Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - any advice on training providers?

I am considering doing a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - as I have delivered and developed training in my area of expertise (SAP Logistics) many times and have always enjoyed it but have not got any qualification in this area - it comes up as being a requirement in lots of job adverts and as I haven't ever had the title of "Trainer" I figured it would display my commitment to this area and possibly open up more avenues as training is one area that does seem to come up in part-time roles, and I can easily see how could split it between when need to be at work in office hours and developing materials outside of office hours. It is also required in other areas if I was to move out of my current area of expertise, and I think I would enjoy it and could use in various other non-paid things I do (ABA, playgroup etc etc).

Has anyone any experience in the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment? - or how do you choose a reputable training provider?- there seems so many of them about. I don't mind if is all online or if is a mixture of attending and online if I can fit that in with childcare. (I am in Melbourne)

Having been a student for 3 versions of this qualification and now lecture in it I would say there are a couple of things to consider.
1- how much time do you have to commit to the course? Some training providers do intensive 1 week sessions and then give a large project to complete at the end within 6 months. Others have the course structured longer with face to face time every couple of weeks and a more balanced workload.
2 - how much would you use it in the workplace? If it was for the qualification only I would do a shorter more intensive course. If you are interested in the process and being able to put the skills and knowledge into practice I would take a bit more time and the more structured course approach.
3 - online vs face to face, I would say the same as above, since its a course where the fundamental skill is being able to train and assess having face to face time is much better than just theoretical learning of online.
4- cost! In all honesty courses that are over $1500- $2000 are way overpriced. Most government institutions like tafes and unis run this course on a regular basis and at a reasonable cost.

I hope this helps a bit. Let me know if you need some more advice, I work in training, learning and development so should be able to assist ;)

I'm doing mine at tafe next wk

Thanks that really helps Mrs O'M. At the moment I am not in work and I have no children 2 days a week - so if I could find a course that fitted with the face to face on those days that would be great. How much I would use it depends on the job - at the moment is more for the qualification I would say because I don't know what job I would find myself in. If I look at my previous employment though and the outline of the course then I would think 50% of what I used would fit into the modules described - it wasn't always called 'Training' but was really that by any other name. I would like to do it in the time I have before I get a job and no idea how long that will be so I suppose I am favoring the more intensive (although I have seen 7 day courses which seems a bit too intensive for me!), but need it to be flexible enough that can continue if I get a job first.

One other question - is it going to be difficult to do while not in employment - I saw something suggesting you need to be in the workplace to do it, or can I just use scenarios from previous employments instead?

Also a more personal question for you - do you ever tire of delivering the same course - I suppose I have only ever had to deliver the same material a max of 10 times and normally across different countries, and doing live demo's on the system too to keep it interesting - I have always wondered if you are in a role where you deliver the same course alot of times, do you tire of it or does the diversity provided by the course participants keep it interesting?

Brightsparkles - would be interested to hear what you think of it what format is yours taking

Will let u know when I do it :)

In terms of not being employed while completing the course, thee are elements where having work scenarios or specific SOP's would be helpful, however its pretty easy to use previous experience. It would be really helpful if you had some of your old training session plans or outlines with you to re use and re fresh, and if they are industry specific it would mean that you could create training programs you would use in the future.

For the TAE course, I run it a max 4 times a year as its a HUGE amount of work. As the student there is heaps of paperwork to do and having to look at it all is a very time consuming activity! It is a pretty full on course compared with all others in the cert 4 range. I would compare it more with a masters level subject in terms of time needed. It terms of delivery of the same thing, working in vocational education lecturing the same thing only happens each semester or every couple of semesters. so there is not too much repitition and we are always updating our courses and changing activities and keeping things fresh. For workplace training, different staff, countries and work environments keep things interesting and as long as you continuously change and update your programs to keep with industry standards, you probably wont deliver the same thing too often. But yes some days get a bit boring :)