BCITO future-proofing industry qualifications

0
1951

Future-proofing the content of a qualification is just one component in the mix when the revision cycle for a particular qualification comes around. New technologies, workplace practices, legislation, tools and techniques also feature high on the list of things to be considered.

So reviewing a qualification and trainee resources also means ensuring that what’s done today is applicable for at least the next five years — because that’s how long it will be before the next review of any individual qualification takes place.
The qualifications team at the BCITO (under the helm of new qualifications manager Richard Robyns) is currently reviewing a number of qualifications. Here’s an update on some of the qualifications being worked on:

National Certificate in Cement and Concrete (Levels 3 & 4) with strands in:
• pipe and block manufacture, • pre-cast manufacture,
• concrete construction (site works), • concrete cutting and drilling,
• placing and finishing, • retail concrete products,
• concrete production/ready-mix, • concrete masonry products.

The cement and concrete industry qualifications are progressing at speed, with writing of all unit standards for the eight trade level qualifications, now complete.
Resource writing and assessment material writing are at various stages of development, and all strands will be completed and available for delivery well within the next year. The development of a National Certificate in Concrete Technology is also under way.

National Certificate in Frame and Truss Manufacture (Level 3)
Consultation with this sector took place in late 2008. However, in light of the merger between the FMTA and the Wood Processing Association in 2009, the review process was put on a temporary hold. Now that the merger is complete, we can move to the next phase of the qualification review, looking at the feedback from the consultation process and how that affects the current structure and unit standards.

The first working party meeting is taking place in April 2010. At the time of going to print, the complexity of the review is unknown. However, we are hopeful that we can complete it this year, with a rollout of the revised qualification in early 2011.

National Certificate in Solid Plastering (Level 4)
In late 2009, the BCITO External Plastering National Advisory Group met. Following this, a comprehensive questionnaire was developed to be used as a consultation tool within this sector. The questionnaire will provide the BCITO with good input on the industry’s needs into the revised qualification.

At this stage, we are planning to facilitate the questionnaire face-to-face, making it easier for those in the industry to give their responses verbally. Once the responses have been collated and analysed, we will be able to revise unit standards and assessment material. It is anticipated that this qualification will be ready for use by the end of 2010.

National Certificate in Construction (Leading Hand – Level 4, and Supervisor – Level 5)
The consultation process concluded in the latter part of 2009 (and feedback information is now available on the BCITO web site). An advanced qualification review panel is being formed to review the feedback to determine the future direction of the qualification, and to review the current unit standards.

Representatives from all the trades that the BCITO has a standard-setting role for have been invited to have a member of their sector on the review panel, so the revised qualification may better suit all those in the industry who have a need for supervisors, other than the traditional carpentry sector.

National Diplomas in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, and Architectural Technology (Levels 6)
We are at the final hurdle in reviewing the three diplomas and are soon to register the revised qualifications with the NZQA. The BCITO has taken over the standard-setting role for Quantity Surveying and Architectural Technology from InfraTrain, and is working with TEC to achieve registration for these domains, as well as Construction Management.

Once our role of developing and setting the standard of the qualification is completed, polytechnics can then revise any trainee resources that support delivery. It is hoped this will enable learners to enrol in the revised qualification as early as 2011.

For more information on BCITO qualifications, check out our web site at www.bcito.org.nzor contact your nearest BCITO office. Higher level qualifications such as Leading Hand, Supervisor and the National Diplomas are delivered by polytechnics around the country, so for more information about these, contact the polytechnic nearest you.

Previous articleCorrosive environment no sweat for steel bridge
Next articleAuckland’s big little new Eden