When Training and Experience Collide…

With the new education regime in New South Wales for strata managers, experience in the industry has become ever more important. Whilst New South Wales have a regulatory structure around the licensing of strata managers, other States and Territories that do not have the same regulatory requirements, still have the need for trained professionals, so the combined style of experience/theoretical training is essential.

This style of training is known as competency-based training and is a method of training that focuses on a learner’s ability to receive, respond to and process information in order to achieve a level of work that is required by both the customer and the employer. Competency-based training is geared towards the attainment and demonstration of skills to meet industry-defined standards.

As of 23 March 2020, strata agents in New South Wales cannot achieve the regulatory status of a ‘Strata Licence’ without first having achieved a minimum of twelve months’ experience in the industry under the supervision of a senior licensed agent. During the time that an ‘Assistant Strata Agent’ is gaining their work-legs, they are also required to be studying and working towards achieving the Certificate IV in Strata Community Management qualification.

This qualification covers a broad range of vocationally oriented topics, including reading strata plans, negotiating agreements, coordinating maintenance and repairs and facilitating meetings to list just a few of the simple areas. More detailed analysis is also undertaken in relation to supporting strata committees and community associations in securing appropriate insurance for their plans.

These theoretical skills, which are acquired over a minimum of 12 months, means that the junior agent is practising these skills whilst under the supervision of a licensed person. Such a work-based pathway to achieving competency develops a worker that is keen to practice in a compliant manner and to a high standard, as they are more aware of the negative implications of not having the appropriate skills and knowledge.

This model of competency-based training and the acquiring of advanced level skills is one that has been proven over the years to produce workers who have both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience to provide an outcomes focused service provision to their customers.