Coast’s global success
GOLD Coast company Blockchain Collective has created the world’s first accredited online Diploma in Applied Blockchain – with TAFE Queensland delivering the Australian-first course from its Gold Coast campus.
In the tech world, blockchain is one of the most talked-about emerging trends, and Blockchain Collective cofounder Austin Lewinsmith said that soon the technology will be a seamless part of everyday lives for almost everyone around the world.
Mr Lewinsmith and business partner Nathan Burns were working on several blockchain-related projects when they discovered the world lacked recognised and accredited training in blockchain technology.
“So we worked with education professionals to develop a curriculum,” he said.
For those unsure exactly what blockchain is, Mr Burns said a simple explanation was for people to think of blockchain as a digital security guard that provided a checkpoint and stamp of approval at each step of any business transaction that involved multiple processes and precious
data. “The unique part is that no one person can alter, manipulate, or tamper with the process, ensuring the integrity of transactions and mitigating chances of fraud, delay and red tape,” he said.
Gold Coast’s Debby LoDean, of Paradise Distillers, has used blockchain as part of her company’s business management
system to provide greater transparency and security for end users of her boutique Paradise Gin.
“Higher-end products that need to travel from point A to point Z will need this technology to provide consumers with the security and assurance that what they are paying for is actually what they get.”
TAFE Queensland Gold Coast general manager Karen Dickinson said the courses had been developed to largely skill people for the non-tech roles such as the management or operational roles within an organisation.
It is the first time students can study the qualification with access to VET Student
Loans to help pay their tuition fees.
Enrolments are open with classes set to start later this month, with an Advanced Diploma being offered by July. Classes will be taught online with regular face-toface workshops at TAFE’s Coomera campus, including virtual participation.