AHC21020 Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management is delivered in partnership with schools or alternative learning facilities as part of the Department of Education’s VET Pathways Program which is an agreement between First Nations Strategy and Partnerships and Tallebudgera Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre’s Registered Training Organisation. The program is targeted at but not limited to First Nations students.

The purpose of the VET Pathways Program is to deliver Certificate courses to students across Queensland with the goal of increasing their employment prospects by attaining a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), learning in real world contexts, enriching cultural knowledge and connecting to community.

Conservation and Ecosystem Management is an industry dealing with the management and restoration of land that has been degraded as a result of human activities. It involves working on natural areas that have been impacted or disturbed by people and bringing them back to a healthy condition. These sites are often weed infested, the soil has been eroded and the natural vegetation has been removed.

This course gives students the opportunity to learn about different ecosystems and how to perform land management tasks such as identifying plants and animals, planting trees, treating weeds, operating basic types of machinery and equipment and maintaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural sites. This enables students to be able to complete further learning in this pathway e.g. Certificate III in On Country Management, or to gain employment in industries such as bush regeneration, landscaping, controlling weeds or as a plant nursery worker.

Units of Competency

AHC21020 Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management benefits students in the following ways:

• Contributes four credits towards a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and satisfies QCE completed core requirements (provided the student has achieved 90% new learning)
• Includes transferable workplace skills and knowledge, particularly in conservation and ecosystem management industries
• Builds students’ capability for workforce entry or further vocational training pathways.

Students will complete all of the following 15 units of competency (2 Core Units and 13 Electives):

National Code	Competency Title	Core/Elective
AHCWHS201*	Participate in work health and safety processes	Core
AHCWRK209*	Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices	Core
AHCFAU202	Recognise fauna	Elective Group A
AHCILM201*	Maintain cultural places	Elective Group A
AHCILM202*	Observe and report plants or animals	Elective Group A
AHCECR202	Maintain wildlife habitat refuges	Elective Group A
AHCPMG201	Treat weeds	Elective Group A
AHCPCM204	Recognise plants	Elective Group A
AHCPGD207	Plant trees and shrubs	Elective Group B
AHCLSC210	Install tree protection devices	Elective Group B
TLID0020	Shift materials safely using manual handling methods	Elective Group B
AHCMOM203	Operate basic machinery and equipment	Elective Group B
FSKRDG009	Read and respond to routine standard operating procedures	Imported unit
AHCILM302*	Provide appropriate information on cultural knowledge	Imported unit
FSKLRG014	Manage strategies for career progression	Imported unit

Note: Units marked with * are superseded and learners will be transitioned to the replacement Units in 2024.

Language, Literacy and Numeracy requirements

Students need to have the following language, literacy and numeracy skills to be successful in this course:

Reading	Able to interpret a range of workplace texts and identify key information in order to perform a task e.g. Safety Operating Procedures, Safety Data Sheets, information on chemical ratios and application techniques.
Writing	Able to answer written questions, complete log books and a field guide using appropriate workplace language and terminology.
Numeracy	Able to perform basic mathematical calculations and take measurements.
Oral Communication	Able to seek clarification from supervisor, participate in group discussions and informal meetings, speak appropriately to work colleagues, guests and peers.
Work skills	Able to follow instructions, behave appropriately and responsibly in a workplace, monitor and reflect on personal progress, contribute to the team.

Volume of Learning

The volume of learning of a Certificate II is typically 6 months – 1 year. The volume of learning is made up of all the work the student is required to complete to meet the requirements of the training package. The duration of the course will be determined according to the current skills of the learner cohort and the time allocated to learning each week. The student’s school or employer organisation must provide the RTO with an indication of how the learning will fit in to the student’s school or work program prior to enrolment to ensure it is sufficient and the course can be completed in a reasonable time frame.

Delivery Model

The course is delivered through a flexible learning model which includes written theory components that can be completed indoors and practical components that are best undertaken alongside workers from organisations such as Natural Resource Management Groups, Indigenous Ranger groups, National Park Rangers, Plant Nurseries, Local Councils or local environmental or conservation groups.

Training and Assessment

Students will be assessed using a number of different methods including direct observation, questioning, work records and log books.

Training and Assessment will remain the responsibility of the RTO. All training and assessment materials are provided and completed coursework must be returned to Tallebudgera Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre for final assessment. The student’s results will be reported to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) on completion of the course for inclusion on the student’s Queensland Certificate of Education.

No VETiS Funding

As Tallebudgera OEEC is a Queensland Government school, the RTO is not eligible to become a Skills Assure Supplier so is unable to provide services subsidised by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. This includes VET in Schools (VETiS) funding, the User Choice Program, apprenticeships or traineeships.

Course costs

Total costs per student for the qualification are as follows:

Certificate II qualification – includes all printed or electronic learning materials and teacher resources, assessment of work, access to the online component and issue of the AQF qualification.

$300.00

How to enrol students

To enrol students or for more information about the course, please contact your Student Support Officer:

Roslyn Cridland

Senior Project Officer

Tallebudgera Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre RTO (Code 30685)

Ph: 5520 9316 ; Mobile: 0477 345 184; Email: rcrid2@eq.edu.au