When it comes to undertaking vocational training, there are many different options. Completing nationally accredited training offers participants distinct advantages over a non-accredited course.
Undertaking a training course is a great way to gain new skills and improve your employability within your current industry, or to perhaps start your journey towards a new career. In many cases, training is something that your employer will direct you to undertake as part of your work. It could be anything from a simple induction to learning how a piece of machinery operates.
Training could also take the form of attending a training course run by a registered training organisation (like HSE!) and completing a prescribed unit of training. Different training organisations (RTOs) offer a range of courses – everything from courses like Certificate II in Retail Services through to diplomas and single courses like MSTTX2001 Perform knitting operations.
They can also offer courses like introductory computing, public speaking and generic induction training. The difference being, the former fall under what is called nationally recognised training, while the latter are what is termed non-accredited training.
Both types of training are valid, and both will give participants a range of skills and knowledge they did not have previously. However, there are important differences between the two that anyone looking at undertaking training should be aware of before enrolling in a course.
What is nationally recognised training?
Nationally accredited training is a single course, or package of courses, that has been approved by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) to ensure it meets “nationally approved standards, based on industry, enterprise, education, legislative and community needs.”
When a person is browsing potential training courses, most nationally accredited courses can be identified by the use of the “nationally recognised training” logo, that identifies a course as being nationally recognised.
A nationally recognised training course will be the same course, resulting in the same qualification being issued no matter which training provider is delivering the course, or where in Australia the course is undertaken.
What is the difference between a nationally recognised training course and another course?
Put simply, successfully completing a nationally recognised training course gives the participant a qualification that will be recognised anywhere in Australia. The same cannot be said for a certificate gained for completing a non-accredited course. That certificate may only be accepted in some circumstances if any at all.
Nationally recognised training provides a level of certainty that the course being completed is one that will be accepted by any worksite, in any state, as proof the participant has demonstrated competency in the area of training.
Non-accredited training may be accepted in the circumstances under which it was completed but may not be accepted in another state or even by another employer within the same state.
Nationally recognised vs non-accredited asbestos awareness training
Asbestos awareness is, perhaps, the most pertinent example of the benefits of completing nationally recognised training.
In NSW a worker is required to undertake asbestos awareness training when they are at risk of being exposed to asbestos while on the job or carrying out removal work on up to 10m² of asbestos containing material. Anything more than 10m² requires the worker obtain an asbestos removal licence.
However, SafeWork NSW does not specify what level of training should be undertaken – meaning that a worker can undertake a non-accredited training course and meet the requirements of NSW WHS regulations.
In the ACT, however, it is required that workers complete 11084NAT Course in asbestos awareness before they start work, which is a nationally recognised training course.
What this means in practice is that workers from NSW who wish to complete work in the ACT will have to complete (and pay for) a second training course covering the same material they may have already learned simply because non-accredited asbestos awareness training is not recognised under ACT law.
Completing 11084NAT Course in asbestos awareness from the outset would have avoided this situation.
Nationally recognised training saves time and hassle
For anyone working in the construction sector, building industry and other trades, being able to easily move between worksites and contracts hassle-free is critical to maintaining regular workflow. Being denied access to a site because a non-accredited training course is not recognised results in headaches for all involved and unnecessary downtime while training is sought. Or worse, loss of the job itself.
At HSE we strongly recommend that a nationally recognised training course be completed in lieu of a non-accredited one. This ensures participants get high-quality, industry-backed skills with statement of competency that will be accepted on any job or worksite in the country.
To discuss your training needs with our experts, give us a call on 1300 884 978 or email enquiries@heightsafety.net.
