This post was originally published on this site
DEWR’s website highlight a series of changes to the RTO standards “to address current pressures on the VET workforce and provide more immediate benefits to the sector.” There is apparently a lot of support for these changes, and they will certainly help RTOs while, hopefully, placing minimal burden on institutions. A range of the changes will apply from January 2025.
First, there have been updates to the TAE package, including updates to the Cert IV and Diploma as well as enabling those holding a range of new and updated skill sets, including in skills sets in facilitation, volunteer training delivery and workplace trainer/skill instructor to deliver training under supervision.
Second, it will also enable “people who hold an education degree to be engaged as trainers and/or assessors” including “those who:
- hold a qualification that enables registration as a secondary school teacher in any state or territory are able to deliver training in any VET context under supervision, or
- hold a qualification that enables registration as a secondary school teacher in any state or territory and hold the Assessor Skill Set, or the VET Delivered to School Students Teacher Enhancement Skill Set to be able to train and assess in any VET context without supervision.
Third, the new standards enable “people actively working towards the Certificate IV or Diploma from the TAE Training Package to deliver training and contribute to assessment under supervision.” However, “individuals who are actively working towards a relevant credential are still required to meet other requirements imposed on trainers and assessors under the Standards, including holding relevant vocational competencies and current industry skills.”
Fourth, there new standards enable the broader use of industry experts “to also assist in the delivery of training alongside a trainer and/or assessor. This builds on the previous provision for industry experts to be involved in the assessment judgement, working alongside the trainer and/or assessor to conduct the assessment.”
However, to “ensure the quality and integrity of training, RTOs will need to ensure industry experts have specialised industry or subject matter expertise, relevant vocational competencies and current industry skills directly relevant to the training being provided.” TAFE Directors Australia sees that this “important change that should improve attracting more people for many TAFE trade areas is that industry experts are now able to be better used. The changes recognise that industry experts who are actively working toward the Cert IV TAE can deliver training and contribute to assessment under supervision. While most TAFEs had already implemented their own under-supervision programs this change makes that easier.”
Key changes to VET teacher and trainer qualification requirements | VDC