Training and Qualifications in the Picture Framing Industry 

It is not uncommon for the PFGA to be asked questions about training and qualifications in our industry. What appears to be relatively unknown is the fact that nationally recognized training qualifications have existed in our industry for some years now. The training is provided by Registered Training Organizations (RTOs) who are registered by State and Territory training authorities. The training provided by RTOs is:

Recognized by all RTOs throughout Australia ispart of a training package that has been developed to meet the needs of a particular industry, and results in a qualification that is part of the Australian Qualification Framework. 

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a unified system of national qualifications in schools, vocational education and training (TAFEs and private providers) and the higher education sectors (mainly universities). 

An RTO can be a government department or a private enterprise and training does not have to be its core business. In the case of the picture framing industry the Furnishing Industry Association of Australia (FIAA) is an RTO offering nationally accredited training for “Picture Framing Certificate II and III”. 

Certificates II and III prepare candidates for both employment and further education and training. Certificate II is largely a new qualification recognizing basic vocational skills and knowledge and Certificates III largely replace the outdated category of trade certificates. These certificates recognize skills and knowledge that meet nationally endorsed industry/enterprise competency standards as agreed for those qualifications by the relevant industry, enterprise, community or professional group and include preparatory access and participation skills and knowledge such as:

 

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literacy and numeracy

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communication skills

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working in teams

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workplace technology; and

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industry specific competencies, of increasing complexity and personal accountability at each level of the Certificate qualification; and

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may be gained through a wide range of pathways, including: Australian Apprenticeships (including traineeships); work-based and/or school/institution-based training; and recognition of prior learning (which may include training programs or an accumulation of short courses).

 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows a person to receive recognition and credit for the knowledge and skills they have, no matter how and where they were attained, including overseas. This can include skills from: 

 

bullet previous study (including courses at school or college, through adult education classes or training programs at work);
bullet work experience (including both work that is paid and unpaid); and
bullet life experience (for example leisure pursuits or voluntary work).
 

What matters in obtaining recognition of prior learning is that the knowledge and skills you have gained help to meet the learning outcomes and assessment criteria of the qualification for which you are seeking credit. 

The Training Package is a set of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications used to recognize and assess the skills and knowledge people need to perform effectively in the workplace. Training Packages are a key resource for RTOs in the delivery of structured, accredited training. 

Training Packages are developed by industry through national industry skills councils or by enterprises to meet the identified training needs of specific industries or industry sectors. Our Training Package was developed in 2002 by representatives within our industry and was one of the first packages for the Furnishing industry.

Each Training Package is made up of three key components endorsed by the National Training Quality Council (NTQC). These are: 

bullet Competency Standards, providing units of competency that describes discrete workplace outcomes.
bullet Assessment Guidelines, describing the industry requirements for assessment
bullet Qualifications Framework, detailing how the units of competency are packaged into nationally recognized qualifications, and providing the unique codes and titles for these qualifications

For further detail on competency units visit the National Training Information Service web site at
http://www.ntis.gov.au/Default.aspx?/trainingpackage/LMF02/volume/LMF02_7 

For further information generally contact the Furnishing Industry Association of Australia (approved RTO) as follows:

 

New South Wales FIAA Robert Cole 0402 261 837
South Australia FIAA Martin Videon 08 8322 5332 or 0408 671 133
Victoria FIAA Neil Craven 03 9379 5053 or 0419 500 609
Queensland FIAA Rob Cole 0402 261 837

 

 For alternatively training providers visit the National Training Information Service web site at

http://www.ntis.gov.au/Default.aspx?/trainingpackage/LMF02/qualification/LMF30802/provider.