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Achieving a Statement of Attainment

From Certificate of Completion to Statement of Attainment

When you receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of your course, it represents the initial step towards achievement of a full industry qualification, one which is recognised by employers, industry and other Registered Training Organisations across Australia and overseas. This gives considerable flexibility when applying for jobs because mutual recognition and a common framework of competencies expressed in Training Packages means that key personnel have greater confidence in your skills and experience.

The Certificate of Completion indicates:

that you have met the knowledge requirements which underpin the competencies addressed during the course; and
that you have practised a range of practical skills in the training context.

These occupational health and safety skills and knowledge were achieved through successful completion of the MARCSTA course.

For you to receive a Statement of Attainment - the next step in achieving a nationally recognised qualification - assessment of your skills needs to go a step beyond the training venue.

When an assessor is satisfied that you can apply the practical skills and underpinning knowledge of one or more units of competency in the workplace you are awarded a Statement of Attainment.

A Statement of Attainment is an important building block in achieving nationally recognised qualifications.

Training Packages consist of three nationally endorsed components:

1. Qualifications

Each qualification consists of a package made up of core and elective units of competence which reflect workplace skills, experience and responsibility. Qualification levels range from Certificate II (some Training Packages have a Certificate I) up to Advanced Diploma.

Upper qualification levels intersect with university qualifications and the lower levels, where practical, with secondary school qualifications. Certificate II is entry level with minimal workplace responsibility. Certificate III is regarded as the equivalent of a tradesman with a range of responsibilities and a degree of autonomy but requiring supervision in some areas.

At Certificate IV the holder has supervisory responsibilities. The holder of a Diploma is likely to be in a managerial position, able to analyse and plan approaches to technical problems, able to evaluate information using it to forecast for planning or research purposes and take responsibility for a broad range of his or her and others' activities.

At Advanced Diploma level an individual analyses, diagnoses, designs and executes judgements across a broad range of technical or management functions, and demonstrates accountability for personal and group outcomes within broad parameters.

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2. Units of Competence

The building blocks of qualifications, these are individually made up of elements, performance criteria, evidence guide and a range of variables.

3. Assessment Guidelines

This is the third and final endorsed Training Package component, providing reference for assessors when planning, conducting and reviewing assessment of competencies.

How to Apply for a Statement of Attainment

To achieve a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment you need to go beyond the training venue and demonstrate that you can actually use the knowledge and skills you have acquired. To do this you will need to gather credible evidence of your application of occupational health and safety skills and knowledge in your workplace.

Credible evidence must relate to each of the elements of competency. It must relate to your own performance and there must be enough evidence for the training provider to be confident that you really have mastered the skill.

Evidence Required:

Documents:
Letters or relevant papers that demonstrate you have used the required skills. For example, plans, drawings, performance reviews, awards, prizes, site documents, induction records, work method statements, site diaries.

References:
From employers, clients, community groups etc.

Certificates:
Copies of certificates, diplomas, statements of attendance or results from any relevant course.

Licences:
Licences from interstate or overseas.

Proof of Employment:
Payslips, PAYG payment summary, computer records or other proof of employment.

Products:
Photos, videos, samples of work may be used as evidence.

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Forms and Workbooks for Achieving a SOA

Portfolio of Evidence

The collection of evidence of your workplace skills and experience becomes your portfolio or skills passport. Bring this to your training provider for evaluation and a Statement of Attainment can be awarded in recognition of your workplace skills and experience.

Your portfolio becomes an increasingly valuable body of evidence not only of your workplace skills and experience but life experience as well, as you progress towards achieving nationally recognised qualifications.