Commissioners Information Bulletin 400
Issued: 13 February 2009

Christian Ministry - Vocational Training Order variation

The Commissioner for Vocational Training, in consultation with the NSW Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB), has varied the existing Vocational Training Order (VTO) for the recognised traineeship vocation of Christian Ministry.

The qualification has been updated and the name changed from 30268QLD Certificate IV in Christian Ministry to 30772 QLD Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology.

The VTO specifies a number of matters including the terms of training, probationary periods, competency outcomes and courses of study to be undertaken.

A copy of the VTO supporting the recognised traineeship vocation of Christian Ministry is at Attachment A.

Qualifications

For the purpose of the VTO, trainees in New South Wales will be able to gain 30772 QLD Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology.

The packaging and combination of the minimum number of units required for this traineeship pathway are outlined at Attachment B.

Job description

Christian Ministry trainees will be provided with a range of knowledge, skills and generic, specific competencies to serve effectively as pastors and as workers in churches, parishes, para-church organisations, missionary organisations, and religious education.

Successful trainees may find employment as Parish Workers, Religious Education Instructors, Church Workers, Missionary Workers, Pastors, Ministers, Church-Planters, and mission support workers depending on the requirements of the organisation.

Industrial arrangements

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

Industrial arrangements under which Christian Ministry trainees can be employed are listed at Attachment C.

School based traineeships

The ITAB has advised that 30772QLD Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology is not suitable as a school based part-time traineeship.  

Licensing

There are no licensing requirements for this traineeship.

Working with Children

Where the nature of any employer’s activities is child related and the employer is taking on a trainee, the employer must comply with the NSW Commission for Children and Young People’s Working with Children Program.

Learning resources and assessment materials

There are limited resources available from the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council that align to common competencies from the CHC02 Community Services Training Package that are included in this accredited qualification.

Registered Training Organisations delivering this qualification will need to develop training and assessment material for the industry specific units of competency in the accredited course.

Availability of Registered Training Organisations

The following Registered Training Organisations have 30772QLD Certificate IV in Christian Ministry on their scope of registration for delivery in New South Wales:

• Hope of the Gold Coast Ltd
• Christian City Church Sydney Ltd
• Unity College Australia Incorporated
• Vision International College Inc
• Australian College of Ministries (ACOM).

For further details see National Training Information Service

Note - This Commissioner’s Information Bulletin (CIB) wholly supersedes CIB 352.

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

PHILLIP MOORE
Commissioner for Vocational Training