Local education provider GippsTAFE is playing its role in ensuring that the Gippsland community are provided with the recognition they deserve.

A new service, delivered via the GippsTAFE ‘Skills Gateway’, is providing individuals with an opportunity to have their skills, knowledge and experience formally recognised. 

Previous study, adult education classes, work based training programs and experience, as well as life experience, such as leisure pursuits or voluntary work can all contribute toward providing individuals with formal credit towards the attainment of a nationally recognised training qualification. 

GippsTAFE Skills Gateway, Skills Recognition Consultant, Darren Teller took the time to explain a little about skills recognition and FREE on-line skills analysis.   

“GippsTAFE, much like other providers of Vocational Education and Training, (VET), operates within a competency based training framework” explains, Mr Teller.    

“In a nutshell what this means is that the courses we deliver are made up of several Units of Competency and under each of these sits a number of learning outcomes and performance criteria against which a student’s knowledge and abilities are tested.

“It all sounds quite technical, but it simply identifies what a student must learn and provides clear guidelines against which their knowledge and abilities can be assessed to determine that they are competent and able to pass the Unit. 

“The great thing about this type of training is that these guidelines can also be used to evaluate knowledge and abilities gained on the job or through informal training. Giving everyone the opportunity to have their skills accurately evaluated and recognised.  

“If it can be shown that an individual can meet the requirements of a particular Unit of Competency they are then eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning and credit toward a nationally recognised qualification,” he explains. 

“That means there is no reason for them to be sitting in a classroom re-learning that competency. Their completion of that Unit is registered and they can move on.” 

The GippsTAFE Skills Gateway offers free on-line skills analysis which can be completed anytime, anywhere. On completing the analysis individuals will be provided with a comprehensive report and personalised referral to assist in identifying the components of a GippsTAFE qualification they may be able to gain formal credit. 

“Be it a Certificate I to Certificate IV, Diploma or an Advanced Diploma, Vocational Graduate Certificate or Vocational Graduate Diploma, the concept of Recognition of Prior Learning is the same. It’s all about giving credit where credit is due” said Mr. Teller.  

For further information regarding your free on-line skills analysis simply call 1330 733 279 or visit the Skills Gateway website at www.skillsgateway.com.au