EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

> Qualifications & Pathways • Traineeships • VET In Schools • Peak Bodies & Key Stakeholders • Resources

NSW Context

The employment services industry covers a wide range of services that focus on providing, locating, securing or maintaining suitable employment for clients. Services may range from government funded employment services, through to disability business services. Organisations which provide employment services include government departments, not-for-profit organisations and commercial enterprises. These organisations maybe solely or primarily focused on delivering employment services or they may provide this service as only one aspect of the services offered to clients.

In NSW, the CHC30908 Certificate III in Employment Services is the appropriate entry level qualification for employment services. A key distinction between employment services within the community services industry and traditional recruitment or personnel agencies is a focus on the job seeker rather than on the employer. People are treated as individuals, with unique needs, circumstances and career aspirations. Programs and training maybe provided, as well as personal support, advice and counselling. Jobseeker participation maybe either mandatory as a result of being social security recipients or voluntary.

Target client groups may be specialised such as youth, mature-aged workers, people with a specific disability, people with a disability, long-term unemployed, or parents returning to the workforce or ex-offenders. Some services focus on a more general client group or on a location population.

There are distinctions between the characteristics of employment services located in different areas, between metropolitan and regional NSW, as well as in particular regions. These are reflected in employment patterns, job seeker characteristics and in industry.

Changes to OH&S

The Commonwealth and each state and territory government have agreed to harmonise their work health and safety laws, including Regulations and Codes of Practice, so that they are similar in each jurisdiction.

The Commonwealth, states and territories are responsible for making and enforcing their own work health and safety laws. Although there are many similarities between the laws there are also some differences that can cause confusion. Australian workers should be entitled to the same work health and safety standards, regardless of the jurisdiction in which they operate.

This regulatory inconsistency is being addressed through an intergovernmental agreement(IGA) where, for the first time, governments from each state and territory and the Commonwealth have formally committed to harmonise work health and safety laws by developing and adopting a model Work Health and Safety Act supported by model Regulations and model Codes of Practice. The intention is to deliver the same work health and safety protections to all Australians. For more information click here

Qualifications and Pathways

CHC30908 Certificate III in Employment Services

CHC42008 Certificate IV in Employment Services

CHC51608 Diploma of Employment Services

Recognition

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a significant pathway for candidates to attain a national training package qualification. There has been strong support from Commonwealth and NSW governments for RTOs to find innovative and accessible RPL strategies and approaches.

NSW Department of Education and Training is actively assisting this quest for improved RPL pathways and has worked in partnership across many industry sectors to pilot best practice models of recognition and develop supporting resources. Some of the innovation recognition pathways trialled included group, project and workplace based models.

Resources and further details are available at State Training Services

Traineeships

The Vocational Training Board establishes traineeships in NSW. Through a consultative process between peak industry groups, employers and unions, facilitated by the ITAB, qualifications are identified that meet industry requirements and have appropriate award arrangements. This information is submitted to the Board for the declaration of a vocational training order in accordance with NSW legislation.

As qualifications have a vocational training order established, they are posted on the NSW DET Commissioner’s Bulletin. Further advice is available from NSW DET www.training.nsw.gov.au

Current employment services traineeships in NSW are:

CHC30908 Certificate III in Employment Services

CHC42008 Certificate IV in Employment Services

VET in Schools

The Employment Services qualifications in the CHC08 Community Services Training Package have not been identified as suitable for VET in Schools pathways.

For more information about VET in Schools in NSW visit: https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/vetinschools/

The NSW Board of Studies is responsible for the inclusion of training package qualifications in the HSC studies. Further information is available at www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au .

Peak Bodies and Key Stakeholders

National Employment Services Association (NESA)

NESA is the peak body for all employment services funded by government. Members of NESA work to assist jobseekers into employment. NESA represents the employment services industry and works to advance the development and improvement of the industry.

Jobs Australia

The national peak body for not-for-profit organisations that assist unemployed people to get and keep jobs. The network helps members to make the most effective use of their resources and promotes the service and support needs of unemployed people.

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)

Provides the government with advice, programs and services to achieve efficient and effective labour market assistance, higher productivity, higher pay workplaces and increased workforce participation.

Job Network

This is a national network of private and community organisations whose primary objective is to find jobs for unemployed people.

NCOSS (National Council of Social Services)

The peak body for the social and community services sector in NSW. They work towards achieving social justice in NSW.

Resources

Please contact NSW Community Services and Health ITAB regarding training and assessment resource needs for the qualifications or skills sets in this industry sector.

Other resources may be available from industry peaks, Registered Training Organisations and Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council.

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