As an RTO the CBAA is able to work in partnership with stations to provide accredited (nationally recognised) training. Students who successfully complete assessment tasks receive certificates and statements of attainment that are nationally recognised. These certificates are equivalent to TAFE certificates. The CBAA’s role in this is to enrol the students, keep track of student records, issue certificates and ensure the quality of the training and assessment meets the standards that have been set by the media industry throughout Australia. Like any university or TAFE, the CBAA has to keep these records for 30 years.

Firstly, the CBAA has developed training notes and assessment tasks that are based on the standards set by the media industry in Australia. The resource kit called Training for Community Broadcasters provides stations and trainers with everything they need to deliver the training. By standardising the assessment tasks and providing the checklists for trainers we are also able to ensure that everyone is being assessed against the same criteria.

The trainers/assessors who teach the courses must be registered with the CBAA. They will need to demonstrate that they have sufficient teaching experience, industry experience and/or qualifications and most importantly a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment or Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. The CBAA will also ensure the quality of teaching is maintained by providing trainers with ongoing professional development and support.

If you take a look at the Certificate II and III in Broadcasting (Radio) courses, you will find a lot of the content is similar to what you are already teaching. A lot of the practical units such as panel operation, presentation and interviewing will be pretty much the same as the training you are already providing. The certificate courses will also allow stations to build other important but often neglected skills into their courses, such as researching and writing for radio, editing, mixing etc. There is a lot of flexibility in the kind of course you put together. It doesn’t even have to be a full certificate course, students can complete separate units and be awarded a “Statement of Attainment” for completing part of a full certificate course.

With accredited training the main difference is that there is a set of assessment tasks that each student must complete. Trainer/Assessors must evaluate each student’s skills on each of these tasks. While it sounds like an exam or test, it’s not. Assessments are open-ended and students who fail to reach a competent level the first time are able to try again after some practice.

While most community broadcasters will be starting off with Certificate II and III courses, these certificates can become the pathway to higher qualifications. It is possible to build on the training to gain a Certificate IV in Broadcasting, and then go on to the diploma and degree level. Since the training is nationally recognised, broadcasters will be able to use their qualifications to help them gain entry to TAFE and university courses.

On the other hand, some people just simply appreciate having their skills officially recognised. Given that most broadcasters don’t get paid, the certificate is something of value which they will have to show for their hard work.

Yes, it is possible that broadcasters may have the skills needed to qualify for a certificate because they have learnt well on the job. Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) means that students can get credit for certain units because they have provided evidence that they are competent in this area. It is possible to be awarded a full certificate through the RPL process.

Accredited workplace training is being developed across all industries in Australia. By opting to make your training officially recognised you may attract new volunteers, improve the station sound (perhaps leading to increased sponsorship) and give existing volunteers official recognition of their skills.

Many stations have built accredited training into youth projects, others have tapped into Centrelink’s training credits system, which allows unemployed people to “earn” and then “spend” up to $800 on accredited training.

No. You can keep training the way you have always trained, but you might decide to run one or two accredited courses a year. Some stations are establishing a user pays system of training for certificate courses, at the same time continuing to offer their free unaccredited training for people wanting to go on air.

The CBAA will charge a fee per student for every certificate and/or statement of attainment issued. Please contact us for a current Rate Card. From the station’s point of view the other costs include trainer/assessor fees, printing and photocopying, the provision of space, refreshments and other resources.

For more information call CBAA Training Coordinator Lisa Lloyd on 93189602.

You can email llloyd@cbaa.org.au for an information pack.