in focus 5 july 2010
National Monday Update Issue:
Improving trainer quality or creating additional regulatory complexity?
This week saw the public release of a new determination by the National Quality Council on Training and Assessment Competencies to be held by Trainers and Assessors (see Appendix 2 of the new AQTF Users Guide).
The determination states that, at the end of a two year transition period, trainers will need to hold the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment from the TAE10 Training and Education Training Package; or be able to demonstrate equivalent competencies. The determination is explicitly silent on whether or not the previously accepted trainer qualifications (TAA40104 and BSZ40198) are equivalent.
IBSA, the Industry Skills Council responsible for the new Training Package, has made it clear that while there are some differences between TAA40104 and TAE40110 – “Trainers and assessors currently practising within the VET sector and holding the TAA40104 are not required to upgrade to the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and will be considered as holding the equivalent qualification for the purposes of compliance with AQTF Element 1.4 of Standard 1.”
And if that weren’t confusing enough – ACPET understands that different State and Territory Registering Bodies have implemented different processes for RTOs with TAA40104 on their scope of registration applying to add the TAE40110. Some have accepted IBSA’s advice about equivalence and have treated applications as a ‘rollover’ with no additional evidence required from the RTO for the new qualification to be added, others have taken a risk based approach and are asking RTOs for some additional evidence to show they understand the differences between the two qualifications, while at least one Registering Body intends to site audit all providers wishing to add the new qualification including those with a proven track record of delivery of TAA40104.
ACPET supports measures to improve the skills and competencies of VET trainers but the approaches outlined above appear to add little to improve quality, and instead create unreasonable burdens for many high performing RTOs. They also treat RTOs differently based solely on where their head office is located (and thus which Registering Body they are regulated by).
ACPET will be working closely with its members and the State and Territory Registering Bodies during the two year transition period to ensure that there is clarity and consistency in audit requirements for:
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ACPET members seeking to add the TAE40110 to their scope of registration, and
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all ACPET members attempting to demonstrate the competence of their trainers and assessors at audit time.
ACPET supports a measured, risk based approach to the implementation of the new qualification and is hopeful that the establishment of the new national VET regulator will bring greater clarity and certainty to regulation in the Australian VET sector.
In the media this week…
ACPET and our colleagues continue to raise the plight of the international education industry in the public domain and this week the issue was covered across a number of media outlets, including Julie Bishop’s article Wakeup call on education and articles in major dailies as follows:
Quality Through Diversity is the theme for this year’s ACPET National Conference in Melbourne. The conference will showcase the best of Australia’s private education and training. The program will focus on informing and supporting members as you lead, manage and grow your business and I encourage you to visit the ACPET Conference website and register early to assure your place.
Please do not hesitate to contact me (Andrew [dot] Smith [at] acpet [dot] edu [dot] au (click to email )Andrew [dot] Smith [at] acpet [dot] edu [dot] au (Andrew Smith)) to discuss any of the above or to provide your ideas and input into the ongoing development of the Council.