Learning Cloud

What Learning Cloud is

Learning Cloud is an online distance education college for adults who want a practical certificate or diploma studied from home, run by Learning Cloud Pty. Ltd. from a postal address in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. The same catalog is offered through sister sites for New Zealand and Ireland, the Irish one under Learning Cloud Ltd. at Maynooth Business Campus in County Kildare. The homepage counts 20+ trainers and tutors, 18+ years of experience, 1000+ unique courses and 21+ course categories, and the About page speaks of more than 14 years in vocational education and training and "tens of thousands of graduates globally". Students need to be 16 or older, and the FAQ says 90% of courses ask for no previous skills or qualifications.

The catalog

The 21 industry areas run from accounting and bookkeeping, agriculture, art and design, and aviation and travel to business and management, construction and engineering, ecotourism, education and teaching, environment and wildlife, equine, fitness, health, horticulture, hospitality and tourism, IT, Microsoft, pet and animal care, photography, psychology and counseling, science, and writing and journalism.

Health is one of the deepest areas. Its listing includes aged care, anxiety and stress management, aromatherapy, anatomy and physiology, gerontology, gut microbiome management, doula and end-of-life doula training, medical terminology, medical math, a medical receptionist certificate, career introductions for pharmacy technicians, medical coders and administrative medical assistants, and a run of nutrition courses from Human Nutrition I to III through to sports and therapeutic nutrition and nutritional counseling. It also carries three nationally coded qualifications: CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support, HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting, described as a "Nationally Recognised qualification", and HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management, which the listing says is delivered by Health Courses Australia with RTO Code 32412.

The fitness area is strong on teaching qualifications. It offers 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training, a 25 hour prenatal and postnatal yoga teacher training course, restorative yoga teacher certification, Yin Yoga, yoga anatomy and yoga philosophy, an Aquafitness course, Health and Fitness I to III, and a cluster of soccer certificates covering physical training methodology, injury prevention and return to play, youth athletic development, nutrition, and psychology and mental skills. The equine area covers horse care at three levels, horse breeding, equine behavior, a certificate in equine husbandry and an advanced certificate in applied management for horses.

How study works

Everything runs through a hosted learning platform that needs no software download and works on Mac, PC, iPad, Android and iPhone across multiple browsers, with learning data stored in the cloud. The Irish site explains that students can message their trainers whenever they need help, receive automated notifications from tutors or administrators, and use self-tests to gauge their progress, and that the platform is "Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) 1.2 certified". The homepage says the materials use rich multimedia and interactive self tests, and that students still receive traditional printed course materials, with the option to have everything printed and bound.

There are no term dates: students can enroll on any of the 365 days of the year. The FAQ says each listing shows the time and duration of the course, that typical limits are twelve months from enrollment, that some courses have no time limit, and that there are no restrictions on finishing quickly. Coursework goes in through the student portal or by email to student support or the tutor, and assignments range from multiple choice and one-word answers to paragraphs and detailed essays. Most courses can be studied entirely from home, but some require an external exam and practical training, as the individual listing states.

Tutors and support

The homepage says tutors must have at least 3 years of full-time post-secondary education and 5 years of experience, and that trainers and tutors are on duty 5 days a week, 50 weeks of the year and respond in real time. The testimonials back up the self-paced model. Alyson Elvin, who enrolled at 67 in the aqua fitness teaching course, writes that she worked at her own pace, took 3 months and had support from the faculty when she needed it. James Ross praises the material of the Technical Writing course and his instructor Clinton's detailed feedback. Jasmine Hudson took Fashion Design and Dressmaking and then two aromatherapy courses that added a service to her business, and mentions prompt marking. Sandra John, a mature-age student on Botany Introductory, writes that "The ability to pace was reassuring as I am studying with illness."

Accreditation

The FAQ answers the accreditation question in two parts: Learning Cloud offers courses fully accredited by the appropriate government bodies, institutions and organizations, and also courses recognized by IARC International, alongside SoftSkill courses that it presents as a low-cost way to learn a subject for personal use. Certificate and SoftSkill courses are described as the easier ones, and diplomas and advanced diplomas as the more demanding. The About page says the college offers nationally recognized diplomas and certificates that are recognized by government, employers, registered training organizations and universities.

Fees, payment and cancellation

The category pages list courses without prices; the FAQ says that for the vast majority of courses the fee displayed on the listing is the fee you pay, though optional practical training costs apply on selected courses, and any required books or materials are bought separately. Most courses can be paid as you study: a deposit at enrollment, the balance typically spread over 2 to 6 months by direct debit, with extra fees for this option, for residents only. Students taking more than one course get a discount when they pay in full at enrollment. The FAQ also promises to beat a cheaper like-for-like course from another college by 10%, SoftSkills courses excluded. Enrollment works online, by phone or by post.

The terms are strict once a course starts. Students have seven days from receiving the course to cancel in writing, courses cannot be swapped after that cooling-off period, and the FAQ states there are no refunds of any kind for students who cannot complete, though extensions can be bought. There are no discounts for unemployed students and no scholarships.

Who it suits

Learning Cloud suits self-motivated adults in Australia, New Zealand or Ireland who want a practical course they can fit around work and family: a fitness instructor adding yoga or aqua fitness teaching, a career changer exploring medical administration, a horse owner studying husbandry, or a hobbyist taking a single aromatherapy or botany course. The wide catalog and pay-as-you-study option make it easy to start, and the testimonials show older learners studying comfortably at their own speed. The nationally coded qualifications, such as the Certificate III in Dental Assisting, carry their code in the course title, and the strict refund terms mean it pays to choose the course carefully before enrolling.