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A Registered Training Organisation (RTO) is any provider of nationally-recognised vocational and education training (VET) that is registered with and regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). With great salaries, flexible working conditions and an opportunity to help shape your field’s future, a role as an RTO trainer brings many benefits. If you’d like to kickstart your VET career, the first thing you need to do is understand exactly how to become an RTO trainer.
Whether you’re ready to teach the younger generation your industry knowledge, or wish to upskill for your next career shift, it’s time to learn how to become a qualified RTO trainer. Below, we guide you through the experience and certifications needed to secure a role at one of the 4,000 plus RTOs in Australia.
How to become a qualified RTO trainer: 5 steps to success
To meet ASQA’s Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), an RTO must ensure that every trainer and assessor has the professional qualifications, skills and knowledge necessary to deliver quality education.
In turn, that means you will need to follow the below steps to become a qualified RTO trainer and gain employment:
1. Gain industry experience
Before you even consider training and assessing in a given field or trade, you will need to learn its ins and outs of this vocation yourself first. An RTO trainer must be highly experienced in their industry, keeping their knowledge and skills up to date so that they can share the latest information and teach the most effective techniques.
This step includes obtaining the appropriate qualifications and ideally several years of suitable work experience.
2. Complete a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment TAE40116
Anyone planning to become an RTO trainer must complete the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment TAE40116. Available both onsite and online with Forsythes Training, this course provides the required skills to teach and evaluate students effectively. Once obtained, you can start training immediately.
If possible, we recommend enrolling in this program at the RTO you aim to eventually teach at in the future. That way, you will have first-hand experience of what it is like to be a student there, and how you can support them further.
3. Build your communication and collaboration skills
As an RTO trainer, it is your responsibility to deliver the course curriculum to students through sessions and activities. This can be achieved with a variety of different methods such as presentations, demonstrations, one-on-one practicals and more.
However you choose to train your students, it’s vital that they engage with the lesson and understand the concepts being taught. To help ensure this, you will need to utilise excellent communication skills, providing clear instructions, comprehensive explanations and constructive feedback.
Additionally, an RTO trainer is part of a larger educational team. Therefore, it’s important to be able to work with others towards the shared goal of helping students to complete their education.
4. Adapt to various learning styles
Technically, this applies after you have become a qualified RTO trainer. That said, it is a key step to take if you would like to support student outcomes and continue to advance your skills and career as a trainer.
In short, every student is different with distinct needs and ways of learning. Therefore, what may be an effective teaching method for one student, may be futile with the next. To become a successful RTO trainer, you will need to be able to evolve and adapt your approach and practices to best train each student.
Why work as a trainer at an RTO?
RTO trainers are in high demand, with the shifting nature of work encouraging many to upskill or reevaluate their careers. Plus, RTOs deliver VET programs across a wide range of sectors, from technology and business to childcare and hospitality. In other words, you could have the opportunity to pursue your vocation in almost any field – provided you have obtained the necessary qualifications and experience.
This can be a highly-fulfilling and satisfying role for anyone wishing to pass on their passion and expertise to others. You will be training a class of enthusiastic students who are eager to further their careers, helping them to gain the knowledge and skills to achieve their professional goals.
What’s more, working as an RTO trainer gives you flexibility for a healthy work/life balance. With options for full-time and part-time positions, as well as classroom-based and online teaching, you can find an appropriate provider for your lifestyle and circumstances. In fact, practically every training program has some sort of online element, with many courses delivered entirely via virtual classrooms with online support sessions and remote students.
Enrol in a Training and Assessment course today
Equipped with an understanding of how to become a qualified RTO trainer in Australia, you’re ready to take the leap and enrol in a TAE40116 course.
Gain a nationally-recognised certification with Forsythes Training (RTO 40737). Based in Newcastle NSW, our experienced trainers have been supporting students to maximise their potential for over two decades. Enquire today for more information.
