Education and training - VET study in education and training

VET study in education and training

Careers for education and training VET graduates

VET graduates of this field are in two distinct groups, and have equally distinct career outcomes. Some in this field are gaining foundation skills in order to undertake study in another area; others are learning to become educators and trainers.

For the education and training graduates who plan to practise in the field of education, there are a number of career options. Most of these can be broadly described as teaching assistant or education aide roles. VET graduates in the education field are generally associates or assistants to qualified teachers, who must have a bachelor degree.

Education aides can develop skills to enable them to work in all areas of a school setting. However, they can also focus on a particular subject, perhaps providing support to students in information technology, or help with certain types of students; for example, students with special needs or learning disabilities. They will generally be employed in schools, but other community organisations might require their services.

Apart from assistant roles, there is also a small group of courses in training and assessment that are designed for trainers who wish to train in a workplace setting, delivering training in an industry area or area of subject matter expertise. These trainers tend to work as independent professionals, rather than as assistants to other teachers.

Courses and specialisations

A wide range of certificate courses (I-IV), as well as diploma and advanced diploma courses are available in this field.

Many courses at all levels offer preparation for those who require language, literacy and numeracy or other skills in order to enter further education or work. However, this field contains another group of VET qualifications that actually train students to work as educators, mostly offered at certificate III level and above. Below are some of the many specialisations offered in each area.

Specialisations (preparation courses)
●Adult tertiary preparation ●Education studies ●English for employment or further study ●Equivalent senior secondary studies ●ESL or spoken and written English ●General education for adults ●Industrial skills/work preparation ●Learning pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders ●Preparation studies (in subjects like maths and science) ●Skills for work and training

Specialisations (training courses)
●Aboriginal education assistants ●Education support ●Education support – administration/information technology ●Teacher assistant ●Teacher assistant – Indigenous ●Teacher’s aide – special education ●Training and assessment ●Vocational education and training

Getting in

VET qualifications that are aimed at preparing students for work or study will generally have no entry requirements. Those which offer education aide or assistant training may have entry requirements. However, for courses in both groups, entry into a certificate IV, diploma or advanced diploma may require completion of certificate courses.

Where to study

Relevant courses are offered by many TAFE institutes, some by distance. Selected Registered Training Organisations also offer courses, particularly in training for industry and corporate organisations.

Pathways

In many instances courses in this field may provide articulation pathways to higher levels of study both within the VET sector and the university sector. Credit and recognition of prior learning may be given for some of the lower level VET courses (such as certificate II, III or IV) towards diploma courses in the same or related subject areas.

Similarly, students who complete certificate IV, diploma or advanced diploma courses may be eligible for entry into degree courses in education and training or a range of other areas. In such cases, recognition of prior learning may result in exemption from one to two years of the bachelor course.

Case study

General studies

The Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (TPC) at Western Institute, TAFE NSW provides successful graduates with an alternative pathway into university courses. Students who successfully complete the certificate will be eligible to receive the scaled Tertiary Entrance Score (TES). The Universities Admission Centre (UAC) in NSW uses the TAFE-calculated TES to assist universities in making offers of places to TPC graduates.

Education studies

Graduates of a qualification such as the Diploma of Teacher Assistant may be able to gain entry to the Bachelor of Education (Conversion) course at Curtin University. The course is suitable for educators who want to upgrade their skills to degree level. Individual applicants’ qualifications are assessed in order to determine their suitability for the course and whether recognition of prior learning is available.