VOLUNTEER PROGRAM COORDINATION

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NSW Context

Since the mid-1980s, many organisations have discovered that a volunteer program is a cost-effective way to enhance services without increasing spending. As such it's vital that volunteers are not only congenial and receptive, but also familiar with the organization's goals and mission. If asked, they should be able to convey accurate information to the clientele. In many instances, the first personal contact a visitor may have is with the volunteers. Proper volunteer coordination can make such experiences positive for visitors, volunteers and the agency. A good program includes: determining the volunteer needs of the staff, creating volunteer jobs, recruiting volunteers, interviewing and placing volunteers, supervising the volunteers and rewarding volunteers.

This Certificate IV qualification is for workers who coordinate volunteers within a program or organisation. These workers may be employed in a range of industry sectors and in a complex, regularly changing context. They require competencies to perform a broad range of tasks, including evaluating and improving current practices, and providing leadership and guidance to others in organising their work activities.

Community workers may perform the following tasks:

assist community groups in planning, developing, maintaining and evaluating community resources, programs and support networks
support, develop and evaluate strategies that encourage community participation in activities
research, analyse and assist council, town planning, corporate planning and environmental health departments in developing community service policies
communicate frequently with community groups, welfare agencies, government bodies, non-government organisations and private businesses about community services such as housing, health, welfare and recreation
monitor, evaluate and recommend changes to community development programs, policies, practices or budgets
help raise community and public awareness regarding issues such as welfare rights by promoting, organising and/or helping to coordinate meetings and seminars
carry out administrative work which may include written correspondence, preparing submissions and reports for government bodies or other agencies and attending management meetings.

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

CHC42712 Certificate IV in Volunteer Program Coordination

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

The Volunteer Program Coordination qualification in the CHC08 Community Services Training Package has not been established as a traineeship in NSW.

VET in Schools

The Volunteer Program Coordination qualification in the CHC08 Community Services Training Package has 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

The Centre for Volunteering

The Centre for Volunteering is the peak body in NSW promoting and supporting volunteering and community participation.

The Centre connects people and organisations in order to enrich our community. They achieve this through referral, training, resource development, information and education services to help people get involved in their communities, and enhance the capacity and skills of not-for-profit organisations, corporations and government to become involved in the community.

Resources

NSW Community Services and Health ITAB and NSW DET resources include:

Policy@MyPlace

This free online short course is for those who need to develop or review policy. It will provide learning to develop the necessary skills to research and consult policy needs, draft policy content, test the draft policy, implement policy and review policy for quality assurance.

This learning is designed to assist in the development of policies for NGO workplaces. While it focuses on child protection policy development and incorporates objectives and requirements detailed in the NSW Keep Them Safe initiative the learning may be applied to any area of policy development in community services work.

There is no time limit to this resource so you are able to work through the learning at your own pace and select topics as many times as you like. The resource contains activities that you may complete as an e-portfolio for assessment by a registered training organisation to achieve the national unit of competency CHCPOL504B Develop and implement a policy.

Available now at www.workplaceskills.com.au

CD Resource for Management Committees and Boards

Easy to understand and customised learning for the not for profit sector
Straightforward menu driven format on CD
Learning includes:
- Joining A Board
- Selection, Recruitment and Orientation
- My Roles and Responsibilities
- The Board’s Roles and Responsibilities
Optional activities to make up a portfolio of evidence for assessment against four nationally recognised units of competency
Optional assessment by a Registered Training Organisation to gain a Statement of Attainment for the four nationally recognised units of competency

Best Fit available from:

www.skillsonline.net.au

Ph 02 9244 5073

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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