Web Development Courses

What Do Web Developers Do?

A web developer’s integral role is in designing, maintaining and creating websites. Within this role, they also have the responsibility of the technical aspects of a site which encompasses the site’s performance and capacity to handle web traffic.

Responsibilities of a Web Developer

Some of the tasks that web developers are commonly involved in can include:

• Meeting with clients
• Determine the design and capabilities of a website
• Create and test applications to be used on a website
• -Code writing for functionality and web design using different programming languages
• Work with graphic designers and other departments to integrate design, content and audio and visual elements
• Monitor website traffic and performance

Career Outcomes

• Web Developer
• Web Designer
• Database Administrator
• Computer Programmer
• IT Support
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Multimedia Artists/Animators
• Software Developers
• Multimedia Specialists

Job Outlook for Web Developers

If you’re thinking about a career as a web developer here are some figures that may interest you from PayScale and the Australian Government Job Outlook.

On average, web developers in Australia earn between $42, 677 and $86, 253 per year, with this figure depending on whether you’re a freelancer, working for a corporation and the level of education and experience you have.

There’s also an above-average range of jobs available, with the need for web developers and technology-savvy industry experts always in high demand. In terms of full-time jobs available across the country, Job Outlook has this at 79.1%, which is very promising for those looking for employment in this field.

If you’re thinking about your education options, the most common level qualification among those in the web development industry in Australia is a Bachelor Degree, with 85.4% having achieved this level web development course or higher.

In terms of job openings over the next few years, up to 5000 new jobs are predicted to need web developers or multimedia specialists to fill, meaning that there’s a high chance to secure a job as more jobs open.

Web developers are also needed in a range of different industries and fields, with most being employed in the technical, retail, science, professional and arts-related sectors.

Web Development Courses

There’s a wide range of web developer courses you can enrol in, depending on the skill-set you’re interested in acquiring from your study. These courses are available if you’re living in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane or Australia-wide. From a Diploma of Website Development to a Website Development short course, or an HTML and CSS Certificate and Certificate IV in Web-Based Technologies; there are short courses that offer an introduction to this field through to a diploma or undergraduate degree providing a more detailed analysis.

It can often be difficult trying to determine where to start with so many study options on offer. If you are entering the field for the first time without any experience, a short course or a Certificate IV could be a great option. Whereas, if you’ve been working in the field and want more advanced accreditation and skills then a diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate degree could be the answer.

To assist you in making the right choice we’ve provided a brief overview of the courses available below:

Short Courses

This is a good study option if you are wanting an introduction into a web developers role. These do vary in length but can often be completed in just a matter of weeks. A short course in web development offers you a basic understanding of what’s involved in this role or can be used to hone your knowledge and skill-set in a certain area. One of the short courses you can enrol in is the HTML and CSS Certificate which can be completed in nine weeks. This enables you to learn HTML skills, as well as teaching you the skills required to create a basic website, from the planning through to design stage. It also offers you an understanding of how you can attract an audience.

Certificate

A Certificate course, such as the Certificate IV in Web Development is more detailed than a short course and equips you with a variety of skills from designing and developing a website to building and administering the site using different website technologies. This is a TAFE or vocational course level, along with being a nationally recognised qualification.

Diploma

Offering a broader scope of knowledge and skills than a Certificate, a Diploma of Website Development, for instance, provides an in-depth background of how to design, build and manage websites. As a qualification, it offers an entry into a career as either an individual web developer or team member working on larger development projects.

Bachelor Degree

An undergraduate qualification such as a Bachelor Degree takes three years to complete full-time, and equips students with a comprehensive, detailed knowledge and skill-set in all facets of planning, designing, building and maintaining websites, as well as attracting audiences, programming and managing performance.

Postgraduate Courses

For those wanting the broadest spectrum of knowledge on website development, a postgraduate degree is the best choice of study. This can only be completed after an undergraduate degree and allows students to become more specialised, as well as allowing them to then go on to teach web development themselves.

Is Web Development Right for You?

If you’re patient and have a high level of concentration then a career as a web developer could be ideal for you, as it often involves sitting in front of a computer and writing detailed code for hours on end.

To be a web developer it’s often important to be creative, as you are often directly involved in website layout and design, so you need to ensure it is eye-catching, innovative and has great functionality, so it’s user friendly.

Attention to detail is also paramount if you are a web developer because when you are writing or fixing errors in code even a minor mistake can cause a single page to stop working the way it’s supposed to.

Having good customer service skills is also a necessary trait to have if you want to be a web developer. If you own your own business this is especially crucial, as you will have to have consultations and follow-ups with clients when planning, designing and building their websites, in conjunction with regular interactions regarding maintenance.

Another important quality to have for those considering a career as a web developer is a willingness to learn. Because web development is such a rapidly evolving field, you need to constantly be researching and learning as new technology, techniques and programming languages are introduced.