Big steps for new clerks

Volume 48, No. 22, November 30, 2006

MORE RECOGNITION: Clerk students will now graduate from RAAFSALT with six of the 26 nationally-accredited competencies introduced as part of the revised clerk occupational specification.

By SQNLDR Lindsay Paterson

THE latest graduates of the clerk initial course have achieved six of the 26 nationally-accredited competencies introduced as a requirement of the revised occupational specification and the new clerk career restructure.

The 23 students graduated from the School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT) on November 14.

The revised occupational specification encompasses the changes clerks have been seeking for a long time.

Now, clerk training and experience will be formally recognised through national accreditation.

The introduction of the Clerk Competency Journal and Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) is a way of professionalising the Air Force. The Clerk Competency Journal represents a significant milestone for the clerk mustering.

The journal will be a record of achievements and training that will provide clerks with aligned civilian accreditation.

The 23 new graduates will enter the workforce with the new Competency Journal and the Initial Workbook, while all other Air Force clerks are currently going through a transition period.

For the journal to work effectively, clerks from ACW through to WOFF will need to understand and embrace the concept.

Competency-based training and workplace assessment for clerks is a significant step towards the collective improvement of the clerical contribution to Air Force capability.
The intention of the journal is to recognise and document the training that is required across the various employment roles of the mustering. It is difficult for the journal to cover all aspects of Air Force administration but it does endeavour to set a common accomplishment baseline for clerks.

The transition period is anticipated to be a challenging period, so clerks are asked to be patient and assist with this process by providing feedback.

Workplace assessors are currently being trained at all bases and a number of subject matter experts have been assessed, already paving the way for the assessment process.

Any new or different system or process will experience teething problems; a number of these have already been experienced but thankfully overcome. The contemporary clerk represents a new expanded capability that can meet emerging organisational challenges.

More information and a frequently asked questions site can be found on the DMA-AF website.

.