Until now, achieving a Level 2 qualification has been the accepted industry standard. But now, as part of the pay equity settlement, contracts between funders and providers will require employers to provide the necessary systems and support to enable workers covered by the settlement to reach the following New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Health and Wellbeing Certificate qualifications within the following time periods: Level 2 NZ Certificate – within 12 months of employment; Level 3 NZ Certificate – within three years of employment; and Level 4 NZ Certificate – within six years of employment.
For qualifications to be included under this settlement they must be recognised on the NZQA framework as a Level 2, 3 or 4 New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing from an NZQA-accredited provider. Employees need to have achieved, not partially achieved, a certificate to qualify for the different pay bands.
The Government will fund employers for two days per employee per year as its contribution to education and training.
Training provider New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) is encouraging its health and wellbeing students to complete the Level 3 Health Assistant or Level 4 Advanced Support qualification to be eligible for increased remuneration under the pay equity settlement agreement.
