Core unit standards | Elective unit standards | Assessment | Timetables
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), and is faciliated by Statistics New Zealand in conjunction with Learning State.
There are four compulsory or core unit standards that will enable a candidate to interpret basic statistics, to understand how statistics influence policy development, to assess a survey sample, and to understand confidentiality, privacy and security issues surrounding data. Four distinct but related seminars have been created to address each statistical unit standard. Informal learning opportunities such as online exercises and reading material will help an employee successfully achieve the Certificate.
After gaining the Certificate, the candidate will have:
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the knowledge to critically evaluate the quality and validity of statistical information
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the ability to use statistics to inform policy development
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the facility to assess a sample survey and evaluate the associated inferences
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an awareness of best practice in the use of statistics, with reference to ethical and legal constraints.
Certificate structure
The Certificate is a 40-credit qualification which includes 24 credits of compulsory unit standards and 16 credits of elective unit standards. The Certificate is to be completed within 12 months.
All core unit standards must be taken by candidates. More detail about the unit standards can be found on these pages:
23268 – Interpret statistical information to form conclusions for projects in a state sector context.
23269 – Evaluate and use statistical information to make policy recommendations in a state sector context.
23270 – Assess a sample survey and evaluate inferences in a state sector context.
23271 – Describe ethical and legal issues in the collection and use of data in a state sector context.
In order to gain credit for the elective unit standards component of the Certificate, the candidate may choose one of the following options:
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Statistical Research Project
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Gain recognition for current work skills.
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Use unit standards previously acquired.
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Use concurrent unit standards.
See Electives for more detail.
Assessment of the core unit standards consists of the following process:
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Candidate notifies assessor by email that he/she wishes to be assessed on a particular compulsory unit standard.
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The assessor sends the candidate a list of questions and a report.
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The candidate answers the questions in reference to the report and sends the responses back to the assessor.
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The assessor marks the paper. If the candidate answers all questions correctly, they pass the unit standard.
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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.
Click on the relevant link below to see the assessment questions:
Candidates may choose to be assessed on any unit standard at any point during the 12 month course.
The core seminars will be held on the following dates at Statistics House:
April 2008 cohort
|
Date |
Duration |
Seminar |
|
Wednesday, 30 April 2008 |
9:00am-5:00pm |
23271 |
|
Monday, 9 June 2008 and
Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
9:00am-5:00pm
(Both days) |
23268 |
|
Thursday, 21 August 2008 and
Friday, 22 August 2008 |
9:00am-5:00pm
(Both days) |
23270 |
|
Monday, 13 October 2008 and
Tuesday, 14 October 2008 |
9:00am-5:00pm
(Both days) |
23269 |
September 2008 cohort
|
Date |
Duration |
Seminar |
|
Tuesday, 16 September 2008 |
9:00am-5:00pm |
23271 |
|
Tuesday, 18 November 2008 and
Wednesday, 19 November 2008 |
9:00am-5:00pm
(Both days) |
23268 |
|
Thursday, 26 February 2009 and
Friday, 27 February 2009 |
9:00am-5:00pm
(Both days) |
23270 |
|
Thursday, 30 April 2009 and
Friday,1 May 2009 |
9:00am-5:00pm
(Both days) |
23269 |
All Seminars are in the Conference Room, Statistics House, The Boulevard, Harbour Quays, Wellington and video conference linked to Statistics New Zealand offices in Auckland and Christchurch.
Tutorial timetable
The tutorial timetable is subject to confirmation. Tutorials will be held in Statistics House and be available via video or audio conference. Additional tutorials can be arranged at other agencies based on demand.
Contact us
For more information about the National Certificate in Public Sector Services (Official Statistics), email: certificateOS@stats.govt.nz.