Size Fits All

Size Fits All

Take it from someone who knows, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is one of the most stimulating, enlightening and rewarding courses around. It can also be the most difficult, confusing and heartbreaking if you charge into it without doing your homework first.

Cert IV TAA 40104 is the qualification needed to become a trainer and assessor delivering accredited training in Australia. It is also an excellent course for anyone who is facilitating in-house training in the workplace. And, in such a competitive job market this certificate is a valuable addition to any résumé. Having said all that, if you choose the wrong type of delivery your chances of ever getting your hands on a TAA certificate are not great.

Intensive workshops, correspondence, blended delivery, independent on-line or good old fashioned night school, the delivery options are seemingly endless. The trick is to choose the mode of study that not only fits into your lifestyle, but also suits your personality.

Without getting bogged down in the psycho babble it is fair to say that if you're a methodical thinker who likes to take your time and thoroughly research and study a project from every angle, a five-day super intensive power workshop is unlikely to be the best option for you. The reverse is the same; high energy fast thinkers who want everything done yesterday won't get the best results from a four-week face-to-face classroom delivery with everyone else in the group 'holding them back'.

The best registered training Organisations (RTOs) will have delivery options to suit a variety of learner styles. They will also work with you to ensure that you enroll in the method best-suited to you. Beware of one-size-fits-all operators that don't have room for flexibility and can't accommodate your needs as an individual.

Delivery Options Explained

Intensive Workshops:

Usually held over three to five days in a training centre or conference room set-up. Fast-paced delivery of information with most assessments completed outside of workshop hours.

Learner type: Fast thinkers who thrive on pressure

Pros: Concentrated effort can produce good results in a short time.

Cons: Workloads often exceed workshop hours and homework is heavy. Also there can be limited or no instructor support.

Face-to-Face Classroom:

An average of three weeks, Monday-to -Friday, studying with a group. Activities and assessments discussed among the group combined homework and takeaway assessments.

Learner type: Traditional, average-paced thinker who enjoys thoroughness and group discussions.

Pros: Good instructor and peer support with time to absorb and question new concepts and ideas.

Cons: Requires time away from work and a longer commitment.

Blended Delivery:

Self-paced, web-based training combining on-line learning materials with live web workshops, student forums and email-driven instructor support.

Learner type: Most learner types with basic level computer skills.

Pros: Self-paced and can be as independent or as involved with instructors and other students as the learner requires.

Cons: Requires some computer know-how.

Choose the right mode of study and you will not only gain a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment but you will enjoy the process, feel stimulated by the journey and be a better trainer and assessor for your own future students.

RediTeach Essential Training is a Nationally Registered Training Organisation delivering adult education. You can study at your own pace using our on-line resources as well as having access to daily Web Workshops. To view our range of options, visit Online Courses.