you send me my course materials?
We don't print out course material any longer as we operate under a Green Policy. However with access to your units via Dropbox you will be able to access them
Is there support for you as you work through the course?
Yes. You will be assigned your own tutor when you enrol. Your tutor is there to answer your questions as you work through your course. Your tutor will also grade your assignments and provide constructive feedback. In addition our friendly Admin team and our Course consultants are available to you to help with an Administrative issues relating to your course and work experience opportunities.
Do I have to undertake work experience or an industry placement as part of the course?
We know that most people who study with us have busy schedules, whether that be their family or work commitments, or both. For this reason we don’t make work experience or industry placement a requirement of your course. However, we also recognise that many of you want these opportunities. We will seek work experience and industry placements for those students who have indicated to us that they are available for them. In addition we advertise such opportunities on our Job Board which is located in the Virtual Campus.
As we are working Event and Wedding Planners ourselves we often offer students the opportunity to work with us on events. Again this is not an expectation and it is not guaranteed but we do make this available wherever possible.
I have never done anything like this before. Will I be able to complete the course?
Our courses are designed for people from all walks of life and with all levels of experience. If you have never worked in the industry you will find yourself on an exciting learning curve when you start the course and your tutor and the team at the Academy will be there to support you every step of the way. If you have some experience of the industry and are looking to further your knowledge and skills we will help you to take the course to your level and beyond.
Do your graduates get jobs?
Yes they do. We are very proud of what our graduates have achieved. Many now work in their own businesses and others are forging successful careers in both the Wedding and Event Planning and design industries. If you would like to chat with one of our recent graduates just let us know.
What are the assignments like?
Most assignments take a real-life scenario and ask you to approach the assignment as if your tutor is your client and you are the Wedding/Event Planner/Designer. We encourage you to show and develop your creativity in assignments and this is a part of the course that most students report as a highlight for them. The assignments form a core part of your learning. We are the only dedicated training provider within the special events industry who provide full indivualized feedback to students on every assignment they complete. Tutors work one on one with students to help them to develop and improve as they work through the course. From experience we know that other wedding planning courses do not offer this service as we have had many students enrol with us after completing a course with other companies as they weren't getting the support required.
Do I need textbooks?
No. All of your course material is provided. What you will do is research and this is largely done via the Internet and through publications like Wedding Magazines and online E-zines and blogs.
How do I enrol?
Simply go to the Courses section on the website, choose the course you wish to study and select ‘Enrol Online’ and then the course you wish to study. We can also send you an enrolment form to post, fax or email back to us if you prefer.
