The Australian VET system is currently undergoing significant changes. One of those changes that is being implemented during 2023 is how Training Packages are developed and endorsed, including who develops and endorses Training Packages.
This article answers the following questions:
- What is a Training Package?
- Who are the Training Package Developers?
- Who checks and endorses a Training Package?
- What is the Training Package development and endorsement process?
What is a Training Package?
Training Packages are a key feature of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system. Training Packages contain:
- Endorsed components, consisting of units of competency, assessment requirements, qualifications and credit arrangements
- Non-endorsed components, includes the mandatory Implementation Guide for the Training Package and other documents known as ‘Companion Volumes’.
How do we access Training Packages?
We access the endorsed components from the training.gov.au website, and we access the companion volumes from the vetnet.gov.au website. Skill sets are not endorsed components but are considered as part of the Training Package, therefore, accessed from the training.gov.au website.
What is a training product?
Sometimes, the Training Package components are referred to as training products. A Training Product can be a qualification, skill set or a stand-alone unit of competency. An example of a stand-alone unit of competency is HLTAID011 Provide First Aid.
Who are the Training Package Developers?
As from the 1st of January 2023, the Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) and Skills Service Organisations (SSOs) have been replaced by Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs).
Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) are contracted, and funded by, the Australian Government’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) to develop Training Packages. There are 10 Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs):
The Jobs and Skills Council (JSC) is also known as the ‘Training Package Developer’.
How to identify who is the Training Package Developer for a Training Package?
We can use the training.gov.au website to quickly identify who is the Training Package Developer for a particular Training Package. Go to the training.gov.au website and open the relevant Training Package page. Look down (or scroll down) to the heading ‘Training Package Developer’.
For example, the following illustration shows where to locate who the Training Package Developer is for the CHC Community Services Training Package.
Who checks and endorses a Training Package?
The Training Package Organising Framework is a set of rules owned by Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council which include content and process requirements that guide the development and content of Training Packages. It is comprised of the following policies:
- Standards for Training Packages
- Training Package Product Policy
- Training Package Product Development and Endorsement Process Policy.
The Training Package Organising Framework was updated in November 2022 in preparation for the implementation of new industry engagement arrangements from the 1st of January 2023.
Training Package Assurance is the review of new or changed Training Products to ensure they meet the requirements set out in the Training Package Organising Framework.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) shall establish a Training Package Assurance team during 2023. This team shall review new and changed training products developed by Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) to ensure they meet the requirements set out in the Training Package Organising Framework. These arrangements will be in place for a limited time, to allow time for the Jobs and Skill Councils (JSCs) and Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) to become established before a decision is made on where to house the Assurance Function long-term.
The Training Package Assurance team recommends to the Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council to endorse training products that meet the framework’s requirements. Once it is endorsed, the training package is updated on the National Register of VET training website (training.gov.au) so that it can be implemented by the VET sector.
What is the Training Package development and endorsement process?
Training Packages are developed through a process of national consultation with industry. Industry, includes employers, unions, industry associations, and regulators relevant to the industry sector covered by the Training Package.
Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) develop new training products or change existing training products. This includes the development of endorsed and non-endorsed Training Package components.
Training Package Assurance is the review of new or changed training products to ensure they meet the requirements set out in the Training Package Organising Framework. This function is performed by a team within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council consists of ministers with responsibility for skills and training in their State or Territory, including the Commonwealth Minister for Skills and Training as the Chair. They endorse new and changes training products.
Following endorsement, training packages are published on the National Register of VET training (training.gov.au).
The following flowchart gives an overview of the Training Package development and endorsement process.
In conclusion
Some information available on the Internet about the Training Package development and endorsement process may not be current and scattered across different websites. The aim of this article was to provide current information that was easy to understand. Also, this information has been written for people who are new to the Australian VET system, such as, people who are studying for their TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification.
References
Training Packages
[1] https://www.dewr.gov.au/nci/training-packages accessed 17 August 2023
[2] https://www.asqa.gov.au/about/vet-sector/training-packages accessed 17 August 2023
Jobs and Skills Councils
[3] https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/industry-engagement-reforms accessed 17 August 2023
[4] https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/resources/jobs-and-skills-councils-stage-one-outcomes accessed 17 August 2023
Training Package Organising Framework
[5] https://www.dewr.gov.au/nci/training-packages accessed 17 August 2023
[6] https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-support-individuals/resources/standards-training-packages accessed 17 August 2023
Training Package Assurance
[7] https://www.dewr.gov.au/training-package-assurance accessed 17 August 2023
[8] https://www.dewr.gov.au/training-package-assurance/announcements/independent-training-package-assurance-supporting-jobs-and-skills-councils-program accessed 17 August 2023
Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council
[9] https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-commonwealthstate-relations accessed 17 August 2023
[10] https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-commonwealthstate-relations/skills-and-workforce-ministerial-council-swmc-members accessed 17 August 2023
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Thanks Alan, you certainly have a fabulous way of making things simple and bring information together in one place. Very useful to be able to forward my TAE students to your website.
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Thank you , Tanya, for your kind feedback. I hope your TAE students find information from my website useful.
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This article was very helpful. I have just started studying for TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
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awesome help!
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