As demand for assistive technology continues to grow (through the ability to fund AT in a NDIS package, and as our population ages and requires this amazing tech) our industry at times struggles to find qualified and skilled technicians to employ to meet this growing need.
Additionally, feedback from the sector was that employees often come from other industries (mechanics, etc) and may have no formally recognised qualification in the AT they work on, which can be highly specialised and vary to the area in which they gained their initial training.
ATSA felt that this was an opportunity to both better support the AT industry and show funders (ie: NDIS/DVA/Aged Care) that ATSA members are willing to ‘lift the bar’ on the way we work, plus recognise the skills and value of these indispensable technicians.
ATSA has recently partnered with ATLAS FIOS USA and MySkill NZ to deliver the accredited AT Technician Level 1, 2 and AT assessor assessments in Australia and will run our first assessments in Sydney in the third week of November this year.
We’re hoping our members, and the broader AT industry will support this endeavour and look to put technicians through the course and practical assessments.
To undertake the practical assessment for each level, technicians will firstly need to complete the online training modules through MySkill NZ (or if they have significant experience they can sit the online exam for each level.)
Once either has been completed successfully, they can then undertake the practical (face to face) assessments to finalise their qualification through ATSA.
Course content
The Level 1 eLearning provides the basic skills for new technicians and takes 10-20 hours to complete. The 12 modules and theory exam, cover repairs and adjustments to basic disability equipment including:
- walking aids
- manual wheelchairs
- hospital beds
- scooters
- standard power wheelchairs
The Level 2 eLearning is aimed at technicians with some experience and takes 10-20 hours to complete. The eight modules and theory exam, cover the following:
- seating and positioning basics for technicians
- high end rigid manual wheelchairs
- styles of powerchair seating actuators
- complex rehab powerchair programming
Course costs:
Level 1 online training including online theory exam $900 NZ; Level 1 exam only $200NZ;
(Delivered through MySkill NZ).
Level 1 practical assessment (1/2 day) $750.00 AUD ex GST; (Delivered by ATSA).
Level 2 online training including online theory exam $900 NZ; Level 2 exam only $200NZ;
(Delivered through MySkill NZ).
Level 2 practical assessment (1/2 day) $750.00 AUD ex GST; (Delivered by ATSA).
Assessor training – two-day course $1500 AUD ex GST (Delivered by ATSA).
Assessor Training. Assessor training is exclusively for experienced technicians. Once trained, assessors will be able to run practical examinations and assess the skills of technicians for Level 1 and 2 exams.
As ATSA has exclusive rights to deliver the assessments in Australia all assessors would need to deliver any Level 1 and 2 assessments through ATSA. We note that we are looking to train up three to four assessors, paid to deliver ongoing assessments as needed throughout Australia. Let us know if you have an experienced AT tech who would be interested in becoming an assessor for this course.
To find out more about the online Level 1 and 2 courses – click here: https://myskill.co.nz/wheelchair-and-disability-equipment-technician-training/
To register for Level 1, 2 or assessor practical assessments this November (and for future assessment dates,) click to book here
For further information about the courses and assessment, contact the ATSA team at: info@atsa.org.au
