Certificate IV in Education Support

People who are successful in this field have:

• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills
• Patience and a sense of responsibility
• A caring nature and are passionate about helping others learn

Assessments give you the opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned and to identify the knowledge or skills that may need further development.

In this course you will undertake:

• Knowledge tasks: quizzes, short answer questions, case studies, written tasks, research projects
• Practical tasks: interviews, role-plays, creative projects, presentations, practical demonstrations
• Workplace assessment tasks: written tasks, reflective journals, verbal or written questioning, practical demonstrations, workplace portfolios

From a legislative standpoint, you dont need a qualification to work as a teachers aide or school learning support officer. However, most employers demand the Certificate III or IV course as a minimum requirement.

The Certificate III level course provides you with the foundational skills you need to make an impact in your work. If you are considering becoming a teacher, this is a great entry-level qualification to provide clarity on your future career.

This course, the Certificate IV, provides you with a greater depth of practical learning. You will gain higher employability skills and a direct pathway to a degree course.

To enhance your learning experience, additional outside of the classroom learning opportunities may be provided. This could include visits to schools, preschools/kindergartens and visits to various support and intervention services.

Incursions may also be offered as part of your learning experience and may include specialist guest speakers.

Access to excursions and incursions are dependent on your campus location and if you are studying online.

This course provides you with a wealth of hands-on skills, including:

• Reflecting on and improving your own professional practice
• Working with school students who have additional learning support needs including autism spectrum disorder
• Understanding and responding to behaviour and unique learning needs
• Applying curriculum and supporting learning
• English language and numeracy skills
• Recording and assessing childrens learning
• Information technology skills
• Communication skills

TAFE NSW is known for delivering theory along with practical, hands-on learning.

You will take on real world projects, including:

• Researching and investigating diverse cultural identities of children, families and wider communities
• Identifying cultural safety strategies, implementing and developing cultural competency skills
• Supporting learners cultural identities and cross-cultural relationships, creating inclusive environments and learning opportunities
• Investigating legislative, policy and industry requirements in various education settings
• Building meaningful and responsive relationships with school students
• Supporting school students learning and development, specifically literacy, oral language and numeracy skills
• Gathering information about learners, recording their progress and using information to inform individual education plans and support strategies
• Identifying safe and appropriate hands-on resources to support school students learning
• Exploring various behavior guidance strategies and scenarios which occur in real life contexts
• Maintaining personal safety of self and others

You will study in TAFE NSW state-of-the-art facilities to develop your skills in simulated workplaces and on the job, ensuring you qualify with relevant, work-ready experience.

Student facilities, amenities and support services including:

• TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
• TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
• TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
• TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
• Studiosity - online access to a real life tutor

This is a large and fast-growing industry. You will gain a competitive edge with the Certificate IV in Education Support which can lead to a rewarding career as a:

• Teacher Aide
• School Learning Support Officer in Public and Independent Schools
• Education Support Worker in Community Education Services
• Home Tutor

There are several types of school learning support officer roles; including:

• General school learning support officer
• School learning support officer - pre-school
• School learning support officer - braille transcriber
• School learning support officer - sign interpreter
• School learning support officer - ethnic

Once you gain employment in the industry, your employer may ask you to complete some or all of the legislative requirements:

• National police check
• Working with children check
• First aid certificate
• Psychometric or aptitude test
• Mandatory training including:
  o Anaphylaxis
  o Code of conduct
  o Child protection awareness training
  o Work Health and Safety induction
  o Corruption prevention training
  o Emergency care

There is strong employment demand project through to 2023.