Making up your mind
If workplace assessment is a completely new idea for you, you may want to read About this Assessment Guide.
Assessment may be a good choice if any of the following headings apply to you.
I'm looking for a career change
Some people find assessment useful in helping them to progress within their industry or to move into a new industry. You may want to move in to children's services because you believe you already have some relevant skills gained from other work or experience off the job. Or you may be already working in the industry and wanting to take a new direction.
For example, some people enter the children's services work force because they like caring for children, and then find that they want to learn more about children's growth and development in order to take on greater responsibility.
I've been working in the industry for a while but I don't have any qualifications
Increasingly, the Northern Territory children's services industry is looking for qualified workers. In the past, some children's services industry workers entered the workforce without qualifications and gained skills and experience on the job. If this sounds like you, assessment may be a useful pathway to qualifications.
I'm out of the work force and I want to get in
Assessment can play a part in helping people to build up their CVs and confidence to enter or re-enter the work force. Skills gained through previous full-time or other work, volunteer work, or life experience, can often be assessed against employment-related competencies.
I'd like to try out other jobs in my workplace
Assessment can help people to move within their workplace by recognising skills that they may not be using in their current job, or by recognising their skills in their current job in a way that demonstrates their readiness to take on new challenges. For example, some people find that they want to demonstrate their competence in working with a different age group or in caring for children with high support needs.
I'm looking for a stepping stone to tertiary study
Most tertiary courses have entry requirements. Assessment can help people to meet course entry requirements, often providing an alternative to bridging courses. For example, people with a Diploma or Advanced Diploma of Children's Services may be able to gain credit for some subjects in a degree program such as the Bachelor of Children's Services.
I'd like to have a nationally recognised credential
Qualifications and units of competency from Training Packages (such as the children's services qualifications in this guide) are recognised in all states and territories. If you are thinking of working in children's services outside the Territory, assessment may be a way of getting started.
I'd like to identify gaps in my skills
Some people seek assessment after they have been working in a children's services role for a while but believe they have some gaps in their skills. Assessment against competencies may help to locate gaps which can then be addressed through formal or informal training.
For example, an assessee may discover that, in order to complete a particular qualification, they need to have competencies in working with families of children from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds. This might lead to a decision to enrol in training for those competencies.
My industry is introducing new requirements
The children's services industry is focusing more and more on the quality of care and other services for children. For example, the industry now has a national accreditation scheme for family day care and after school hours care. Qualifications are increasingly valued within the industry and may become an essential requirement in the future.
I know I need some training but I also have existing skills
Some people want to gain their qualifications through study and training off the job. It is possible to undertake some units through study and training and to choose assessment for other units.
Assessment is easy to access in my workplace
Some Northern Territory children's services employers are very keen for their employees to access assessment. A number of employers have relationships with Registered Training Organisations providing assessment services.
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