How a nationally recognised qualification can open many doors for your career.
Your education and training are so important when it comes to establishing your career. Thanks to training organisations, TAFEs, and universities, we’re spoiled with options when it comes to education. But how do you tell which ones are the best for you? Just because an organisation has a great reputation, it doesn’t mean the course is always up to scratch.
A great way to check the quality of the training or course you choose is to see if it’s part of the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF). Introduced in 1995, the AQF is responsible for the national system of qualifications in Australia. This system covers higher education, vocational education, training, and schools.
The AQF is managed by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills, and Employment. The AQF regularly convenes with ministers of education in each state to advise them on any AQF policy matters that need review. The most recent revision of the AQF took place in 2011 and was fully implemented across Australia by January 2015.
So if you’re looking for a nationally recognised qualification, make sure it’s AQF certified. This seal of approval by the AQF means that your course meets all the strict criteria laid out by the Government for training facilities and educational institutions across the country.
How do I check if my qualification or course has an AQF qualification?
All AQF qualifications are quality assured through the Australian Government’s accreditation process. You can identify these qualifications by the simple inclusion of the AQF logo, or the following words: This qualification is recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework.
There are national registers you can check to ensure your qualification or training course is part of the AQF. If your course is part of the higher education sector, then it will most likely be accredited with the Tertiary Education and Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) or by a self-accrediting higher education provider such as a university. All TEQSA accredited qualifications should be listed on the National Register found on TEQSA’s official website.
If you’re completing a workplace training course, then there’s a good chance it falls into the education and training sector. These qualifications can be certified by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) or the Western Australian Training Accreditation Council (TAC). Your training course should be listed on the National Register found at the training.gov.au website.
Why should I get an AQF certified qualification?
Still, confused about the benefits of AQF training? AQFcertification gives you peace of mind knowing that you have a nationally recognised qualification. You’ll get genuine career prospects as a result of attaining an AQF certified course. The AQF logo is proof that your qualification meets all the strict requirements set out by the AQF framework and the Australian Government.
One of the many requirements of a qualification to be AQF certified is making sure the course is for an established industry, enterprise, educational, legislative or community need. If you attain a qualification for a course that’s not AQF certified, the career prospects may not be the same. It could be a sign that the industry you’re getting a qualification in may not be viable, or the course/qualifications simply isn’t up to scratch with national standards.
Benefits of AQF training study pathways
According to AQF standards, higher education and vocational training providers must have policies in place for pathways between qualifications and recognition of previous learning/prior experience. This is all covered in the AQF’s pathways policy.
The AQF’s policy on pathways aims to support student progression into and between AQF qualifications. So if you complete a certificate I for a certain area of study, those units and subjects should be recognised for future study. Prior training and pathways should enable you to transfer course credits if you decide to achieve certificate II or III for the same area of study.
If you’re forced to switch campus or training provider for your area of study, you may be able to resume studies for a higher level certification. You may also be able to transfer your credits over for workplace based training. So if you complete training during employment at one company, you may be able to build on your qualifications at another employer if you resume workplace based training.
Workplace based training
One of the strongest benefits of AQF training is the way it can improve workplace standards. An AQF approved workplace based training course can elevate the performance of employees and the standards of workplace guidelines. Course units can be selected to suit the specific needs of your workplace.
After workplace based training is complete, your workforce will have a better understanding of Risk based management, OHS Food Safety, Quality, Environmental and Communication practices unique to their industry. Qualifications from workplace based training can also be used as employee skills and knowledge criteria. So when staff are being assessed for their performance, they are really being tested on the same skills and knowledge they obtained from training.
With the same skills and knowledge benchmarks in the workplace, everyone is on the same page. Associates, Team Leaders, and managers should all have the same knowledge and expectations for how work tasks are performed. Furthermore, everyone will be performing their work tasks to the standards set out by a nationally recognised certification.
AQF training available from the National Food Institute
The National Food Institute values the benefits of AQF Training. That’s why all workplace based training and certifications provided by NFI are recognised by the AQF. So when you train with National Food Institute, you’re making a worthwhile investment in your chosen profession.
NFI training could even help pave the way for future career pathways if you decide to progress further in your field of study. Higher certifications can be designed to further suit your workplace and the skills required to progress. Course content for these certifications can be tailored to your workplace’s daily operations.
So whether you’re a student, business owner, or manager, speak to the training professionals at NFI about the benefits of AQF training. There’s a great range of nationally recognised courses available from NFI. You can choose from areas of study including Food processing, Warehousing & Logistics, and Management. After training with NFI, you’ll have a nationally recognised certification that will help you find a rewarding career in Australia.
Contact a Training Consultant from the National Food Institute today to discuss the benefits of AQF Training.