No matter where you want to work, or what career path you want to take, basic business knowledge is extremely helpful. Even people in highly specialised roles benefit from understanding business operations. From managing business information to creating business documents, a Certificate III in Business gives participants the chance to hone their skills and develop knowledge about everyday business operations.
Not only will you expand your existing knowledge, but you’ll also open up opportunities for further business study. This nationally recognised qualification teaches valuable skills you can use wherever you go.
What is Certificate 3 in Business?
Certificate III in Business courses in Australia is packed with all the information you need to either start your business journey or increase your existing skills. There are 4 key learning outcomes in a Certificate III in Business course, including:
- Deliver quality customer service to your customers
- Organise workplace information
- Develop an increased understanding of business operations
- Increase your confidence and knowledge in business operations
The course is designed to help you be competitive in today’s job market, teaching you the core skills to be successful no matter what career path you’re on. You’ll learn a range of important workplace skills, such as Workplace Health and Safety and a variety of business skills that can be used in all types of jobs.
What is the difference between Certificate III in Business and Certificate III in Business Administration?
While the courses sound similar, they have quite different content. Where a Certificate III in Business teaches a broad range of business operations skills, the Certificate III in Business Administration is more focused on just the admin side of things. There are a few similarities, of course, such as learning to design and produce business documents, delivering good customer service and managing complaints. However, the Administration course focuses more heavily on admin processes such as managing schedules, creating spreadsheets and improving typing speed.
Certificate III in Business takes a wider look at business operations, including financials and company records.
What skills do I learn?
When studying a Certificate III in Business, you will learn a wide range of skills to do with the day-to-day running of a business. Some of the units you will study include:
- Understanding and applying Workplace Health & Safety Legislation
- Creating simple documents
- Taking customer complaints
- Understanding and working with diversity
- Providing customer service
- Maintaining accurate financial records
- Create spreadsheets
- Design electronic presentations
- Work effectively in a team
- Organise general workplace information
- Time management and prioritising tasks
- Create business documents
As well as providing valuable skills and knowledge you can use straight away, this course is a great stepping stone into the more complex course content of Certificate IV.
What types of job can I get with a Certificate III in Business?
The possibilities are almost endless when you study a Certificate 3 in Business. It is considered an entry-level course, so you may not be looking to take over large companies following completion, it’s certainly a great first step. The skills you’ll learn are transferable across many industries, so you’ll certainly open up a diverse range of opportunities. Some of the common jobs that require a Certificate III in Business include:
- Office Manager
- Small Business Manager
- Property Manager
- Program or Project Administrator
- Receptionist
- Personal assistant
- Data entry
- Customer service
- Call Centre team leader
- Supervisor
- Coordinator
- Office clerk
- Payroll officer
This list certainly isn’t exhaustive. Possessing some business skills and knowledge positions you well for any type of job you apply for.
The benefits of studying online
The other great thing is you can study a Certificate III in Business online course. This way you get more flexibility in how you study. Most courses such as this are blended now, meaning you might experience a mix of face-to-face learning and online study. You might even find some units include facilitated online learning in a virtual classroom.
The beauty of online study is you can do it more on your own time, and while units are still structured, you can move through them at your own pace. You can also study anywhere you like. Especially with the uncertainty around all face-to-face services in our Covid-world, this ability to study remotely is a huge benefit.
5 Reasons to study Certificate III in Business
So, you should have a good idea now of what the course includes, but why do you need it? Here are some of the most popular reasons that people choose to complete a Certificate III in Business course.
1. Understand business basics
Every business is different to the next, however, all of them have some similarities. These similarities occur in the day-to-day running of a business, and these are some of the skills you’ll learn during a Certificate III in Business course. Everything is covered, from providing great customer service to managing financial records. The course brings together all the most common business skills so that the learnings are applicable anywhere.
Even if you’re not applying for office jobs, these skills are still valuable. You might want to start a gardening business – you still need to handle all those behind-the-scenes things like maintaining financial records, creating business documents and managing your time effectively.
2. Open up new career pathways
Perhaps the most enticing reason to study a Certificate III in Business is the future opportunities you can open up. You might be stuck in a job you don’t like, or you could be just starting your career. Whatever situation you’re in, knowledge is always an opportunity for change.
So, because this business course teaches skills that are needed in all industries, you can broaden your job search quite a lot. Plus, you’ll have a competitive edge over other applicants who don’t have the same qualifications.
3. Learn to manage financial records
Learning to manage financial records is crucial in business. Keeping accurate and detailed financial records is part of most offices around the country, so this is a valuable string to have in your bow. Plus, if you ever want to go out on your own with a side hustle or a start-up business, a few basic bookkeeping skills are going to be essential. You’ll learn about the importance of maintaining good financial records, which will be useful in both works and at home.
4. It’s a Nationally Recognised Qualification
The other important aspect to consider is a national recognition. There are a lot of online business courses out there, but not all are accredited. Sure, you’ll develop some helpful skills, but if the training isn’t recognised, you close yourself off from a lot of opportunities.
Many employers insist that applicants have completed nationally recognised training. Likewise, if you want to go on to further business study, your options may be limited without having a nationally recognised Certificate III in Business.
5. Learn all about Workplace Health and Safety
While you might not immediately think about Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) when it comes to business study, it’s actually an extremely important component. In Australia, WHS isn’t just a preference, it’s the law. Employers and employees across the country are responsible for ensuring safe work practices are followed, no matter what the industry. So, whatever job or career you’ve got in mind, it’s great to show employers that you already understand workplace safety law.
Ultimately, obtaining a Certificate III in Business gives you more career pathways, helps you get ahead of the competition in a crowded job market, and also allows you to pursue further study. So, if you’re looking for a career change or looking for your first job, consider a Certificate III in Business.