Scouts Australia Institute of Training (SAIT)
Scouts Australia Institute of Training (SAIT) – RTO No. 5443, recognises the value of Scouting skills through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. With no extra cost, members can turn their Scouting experiences into nationally recognised qualifications opening doors to career opportunities you may not have imagined.
Thomas, Deputy Principal SAIT recently caught up with Jake, a Rover Scout and Assistant Scout Leader from Queensland. Jake is a Scouting volunteer with many roles and contributions to the Scouting community to his name – from his local group, to contributing to other National Scouting Organisations (NSO) globally as a WOSM Consultant for Marketing and Communications.
Like many others, Jake’s passion for Scouting started in his local group and on the stage. Jake’s involvement in Scouting has meant that he has gained a wide range of skills that has been recognised as though VET qualifications by Scouts Australia Institute of Training (SAIT) – RTO No. 5443.
Jake has completed the Advanced Diploma of Leadership & Management, Diploma of Leadership & Management, Diploma of Project Management, Certificate III in Community Dance, Theatre and Events, and the Certificates II and III in Active Volunteering.
We asked Jake a few questions about how Scouting has helped him to develop his skills and by how having those skills recognised has helped him.
How Has Scouting Developed Key Skills for Employment?
Having worked in the international performing arts touring industry, I am involved with high-pressure situations with a very fast-moving environment. Scouting has been of great importance in developing in me the ability to keep calm and composed in such challenging situations. From my experiences in Scouting, I have developed how to approach such problems with a clear and level-headed mindset, ensuring that I take care of the issues effectively and efficiently. This has proven to be a very useful ability at work, where being able to focus and make good decisions is a key factor in being successful.
How Has Your SAIT Qualification Helped Employers Recognise Your Skills and Experience?
I received my SAIT qualification while already employed in my current position, it still had a huge impact on the development of my career. These qualifications, however, epitomized not only my commitment to out-of-work personal and professional development but also provided practical proof of my growing skill set. My employer saw me grow, appreciated it, and it paid off in the form of a promotion and pay raise.
How do you feel Scouts can best benefit from skill recognition?
While this may look a little frightening if you are a Scout trying to get your skills recognized through SAIT, it really is much easier than one may think. Not only are the assessors highly experienced, but they have tremendous inside knowledge because they, too, walked in those shoes. They know exactly how to guide you through the process, making sure that you provide the right evidence and complete the required steps. One of the big pluses of the SAIT process is the efficiency by which you are able to do it—you gain an advanced qualification in only a few months, as opposed to years if one wishes to pursue the traditional diploma programs of the training organizations.
Through Recognition of Prior Learning assessments, Jake’s learning and experience gained in Scouts has been converted to VET qualifications.
Scouts Australia Institute of Training (SAIT) continues to enable members of Scouts Australia who have completed learning through either the Youth Program or Adult Training & Development the ability to seek, through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment, nationally recognised qualifications.
If you have a SAIT experience that you would like to share with us, contact Thomas (Deputy Principal SAIT) on his email: thomas.milham@scouts.com.au. Click below button and learn more on how you can gain your recognistion through SAIT and Get Qualified.