There has been much recent discussion and debate over the release of the new National Dance Qualifications (NDQs). They are a significant new development, so it is understandable that teachers may be feeling challenged or concerned about their impact.
Firstly, it is important to note that studio dance teachers already teaching a prescribed syllabus do not have to change or modify what they do, as the new dance qualifications are not mandatory. In some cases syllabus organisations are already working to map their teaching methods/levels against the new qualifications to ensure that dual recognition can be offered in future from both the dance society and the national teaching qualifications. According to Genevieve Wearne, the CEO of SkillsHub, Cecchetti already maps their units to the new qualifications and the Royal Academy of Dance London is looking into mapping their qualifications and has been in touch throughout the consultation process.
Rationale
According to Wearne, there was a definite need for the development of national qualifications in dance -– partially due to the increasing popularity of dance as a cultural activity, entertainment and recreational pursuit coupled with the fact that over 80 state and territory vocational education and training qualifications already existed at the commencement of the project. “The project team were tasked by the Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) with creating nationally consistent qualifications in dance,” she explains. In an industry in which dancers and teachers require portability to work nationally as well as globally, the inconsistencies of having different standards and qualifications across different states was becoming unworkable.
Another reason was the growth in employment opportunities for dance and movement skills in community recreation, cultural heritage, fitness and health industries. In particular, in relation to studio dance teachers, it was also recognised that teachers are often responsible for the management and administrative processes associated with running a studio and business. These skills are addressed in the new dance qualifications by the inclusion of elective units related to these activities such as Market a Small Business or Establish Legal and Risk Management Requirements of a Small Business.
National qualifications already exist across the range of creative industries from music to drama and visual arts and there was a need to have nationally consistent measures for dance professionals. According to Wearne: “Dance sits in a newly developed Live Performance training package as many skills are transferable from one medium to another. Skills in stagecraft, for example, are required by both dancers and actors. Similarly costume, makeup and audition techniques are transferable and units in these areas can be contextualised to suit the performance medium.”
With the increase demand for dance training, the new national dance qualifications are designed to help lift standards across the profession and set clear national benchmarks which promote consistency, while maintaining flexibility to meet individual needs and vocational outcomes.
Dance Teaching and Management Qualifications
The Teaching and Management stream of the new National Dance Training Package offers three different qualifications:
- Certificate III in Assistant Dance Teaching (12 units) Job role: assistant dance teacher (5–10 year-olds
- Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management (14 units) Job Role: teacher (private dance studio); administrator (private dance studio); dance fitness instructor
- Diploma of Dance Teaching and Management (15 units) Job role: dance studio manager or teacher
Each of these qualifications contains a number of core units (subjects) which are compulsory, as well as a range of elective units which can be substituted to match the teacher’s specific needs/circumstances. The elective units allow the qualification to be matched to specific job outcomes and specialisation as well as the genre/style of dance being taught, including classical, jazz, contemporary, tap and cultural dance.
Safe Dance
Each of the dance teaching qualifications has a specific focus on safety, with a core unit in each of the qualifications related to Occupational Health and Safety or Safe Dance.
Validation and recognition
The National Dance Training Package offers validation of the experience that studio dance teachers already possess, while providing the opportunities to develop and enhance such experience.
For example, teachers could study business management, marketing and administrative practices to help them in running their studio. Teachers could also opt to complete specific Skills Sets to cover gaps or to further develop their knowledge. One of the suggested Skills Sets in the qualifications covers the following units:
- CUADTM508A Refine Dance Teaching Methodologies
- CUADTM509A Refine Professional Practice as a Dance Teacher
- CUAOHS403A Incorporate anatomy and nutrition principles into skill development
The new dance teaching qualifications do not replace the skills and experience already gained by dance teachers throughout their careers. Such experience gained through a lifetime cannot possibly be delivered through such a qualification. What they aim to do is to recognise and validate these industry-gained competencies and promote consistency of teaching standards. Currently (particularly in relation to the classical syllabuses) teachers must satisfy the requirements of their particular dance society. The development of these new qualifications does not change this at all. What they do allow for, however, is for these teachers to gain a nationally recognised qualification in addition to their dance society teaching qualification.
Teachers of dance in the VET sector
There is provision within the new national dance package for dance teachers to gain the essential training and assessment qualifications necessary to work for a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is the minimum requirement for teachers wishing to work for an RTO. Units from this qualification have been included as electives in the new dance teaching qualifications. Genevieve Wearne states, “This may expand options for studio dance teachers as they may wish to gain accreditation as an RTO to deliver nationally accredited qualifications in dance performance or partner with an RTO to deliver qualifications.”
Pathways
Teachers who wish to gain one of the new national dance teaching qualifications do not have to go back to the drawing board in terms of training. “It will be possible for teachers to undertake Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) to assess current skills and knowledge against the qualification framework. This would mean that qualifications could then be issued based on the skills already acquired in industry or a person would know what further training is required to meet the national standard.”
Teachers should contact Registered Training Organisations in their area to find one which is registered to deliver the new dance training package and meet with an assessor and discuss the Recognition of Prior Learning process.
Professional Development
The development of the National Dance Training Package is a positive step for the dance world. It provides dance professionals with opportunities to engage in nationally endorsed professional development to enhance and fine-tune their exiting skills and knowledge and address any gaps. The new qualifications also provide national validation and substantiation of the skills and knowledge teachers have gained over the course of their careers. The qualifications promote consistency of teaching across the country as well as fostering a high degree of professional practice. In addition, for studio dance teachers, gaining a teaching qualification from the new training package allows for the portability of skills across sectors in the dance industry. This would allow teachers the option of broadening their horizons to teach in the VET sector or to work for an RTO.
More Information
A new purchasing guide for the new National Dance Training Package is available for free through Innovation and Business Skills Australia. This provides much additional information relevant to dance teachers and studio managers. Find it at http://www.ibsa.org.au/