Qualifications Explained

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What are Qualifications?
National qualifications represent one of the endorsed components of the CPSISC Training Packages.  National competency standards describe the skills needed by people working in all sectors of the industry. The national qualifications show the required packaging of competencies to achieve qualifications in particular areas and at different levels. To achieve a qualification, a person must achieve the full set of units of competence as specified in the Training Package.

The qualifications contained in the CPSISC Training Packages:

• are based directly on national industry competency standards
• are based on jobs in the industry and workplace requirements rather than courses and curriculum
• allow training to be structured and delivered through a range of pathways
• can be achieved on-the-job
• allow for the recognition of existing competencies of workers.

What is a Statement of Attainment?
Where competence has been achieved in accordance with the endorsed standards, but does not meet the requirements of a qualification, a Statement of Attainment can be issued for the competencies successfully achieved. These can sometimes be combined with additional competencies achieved later to  build towards the awarding of a qualification.

What is the Australian Qualifications Framework?
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a national framework for all education and training qualifications in Australia. There are twelve qualifications in the AQF. Six of these are relevant to the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector that the CPSISC Training Packages cover. The twelve qualifications are listed in the following table. For more information on the qualifications contained in each of the CPSISC Training Packages click on the following links: Asset Maintenance; Asset Security; Property Development & Management; Plumbing & Services; General Construction; Off-site Construction

Secondary Schools Sector	Vocational Education & Training Sector	Higher Education Sector
		Doctoral Degree
		Masters Degree
		Graduate Diploma
		Graduate Certificate
		Bachelor Degree
	Advanced Diploma	Advanced Diploma
	Diploma	Diploma
	Certificate IV
	Certificate III
Senior Secondary	Certificate II
Certificates of Education	Certificate I

What are New Apprenticeships?
New Apprenticeships were introduced in 1998 to establish a single, national, system of training and employment incorporating the previously separate apprenticeship and traineeship systems. CPSISC Training Packages contain qualifications that lead to the achievement of a traditional apprenticeships in fields such as plumbing, carpentry and bricklaying (there are many more!) and they also contain qualifications that underpin more recently developed traineeships in areas such as security, cleaning and real-estate (again there are many more!). All these industry training programs now come under the one banner - New Apprenticeships.
 
New Apprenticeships offer career pathways that combine training with employment. They are a great start to a career in the Construction and Property Services industries. There are two great website that provide lots of information for employers, workers, training providers and New Apprenticeship Centres. If you would like to know more about the New Apprenticeship scheme go to:

The dedicated New Apprenticeships website: http://www.newapprenticeships.gov.au/

The New Apprenticeships Training Information Service: www.natinfo.com.au