40+ years experience as a trainer, instructional designer, quality manager, project manager, program manager, RTO auditor, RTO manager and VET adviser.
Step 4 Contact the preferred RTO and discuss acceptable evidence with the RPL assessor
Step 5 Apply for RPL and follow RTO’s RPL procedure
This is the third article in a series about updating from the TAE40116 qualification to the TAE40122 qualification.
Step 3. Shop around for an RTO
An RTO can determine its own RPL process and associated fees. It is a good idea to contact a few RTOs and gather information about:
Cost of the RPL
Support provided
Flexibility
Cost of gap training
Cost of the RPL
The fee charged by RTO for RPL assessment can vary. I just did a quick internet search and found three different RTOs offering RPL at $1,300, $2,100 and $2,400. You may like to check if the RTO you work for is willing to pay for or subsidise your RPL.
Support provided
Cost is one criteria. Other criteria, such as the support provided by the RTO, may be important to you.
Does the RTO appear to be friendly and supportive?
What support will the RTO provide during the RPL process?
How much support will you need?
Another important criteria is the RTO’s willingness to be flexible.
Flexibility
Flexibility is one of the four principles of assessment. Is the RTO willing to be flexible?
Can you select the elective units that you want?
Is the RTO willing to recognise parts of a superseded and non-equivalent unit as substantive RPL evidence (therefore, no need to repeat training or assessment for those parts of the unit)?
Does the RTO willing to adapt or modify there assessment documents used to gather RPL evidence?
Cost of gap training
You may need to do some training to close any gaps. Some people many have a small number of units that can not attained by credit transfer and RPL. Each person applying for RPL will have their own unique circumstances.
How many units may be potential gaps?
How much would it costs to do gap training?
Compare RTOs
Shopping around for an RTO could save you money. And you could save time associated with the RPL application and assessment process. The following is a table that can be used to help you gather and compare information about different RTOs.
More tips and strategies shall be presented at the upcoming webinar.
Step 4 Contact the preferred RTO and discuss acceptable evidence with the RPL assessor
Step 5 Apply for RPL and follow RTO’s RPL procedure
This is the second article in a series about updating from the TAE40116 qualification to the TAE40122 qualification.
Step 2. Determine evidence required and identify evidence that can be gathered
Many TAE40122 units supersede and have been declared not equivalent to the relevant TAE40116 units. A unit that is ‘not equivalent’ does not mean that it is ‘completely different’. In other words, a unit that is ‘not equivalent’ can be ‘partly equivalent’.
What parts of a superseded unit are equivalent?
Let’s look at an example.
The TAEDES411 Use nationally recognised training products to meet vocational training needs supersedes and has been deemed not equivalent to TAEDES402 Use training packages and accredited courses to meet client needs.
Performance Criteria
The following table compares the Performance Criteria for the TAEDES411 unit with the Performance Criteria for the TAEDES402 unit.
Most of the Performance Criteria for the TAEDES402 unit are equivalent to the Performance Criteria for the TAEDES411 unit, with two exceptions. Performance Criteria 3.2 and 3.3 for the TAEDES411 unit are not covered by the TAEDES402 unit.
Performance Criteria 3.2
It is not difficult to seek feedback relating to whether applied training products meet specified requirements and identified needs. A person seeking RPL for this unit should be able to prove that they can do this performance.
Performance Criteria 3.3
This is an example of a poorly written Performance Criteria. It is vague, and it does not describe a typical work task. Training products have been developed to meet an identified need that has been specified by industry. The following is an interpretation of changes to product use:
Change the selected elective units
Change the clustering or sequence of units.
A person seeking RPL for this unit should be able to prove that they can analyse collected feedback and identify required changes to product use.
Knowledge Evidence
The following table compares the Knowledge Evidence for the TAEDES411 unit with the Knowledge Evidence for the TAEDES402 unit.
The TAEDES411 unit has two Knowledge Evidence items that are not covered by the TAEDES402 unit. A person seeking RPL for this unit may need to prove that they have relevant knowledge relating to some, or all, of the following:
Standards for RTOs
Australian Core Skill Framework (ACSF)
Digital Literacy Skills Framework (DLSF)
Australian Digital Capability Framework
Employability Skills Framework
Core Skills for Work.
What evidence is required?
The above example shows that very little evidence should be needed by a person seeking RPL for the TAEDES411 unit. This gap analysis can be replicated for all TAE40122 units that have superseded and been declared not equivalent to TAE40116 units. This approach should significantly reduce the time and effort required when seeking RPL to update to the TAE40122 qualification from the TAE40116 qualification.
What evidence can be gathered?
After determining the evidence required, the next thing is to identify the evidence that can be gathered that may support an RPL application. This evidence may include recent and relevant work experience.
The following table shows a sample portfolio evidence.
In conclusion
This article has covered the second step of the 5-step process relating to updating from the TAE40116 to the TAE40122. This step is about determining RPL evidence required and identifying RPL evidence that can be gathered.
RPL is a process to assess and recognise relevant skills and knowledge gained through prior training and work experience. RTOs should acknowledge previous training and the completion of TAE40116 units. The discrepancy between superseded TAE40116 and TAE40122 units is often minimal, and many current RTO trainers and TAFE teachers possess the requisite work experience to bridge this gap.
More tips and strategies shall be presented at the upcoming webinar.
The core units for TAE40122 qualification are specified as shown in the following table.
The use of this table shall be explain at the webinar.
Select elective units that give credit transfer
Most people with the TAE40116 qualification will be able to select at least two elective units that will give credit transfer.
First elective unit to be selected is TAEDEL412 Facilitate workplace-based learning because it supersedes and is equivalent to TAEDEL402 Plan, organise and facilitate learning in the workplace. And the TAEDEL402 was a core unit for the TAE40116. So, everyone will get credit transfer for the TAEDEL412 unit.
Next, select other units that give credit transfer. For example:
TAEDEL311 Provide work skill instructions
TAEDEL414 Mentor in the workplace
BSBCMM411 Make presentations.
Select other elective units
Select units with the least amount of evidence required to demonstrate your competence. For example:
Consider selecting an LLN unit
Consider selecting TAEDEL405 and TAEASS404 if you have recently facilitated online learning and conducted assessment in an online.
Everyone’s circumstances are unique. At least eight units will be the same for everyone, and there may be some variation in the selection of the remaining four units. The following is an example of the 6 core units and 6 selected elective units.
In conclusion
This first step of the 5-step process is relatively quick and easy. However, it is important for you to do this step to minimise the time and effort later when gathering your RPL evidence:
Select elective units that give you credit transfer
Select elective units with the least amount of evidence required to demonstrate your competence.
More tips and strategies shall be presented at the upcoming webinar.
You may not need the TAE40122, but do you want it?
Some people who have the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification may be interested in updating to the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification. This can be done by credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
Credit transfer is recognition that you’ve previously completed a unit. Units from the TAE40116 qualification that have been superseded and deemed equivalent can be recognised by credit transfer. These include:
TAEDEL402 Plan, organise and facilitate learning in the workplace
TAEDEL301 Provide work skill instruction
TAEDEL404 Mentor in the workplace
BSBCMM411 Make presentations.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is an assessment of relevant skills and knowledge you’ve acquired through previous training or work experience. Many of the units from the TAE40116 qualification have been deemed not equivalent. But don’t be discouraged. If you’re currently working as a trainer at an RTO or as a TAFE teacher, you can use your work experience and your superseded units from the TAE40116 qualification to apply for RPL.
About the webinar
The RPL assessment process can be both time-consuming and laborious. To help streamline this process, I’ve developed a webinar that provides practical tips and strategies.
This 90-minute webinar presents an RPL guide for updating from TAE40116 to TAE40122, including:
Selecting elective units
Shopping around for an RTO
Identifying the gap between TAE40122 units and TAE40116 units
Gathering evidence to support your RPL application
Preparing yourself for the RPL process.
This webinar will be presented by Alan Maguire. Please note that this webinar is independent of, and not affiliated with, any Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
The webinar dates are:
Tuesday 26th of November 2024, starting at 12:30pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Time)
Thursday 28th of November 2024, starting at 12:30pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Time).
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?
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