Training Services
The NSW Federation of Housing Associations is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). We play a key role in workforce development through the provision of training, assessment, seminars and resources for the NSW community housing associations and the wider social housing sector.
| The Centre for Training in Social Housing |
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The Centre for Training in Social Housing (CTSH) is a business unit of the NSW Federation of Housing Associations. We are specialist providers in social housing training. We currently offer the Certificate IV in Social Housing and the Diploma in Social Housing. These are nationally recognised qualifications from the Community Services Training Package. We also provide a range of non accredited training. The Certificate IV in Social Housing is now widely recognised as the key professional qualification for housing workers in the field. Our social housing training materials are copyrighted through AEsharenet and have been purchased by providers in Western Australia and Queensland. We have also provided training services in Tasmania, the ACT, and NT.
Training is provided by the Good Practice Unit of the NSWFHA. For information about training and assessment staff go to the Good Practice Unit page.
Options for completing the Certificate IV in Social Housing
We offer a number of options for completion of this qualification:
Attend our training sessions. We provide an annual training program for two days a month at our training room in Surry Hills in Sydney. Participants can attend all 17 training days or select training sessions which immediately relate to their current work. The full qualification should be completed within two years by attendance and completion of assessments. To achieve the full qualification, participants need to complete 8 compulsory units and 7 elective units. Assessments are required for each unit. More information on current course dates and costs are available from the 2008 Training InformationHandbook.
Complete units by distance delivery. You can complete the qualification by working through the distance training materials at your own pace and completing assessments. You need to be a self motivated learner and have strong support in the workplace to make the most of this method of learning. An assessor is on hand at the Federation to assist you with any enquiries or to discuss issues. More information is available from the Distance Information Pack .
Recognition of Prior Learning. You can build a portfolio of your past experience and previous qualifications to demonstrate that you already have the skills and knowledge required to achieve the requirements for each unit of competency. This approach relies on you being able to gather and organise evidence to demonstrate to the assessor that you meet the performance criteria of each unit. The RPL Information pack provides further information and application forms.
Combination of options. You can attend some training in person and combine this by completing some units by distance and /or recognition of Prior Learning. It is OK to attend sessions on an individual basis as professional development.
Diploma in Social Housing
We have recently increased our scope of delivery to be able to provide training and Assessment Services in the Diploma in Social Housing. We are offering six units at Diploma level in 2008.
Diploma level training aims to meet the needs of senior and experienced housing workers and team leaders and project managers.
For more information see the Training Information Handbook.
Assistance for participants
OCH Scholarships: The Office of Community Housing in NSW provides scholarships for people working in community housing to access appropriate training and education, either through courses offered by the Federation, or offered through universities. The scholarship covers 80% of the course fee and is paid six monthly according to the successful completion of units. Contact information for these scholarships can be found in our 2008 Training Information Handbook.
Traineeships: The Certificate IV in Social Housing is recognised as a qualification for new trainees. To be eligible for a traineeship, a potential trainee should hold no previous qualification at a higher level. Trainees must complete the qualification within two years as a full time employee and must be supported by the workplace. Wage subsidies are available from the Department of Education and Training and the cost of training is covered. To find out more visit the DET website: http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au
Centrelink: The Certificate IV is a recognised course for Centrelink subsidies.
Participants' Information: The Participants' Information Handbook provides detailed information about our accredited training services, including policy and procedure information regarding registration, cancellation and refunds, grievance, assessment, Recognition of prior learning, confidentiality, etc.
Other training options
New Worker Induction is available for new housing workers as either part of accreditation towards the Cert IV in Social Housing or as a two day short course. Additional sessions are run throughout the year. More information on course dates and costs are available from the 2008 Training Information Handbook.
On site training. We can provide training on site in your organisation. For example we have provided all the compulsory units of the qualification to all the staff of one regional organisation who have used this for professional development for the whole of staff. Those staff who wish to complete all the qualification then attend elective units of their choice in Sydney.
Asset management training. We can provide training in the basics of asset management planning. If you want more technical training we can broker a technical expert to provide training on asset management
Registration training. Since Performance Based Registration was initiated in NSW by the Office of Community Housing in 2005, we have provide training for organizations in how to prepare for the registration process and updates of any changes to the system.
Inspections training. We can provide training in how to carry our property inspections so that all your staff are on the same page in terms of legislative and organisational requirements for inspecting prioperties.
Mental Health First Aid Training. We broker this two day course, partnering with a qualified mental Health first aid trainer. This training focuses on the kind of issues housing workers face in working with clients with mental health issues.
Working with clients with challenging behaviours. We are developing a course for housing workers which assists workers to develop the skills and knowledge and strategies to manage clients with challenging behaviours.
Management Training
We broker training for middle managers responsive to need including topics such as management and staff supervision.
Governance training
We provide induction training for new board members. This training covers the roles and responsibilities of board members and assists board members to understand some of the key issues for a director of a community housing provider
Peer support seminars
We provide a range of seminars for workers in the social housing sector according to current and emerging issues. These seminars have included:
- Rent Setting
- Private Public Partnerships
- Financial issues for bookkeepers
- Housing and support
- Aboriginal traineeships
- Asset management
All Federation training is guaranteed under the Federation's Training Code of Practice.
COPYRIGHT:
All training materials produced by NSWFHA are copyrighted, but are available for licensing or purchase through AESharenet. To find NSWFHA materials - go to www.aesharenet.com.au and type "social housing" in the search field.
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