Increased professionalism and solid legal knowledge is highlighted in the first draft of a new qualification for New Zealand employment advocates.
The draft qualification – the Level 5 New Zealand Certificate in Employment Advocacy – is available for feedback, and Ringa Hora wants to hear from industry representatives and educational institutions about whether it meets the needs of the sector.
The qualification was put together by industry representatives, educators, and qualification developers from Ringa Hora.
Employment advocates instigated the development as they saw an opportunity to ensure that the public involved in employment disputes were protected from rogue and untrained advocates.
Unlike lawyers, who are educated and regulated, employment advocates currently don’t require any training or qualification standards, and there is no compulsory means for unhappy clients to seek compensation for poor or unethical conduct.
The strategic purpose statement says the qualification “equips learners with the legal knowledge, awareness of relevant processes, advocacy skills, and ethical frameworks needed to support and represent clients in employment-related matters”.
It suggests four qualification outcomes, each worth 15 credits:
- Apply relevant core principles of legal procedures in employment-related matters.
- Apply advocacy skills and professional communication strategies in employment-related matters.
- Conduct research and legal analysis of legislation and case law relevant to employment-related matters.
- Apply alternative methods of dispute resolution in employment-related matters.
More information can be found on the project page of the Ringa Hora website, including details on how to provide feedback on the draft qualification. Feedback is now welcomed through to July.
