The 90 Days of Mission is Intensive Missions Training and Practical Experience from 19 January – 18 April 2006, that will position yourself to confidently move to the centre of your community.

Program Summary:

The Certificate III in Youth and Community Work (Christian) – national course code 69864 - is designed to complement the existing Certificate IV in, and Diploma of, Youth and Community Work (Christian) that Fusion offers. It is an entry-level course into Youth and Community work and gives graduates a pathway to employment within community services field or onto further study. It will provide them with the skills, techniques and theories in the area of youth and community work and give the opportunity for practical experience.

The course is offered in two full-time formats, as an intensive over 3 months and a less intensive 12-month option. It will be delivered in intensive form during the first few months of 2006 (January 19 to April 18 2006) and in the 12-month format from July 2006. However, the option to commence study in January 2006 with the intensive stream and complete the training over the rest of the year also exists.

The aims of the course:

The aims of Certificate III in Youth and Community Work (Christian) are to:

·                    Introduce candidates to youth work within the context of innovative community development theory and practice

·                    Provide an opportunity for candidates to develop appropriate foundational knowledge and skill in a variety of youth and community work settings including:

-                      Community centres

-                      Festival Outreach

-                      Schools Work

-                      Youth Cafes

-                      PYCO (Process of Youth Contact and Outreach)

-                      Day trips

-                      Café and community activities

·                    Provide a comprehensive overview of work within legal and ethical frameworks; health, safety and security procedures; group activities and public events.

·                    Provide candidates with skills and knowledge to participate, communicate and work effectively with young people.

·                    Provide opportunity for candidates for personal and spiritual development through an introduction to classic inspiration literature.

·                    Ensure clear understanding of workplace Occupational Health and Safety procedures

Subjects

The subjects that form this training include:

·                    The foundations of Youth and Community Work.

·                    Revolutionary Values: Putting the values of the kingdom of God into practice.

·                    Introduction to Helping People Grow: Growing in awareness of both you behaviour and the behaviour of others.

·                    Foundations:  Fusion’s one week training that introduces candidates on how to live an integrated lifestyle that enables you to be more aware of the world around you.

·                    How to work as an effective team member.

·                    Introduction to the New Testament: In depth look at the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.

·                    Understanding the church and its mission.

·                    How to put on a festival or event.

Timetable for the 3 month intensive:

For the first month candidates will live in the context of the warm, mentoring community in Poatina, Tasmania. Here they will join with others from around the world to commence their training. After a couple of days of orientation they will complete both the weeklong Foundations course and then three weeks of intensive training.

From there candidates will travel to Victoria and will proceed to their work placement which will be their base for the duration of training up to April 18. During that time they will be involved in a more formal training environment on Mondays and Fridays, and involved in fieldwork (the practical application of the training) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. As this is an intensive training time there will be weekend fieldwork as well.

3 month intensive rolling into 12-month course:

Some candidates may find it difficult to develop the necessary competencies over the 3-month intensive period. If this is the case they have the option to finish at this time and to leave with a statement of attainment listing those competencies they have gained. However, others may wish to continue their training with the aim of graduating later during the year. In these circumstances Fusion candidates will need to agree to a placement within a Fusion centre in Australia or perhaps overseas.

Austudy (this does not apply for overseas students):

The training is nationally accredited and Austudy Approved.  It is a Certificate III in Youth and Community Work (Christian) and the Australian national course code for use with Centrelink is 69864.  The training leads directly into Fusion’s nationally accredited training with the Certificate IV and Diploma in Youth and Community Work (Christian).

Entry requirements:

There are no pre-requisite requirements for this course. Entry is not restricted on the basis of age, gender, social, religious or educational background. Maximum benefit will be gained from the course by candidates who have basic literacy and computer skills. Appropriate support for participants with low language, literacy and numeracy skills will be provided.

Delivery:

The Certificate III in Youth and Community Work (Christian) is based upon the flexible delivery mode and training may be delivered through:

·                    Structured classroom experiences

·                    Lectures, demonstrations

·                    Role-plays, simulations

·                    Literature research

·                    Practical skills exercises

·                    Relevant vocational placement

All candidates will be given adequate exposure to youth and community environments, either through work experience or structured workplace learning or site visits.

Assessment:

The Certificate III in Youth and Community Work (Christian) is a competency based training course. Evidence of satisfactory performance will be gathered through a variety of assessment events depending upon the tasks and criteria specified. In order to demonstrate satisfactory performance the learner could be required to:

·                    Participate in a range of simulation activities that demonstrate skills

·                    Complete written worksheets

·                    Complete a logbook relating to the performance criteria of the units in the course

·                    Maintain a journal

·                    Complete research tasks

·                    Give oral presentation to peers

·                    Participate in role-plays

·                    Report on site visits and/or work placements in youth and community areas

All candidates are required to participate in a work placement to develop and demonstrate competency. Fusion will provide candidates with a negotiated structured work placement. Each candidate will be appointed a supervisor within the work place who oversees his or her placement.

Competency standards:

The course in made up of the following units of competency:

-           CHCCD12D  Apply a Community Development Framework

-           CHCCOM2B Communicate appropriately with clients and colleagues

-           CHCCS301A            Work within a legal and ethical framework

-           CHCGROUP2C        Support Group Activities

-           CHCORG3B  Participate in the work environment

-           CHCYTH1C   Work effectively with young people

-           CULMS207B             Assist with the presentation of public activities and events

-           THHCOR03B            Follow Health safety and security procedures

-           SRSCOP017B          Develop self awareness skills

-           ZFSYCW301A          Develop Spiritual Disciplines

-           ZFSYCW302A          Apply Bible Knowledge

-           ZFSYCW303A          Support Effective Personal and Outreach Work

To receive the qualification Certificate III in Youth and Community Work (Christian) candidates must successfully complete all twelve units of competency. Candidates who do not successfully complete all the required units of the program will be issued with a Statement of Attainment listing those units completed. There are no elective units.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

All candidates are eligible to seek Recognition of Prior Learning/Recognition of Current Competence (RPL/RCC) for any competencies held or relevant current experience such as:

·                    Formal training (conducted by industry or educational institutions in Australia or overseas);

·                    Work experience; and

·                    Life experience

The main focus of the RPL/RCC process is how the above experiences and achievements relate to the elements/performance criteria of the units of competency, and not on the how, when or where the learning occurred. Some applying to do this course may already be competent in one or more of the units of competency and should therefore be given the opportunity to apply for recognition of prior learning. Candidates applying for RPL/RCC will present a folio of evidence to substantiate their claim.

Opportunities for Further Study:

Those who successfully graduate may apply for entry into Certificate IV courses such as Community Welfare or Youth Work or Fusion’s own Certificate IV and Diploma of Youth and Community Work (Christian).

Places are limited, so it is important to register your interest early.