Certificate of official statistics

Core unit standards | Statistical research project | 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 facilitated by Statistics New Zealand in conjunction with Learning State.

There are four 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 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:

• the knowledge to critically evaluate the quality and validity of statistical information
• the ability to use statistics to inform policy development
• the facility to assess a sample survey and evaluate the associated inferences
• 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 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 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.

Statistical research project unit standard

The Certificate now includes a purpose written unit standard. US25440 (Carry out a statistical research project in a state sector context) makes up the remaining 16 credits. 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 compulsory unit standard.
• The assessor sends the candidate a list of questions and a report.
• The candidate answers the questions in reference to the report and sends the responses back to the assessor.
• The assessor marks the paper. If the candidate answers all questions correctly, 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.

Click on the relevant link below to see example assessment questions:

• 23268 Candidate Assessment Guide (PDF, 61KB) 
• 23269 Candidate Assessment Guide (PDF, 169KB)
• 23270 Candidate Assessment Guide (PDF, 138KB)
• 23271 Candidate Assessment Guide (PDF, 160KB)

Candidates may choose to be assessed on any unit standard at any point during the 12 month course.

Seminar timetable

The core seminars will be held on the following dates at Statistics House:

April 2009 cohort

September 2008 cohort

All Seminars are in the Conference Room, Statistics House, The Boulevard, Harbour Quays, Wellington and can be video conference linked to Statistics New Zealand offices in Auckland and Christchurch on request.

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.

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.