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New Arrangements for Training Product
Development for Australian Industry
The Australian Government is committed to training that
is high quality and delivers real skills for jobs.
In an increasingly competitive, globalised and technologicallyadvanced economy, Australian industry needs skills training
that meets the demands of modern workplaces.
Industry has told us that in order to do this, the national
training system has to be more responsive and flexible
enough to satisfy the needs of employers of all sizes, across
all industry sectors, and that the point of exchange between
the training system, industry bodies and other key players
needs to be retained.
A new model
New approaches to the development of training products
are required to ensure training continues to respond to
rapid changes in demand by industry for skills and ensure
the skills of Australian workers meet world-class standards.
To this end, the Australian Government is introducing a new
model for engaging Australian industry in the development
of training products that guide the delivery of vocational
education and training (VET).
The new model is further evidence of the Government’s
commitment to building the skills of Australians to
enhance competitiveness and deliver on the Government’s
commitment to smaller government and industry leadership.
What does the new model look like?
The new approach will place industry engagement at the
centre of training product development and will cement
industry’s role in overseeing training product content.
The new model will also:
yy engage more employer feedback in training product
development
yy embed the national character of qualifications, not only
for the benefit of seamless operations across borders, but
also enhanced career opportunities for graduates of VET
yy ensure the quality of VET qualifications is retained
Australian Training Packages
There are approximately 60 training packages
containing over 1600 qualifications which
cover around 85 per cent of Australian
occupations. Training packages and their
development are matters of importance to
Australia’s industry. Training packages define
the competencies required by different
occupations and industries and they describe
how these competencies may be packaged
into nationally recognised and portable
qualifications that comply with the Australian
Qualifications Framework.
Training packages are updated in response
to industry feedback on the skills and
competencies required to perform effectively
in the workplace.
From training packages, training providers
design courses that deliver the skills and
knowledge identified in the training package
and tailor it to local industry, employer and
learner needs.
Specifically, the new model will support Industry
Reference Committees (IRCs) as the conduit for industry
intelligence into training policy and practice and to guide
the development of industry-based training products
(including training packages and support materials).
These IRCs will be convened as required in response
to industry identified needs and government priority.
The IRCs will be supported by Skills Service Organisations
(SSOs) which will be funded by the Australian Government
to provide administrative, technical and operational support
to assist IRCs in their engagement with industries. SSOs
will be governed by professional boards with demonstrated
independence and strategic and professional skills.
The strengths of the current system won’t be lost in the
new approach. The Government remains committed to
supporting high quality training that is internationally
regarded, with industry engagement setting training priorities
and products as part of a system of nationally regulated
standards.
The new arrangements will find efficiencies through cutting
administration and duplication, and by prioritising work
schedules to industry needs, rather than updating training
products for the sake of it.
How will the new model be set up?
On behalf of the Australian Government, the Department
of Education and Training will advertise an open
competitive grants process to select suitable organisations
to offer SSO services to IRCs for their chosen industries.
To ensure continuity and stability of the training products
system there will be an orderly transition to the new model.
A small number of SSOs will be established from October
2015, with the new model commencing full operations
from 1 January 2016.
The process will find organisations that are best placed to
service the IRCs to lead industry through engagement and
development of training products. It is industry that will
measure how effective that engagement is.
The IRCs, supported by the SSOs will ensure that industry
is leading the development and updating of training
products that:
yy set the outcomes of training that employers expect
of their workers
yy give learners skills at an accepted Australia-wide
industry standard and improve their chances of
securing a job or moving up in their career
yy offer employers an assurance that employees have
been trained to an industry standard and bring the skills
needed to boost workplace productivity
ED15-0079
The new model has robust mechanisms for incentivising
and enforcing expectations and performance. The Australian
Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) Charter and the IRC
code of conduct will outline the expectations and processes
for the operation of the IRCs, supported by the SSOs within
the training product development system.
Ultimately if an SSO is not meeting expectations,
an IRC will have the ability, following due process,
including agreement from the Minister, to work with
an alternative SSO. These arrangements ensure that
each industry sector, via their IRCs, is clearly responsible
for their training products.
How are IRCs formed?
IRCs are alliances of eminent persons with demonstrated
experience, skills and knowledge to represent the issues
of their sector. The relevant SSO will facilitate and support
the forming of these IRCs to ensure that the final alliance is
truly representing industry, is able to speak with a national
voice, and is credentialed in the relevant issues.
IRCs through their SSO will approach the AISC with a
business case for the development or reform of training
products. The AISC will then assign work to the IRC with
support from the SSO on a prioritised basis.
How do I get something updated urgently,
eg if there is an urgent safety issue that
needs to be dealt with?
Until a new model is implemented, if there is an urgent
issue, this should be raised with the relevant current
Industry Skills Council to be addressed through existing
processes.
More Information
For more information please email
industryskillspolicy@education.gov.au
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