Learning and Employment Pathways

Learning Pathways

• 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.

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.

There are detailed guidelines on RPL in the AQF Implementation Handbook Fourth Edition 2007.

To obtain further information about RPL, approach the educational or training provider with which you wish to study and seek an RPL assessment. A new website http://www.skillsrecognition.gov.au provides information about the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process and encourages people to have their existing skills formally recognised with a qualification. It will help potential RPL candidates to understand the basics and be well prepared when they engage with a Registered Training Organisation for a recognition 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

Senior Secondary Certificate Pathways

Click on examples of pathways between the SSCE and Certificates I - IV, University and Employment

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 (please note this is now Diploma level, 2006)

For a complete listing of the occupations and qualifications available, please refer to the National Training Information Service, the Commonwealth Jobguide and OZJAC.

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)

For a full list of universities that have entered into articulation arrangements, visit Universities Australia website.

Cross-Sector Qualification Linkages

The AQF Advisory Board has developed Guidelines on Cross-Sectional Qualification Linkages that enable learners to move from one qualification to another in more efficient and effective learning pathways. See the Guidelines here.

VET in Schools Case Study

(These are provided as examples only: for detailed information,
you should check with your State or Territory Schools Board)

Mark: An interest in IT

I'm interested in a career in Information Technology. Should I take IT or Electronics subjects while at school?

Yes. The Information Technology or Electronic subjects offered in most schools will lead to an AQF Certificate I, II or III qualification, and in some States and Territories may also contribute to your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Taking IT or Electronics while at school will allow you to keep your options open, so that you can continue on to further study at TAFE or a University or look for work or an apprenticeship knowing that you have a vocational qualification behind you.

Further Pathways TAFE (& Private Providers) Certificates II, III and IV in Information Technology, Diploma of Information Technology WORK Apprenticeships or Traineeships in IT or Electronics, Jobs in Hardware Development, Network Administration, Software Applications, Client Support and a variety of other areas. UNIVERSITY (& other Higher Education Providers) Bachelor of Computer Science, Engineering (Electrical), Applied Science, Information Systems     Kelly: A Commitment to Culinary pursuits I want to work in the Food and Hospitality Industry. Are there subjects I can do at school that will provide me with practical experience, knowledge of the industry and a qualification which will help me to get a job? Yes. You can undertake food and hospitality subjects while at school that are vocational and contribute to an AQF Certificate I, II or III qualification. In most States and Territories, these subjects may also contribute to your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.   Further Pathways TAFE (& Private Providers) Certificates II, III and IV in Hospitality Studies, Diploma in Hospitality Management WORK Apprenticeships or Traineeships in Hospitality or Tourism or work in hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, airlines. UNIVERSITY (& other Higher Education Providers) Bachelor of Business (Hospitality Management, Catering), Bachelor of Applied Science   James: Revving up... I'd like to work as a motor mechanic after I finish school. Are there subjects I can do while I am still at school that will contribute to a qualification as a mechanic? Yes. In most States and Territories you can take automotive subjects which will lead to an AQF Certificate I, II or III and may also contribute to your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. In some State and Territories, part-time school-based Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships are being piloted and arrangements are being developed for their recognition, integration and certification within the school education framework. When implemented, this will make it possible for you to finish your schooling, but also earn as you learn.   Further Pathways TAFE (& Private Providers) Certificates II, III and IV in Automotive, Diploma of Automotive Management WORK Apprenticeships or Traineeships in the automotive industry and work in maintenance and repairs, manufacturing, spare parts, panel beating and spray painting. UNIVERSITY (& other Higher Education Providers) Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical)   AQF and Employment Qualifications and Employment Whether you're in the jobs queue, or looking to change occupations, a qualification gives you a distinct advantage... For information on employment and the qualifications needed for a range of jobs and professions, the following sources of information may be consulted: - Curriculum Corporation - OZJAC - Jobguide - Job Network - Graduate Careers Australia - Centrelink. - My Future - The Source   AQF and Apprenticeships An Australian Apprenticeship is a combination of practical paid work and structured training that is agreed upon between a trainee and his or her employer in the form of a registered training agreement. It is possible for Secondary School students to start an apprenticeships or training before they leave school and to complete their Senior Secondary Certificate of Education at the same time. Alternatively, an apprenticeship may be commenced after leaving school as it combines current employment with on-the-job training and results in an AQF qualification which can also be built upon through further education. For more information on Traineeships and Australian Apprenticeships, see the Australian Apprenticeship website established by the Commonwealth Government. Case Studies Alex remembers what a tough job it is to be a waiter in a busy inner city cafe, even though he's now the proprietor with more than ten staff on the payroll. It's not that long ago that he left school after year 11, struggled to get a job and eventually found work as a casual waiter. Alex loved the constant people contact and the friendly work atmosphere but soon realised he could earn better money, work in a more interesting position and travel more easily if he had nationally recognised hospitality qualifications. It was a busy time for him working and completing Certificates II, III and IV but it all seemed worthwhile after he won a position as a restaurant manager and later used his nationally recognised qualifications to take an extended working holiday around Australia. These qualifications and his managerial experience enabled Alex to receive credit into the Bachelor of Business which he decided to undertake to gain the accountancy and further managerial skills he needed to set up his own restaurant. Alex now is his own boss and his qualifications gave him the confidence to make the most of his hospitality experience.

Lyn: Moving into the future

Lyn has always been good with computers and loves nothing more than to spend time surfing the web or beating her highest DOOM score. People recognised her skills at work too and whenever there was a crash or a problem with the network, they'd mind the front desk for her and she'd fix the problem. She even began reading the software manuals, teaching herself how to use new programs and upgrading the hardware in the office so things ran better. So when her boss finally decided to employ someone to look after the company's IT needs, Lyn though she'd have a good chance at the promotion. Her disappointment when a qualified computer graduate got the job prompted her to look for another job, but prospective employers were always reluctant to give her a go as she didn't have formal computer qualifications. Lyn eventually found an employer willing to consider her extensive experience, but she also resolved to formalise her skills. An Information Technology Certificate at a local TAFE was a great place to start and Lyn received credit through recognition of prior learning with allowed her to quickly progress to an Advanced Diploma . Lyn was also very pleased to be offered a place in a Graduate Certificate at Uni, but has decided to defer her place for a year to concentrate on her new job in a computer consultancy firm. Lyn knows that the qualifications she has gained are an important, formal recognition of her training and skills and that they will allow her to continue to move ahead into the future.

Michelle: High Flyer

Michelle loves her job as a media and public relations officer for a successful AFL football club. It looks a long way from the psychology major she did in her Bachelor of Arts degree, but she uses the analytical, interpersonal and communication skills the degree provided everyday. She also realises that her success in the very competitive field of sports administration is the result of the hands-on training and practical experience she gained through completing a Certificate II in Sports Administration at a local TAFE and volunteering her services at a lifesaving club. Michelle is now doing a Diploma of International Business (Sport, Sports Coaching, Administration and Sports Management) and she knows that her AQF qualifications will make it easier for her to move interstate and overseas, gain further promotion and soar to even greater heights.

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