ANIMAL INDUSTRIES RESOURCE CENTRE
Personalised and professional education and training
Training & Recognition of Skills and Learning
The AIRC delivers training from the Animal Care and Management Training Package. We have training facilities and resources to cater for all training needs.
Look here for answers to commonly asked questions.
Qualified workplace assessors who are themsleves experienced working in your field conduct your assessments.
Some students in certain states may be eligible for traineeships.
Commonly Asked Questions
1. How do I study for each certificate level?
You can do this via EXTERNAL or INTERNAL mode. The AIRC offer a Structured Tutoring Program that incorporates "on and off the job training", enabling both the student and the workplace to benefit from our flexible delivery options.
The AIRC have designed the Structured Tutoring Program by incorporating practically based training sessions, study groups (not applicable for correspondence students), quality notes and business development systems to achieve sound educational outcomes for the student. The AIRC have developed structures that guide the student and the workplace through the units in a methodical fashion together, ensuring that key competencies and skills are achieved as well as adhering to the consistent quality training and assessment requirements deemed necessary by the government.
The AIRC partner the workplace to ensure that systems are developed and implemented to support both student and the company.
The AIRC have undertaken significant research over the past 6 years and as a result have compiled quality learning materials from professionals within Australia and around the world to support the very best educational outcomes. The AIRC will supply many other resource materials for each level ensuring the AIRC graduates are of the highest standard. For each level the AIRC have identified key areas where additional skills, knowledge and competency are required to support the units within the training package. Anatomy & Physiology and Pharmacology are mandatory core subjects for all Veterinary Nurse Certificate levels and are offered to support your underpinning knowledge and skill base within the workplace.
2. How long are the certificate courses?
The Animal Care and Management Training Package is not a time based course, rather it is an individually based system designed to suit an "Individual Training Plan" that will be prepared with each student depending on their competency level and time requirements.
The AIRC supply the student with a timetable that includes a "workplace" training timetable, study group timetable and short courses available and run by the AIRC or other individuals or organisations.
The suggested timetable for the Certificate courses varies from 9 months to 2 years depending on the content to be covered. Use the 'Courses' menu above to navigate to individual course information pages for further details.
3. How do I enrol with the AIRC?
Each student will undergo a comprehensive interview process to enable the AIRC to ascertain your professional requirements and ensure we match our services directly with your needs. For students undertaking correspondence studies, this may require an interview by phone. At this interview it will be explained to you how the new training package works and your current competency will be discussed and an individual training and assessment plan designed to ensure you receive the very best educational support.
Enrolment forms can be downloaded from links available on the individual course information pages. Use the 'Courses' menu above to navigate there.
4. What are the prerequisites for each level?
Applicants for the various certificates may have to satisfy various pre-requisites by demonstration of competency in certain units in order to advance to further study options.
For example, Certificate IV in Vetrinary Nursing requires that you have a prior completion of 8 specific units from the Certificate II in Animal Studies.
Some courses require that you are employed at an appropriate workplace for an average of 15 hours per week (all Certificate II, III and IV courses). The Diploma courses require an average of 30 hourse per week at an appropriate workplace. Prevocational and Certificate I course do not require employment.
5. Why should I register with the AIRC?
The AIRC are very aware that this is a relatively new concept in Australia. We are committed to aligning our training with industry standards and as such offer many benefits in distance education and make the effort to attend to your professional needs within your state.
6. What benefits and resources are available with the AIRC?
Learning guides and structured tutoring program
Each student will receive a comprehensive set of notes to guide them to the highest level of education. The AIRC have devised their quality materials specifically to reflect the relevant industry. The AIRC do not use off-the-shelf or generic programs.
Professional Development Courses
The AIRC offer Professional Development Courses to support your learning and offer you personalised underpinning knowledge in the form of practical workshops for specific units of competency. Qualified nurses and veterinarians will run these sessions.
The courses are intended to run nationally in major capital cities, depending on student numbers per state and based on demand. Where possible, students should also attend other short courses such as those run by the Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia, Pet Industry Association of Australia or other individuals and organisations that have aligned their programs to meet the Animal Care and Management Training Package. For more information on any courses contact the AIRC office.
Personalised Coaching and Tutoring
An AIRC Consultant or a Regional Liaison Officer of the AIRC can offer personalised coaching to students. This may be in the form of personal contact via practice visits for local students or telephone for interstate and distance students.
Portfolio
A classic portfolio folder will be provided to each student to compile their evidence of competency during their career. This will involve utilisation of practical experience within the workplace, demonstrating workplace competence.
Workplace Assessment
The AIRC offer quality workplace assessment that will consolidate your learning. Assessment fees will be incurred to achieve your qualification and are dependent on your level of competency and work experience.
Mentor Training
The AIRC offer a very structured Mentor training program for the Mentor in the practice. This supports the student in their learning. Mentoring means pairing a skilled worker with a less skilled worker, to follow and achieve learning goals and workplace competency.
The AIRC will ask our students to nominate a Mentor and will assist in this process if required. This person may be a qualified person, senior nurse, employer, supervisor, a pharmaceutical representative, a qualified workplace trainer or an AIRC Assessor. For the purposes of the Certificate levels we recommend you nominate a Mentor such as a senior nurse or veterinarian. We encourage the students to work closely with their employers to achieve workplace competency and implementation. Please call AIRC for further clarification if required.
Recognition of Current Competency and Prior Learning
The AIRC offer a very comprehensive program in this area. Credits will be based on extensive work experience and documented evidence of current competency. The AIRC have a very fair policy in measuring competency and experience. More information can be found here.
Payment Methods
The AIRC have developed a comprehensive structured payment plan to support students.
Please contact the AIRC for details of payment plans.
7. What are my rights and responsibilities
The student handbook contains important information about your rights and responsibilities as a student enrolled with the AIRC. Download here.
