WEA Hunter, VET Essentials and You.

 The first workshop of 2011 Four workshops offered across the year all aiming to provide opportunities for tutors to work towards continuous improvement in VET program delivery  Housekeeping... (Fire Alarm, Toilets, Pay Claim)  Introductions: who are you?; what do you deliver?; how long have you been with us?

 What is the relationship and role of trainer, the RTO and VETAB?  Terminology used within the VET framework  The difference between training packages and accredited course  Interpreting the qualifications framework  Components of competency standards

 We are required to ensure that our trainers have up- to-date industry knowledge  All of our roles are made clearer when everyone understands the training landscape  All of our jobs are easier when everyone knows what is expected of them.  We want to improve the training provision to all our staff and trainers.

How much do you know about your RTO?

 In teams of 3 or 4  Have your piece of paper ready with numbers 1 – 10 down the left hand side  You have 30 secs to answer each question.  The team with the most answers...

1. What does WEA stand for? 2. What does VET stand for? 3. What does RTO stand for? 4. What does AQTF stand for?

5. What does AQF stand for? 6. T or F: All students of WEA Hunter are VET students? 7. What does RPL stand for? 8. T or F: RPL and Credit Transfer are the same thing

9. When did WEA Hunter begin? 10. How many items do we have on our Scope of Registration? ANSWERS: Provided throughout and at end of session for PRIZES!

 Is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)  We are a part of the Adult & Community Education (ACE) sector in NSW.  Features of ACE are that it is learner-centred, responsive to community, accessible, and diverse, varied and flexible  University, TAFE, WEA Hunter  We are not TAFE. We are not run by TAFE. We are not funded by or like TAFE.

 Most often the ‘face’ of our organisation.  Provide the lasting image or sustaining impression our students will have of our organisation.  Have our business in their hands.

 Ensure that you feel confident in understanding the industry and its complexities.  Feel confident that you understand the behind the scenes requirements of being a quality service provider.  Ensure that you understand the professional responsibility we entrust to you.

VETAB/ Legislative Organisation Trainers Students

‘Big Picture’ of VET

 Vocational Education and Training (VET) is an industry made up of professional practitioners who provide nationally recognised training and assessment to a range of clients.  The VET sector, is a complex and dynamic one which is underpinned by national and state legislation, industry regulatory frameworks, VET policies and procedures and stakeholder relationships.

 Training organisations must meet the national standards and registering conditions to become and RTO.  Currently RTO’s are still registered in NSW through the Vocational Education and Training Advisory Board (VETAB).  You can still be a training organisation WITHOUT being registered but only Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) can:  Deliver and assess national qualifications/ units  Can issue qualifications and statements of attainment  Can use the VETAB and other logos  Are listed in the National Training Information Service (NTIS) database

 Registration as an RTO in NSW implies that VETAB recognises it as a reputable training provider. This means that it has;  Adequate systems and resources to deliver the training and assessment services associated with Training Package qualifications or courses,  Agreed as to which programs or Training Package qualifications it can deliver. This is known as it’s Scope of Registration.

 RTO’s are audited on a regular basis against the AQTF 2010 to ensure that they retain and continue to implement their quality systems.  WEA Hunter is due for it’s next audit and re- registration process in mid  This process is so all encompassing for our organisation that we have already begun preparation.

Lets look at the AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Continuing Registration

Standard 1  The Registered Training Organisation provides quality training and assessment across all of it’s operations Standard 2  The Registered Training Organisation adheres to principles of access and equity and maximises outcomes for it’s clients Standard 3  Management Systems are responsive to the needs of clients, staff, and stakeholders, & the environment in which the RTO operates

 A focus on outcomes  Continuous Improvement – including monitoring and improving  Risk Management approach  A focus on meeting client and stakeholder needs  During their registration period RTO’s must continually improve the underpinning systems and expected results

1. Interactions with the registering body 2. Compliance with legislation 3. Insurance 4. Financial Management 5. Certification and issuing of qualifications (and Statements of Attainment) 6. Recognition of qualifications issued by other RTO’s 7. Use of logos 8. Accuracy and integrity of marketing 9. Transition to training packages/ expiry of accredited courses.

Standard 1.4 Training and assessment is delivered by trainers and assessors who:  (a) have the necessary training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Quality Council or its successors, and  (b) have the relevant vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered or assessed, and

 (c) can demonstrate current industry skills directly relevant to the training/assessment being undertaken, and  d) continue to develop their Vocational Education and Training (VET) knowledge and skills as well as their industry currency and trainer/assessor competence.

 Moy (2001) defines industry currency as maintaining, upgrading and if required, widening competency in the specialised industry skills and knowledge needed by trainers to deliver and assess VET courses.

 Industry Placement  Concurrent employment in industry and the RTO  Professional association membership  Attending professional development in the industry field  Involvement in relevant networks  Training courses in new equipment or skill sets  Fulfilling industry licensing or regulatory requirements.

 You are engaged as a professional trainer/ assessor with vocational expertise.  You act in this role in a community based education setting  You are a part of a highly organised/ well regulated industry  You have the role of conveying much of this to the student  You have a responsibility to maintain your professional standards

 The AQF comprises national qualifications issued in;  The secondary school sector  The vocational education and training sector  The higher education sector

Schools sectorVocational education and training sector Higher education sector Doctoral Degree Masters Degree Graduate Diploma Graduate Certificate Bachelor Degree Advanced Diploma Diploma Certificate IV Certificate III Certificate II Certificate I Advanced Diploma Diploma Senior Secondary Certificate of Education

 there are no standardised rankings or equivalences between different qualifications issued in different sectors, as these qualifications recognise different types of learning reflecting the distinctive educational responsibilities of each sector.  QUESTION: What are the responsibilities of each sector?

 Represents the national industry benchmarks for recognised vocational outcomes in the vocational education and training system.  Is a set of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications used to recognise and assess the skills and knowledge people need to perform effectively in the workplace.  Are a key resource for registered training organisations (RTOs) in the delivery of structured, accredited training.  States what competencies need to be achieved but does not prescribe how an individual should be trained. It is the responsibility of the RTO, through its trainers, to develop teaching strategies and assessment methods to meet the needs, abilities and circumstances of learners.

Training Package Basics

E.g. HLTO7 Training Package Certificate IV in Health Support Supervision Qualification HLTCOM404A Communicate Effectively with clients Statement of Attainment

 A Statement of Attainment is issued by an RTO when an individual has completed one or more units of competency from nationally recognised qualification/s or course/s.  Can only be issued as a component of a qualification that the RTO has on its Scope of Registration.  Can only be issued when an entire unit of competency has been assessed as competent.  If a students completes even one UoC we are required to issue them with a Statement of Attainment.

Do you know what training package you train from?

What are the key features & differences

AQF level clarification

 Each UoC identifies a discrete workplace requirement and includes the knowledge and skills that underpin competency.  The units of competency must be adhered to in assessment to ensure consistency of outcomes.  UoC’s are the smallest component of achievement which can be nationally recognised.

 Unit Title and Descriptor  Elements and Performance Criteria  Range Statements  Evidence Guides  As a VET trainer you should be very familiar with all these elements.  When designing a training plan, trainers need to incorporate THE WHOLE UoC, not just the Learning Outcomes!  You are the one signing students off as COMPETENT.

Lets look at a sample Unit of Competency

 Not a new concept; They describe non- technical skills and competencies that have always been an important part of effective and successful participation in the workplace.  As a trainer or assessor, you will be required to design learning and assessment approaches that encompass the facets of Employability Skills embedded in units of competency

 communication  teamwork  problem solving  initiative and enterprise  planning and organising  self-management  learning  technology

How does it all fit together

Student receives the Training Trainer designs, delivers and assesses the training The organisation is accountable for the quality of the training delivered The maintenance of our AQTF registration

 Training and Assessment Strategies  Participant Assessment Records  Training Plans  Session Plans  Assessment Tools; including Marking Guides and Assessment Matrix/ Rubrics  Attendance Records  Request for Certificate Forms

 1. Workers Educational Association  2. Vocational Education and Training  3. Registered Training Organisation  4. Australian Quality Training Framework  5. Australian Qualifications Framework  6. FALSE  7. Recognition of Prior Learning  8. False  