All Things Qualifications - Your Complete Breakdown

All Things Qualifications - Your Complete Breakdown All Things Qualifications Your Complete BreakdownPosted September 10, 2019, by JennyBroadly speaking, there are two categories of qualifications in Australia - vocational (vocational courses are usually practical courses aimed at preparing you for employment in a range of vocational occupations) and higher education (university courses which usually mora heavily grounded in theory and are generally considered more academic).Under those two umbrellas, there is a range of different qualifications tiered to provide different levels of training. Its important to know what qualification is best suited to your career goals a wrong choice at a vital educational crossroads could see you forking out unnecessary cash or spending more time than necessary chasing a qualification you may not need or want. Entry-level courses offer a basic overview of a subject, while others are a lot more industry-focused and may require work placement. Below is the hierarchy of qualifications and a breakdown on each.TraineeshipsCombine your studies with valuable on-the-job experience with a traineeship. This qualification is a structured training programme ideal for those wanting to build workplace skills while learning. They are often available in non-trade areas such as hospitality, building and construction, manufacturing and beauty therapy, and come with a paycheck, so you can earn while you learn Traineeships are available to anyone whos eligible to work, doesnt matter if youre fresh out of school or wanting to re-enter the workforce there are no prerequisites.Duration 1 to 2 yearsCertificate I Certificate IIThese are the most basic, entry-level tertiary qualifications you can earn after high school. With each of these qualifications, you will gain the essential level of knowledge about your chosen topic/field.Duration Certificate I 4-6 months Certificate II 6-8 monthsCertificate III and Certificate IVTake your level of knowled ge and depth of learning a little further with a Certificate III and Certificate IV course. In a nutshell, with certificate level qualifications, the higher the certificate the more breadth of information youll cover. These qualifications will give you the opportunity to go move out of entry-level positions and apply for roles with more responsibility and complexity, as well as pave the way for further study.Duration Certificate III 12 months Certificate IV up to 18 monthsDiploma and Advanced DiplomaGain comprehensive training build more in-depth skills with a Diploma or Advanced Diploma Both these qualifications offer a broader level of training than a Certificate III or IV. A Diploma will equip you with the confidence to take on higher levels of responsibility. Start to really build your problem-solving skills and management skills with an Advanced Diploma. Like Certificates, Diplomas are generally awarded through TAFEs and private registered organisations.Duration Diploma up to 2 years Advanced Diploma up to 3 yearsSingle UnitsWhether you want to develop personally or professionally, single course units are the ideal way to fill in a skill or knowledge gap, gain a specialist skill, learn something new, or simply get a taster for a topic. Its a great way to upskill and get your mind jogging without the commitment of a full-length degree.Associate DegreeIn a nutshell, an Associate Degree is a uni qualification that offers broad-based competency in a given field. To be eligible for an Associate Degree course, generally you need to have completed year 12 or a Certificate III or IV. Associate Degreesare similar to Advanced Diplomas, but are more academic rather than vocational. Consider them a shorter bachelor degree offered by universities, private providers and VET providers alike.Duration 2 yearsBachelor DegreeA Bachelor Degree is the base undergraduate* qualification and the prime gateway to many professional fields. Cover a range of subject areas and get the skills to understand and evaluate new information, as well as build essential skills including critical thinking, research and writing.Major in at least one area and have the option to extend your degree and go more in-depth in your chosen area with a further year of honours study. Studying honours is usually a prerequisite for postgraduate study and is a great way of showing your commitment to learning.Equipped with these important skills and highly a regarded Bachelors qualification, youll be held in good stead in any professional environment.Duration 3-4 years, positiv optional 1 year of honours studyGraduate Certificate and Graduate DiplomaDeepen and expand your knowledge after youve completed a Bachelor Degree and advance your vocational skills in a specific field with a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.Classified as a postgraduate qualification, a Graduate Certificate generally requires a Bachelors Degree or in some cases relevant work experience, and a Graduate Di ploma is usually taken on after a Bachelor Degree or Diploma with the exception of appropriate work experience for some. Think of a Graduate Diploma as being similar to an Associate Degree, however, more vocational and less academic.These qualifications will help set you apart from the crowd, offer you more practical skills and add another element to your professional experience.Duration Graduate Certificate 6 months Graduate Diploma 12 monthsMastersA Masters is all about mastering your understanding on a specific area of knowledge. A Masters Degree comes in three main forms Masters Degree (Research), Masters Degree (Coursework) and Masters Degree (Extended) the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF),explains how these degrees will qualify individuals to apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice or scholarship and as a pathway for further learning.Getting accepted into a Masters program generally requires a Bachelor Degree, Honours Degr ee or Graduate Diploma.Going on to do a Masters says something similar to prospective employers as an Honours Degree, that youre passionate about a certain area, and driven enough to devote the time and money to turn it into a career.Duration 1 to 2 yearsDoctorate/PhDThe Doctoral Degree is the highest qualification available in Australia and its this qualification that gives graduates the coveted title of Dr (outside a medical qualification).A Doctorate requires a significant amount of detailed research to either uncover or develop new information, data and theories in a specialised area and requires students to take on a large research project and thesis outlining their findings. To qualify you must have a Masters Degree.Duration Up to 4 yearsThe right qualification for you depends on two things where youve come from and where youre going.Getting to your end goal takes planning and time you cant just jump straight to a Doctorate, you must follow the right path.With the exception of Certificate I and some vocational courses that require only practical experience, youll usually need to prove that youve got what it takes to complete a qualification, and often that means having a lesser qualification like having a higher school certificate to do a Bachelor Degree, or having a Certificate IV to qualify for a Diploma.Getting qualified is the ticket to helping conquer your career aspirations - or sometimes you just want to do it for yourself either way, that feeling you get on graduation day is sure to be worth all those late-night cramming sessions ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searcheswhat does ai mean for your careerthings to know before uniattention to detail skillscareer advisor onlinehighest paying jobs in australia CoursesBachelor of Social Work Enquire ansprechbar Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineJennyRelated ArticlesBrowse moreMaternity leaveWorkers rightsMaternity Leave in Australia - Know Your Rights Having a new baby is a mixed bag of excitement, nerves, overwhelm and a whole lot more, so when it comes to working and preparing for baby, its important to take your time, know your rights and do your research.BossCoworkersHow To Deal With A Bad EmployeeOne toxic personality or underperformer can bring the whole team down. Its your job as a leader to deal with a bad employee quickly (and legally) before things spiral out of control. Check out our tips for dealing with the trouble maker or poor performer in your team.ChristmasVolunteeringChristmas - Tis The Season To Give BackChristmas is the season of giving and what better gift to give than your time Weve put together a list of volunteer ideas, from gift wrapping to becoming a digital mentor, to get you in the warm and fuzzy Christmas spirit.