Having the right qualification for the job is important for achieving stable and reliable employees who are satisfied with their work

Certificate III? Certificate IV? Diploma? Degree? Prospective students often wonder what the difference is between these TAFE qualifications. And at first glance it can seem confusing.

An understanding of TAFE qualifications and what each qualification level means is important to potential students, jobseekers, parents, career advisors and employers. Understanding how these different levels correlate to positions within an organisation can help you choose the right level of training.

For example, a Certificate II is for a trainee, while a Certificate III is for a competent self-managed employee and a Certificate IV can be for a supervisor. A Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Degree can be for positions in management.

To help students begin studies at the right level, TAFE courses enable students to upscale. This means going from a Certificate II, to a Certificate III, to a Certificate IV, then on to a Diploma, etc. Not everyone will start at the lowest level. Before beginning a course, TAFE teachers can assess a student's abilities through previous studies, work experience and life experience and then provide advice about the level most suitable for them. This assessment is called Recognition of Prior Learning.

TAFE NSW courses are developed in consultation with industry. This ensures that graduates can meet the expectations of employers, and that as employees they feel confident in their qualifications and abilities from the very first day on the job. Positions and roles do vary across industry, so employers who help staff make meaningful use of their TAFE training in the workplace will achieve better outcomes for the business and develop better relations with their staff.

Having the right qualification for the job is important for achieving stable and reliable employees who are satisfied with their work and contributing to organisational goals and performance indicators. Employees working beneath their qualification level are more likely to feel frustrated and look for promotion within or outside the company. Finding the right, properly-trained employees results in happier and more productive staff who won't be leaving the company after just a few months. And that's a win for everyone.

Click here to learn more about TAFE qualifications and what they mean for you when choosing a course to study and to get into your dream career.