Flexible Education and Training Pathways

Flexible Education and Training Pathways - Australia

Flexible Education and Training Pathways - Australia

Source: The Australian National Training Authority - ANTA

Overview
Recognition of Prior Learning
Vocational Certificate Pathways
- Employment Opportunities with Certificate Qualifications (example NSW)
Diploma to Degree Pathways

Overview

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications link with each other in a range of learning pathways between schools, vocational education and training providers and universities as your learning and career ambitions require.

The AQF makes a specific commitment to flexible, transparent and systematic learning pathways and to the removal of boundaries between educational sectors. It therefore encourages cross sectoral linkage programs such as:

VET in Schools, which allows schools across the country to offer industry based units of learning than can contribute to both the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education and Certificate I - IV qualifications;
Articulation and Credit Transfer Arrangements between registered vocational education and training providers and universities involving efficient articulation of programs and maximum credit transfer; and
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by which credits are granted towards qualifications through assessment of an individual’s knowledge and skills gained through education, training, work and life experience.

AQF Pathways diagram

The Pathway from university to vocational education and training qualifications is becoming increasingly popular as a way of gaining industry experience needed to increase employment opportunities.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows a person to receive recognition and credit for the knowledge and skills they have, no matter how and where they were attained, including overseas. This can include skills from:

previous study (including courses at school or college, through adult education classes or training programs at work);
work experience (including both work that is paid and unpaid); and
life experience (for example leisure pursuits or voluntary work).

What matters in obtaining recognition of prior learning is that the knowledge and skills you have gained help to meet the learning outcomes and assessment criteria of the qualification for which you are seeking credit. In the VET sector, RPL assessment can result in a full qualification or a Statement of Attainment for partial completion.

To obtain further information about RPL, approach the educational or training provider with which you wish to study and seek an RPL assessment. There are also assessment agencies which will assess your skills and experience on a fee-for-service basis. In the VET sector, there are also assessment-only Registered Training Organisations, which are listed on the National Training Information Service.

Vocational Certificate Pathways

Certificates I - IV recognise achievement of specified national industry competencies at four levels in wide range of trades, industries and enterprises.

Here are some limited examples of the wealth of skills and knowledge recognised by Certificate I - IV qualifications:

Industry	Certificate Qualifications Available
Building and Furnishing	Painting and Decorating; Plumbing; Furniture Upholstery; Joinery.
Business Studies	Accounting; Business Practice; Workplace Training; Administrative Services and Property Management (Aboriginal Community).
Community Services and Health	Community Food Services; Dental Technology; Aged Care; Primary Health Care.
Expressive and Visual Arts	Performing Arts; Commercial Music; Opal Cutting.
Horticulture and Rural	Forestry Technology; Animal Care; Jockey Practice; Meat Inspection.
Information Technology	Software Applications; Network Administration and Management; Technical and Client Support; Database Administration; Multimedia; Programming and Systems Analysis and Design.
Printing and Graphic Arts	Graphic Prepress; Screen Printing; Sign Writing
Tourism and Hospitality	Baking; Butchery; Food Processing; Interpreting; Tourism and Travel.

Employment Opportunities with Certificate Qualifications (example NSW)

With a Certificate I qualification, employment may be gained as:

a computer service technician;
a council worker (outdoors);
a dry cleaner;
a factory hand;
a florist;
a kitchenhand;
a polymer processor; and
a stablehand.

With a Certificate II qualification, employment may be gained as:

a bank officer;
a bushland regenerator;
a cleaner;
a farmer;
a film and video production technician;
a funeral attendant;
a hospitality operator;
a receptionist;
a sales assistant;
a screen printer
a shearer;
a tourist operator; and
a vehicle detailer.

With a Certificate III qualification, employment may be gained as:

an animal attendant;
a baker;
a beauty therapist;
a credit officer;
an electrician;
a homecare worker;
a milliner;
a motor mechanic;
a network administrator;
a painter and decorator;
a pastry cook;
a plumber;
a signwriter;
a sound technician;
a stonemason;
a tailor;
a tiler; and
a woodmachinist.

With a Certificate IV qualification, employment may be gained as:

an accounts clerk;
an architectural drafter;
a professional builder;
a community services worker;
a computer operator;
a fitness instructor;
a graphic designer;
an interior decorator;
a mechanical engineering technician;
a systems analyst;
a visual merchandiser.

Diploma to Degree Pathways

There are an increasing number of partnerships between registered vocational education and training providers and universities, which have been set up to enhance the pathways from an industry qualification to a higher education qualification. This also ensures that the maximum amount of credit is given to avoid repetitive and inefficient education and training. Some examples of articulated courses are:

Diploma of Building Construction	Bachelor of Building Bachelor of Construction Management Bachelor of Engineering
Diploma of Information Technology	Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Computer Science Bachelor of Business (Computing, Accounting, Banking and Finance)
Advanced Diploma of Hospitality	Bachelor of Business (Hospitality: Catering) Bachelor of Applied Science (Consumer Science or Hospitality Studies)

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EMP/SKILLS - Skills and Employability Department