Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about InfraTrain and
training for the infrastructure industry.
Looking to get your career in infrastructure started?
Looking to get qualified
and are working in the infrastructure industry?
General Terms:
If you still have unanswered questions
contact us for more information.
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What skills do I need to have before entering this industry?
It is helpful if you already hold a Class One New Zealand driver’s
licence and a current first aid certificate. Attributes that
will help you gain employment in the infrastructure industry are:
The most important attribute you can have is a positive attitude!
What type of qualifications do InfraTrain offer?
InfraTrain offers a variety of
qualifications from an introductory level through to senior management
including National Certificates and Diplomas. These qualifications are
registered on the National Qualifications Framework managed by the
New Zealand Qualifications
Authority and are both nationally and internationally recognised.
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How does industry training work?
First of all a training agreement is signed between the employee,
employer and InfraTrain. The training agreement records the
employee, employer and qualification details. It also outlines
individual roles of the employee, employer and InfraTrain in the
training process. The training can take place on-job
or off-job or though a combination of both.
On-Job Training
Most training will take place on the job. A workplace
facilitator (someone inside the company) will assist the trainee to
keep a record of what skills and experience have been learned as
part of the job.
Off-Job Training
Some unit standards require training to be undertaken at a training
course held away from the workplace.
What is a Modern Apprenticeship?
The Modern
Apprenticeship programme acts as a pathway leading young
people into employment and training. The scheme is for people
aged between 16 and 21 years who must be employed in the
infrastructure industry. InfraTrain provide extra support and
guidance for Modern Apprentices in the form of a specific training
plan, regular workplace visits, and additional training in areas
such as literacy or maths if required. Top
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Why do I need to get qualified?
There are lots of benefits of being qualified in your chosen
profession for both yourself and your employer. Getting qualified
through InfraTrain can help enhance your prospects for promotion,
advance your employment opportunities, increase job security, and
improve health and safety in your workplace. Employers find that
having qualified staff helps them to improve their tender
attributes, reduce plant operation and maintenance costs, and
increase both customer satisfaction and staff retention.
Training with InfraTrain helps to improve company growth through
increased profitability and staff productivity. To hear first hand
about the benefits of training check out the
employee
and employer
case studies.
How do I get into on-job training?
Firstly, you need to be working in the
infrastructure industry. Check out the InfraTrain
qualifications
to see if they suit your career path and future needs. Top
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Who provides the training?
InfraTrain qualifications are mostly based on on-job training that
happens in the trainees’ workplace. There are a number of different
types of on-job training including self-paced learning where the
trainee completes the theoretical and practical tasks required
during their day-to-day work activities, or the training can be
delivered in-house by an experienced member of staff or an external
training provider. InfraTrain provides the trainee with a workbook
containing training assessment guides that are based on the unit
standards that make up a qualification.
How long will it take to complete my training?
The length of time it takes to complete an InfraTrain qualification
depends on a range of factors, such as the number of credits.
Approved durations for individual qualifications can be viewed
below.
Approved durations for qualifications
What is the cost of training with InfraTrain?
The cost of completing an InfraTrain qualification depends on the
qualification chosen and how long it takes you to finish it.
Once you have identified a qualification that
you are interested in, contact your nearest
regional manager
to find out the how much it will cost. They will also be able
to tell you about all the available subsidies.
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How will I be supported while training?
An important part of InfraTrain training is the support and guidance
for companies and trainees. InfraTrain regional staff are
available to explain the training process to you and answer any
questions that you may have. Your Regional Manager or Training
Advisor will visit you on-site and they are also available by phone
if there is something you would like to sort out between visits.
What is assessment?
Assessment is a process to confirm that the trainee is competent to
perform key tasks and can demonstrate knowledge of what they have
been learning. Assessment of a unit standard can take place
on-job or off-job.
On-Job Assessment
Most assessment will take place on-job. As a part of the regular
work activity of the company the workplace facilitator will check
the trainee’s skills against the unit standards in their
qualification. An assessor will then check the trainee’s
competency once the trainee and facilitator feels that he/she has
sufficient knowledge and skills to complete the unit standard.
All assessments are carried out by a Registered InfraTrain Assessor.
Off-Job Assessment
A trainee can attend a course to gain knowledge about a unit
standard and is assessed as part of the course.
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What is an Assessor?
An Assessor ensures that each learner is competent in the unit
standards for which they have undertaken. Assessors can come from
within the workplace or from private training establishments.
Assessors must be trained and registered with the ITO responsible
for the unit standards.
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What is the role of the Verifier and who can I use?
A Verifier is someone who will confirm that you have completed
the required tasks to a level which is of a
satisfactory industry standard.
The Verifier must be experienced in the knowledge and skills
which they are verifying.
They must know what the required industry standard is and is
in a position to observe your work.
You may have more than one person verifying your work. Your
Verifier will sign the Verifier Checklist in your workbook when
he/she agrees that you can complete the task or have the required
knowledge to complete the task successfully.
In most work situations the Verifier is generally the Supervisor,
Foreperson, Manager, or Leading Hand.
If you are a self-employed trainee then your Assessor will
also act as your Verifier.
Some self-employed trainees use their previous manager or
business associate as a Verifier.
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What should I include as evidence?
It is sufficient to have the Verifiers Checklist completed with
supporting documentation. Supporting documents could include:
-
Evidence of successful
completion of previous studies, certificates or course
completion statements, and an outline of the content of the
course
-
Original copies (or
certified copies) of work undertaken, or documentation
-
Statements from
colleagues or superiors documenting your ability to perform
practical tasks in the workplace
-
Photos or videos
showing your involvement.
A key requirement here is that the Assessor needs to clearly see how the
supporting documentation or knowledge relates to the relevant unit standard.
Beware: An attendance certificate from a course is supporting evidence. It
does not prove you are competent, you must be assessed.
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Who is New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)?
The New Zealand
Qualifications Authority
(NZQA) co-ordinates qualifications in secondary schools, and in
post-school education and training, maintains national standards,
ensures recognition of overseas qualifications and administers
national secondary and tertiary examinations.
How is my qualification recorded?
All learners who are "Hooked-On" to the Framework have their
completed unit standards recorded on a national database. This
entitles them to receive a personalised Record of Learning which
lists all the unit standards and qualifications that they have
gained credit for. Extra copies of this Record of Learning may be
purchased at any time from NZQA.
Who is Tertiary Education Commission?
The
Tertiary Education
Commission (TEC) Te Amorangi Matauranga Matua, is a crown
entity established under the provisions of the
Education (Tertiary Reform) Amendment Act 2002.
TEC is responsible for funding all post-compulsory education and
training offered by universities, polytechnics, colleges of
education, wananga, private training establishments, foundation
education agencies, industry training organisations and adult and
community education providers.
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What is the National Qualifications Framework?
The
New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NQF) is a
comprehensive framework of nationally recognised standards and
qualifications.
What is a Record of Learning?
All learners who are "Hooked-On" to the Framework have their
successes recorded on a national database. This entitles them to
receive a personalised Record of Learning which lists all the unit
standards for which they have gained credit. Extra copies of
this Record of Learning may be purchased at any time from NZQA.
What is a Unit Standard?
Unit Standards are nationally registered statements of
learning outcomes. They describe what a learner needs to know or
what they must be able to achieve.
Unit Standards are the basic components of the National
Qualifications Framework. Over ten thousand standards have
been developed to cover the skills and knowledge needed for
employment and living in today's fast-changing world.
Each Unit Standard is also assigned a credit value. As
learners achieve standards, each standard title and its credit value
is listed on the individual's personalised Record of Learning.
All unit standards have an expiry date which ensures they are
reviewed on a regular basis and kept up to date.
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What is a National Qualification?
A National Qualification is made up of a package or bundle of unit
standards in a particular area of learning.
The purpose of a National Qualification is to formally
recognise significant learning achievements.
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Case
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