30 July 2008

Business Qualifications For Territorial Soldiers

Army life is not all about being in the field; it requires skills that go beyond the use of weapons and knowledge of war craft.

Territorial Force (TF) soldiers will now have their New Zealand Army training recognised with formal industry qualifications by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, alongside their full-time counterparts.

Working with Learning State, the industry training organisation for the state sector, the Army has aligned soldier training with management and business qualifications.

The NZQA-accredited qualifications are gained through a combination of promotion courses and unit-based training and can be attained by both junior and senior soldiers.

“The initiative means that soldiers and their employers benefit from nationally recognised civilian qualifications.” says Major Ian Bateman from the Army’s Industry Training and Vocational Qualifications unit, ‘ArmyQual’.

“By partnering with Learning State we also acknowledge that Army courses develop skill sets in areas such as leadership, management and teamwork,” Major Bateman says.

Full-time soldiers who have completed their Junior Non Commissioned Officer (JNCO) training will receive National Certificates in First Line Management and Adult Education and Training in a ceremony at Linton Camp on Thursday 31 July.

Both qualifications are made up of a series of unit standards that the soldier achieves through recognised prior learning and recognition of current competence for training, skills, and experience gained through the workplace and on courses.

As soldiers progress through their careers and complete other courses, or work as instructors, they will build on these skills to gain further qualifications.

“Formalising certain aspects of Army training with NZQA standards really does create a win-win-win situation for the soldier, employer and the NZ Army,” says Major Bateman.

ENDS

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