Author: Alan Maguire

The TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification, while intended to equip learners with the skills necessary to become effective trainers and assessors, often falls short due to several significant shortcomings. One of the most frustrating aspects of the qualification is the incomprehensible assessment instructions that can leave learners feeling confused and overwhelmed.

Additionally, the excessive focus on completing assessment tasks can create a sense of disengagement and hinder meaningful learning. Other common issues include insufficient training, inadequate or nonexistent trainer support, a lack of practical demonstrations, and repetitive content. These combined challenges can make the TAE40122 qualification a frustrating and unfulfilling experience for many learners.

This article exposes and explores some of the shortcomings experienced by many learners who are currently studying for their TAE40122 qualification.

Incomprehensible assessment instructions

The pursuit of precision in writing, while commendable, can lead to unintended consequences. When language becomes overly technical, jargon-laden, or overly specific, it can alienate readers. This can result in a loss of meaning, as the intended message becomes obscured by complex terminology or convoluted explanations. In essence, the effort to be precise can inadvertently create a barrier to understanding, defeating the very purpose of clear communication.

The assessment instructions for the TAE40122 qualification have often become so precise and detailed that they have inadvertently lost their clarity, making it difficult for learners to understand and follow.

Focused on assessment tasks

The TAE40122 qualification often prioritises the completion of assessment tasks over meaningful learning experiences. This narrow focus can leave learners feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. Instead of fostering a deep understanding of the subject matter, the focus on assessments can create a superficial approach to learning. Such a narrow focus can result in a lack of motivation and diminish the overall value of the qualification.

Learners often enrol in the TAE40122 qualification with the desire to gain valuable knowledge and skills. However, the excessive emphasis on completing assessment tasks can hinder their ability to truly learn and understand the material. This can lead to a sense of frustration and a feeling that their learning journey is not fulfilling their expectations.

Too many learners want to learn, but feel that they are not learning.

Insufficient training

Some RTOs delivering the TAE40122 qualification are providing insufficient training to their learners. This inadequate training often manifests in the form of brief or superficial training sessions that fail to equip learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully complete the assessment tasks. As a result, learners may find themselves struggling to understand the requirements, apply the concepts, and ultimately demonstrate their competency. This lack of comprehensive training can lead to increased stress, decreased confidence, and ultimately, withdrawal from the training program.

Inadequate or no trainer

In addition to insufficient training, some RTOs are employing trainers who lack the expertise and experience to effectively deliver the TAE40122 qualification. These trainers may be unfamiliar with the specific requirements of the course, leading to confusion and inconsistencies in their instruction. Their inexperience may also result in a lack of guidance and support. This can create a chaotic or disorganised learning environment where learners are unsure of what is expected of them, resulting in decreased motivation and engagement, and potentially hindering their progress and overall success in the qualification.

Self-paced online training offers flexibility and convenience, but it can also present challenges when a trainer is not readily available. One significant issue is the lack of immediate feedback and guidance. Learners may encounter difficulties understanding concepts or completing assessment tasks without the support of a trainer to clarify questions or provide personalised assistance. This can lead to frustration and a decreased sense of motivation. Additionally, self-paced learners may struggle to stay on track and maintain a consistent pace. Without a trainer to provide deadlines or encourage progress, learners may find it difficult to stay motivated and complete the course on time.

Inadequate or no demonstrations

In the TAE40122 qualification, practical demonstrations are essential for learners to understand the complexities of various training and assessment activities. By observing a trainer’s approach to various activities like developing training plans, delivering training sessions, conducting assessments, or validating assessment tools, learners can gain valuable insights into effective practices. Unfortunately, many TAE40122 programs may lack sufficient demonstrations or may present them in a way that is unclear or difficult to follow. This can hinder learners’ ability to learn the skills necessary to become competent trainers and assessors.

Repetitive

There is duplication of knowledge and performance requirements across different TAE units of competency. Many RTOs delivering the TAE40122 qualification have not integrated the assessment tasks to avoid repetition. The result has been the need to answer the same or similar questions and the relentless delivery of 30-minute training session without meaningful differences. This repetitive nature of the TAE40122 training program can be frustrating and time-consuming without adding significant value.

In conclusion

The TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification often disappoints learners due to unclear assessment instructions, excessive focus on assessments, insufficient training, and inadequate support.

If you’re struggling or disappointed with your TAE40122 qualification, here are some steps you can take:

Communicate with your RTO

Reach out to your RTO’s support team or course coordinator. They may be able to provide additional resources, guidance, or adjustments to help you succeed.

Seek peer support

Connect with other learners in your course or online forums. Sharing experiences and seeking advice from peers can be helpful.

Utilise available resources

Take advantage of any additional resources provided by your RTO or elsewhere, such as information published on this website.

Consider tutoring

If you’re finding the course challenging, consider seeking tutoring to supplement your learning.

Do you need help with your TAE studies?

Are you a doing the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and are you struggling with your studies? Do you want help with your TAE studies?

Ring Alan Maguire on 0493 065 396 to discuss.

Contact now!

Training trainers since 1986

The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification has become a monotonous carousel. Every six years, it undergoes an overhaul, spinning around the same curriculum, offering the same familiar content with minor tweaks. The changes have been fundamentally superficial. Trainers and assessors have felt trapped in a cycle of endless repetition, unable to break free from the real or implied compliance requirements to upgrade. The journey has become devoid of meaningful growth and development, reduced to a mere formality that trainers must endure rather than embrace.

Background

2004

The first Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification was released in 2004. This TAA40104 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification superseded the BSZ40198 Assessment and Workplace Training qualification.

2010

Six years later in 2010, the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification superseded the TAA40104 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification. The TAE40110 qualification required a total of 10 units:

• 7 core units, plus
• 3 elective units.

2016

And six years later in 2016, the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification superseded the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification. The TAE40116 qualification required a total of 10 units:

• 9 core units, plus
• 1 elective units.

Several strategic audits conducted by the national VET regulator prior to 2016 had identified that trainers and assessors lacked assessment related capability. Also, it had become apparent that many VET students had low level language, literacy and numeracy skills. The national VET regulator had demanded two units that were previously elective units to become core units for the TAE40116 qualification: TAEASS502 Design and develop assessment tools and TAELLN411 Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills.

2022

And again, six years later in 2022, the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification superseded the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification. The TAE40122 qualification requires a total of 12 units:

• 6 core units, plus
• 6 elective units.

The developers of the TAE40122 qualification said that the previous TAE40116 qualification needed to have greater flexibility to meet the different needs within the VET sector. Two years after the release of the TAE40122 qualification, it has become apparent that this need for greater flexibility was untrue or overstated. Most RTOs delivering the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification have selected very similar elective units. There is a trend towards a fairly standardised TAE40122 training program.

You may ask yourself, did we really need to change the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualifications every six years over the past 20 years?

What has changed?

The following shows sample training programs for the previous two and the current Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualifications.

The TAE40122 qualification has two differences from its predecessors:

• Assessment capability, and
• Online learning and assessment capability.

Assessment capability

There is a reduced emphasis on developing assessment related capability. The unit relating to the design and development of assessment tools has been re-categorised as an elective unit. Most RTOs delivering the TAE40122 qualification are not selecting this elective unit because many TAE40116 participants found it difficult and time-consuming.

Also, the competency to plan assessment activities and processes has been integrated into the TAEASS412 Assess competence unit of competency.

Online learning and assessment capability

The capability to delivery online learning and conduct online assessment has been emphasised. Initially, this was because the Australian Government felt there was need to respond to the shift to online delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. The technology to deliver online training and conduct online assessment is relatively easy to learn and easy to use. And each RTO can use different technology.

A person who can deliver training should have the capability to deliver online training. Likewise, a person who can conduct assessment should have the capability to conduct online assessment. It is not that difficult to learn and use the technology.

Changes to the units

There has been changes to the units for the TAE40122 qualification relating to:

• Professional development plan
• Training capability
• Pre-assessment validation
• Unreal and duplicated content.

Professional development plan

The TAEPDD401 Work effectively in the VET sector unit has introduced the need to develop a professional development plan. Every trainer and assessor working for an RTO will need to develop a professional development plan. RTOs will have a template to be completed, usually on an annual basis. This is not a difficult administrative task to perform, and it didn’t warrant inclusion into a unit.

Training capability

The duration of training sessions to a group has been reduced from 40 minutes to 30 minutes. And the group size has been reduced from ‘at least 8 learners’ to ‘at least 4 learners’. This change is significantly more unrealistic compared to the actual competencies required as a trainer working for an RTO. This means that the TAE40122 graduate will have less proven training capability compared with their predecessors.

Pre-assessment validation

The TAEASS413 Participate in assessment validation unit has introduced the need to participate in pre-assessment valuations as well as participate in assessment valuations. This is unnecessary since a person who is competent at participating in assessment valuations will have the ability to participate in pre-assessment valuations. Also, participating in pre-assessment valuations is one of many unrealistic requirements that have been added to the TAE40122 qualification. It is highly unlikely that a trainer or assessor will be involved with pre-assessment valuations. It is much more likely that trainers or assessors will be given assessment tools to use, and they will not be expected to question if the assessment tools are valid.

Unreal and duplicated content

Content that is unrealistic has been added to the TAE40122 qualification. Also, content has been duplicated across many units making the training course unnecessarily repetitive for the TAE40122 participant. Awkward and complicated language has been created and used throughout many units. All these things are making the training far more complex and difficult to understand than it needs to be.

In conclusion

In this article, I have argued that the never-ending overhaul to the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification have been generally unnecessary. I have also raised some of the consequences associated with the creation of the TAE40122 qualification, such as:

• Training capability of the TAE40122 graduate is decreased compared with their predecessors
• Assessment capability of the TAE40122 graduate is decreased compared with their predecessors
• Poorly-written units that include unnecessary, unrealistic and duplicated content that has made training more complex and confusing for TAE40122 participants.

Is the solution another overhaul to the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification?

The TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification was released in December 2022. After about two years since it was released, there is a trend towards a standardised TAE40122 qualification relating to the units of competency.

The qualification packaging rules for the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification requires a total of 12 units of competency:

• 6 core units plus
•  6 elective units.

The following shows the typical sequence used when delivering the core units.

Selecting elective units

It has become common for RTOs delivering the TAE40122 qualification to select the following elective units:

• TAEDEL311 Provide work skill instructions
• TAEDEL412 Facilitate workplace-based learning
• TAEDEL405 Plan, organise and facilitate online learning
• TAEASS404 Assess competence in an online environment.

It has become common for RTOs delivering the TAE40122 qualification to select at least one of the LLN units:

• TAELLN422 Use foundation skills resources, strategies and advice
• TAELLN421 Integrate core skills support into training and assessment
• TAELLN423 Integrate employability skills support into training and assessment.

The twelfth unit may be BSBCMM411 Make presentations or TAEDEL414 Mentor in the workplace unit. And TAFEs training new TAFE teachers may select the TAEDEL416 Facilitate learning for young vocational learners unit.

For the purposes of this article, I have selected to use the BSBCMM411 Make presentations unit.

Clustering elective units

In the above examples, I have commenced sequencing and clustering units. The following example completes this clustering process.

Option 1

This option starts with some basic training skills. It is a useful approach for TAFEs that are wanting to get their new TAFE teachers delivering training under supervision as soon as possible.

The following illustrates the flow of the TAE40122 program with 5 clusters.

Option 2

This option uses the same units of competency as Option 1, but it integrates the Train The Trainer cluster with the Competency-based training delivery cluster. This approach saves duplication and consequently it saves time.

The following illustrates the flow of the TAE40122 program with 4 clusters.

In conclusion

Most TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment programs will consist of the same units of competency, with the only variation being one or two units.

One of these unit variations will be the selection of the LLN unit. There are three to select from and not all RTOs are selecting the same LLN unit. The other variation will likely be a different unit being used instead of the BSBCMM411 Make presentations unit. Fundamentally, TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment programs will be very similar regarding outcomes.

Some RTOs delivering the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification will cluster units while other RTOs will take a unit-by-unit approach. Clever clustering will reduce the duplication of content, reduce the number of 30-minute training sessions needing to be planned and delivered, and it will save time.

Although there is a trend towards a standardised TAE40122 qualification relating to the units of competency, there is still variation relating to:

• Price
• Quality
• Duration
• Mode of delivery.

Do you need help with your TAE studies?

Are you a doing the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and are you struggling with your studies? Do you want help with your TAE studies?

Ring Alan Maguire on 0493 065 396 to discuss.

Contact now!

Training trainers since 1986

People studying for the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification will need to learn many new terms, such as, ‘entry requirements’ and ‘pre-requisites’. These two terms have a precise meaning when used in the context of the Australian VET system. The reference document that defines these terms is the Standards for Training Packages. [1]

Schools and universities may use the same terms but use them to mean different things.

What is entry requirement in the Australian VET system?

A VET qualification may specify a mandatory entry requirement. For example, entry into the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care qualification requires a person to hold the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification or its predecessor.

The qualification itself determines whether or not there is an entry requirement. The training provider does not set this requirement.

The following is an example of a qualification with an entry requirement.

And the following is an example of a qualification without an entry requirement.

Most qualifications do not have an entry requirement.

What is a pre-requisite in the Australian VET system?

A unit of competency may have pre-requisites. This means that the learner must be deemed competent in one or more other units before they can be assessed in this unit.

The following are some examples of units that specify pre-requisites The first three examples have one unit as a pre-requisite.  The fourth example is an example of a unit that have many pre-requisite units.

The following shows how the pre-requisite is documented within a unit of competency.

Often, pre-requisite units relate to safety.

The unit itself determines whether or not there is a pre-requisite. The training provider does not set this requirement.

The majority of units do not have pre-requisites.

In conclusion

Qualifications specify entry requirements.

Units of competency specify pre-requisites.

It is the Training Package Developers, in consultation with industry and employers, that determine if a qualification has an entry requirement and if a unit of competency has pre-requisites.

The training provider does not set these requirements and should not use these terms to describe other requirements, such as, the language, literacy or numeracy skills required prior to enrolling into a training course.

Reference:

https://www.dewr.gov.au/training-package-assurance/resources/standards-training-packages accessed 6 October 2024

Do you need help with your TAE studies?

Are you a doing the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and are you struggling with your studies? Do you want help with your TAE studies?

Ring Alan Maguire on 0493 065 396 to discuss.

Contact now!

Training trainers since 1986