Commissioners Information Bulletin 337
Issued: 8 February 2008

Health Services - Amended Vocational Training Order for the recognised traineeship vocation of Health Services - Indigenous Environmental Health

At the request of the NSW Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB), the Commissioner for Vocational Training has approved the amendment to the existing Vocational Training Order (VTO) for the recognised traineeship vocation of Health Services by amending the name of the recognised traineeship vocation from Health Services to Health Services – Indigenous Environmental Health and by replacing two qualifications, under section 6 of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act, 2001.

The revised VTO will include its change of title, the replacement of 15712NT Certificate II Indigenous Environmental Health with HLT21007 Certificate II in Indigenous Environmental Health and the replacement of 15714NT Certificate III in Indigenous Environmental Health with HLT32307 Certificate III in Indigenous Environmental Health.

Vocational Training Order (VTO) Standard Format

The VTO in each instance specifies:

1. the appropriate term or terms for apprenticeship or traineeships in that vocation
2. the appropriate probationary period or periods for apprenticeships or traineeships in that vocation, having regard to the term or terms specified for them under paragraph (a)
3. the appropriate qualification or qualifications that may be awarded in relation to an apprenticeship or traineeship in that vocation
4. any other training to be provided in addition to the training required for an appropriate qualification
5. such other matters relating to the training of apprentices or trainees in that vocation as the Commissioner considers appropriate.

A copy of the VTO supporting the recognised traineeship vocation of Health Services – Indigenous Environmental Health is at Attachment A.

For the purpose of the VTO in NSW, trainees will now be able to gain HLT21007 Certificate II in Indigenous Environmental Health and HLT32307 Certificate III in Indigenous Environmental Health.

Industrial arrangements

Health Employees (State) Award
Public Hospital (Training Wage) (State) Award
Miscellaneous Workers' General Services (State) Award 2000.

An Environmental Health Worker will normally be employed and trained through a public service, community or non-government organisation.  The NSW Public Sector and Local Government Awards and agreements under the NSW Industrial Relations Act 1996 provides for both employment and training.

Employment and training for traineeships in community service and non-government organisations can be arranged for Environmental Health Workers under the Miscellaneous Workers' General Services (State) Award 2000.

And other present and future collective agreements established under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005 that relate to the Health Industry.

Note - Applications under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to establish any traineeship or apprenticeship will not be approved unless the Commissioner is satisfied that appropriate industrial arrangements are in place.

Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETS)

The ITAB has advised that the both the Certificate II and Certificate III are  not suitable as school based pathways because of the limited job placements in Indigenous Environmental Health and the isolation/remoteness of work sites for the on the job component.

Learning resources and assessment materials

There are no training products endorsed or registered at present in NSW.  Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Training and Education (BIITE) have registered products that are relevant and they are the current training provider in NSW of these qualifications. Some customisation of the BIITE course structure is recommended to ensure alignment to suit job-description requirements/ workplace requirements in NSW.

Licensing

There are currently no licensing requirements within the community services and health industry in New South Wales.

Availability of Registered Training Organisations

The National Training Information website http://www.ntis.gov.au identifies RTOs in NSW registered to deliver qualifications from the HLT07 the Health Industry Training Package. BIITE is currently the training provider of these qualifications in NSW and will be able to support the delivery of these traineeships.

For any enquiries regarding this CIB, please contact the Vocational Training Tribunal Unit on (02) 9266 8579.

PHILLIP MOORE
Commissioner for Vocational Training