- What are my options for training my staff?
- What qualifications can my staff get?
- Do I have to commit to training staff for an entire qualification?
- What if my staff already have on-the-job experience, can this be counted towards a training qualification?
- I'd like to bring my staff up-to-date on industry trends. Can I do that without them having to do a full qualification?
- What is a registered training organisation?
- What are state and territory training authorities?
- What are Industry Skills Councils?
- What is the role of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations?
1. What are my options for training my staff?
Many registered training organisations can customise training to your organisation's needs and deliver training in your workplace if that's more convenient. As an employer you may be eligible for government incentives, particularly in the case of apprenticeships and traineeships, and trainees with special needs.
2. What qualifications can my staff get?
Australia's training system allows you to tailor your company's training requirements around your business's needs. Nationally-recognised qualifications are offered through a structured, industry-focused pathway that includes; Certificates l to IV, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Vocational Graduate Certificates and Vocational Graduate Diplomas. Each of these recognises increasing levels of professional competency.
Most occupations have nationally-recognised qualifications relevant to them, and many of these can be done as Australian Apprenticeships. Sometimes even existing workers can attract incentives for employers.
3. Do I have to commit to training staff for an entire qualification?
No. While a full qualification gives comprehensive training in a job, you don't need to commit to his. If your staff only need specific skills, you can ask a registered training organisation (RTO) to just provide those. Some RTOs deliver only the specialised training that makes up part of a job (e.g. First Aid). You can also space the training of your staff around your business's peak periods, progressively providing units but still building towards a full qualification. If you only want to provide your staff with specific units of competency, your RTO will issue them with a Statement of Attainment for units that have been successfully completed. This can then be built on in the future.
4. What if my staff already have on-the-job experience, can this be counted towards a training qualification?
It's possible that your staff can have their experience recognised and counted towards their qualification. Australia's vocational education and training system promotes Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), where registered training organisations (RTOs) map an individual's skills, experience and previous learning towards the qualification that they're seeking and give credit where these are relevant.
5. I'd like to bring my staff up-to-date on industry trends. Can I do that without them having to do a full qualification?
Australian qualifications are designed by industry, for industry and they are constantly updated. Chat to an RTO about how they can help you train your staff in emerging technologies or the latest legislative codes.
6.What is a registered training organisation?
Registered training organisations (RTOs) are government-approved to provide nationally recognised training and qualifications that meet strict guidelines set out by the Australian Quality Training Framework. RTOs can include TAFEs, private training providers, adult education colleges, industry organisations and agricultural colleges. Universities and schools are often also registered as RTOs so that they can offer nationally recognised vocational education and training as well as their university or school education.
7.What are state and territory training authorities?
State and territory governments have training authorities that are responsible for matters involving vocational education and training in their jurisdiction. As well as administering funding of training, their role is to advise employers and communities on training issues.
8.What are Industry Skills Councils?
The Australian Government funds 11 Industry Skills Councils and Auto Skills Australia to:
- provide industry intelligence and advice to government and enterprises on workforce development and skills needs
- actively support the development , implementation and continuous improvement of high quality training and workforce development products and services, including Training packages
- provide independent skills and training advice to enterprise, including matching identified training needs with appropriate training solutions.
- Note that while Industry Skills Councils and Auto Skill Australia are not funded to provide training and skills advice to individuals they all have websites that provide career information for their sectors as well as workforce development and skills information for enterprises.
Visit the Industry Skills Councils websites for further information:
AgriFood Skills Australia
Auto Skills Australia
Community Services and Health ISC
Enterprise Skills:
Construction and Property Services ISC
EE-Oz Training Standards (ElectroComms and Energy Utilities)
ForestWorks
Government Skills Australia
Innovation and Business Skills Australia
Manufacturing Skills Australia
SkillsDMC
Service Skills Australia
Transport and Logistics ISC
Enterprise Skills and Skills Gap
9. What is the role of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations?
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is the lead Australian Government agency providing national leadership in education and workplace training, transition to work, and conditions and values in the workplace. It works with states and territories to ensure Australia has a world-class training system that meets the needs of both individuals and industry.
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