National Certificate of Official Statistics

Core unit standards | Statistical research project | FAQs | Fees | Workshop timetable

The National Certificate in Public Sector Services (Official Statistics) has been created to enhance the statistical skills of the state sector and build knowledge and confidence in employees. The qualification is on the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) National Qualification Framework (NQF).

The Certificate is facilitated by Statistics New Zealand and Victoria University of Wellington School of Government in conjunction with Learning State. Workshops for each of the core unit standards are coordinated by Victoria University. The assessment process is coordinated by Statistics New Zealand.

There are four core unit standards that will enable a learner to interpret basic statistics, to understand how statistics influence policy development, to assess datasets, and to understand confidentiality, privacy and security issues surrounding data. A fifth unit standard assesses a statistical research project completed by the learner.

Four workshops will address each core unit standard.

Informal learning opportunities such as assessment tutorials, online exercises and reading material will help an employee successfully achieve the Certificate.

After gaining the Certificate, the candidate will have shown they are able to:

• Analyse the ethical and legal issues in the collection and use of data in a public sector context
• Interpret and draw conclusions from descriptive statistical information in a public sector context
• Assess data collections and make statistical inferences in a public sector context
• Evaluate and use statistical information to make recommendations in a public sector context
• Carry out a statistical research project in a public sector context 

Certificate structure

The Certificate is a 40-credit qualification which includes 24 credits for the core unit standards and 16 credits for the statistical research project unit standard. The Certificate is to be completed within 12 months.

Core unit standards

All core unit standards must be completed as well as the research project. More detail about the unit standards are available through the links below. Please also refer to note on the review of the qualification below.

23268 – Interpret and draw conclusions from descriptive statistical information in a public sector context.

23269 – Evaluate and use statistical information to make recommendations in a public sector context.

23270 – Assess data collections and make statistical inferences in a public sector context.

23271 – Analyse the ethical and legal issues in the collection and use of data in a public sector context.

Statistical research project unit standard

US25440 (Carry out a statistical research project in a state sector context) makes up the remaining 16 credits. People credited with this unit standard are able to plan and carry out a statistical research project, prepare and communicate the research report, and evaluate the research project. More information about this unit standard can be found on this page:

25440 - Statistical research project

Assessment

Assessment of the core unit standards consists of the following process:

• Candidate notifies assessor by email that he/she wishes to be assessed on a particular unit standard.
• The assessor sends the candidate assessment materials including assessment tasks and exemplar reports.
• The candidate answers the questions in reference to the report(s) and sends the responses back to the assessor.
• The assessor marks the paper. If the candidate answers all questions correctly and demonstrates competency, they pass the unit standard. 
• If the candidate does not answer all questions correctly, the assessor will start a dialogue with the candidate that will continue until the candidate passes the unit standard.

Review of qualification

The qualification has been the subject of a formal review by Statistics New Zealand and Learning State in late 2009 and early 2010. Revisions to the unit standards have been approved by NZQA and were published on 10 June 2010. 

Enrolment and Workshop timetable

Enrolments for the spring cohort are open now.

There are two cohorts of the Certificate in each year, beginning in autumn and spring.

Core unit standard workshops are delivered approximately 6 to 8 weeks apart to allow learners time to complete assessments.

Autumn 2010 Cohort Workshop Timetable

 

Spring 2010 Cohort Workshop Timetable

To complete online enrolment please visit the Victoria University of Wellington website.

To express interest and receive information about future cohorts please email CertificateOS@stats.govt.nz. 

Assessment tutorials

The tutorial timetable is subject to confirmation. Tutorials will be held in Statistics House and can be made available via video or audio conference to other Statistics New Zealand offices in Auckland and Christchurch on request. Additional tutorials can be arranged at other agencies if demand allows.

Frequently asked questions

Where do the workshops take place?
How long does it take to achieve the Certificate? 
How much time will I have to commit?
Is there any help available with assessments?
Can the research project be based on work I am doing in my job?
How will my manager know what progress I am making?

Fees

There are two separate fees payable for completing the Certificate. 

Workshop fee (2010): $1500

This fee is payable to Victoria University and enables attendance on all four workshops.

Learners can chose to enrol on individual workshops only, however they will not be assessed, and they will not be eligible to receive the qualification.

To enrol on individual workshops only visit: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/ceed/listing.aspx?portfolio=professional&cat=19

To complete online enrolment for all four workshops visit: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/ceed/course.aspx?portfolio=professional&cid=581

Assessment fee (2010): $800 (funding available see below)

This fee is payable to Statistics New Zealand.

State Sector employees are eligible for funding from Learning State, the Industry Training Organisation for the state sector. Half of the funding is paid on commencing the course and the other half for completing the qualification within the training period.. For state sector staff eligible for funding from Learning State the fee is reduced to $600. A further $200 refund is available if the assessment is completed within the period of the Training Agreement.

Learning State funding is available to employees of organisations within their gazetted coverage within the period of a Training Agreement.

Learning State gazetted coverage (2 pages, PDF, 259kb)

Learning State charges a casual credit administration fee of $3 per credit for learners not in a training agreement. For non member agencies outside their gazetted coverage the fee is $6 per credit.

Assessment services for staff not enrolled on the workshop programme can be arranged but will incur additional cost. Please contact CertificateOS@stats.govt.nz to discuss your requirements.

Fees shown exclude GST.

Contact us

For more information about assessing for the National Certificate in Public Sector Services (Official Statistics), email: certificateOS@stats.govt.nz.

For enquiries relating to workshops, email: profdev@vuw.ac.nz.

Testimonials

See the Certificate perspectives for more about the Certificate from previous candidates as well as a manager that has had multiple staff study for the qualification.