Certificate IV in Training and Assessment Courses & News

Like many Australians, you may already be working in a training capacity, or perhaps you are considering a career as a trainer?  The wonderful thing about working as a trainer in Australia is that you are able to back up your working experience in whatever industry that you are in with vocational qualifications such as the Cert IV in TAA, potentially opening up many new career opporuntunties that were perhaps previously unavailable before being qualified.

In my own training organisation, Inspire Education (www.inspireeducation.net.au) the primary reasons people cite  for wanting to do their Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA) are:

1. A new role has become available that requires them to have their Cert IV in TAA
2. Their employer requires that that attend and/or complete a TAA course for their present role, or for a new role that they will be undertaking
3. A desire to teach at an Australian TAFE (The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is ESSENTIAL for this)
4. They wish to change from their current role to work as a trainer
5. They want start their own registerd training organisation (RTO)  

The primary source of the knowledge and skills (and in many cases a requirement of the job!) is of course the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment  (TAA40104).  This is Australia’s leading, nationally accredited and recognised 'train the trainer' qualification and is actually a requirement if any trainer wishes to train within an RTO or TAFE environment. 

You can find out about the course outline and about costs for the Cert III Childcare course here >>> http://www.inspireeducation.net.au/certificate-iv-in-training-and-assessment.html

For your convenience, I have also included the course outline and basic information below in case you were thinking of undertaking the course yourself:

What is the Cert IV in TAA all About?

The Cert IV in Training and Assessment the latest Australian Train the Trainer qualification.  It is already considered a valuable qualification to many employers and organisations, and absolutely essential if you wish to become a teacher at an Australian TAFE.  This qualification will enable you to develop the competencies required to perform the role of a skilled trainer, facilitator, and assessor in the workplace, as well as in a Vocational Education and Training (VET) environment.

What Will you Learn?
The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA) training course replaces the previous Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment qualification, and is now the standard in becoming a qualified trainer in Australia.  Training and Assessment will teach you to develop and train groups and individuals, as well as how to develop assessment tools and procedures within a workplace or VET environment. It will enable you to pass systematically and professionally pass on the valuable skills and knowledge you have acquired across your lifetime to others.

Course Outline & Structure
Provided you gain your Cert IV in TAA through a reputable training organisation, a TAA course will provide you first-class training as a means to gaining your Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. It is a full Nationally Accredited and Nationally recognised training course designed to meet the needs of trainers, students/trainees, businesses and industry.

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA40104) Course Units
The TAA40104 Cert IV in Training and Assessment comprises 14 course units, including 12 core units plus 2 elective units. It is a nationally recognised qualification for anyone who is operating in a training
and/or assessing capacity within their organisation, or anyone wishing to become a lecturer at an Australian TAFE.  Inspire's TAA courses is comprised of the following:

Core Units include (12 total):
TAADES401B—Use Training Packages to meet client needs.
TAADES402B—Design and develop learning programs.
TAAENV401B—Work effectively in vocational education and training.
TAAENV402B—Foster and promote an inclusive learning culture.
TAAENV403B—Ensure a healthy and safe learning environment.
TAAASS401C—Plan and organise assessment
TAAASS402C—Assess competence
TAAASS403B—Develop assessment tools
TAAASS404B—Participate in assessment validation
TAADEL401B—Plan and organise group-based delivery
TAADEL403B—Facilitate individual learning
TAADEL404B—Facilitate work-based learning

Electives (complete 2 of 2):
TAADEL301C—Provide training through instruction and demonstration of work skills
TAADEL402B—Facilitate group based learning

Prerequisites - Cert IV in Training and Assessment (TAA)
There are no formal prerequisites to the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, however it does require that you have sound language and literacy skills.  To support your studies your training organisation should provide you with with qualified trainers, all learning materials, flexible delivery options, and telephone and email support.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL is offered to any Learner who can provide evidence of competency for the units offered within the qualification.  During the enrolment process a potential Learner may discuss any prior evidence they will need to put together to apply for RPL.

Training Schedule
The Cert IV in TAA is usually offered as either a blended-delivery course or through distance-learning( or online).  The blended-delivery could be  comprised of anything from a 2 - 10 day face-to-face workshop + home study, while distance/online typically takes place 100% at home.

So What Now?  Would you really would like to do this course?
If you have a passion for training, visit Inspire’s Certificate IV in Training and Assessment course page and enquire to receive the latest pricing and course info.  My company Inspire aims to provide you first-class training and support as you engage your goal of becoming a nationally accredited trainer.

Call us on 1800 506 506, or go here to get more info! >>> http://www.inspireeducation.net.au/certificate-iv-in-training-and-assessment.html

There is little doubt that innovation is one of the cornerstones of the Vocational Education & Training (VET) system.  In fact, our industries framework, the AQTF  standards constantly emphasise the importance of continuous improvement as a registered training organisation (RTO), so developing innovation skills in learners for any trainer or facilitator should not only be a consideration, but actually a priority in helping them to continue their professional development.

On this note, the Innovation and Business Skills Council (IBSA) have recently released a free document, "Developing Innovation Skills: A guide for trainers and assessors to foster the innovation skills of learners through professional practice".  If you are a trainer or facilitator I would recommend you get yourself a copy. 

It's not often you get information like this for free!  You can download your copy directly from the IBSA website FREE, or buy a copy for 'next to nothing' here >>> http://www.ibsa.org.au/products-and-services/tabid/57/txtSearch/INN01/List/0/productid/1764/Default.aspx?SortField=DateCreated+DESC%2cProductName

Hope you find it useful!

One thing my course advisors are frequently asked by potential students is, "which method of Cert IV TAA course delivery is best?"   The answer to this question is not straight forward, because each learner has different needs in terms of preferred learning style, time contraints, and lifestyle.

RTOs around Australia typically offer either one or more choices when it comes to course delivery of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.  Most commonly, these are online-learning, distance-learning (or correspondence), and face to face (usually called "blended-delivery", a 5 or 10 day workshop, usually requring additional homestudy - completing many of the major assessment at home). 

So...one is best?..  Well, that' depend on the individual completing their Training and Assessment course...

Distance-Learning/Online Course Delivery
Distance-learning/Online delivery are easily the more popular methods of delivery for clients of my training organisation (www.inspireeducation.net.au).  This is typically because it means learners can start straight away while they are motivated to complete their TAA course, rather than having to wait for face-to-face course intake dates.

Distance/Online delivery normally involves receving either hardcopy, or electronic copies of TAA course materials and Learner Guides from the registered training organisation via post and/or email, or through an online gateway, and working through your Cert IV TAA, unit by unit.  Because you are working through the units at your own pace, this can be a fabulous way to complete your TAA training, because rather than having the whole 14 units of TAA crammed into a 5 or 10 day workshop, you can give yourself time to really consolidate the material, completing assessments as you go and building upon your new skills and knowledge bit by bit.

Interestingly, I was speaking with a TAA auditor contracted by the Department of Education and Training (DETA) just last month, whom expressed a preference for distance and/or online learning because it enabled students to deepen their knowledge of TAA without having the problem of 'in one ear, out the other' than can come from receiving too much course information too quickly in too short a space of time, without the time to really consolidate the information.

When studying your Training and Assessment course through distance/online-learning make sure that the Registered Training Orgnanisation (RTO) you choose gives you good access to your Trainer.  Ask them if you will be able to contact your Trainer via telephone as well as through email.  Call the RTO and see how quickly they can respond to your enquiry, ask lots of questions and see that they can find out anything you would like to know in a timely manner.  This is a great way to preview the ongoing support you are likely to receive.  Besides, the last thing you want to do is pay your course fees and start your course and then find out you don't have the support you need to complete your course!

All in all, distance/online delivery suits a lot of students.  It enables you to start straight away while you are motivated to complete your TAA, and by working through units and assessment items step by step, you are likely to gain a solid understanding of what being a good Trainer is really about.  After all, students undertake the Cert IV TAA Train the Trainer course because they want to develop and deepen their training skills.  Make sure whoever you choose is going to make this happen!

Face to Face Workshop (including Blended-Delivery)
Some clients choose to undertake their TAA course by attending a workshop.  This may be due to the company policy, or preference if clients are being put through TAA training by their organisation, or it may be because learners prefer to learn through face-t0-face contact, or in classroom setting.  Really, it is a preference thing, because some people may not feel comfortable working through the material at home, or simply find they learn best in a classroom environment.

Face-to-face workshops durations can vary from 3 right through to 15 days or more, however typically registered training organisations offer 5 or 10 day TAA workshops.  The term "Blended-Delivery" is typically used to communicate that completing a workshop does not instantly qualify learners with the Cert IV TAA.  In fact, a large proportion of  TAA assessment items are frequently completed by students at home, after the workshop, or between two workshop clusters (e.g. some courses may have a 5 day workshop, and then another 5 day workshop one month later, with students completing assessment items between clusters at home).

While blended-delivery can be a great way to have the material presented and provide learners with a classroom environment, it is worth examining, how short or long is the course?  How is the course broken up over time?  Shorter workshops may mean that you have a large amount of information delivered in a very short space of time.  For some students, this suits and they have a great experience.  For others, they would really prefer to work through the TAA course material at a slower pace, therefore distance/online learning may be more appropriate.

Conclusion
Ultimately, which Training and Assessment course delivery method learners should choose is a personal choice.  These days, most prefer the flexibility of distance/online learning because it allows them to start immediately and work the training around their lifestyle.  Additionally, because students are working through the material at their own pace it may mean they have a better grip on TAA skills and knowledge by the end of the course, however this is by no means always the case.  Some prefer having a face-to-face element because classroom interaction is appealing to them, and as a learner the feel they are best taught through this method.  Whatever the choice, if you are looking at studying Training and Assessment, make sure your chosen RTO delivery qualitys training, good learning materials, and timely student support.  Your success may depend on it!

Thanks for droppping by to my blog.  Take Care,

Brent

Hi everyone! 

Here is some useful information that breaks down the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment to make it a little bit easier to understand.

The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA04104) is designed to meet the current and future competency development needs of new and existing personnel participating in a variety of work functions and activities within vocational education and training in Australia. This may include formal training in a structured training environment, on-the-job instruction, conducting of workplace assessments, one-to-one training of apprentices, as well as the coaching and mentoring of staff. There are 14 Units of Competency in the Certificate IV and this combination of Units is designed to provide candidates with a clear set of benchmarks to support both initial competency achievement and ongoing professional development.

The program addresses key competency areas that represent the primary areas of work undertaken within organisations that provide training and assessment services. Each of these areas is called a “Field” in the Training and Assessment Training Package (TAA04). The Fields contained in the Certificate IV program are:

Competency Field 1: Learning Environment (ENV)
The learning environment field units address different aspects of the relationships between work and the environment of vocational education and training.

Competency Field 2: Learning Design (DES)
The learning design field units address competence in both the design of learning products and the design of the learning process.

Competency Field 3: Delivery and Facilitation (DEL)
The delivery and facilitation field units address the competence required to deliver training and to facilitate learning. The units differentiate competence by application in different delivery modes (face-to-face, e-based, through work and by distance) and by application of particular delivery methods and techniques (e.g. action learning, individual facilitation and instruction and demonstration).

Competency Field 4: Assessment (ASS)
The units in the Assessment Field address the process of assessment, the development of assessment tools, competency in validation processes and coordination of assessment systems and services.

Continuing from my blog yesterday, here are the last 6 core units for the Cert IV in TAA:

TAAASS402C- Assess competence

This unit addresses the competence of conducting competency assessment in accordance with a developed assessment plan.  It includes assessment for recognition of prior learning (RPL) or as part of a learning and assessment pathway.  The critical focus of this unit is on interpreting the collected evidence and making a judgement of competence against the specified competency standards by applying the principles of assessment and rules of evidence.  This unit also covers demonstration of the professional relationship between assessor and candidate/s and the skills needed to support this relationship.

TAAASS403B- Develop assessment tools

An assessment tool is used to guide the collection of quality evidence in the assessment process.  It includes the instruments for collecting evidence, based on the selected assessment methods and the procedures to be followed in conducting the assessment.  The development of effective and relevant assessment tools requires interpreting the benchmarks for assessment to determine the evidence needed to demonstrate competency.  It also involves analysing the assessment context to ensure the tools will be appropriate and relevant, identifying or confirming assessment methods which most effectively address the evidence requirements, then designing and developing the assessment tool documentation.  The availability of well-designed assessment tools is essential for assessment.

TAAASS404B- Participate in assessment validation

Validation is a process involving assessors working in collaboration to review, compare and evaluate their assessment process and their assessment outcomes in relation to the same unit/s of competency.  This includes validating assessment methods/tools, the evidence that was collected using these assessment methods/tools and the interpretation of that evidence to make a judgement of competence.  This unit focuses on the skills and knowledge needed to participate in assessment validation

TAADEL401B- Plan and organize group- based delivery

This unit involves developing a delivery plan that is used by the trainer/facilitator to guide and manage delivery to a group.  It encompasses interpreting the learning environment and delivery requirements for the identified group of learners, developing session plans, and preparing and organising the resources required.  The delivery plan is based on a documented learning program and provides a context specific plan for implementation.  Throughout this unit the 'learner' refers to the individuals in the group being trained/participating in a learning process; not the candidate undertaking this unit.

TAADEL403B- Facilitate individual learning

Learning facilitation relationships may take a number of forms including structured/semi-structured activities and formal/informal agreements.  They may be independent of or part of a broad learning and delivery strategy.  Establishing an appropriate mutual relationship is critical, and the communication and interpersonal skills of the trainer/facilitator are paramount in creating the necessary preconditions for individual learning facilitation to be effective.  Two major techniques to facilitate individual learning are derived from mentoring and coaching methodologies. Other similar instructional techniques may also be appropriate, such as tutoring.  The trainer/facilitator may use these techniques with one learner or with individual learners in a small group context.  Individual learning/facilitation relationships may be used to help an individual or individuals meet personal or job goals, learn new skills/knowledge or develop new learning/work behaviours.  The role of the trainer/facilitator using these techniques is to advise, guide, support and respond to the needs of the individual learner.

TAADEL404B- Facilitate work- based learning

Learning through work is an ongoing and everyday reality of being in work.  However, the effectiveness of that learning can be shaped by interventions and actions that modify, direct and provide support to the workplace learner.  This guided learning ensures a planned approach to learning through work activities, effective strategies to support the learning and appropriate monitoring and safeguards.  This unit addresses the processes, skills and knowledge involved in using the work process and the work environment as the basis for learning in the workplace.

I know a lot of you want to know what the Cert IV in TAA entails.  For that reason I am giving you a list of the 12 core units and a quick description of each one that I’ve sourced from the NTIS website (http://www.ntis.gov.au).  Here are the first 6 core units and I will post the other 6 up tomorrow

TAADES401B- Training Packages to meet clients needs

Being able to use Training Packages and accredited courses is a core competency required of all persons with a training, assessment or associated role operating in recognised vocational education and training.  This course unit will give you the skills and knowledge required to use Training Packages and accredited courses.  This includes identifying and sourcing Training Packages and accredited courses to meet client needs, and interpreting the requirements of Training Packages including the competency standards/units, the packaging rules for qualifications and the assessment guidelines.  This unit underpins and supports a range of other competencies in the TAA04 Training and Assessment Training Package including, but not limited to, developing various learning and assessment products, developing learning strategies and programs, and undertaking delivery and assessment.

TAADES402B- Design and develop learning programs

Learning programs document a cohesive and integrated learning process for the learner.  This unit addresses the skills and knowledge needed to identify the parameters of a learning program, determine the design, outline the content and review its effectiveness.  They include the learning outcomes or the learning objectives (derived from the competency standards or other criteria) and outline the content, sequence and structure of learning and the delivery and assessment methods to be used.  Throughout this unit the 'learner' refers to the individual in the group being trained in any vocational area, not the person undertaking this unit. 

TAAENV401B- Work effectively in vocational education and training

This unit addresses the impact of the policy and operating environment of vocational education and training on work performance in a training and/or assessment organisation.  It enables individuals to place their work role into a context of policy frameworks that guide the operations of the vocational education and training sector at a national, state/territory and organisational level.  It also addresses the importance of developing a client-centred approach to work and a collegiate model of work relations.  The vocational education and training sector is responsible for developing the skills and knowledge of individuals for work.  It includes vocational education and training undertaken in industries, enterprises, government agencies, and community and school settings.  The vocational education and training sector encompasses both recognised training leading to a qualification or Statement of Attainment under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), and non-recognised training, such as in-house and product-based training.

TAAENV402B- Foster and promote an inclusive learning culture

This unit addresses the responsibilities of all persons in a training and/or assessment organisation to promote a positive and inclusive learning culture which actively acknowledges, respects and builds on individual differences, and integrates principles which underpin inclusivity into all training and/or assessment practices.  In this unit the principles of inclusivity are applied to working with both colleagues clients.

TAAENV403B- Ensure a healthy and safe learning environment

This unit provides a focus for occupational health and safety (OHS) in the vocational education and training sector.  This is a critical responsibility involving knowledge and skills to assess the learning environment for hazards and risks and to apply risk control strategies to ensure the safety, health and welfare of learners.  This unit covers the legislative and common law duty of care responsibilities of trainers/facilitators, assessors and other parties in the provision of training and/or assessment services.   The learning environment refers to an environment where learning/assessment takes place to develop skills and knowledge for work through a planned and organised learning process.  This may include a workplace where the training and/or assessment organisation trainer/facilitator and/or assessor has no direct control over the learning environment.  This unit also underpins the knowledge and skills required for the achievement of the OHS components of other units in the TAA04 Training and Assessment Training Package, including those for design, delivery and assessment.

TAAASS401C- Plan and organize assessment

This unit addresses the competence of planning the assessment process and making the organisational arrangements which enable assessment to occur.  It includes assessments carried out as part of a Recognition of Prior Learning Process (RPL) or as part of a learning and assessment pathway.  The critical focus of this unit is on developing an assessment plan that will be used to guide assessor/s in conducting competency-based assessments.  The unit also covers contextualisation of the assessment benchmarks and assessment tools to address the environment in which assessment will take place and organising the human, material and physical resources needed to conduct the assessment.

Hi everyone!  I’ve decided to start a blog to let you know all the 'ins and outs' of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA).  I’m going to be updating it regularly with info, news and advice so it will be a one-stop-shop for everything you could possible need, or want to know about the Cert IV in TAA.  Enjoy!

Let’s start with a small introduction so you can get the basic ‘gist’ of what this course is about.

The Cert IV in Training and Assessment TAA40104 is the latest nationally recognised and accredited Australian Train the Trainer qualification.  It has replaced the older Workplace Training and Assessment (BSZ40198) qualification and is now the standard in becoming a qualified trainer.  With the Cert IV in TAA you’ll learn all kinds of new skills, and it’s a must if you want to become a teacher at an Australian TAFE.  It will teach you to develop and train groups and individuals as well as how to develop assessment tools and procedures in your workplace.

So how will this qualification help your career?  Aside from the new skills and knowledge that you’ll gain, you can also work as a training officer, facilitator or assessor in the workplace and in a Vocational Education and Training (VET) environment.  The course is made up of 12 core units and 2 electives so you can choose the courses that are relevant to you.  There are no formal prerequisites to get your Cert IV in TAA.  All you need is the ability to speak, write and have basic computer skills and most importantly a passion for training!