How the qualification system works
Industry training is based on trainees gaining unit standards and nationally recognised qualifications, which are registered on the National Qualifications Framework. Learn more about the qualification system.
Unit standards
National qualifications
Record of achievement
Developing standards and qualifications
Industry advisory groups
For more information
Unit standards
Each unit standard registered on the National Qualifications Framework describes what a trainee needs to know or what they must be able to achieve.
Unit standards are given a level, to reflect the complexity of learning required. Each unit standard has a credit value and once a trainee is assessed as being competent in that particular skill area, they gain credits. To achieve a national qualification, a trainee must successfully complete the required number of credits.
National qualifications
National qualifications are made up of unit standards and are set at different levels to indicate the degree of difficulty.
There are three kinds of national qualifications:
- National Certificates - levels 1-4
- National Diplomas - levels 5-6
- degrees and post graduate programmes - levels 7-10.
Qualifications supported by Tranzqual
Record of achievement (ROA)
Every trainee gaining credits on the National Qualifications Framework receives a record of achievement (ROA). This lists all the unit standards and qualifications a trainee has achieved regardless of where they were achieved. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) holds the national record of achievement (ROA) database.
Credits can be earned over a number of years and from a variety of training providers.
Developing standards and qualifications
Tranzqual works with industry partners, professional associations, agencies, and other stakeholders to develop useful and relevant standards and nationally recognised qualifications.
The standard setting process for a new qualification usually takes 15-18 months.
Each qualification development project is overseen by an Industry Advisory Group.
Steps to developing a new standard [PDF: 92 Kb, 1 page]
Industry advisory groups
Unit standards and qualifications are designed by Industry Advisory Groups. Members of Industry Advisory Groups are subject experts for industry qualifications.
Industry Advisory Group members come from:
- companies that list their services in the same sector
- government agencies with an interest in our sector
- professional associations with an interest in our sector
- training providers working for companies in the same sector
- registered assessors and/or company trainers in the same sector.
Click here for more information on the work that Industry Advisory Groups carry out.
There are currently 6 Industry Advisory Groups developing qualifications for:
- passenger services (Bus)
- passenger services (Taxi)
- Freight Forwarding
- goods service - senior driver
- driver education
- dangerous goods endorsement
Click here to see the IAG membership list.
For more information
For more information about our qualifications, please contact us on FREEPHONE 0800 88 21 21 or email info@mito.org.nz.
More contact details for Tranzqual
Go to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority's website (NZQA) for more detailed information about the National Qualifications Framework.
New Zealand Qualifications Framework [NZQA website]