Charles Institute of Technology now open for business in Sydney

The Charles Institute of Technology, the first privately owned, purpose-built, dental technology college in Australia is now open for business. Located in the Sydney suburb of Chatswood, the college is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 91849) under the authority of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS 03287M).

CIT aims to deliver training, conduct assessments and issue nationally recognised qualifications in accordance with the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) and the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training as well as its own specifically designed programs of study. The first of which is the Advanced Studies in Crown and Bridge: Ceramics.

The college is geared exclusively for dental studies and CIT's current scope of registration includes the Diploma of Dental Technology (HLT50507) and the Traineeship and Certificate 3 in Dental Laboratory Assisting (HLT 32707).

Mr Charles Kim, a dental laboratory owner, is CIT's CEO and Mr Graham Key is the Institute Director. The owners and management of the facility are all dental professionals and understand the professions within the dental industry. Additionally, CIT's Academic Advisory Committee consists of a dental specialist, dentist, dental prosthetist, dental technician, law professor and ASQA and CRICOS auditors.

"CIT's mission is to deliver achievable quality dental technology education," Mr Key said. "The most important and powerful activity an individual can do is to learn and add meaning to their lives. We are all born with a desire to learn - human beings are naturally curious. The CIT philosophy is to capture and harness this curiosity to enable greater performance, great people and great results. To facilitate this, we are working closely with the dental industry and professional links within Australia to ensure our training is at the leading edge of industry development."

Mr Key said that the Diploma of Dental Technology at CIT can lead to a career goal or be a pathway to more advanced courses in dental technology or dental prosthetics. At CIT, students will be using the very latest in technology, including the latest computer driven milling and sintering devices. This technology is already installed and available for training. A student's first step into the world of dentistry could be achieved by joining the profession of dental technology with the support of a truly modern and up-to-date educational team.

"Our teachers are highly qualified with many years of experience both in teaching and professional practices. Students will graduate from CIT with employability skills that will make them highly desirable by future employers," he said.

"At the Charles Institute of Technology we also understand that dental technicians not only need technical skills but also a good grasp of English. It is our goal that all students will graduate with a level 7 pass in the International English Language Test (IELTS). This is the same level that is required by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to register graduates in dentistry, dental prosthetics or any other health profession registered nationally."

CIT was officially opened on December 3, 2011 with a highly successful full-day course for 24 dental prosthetists in the national unit of competency - Take a Clinical Photograph (HLTDA417B).