Demonstrating currency. One of the three most significant major non compliances by RTO s that were found by ASQA (according to its 2012-13 Annual Report) was; failure to have trainers employed with appropriate competencies or the relevant industry experience. By Wendy Cato I have met with many trainers/assessors who believe they are current because they hold either; A bachelor of Education or higher, A Certificate IV in TAE (from 2 years ago), A qualification higher than that which they train and assess in. Firstly holding a higher qualification does not necessarily mean that a person has the skills and knowledge required in a lesser qualification (after all this is not a game of poker or bridge where one beats another). Secondly just because a person holds a qualification that is relevant i.e. Certificate IV in TAE, if that person hasn t done anything to keep themselves refreshed in training and assessment (and we are not just talking delivering training and conducting assessments) but actually following changes and extending their skills and knowledge base, then that person is not current. Because the units she studied at the higher level bore no resemblance to those at a lower level qualification and whilst she had memberships to childcare associations and had written manuals, this woman had not worked in the childcare industry for over 10 years. She had been a full time trainer with the RTO all of that time. So what does one need to do to demonstrate currency? The Standards for Registered Training Organisations (2015) state: 1.1 In addition to the requirements specified in Clause 1.14 and Clause 1.15, the RTO s training and assessment is delivered only by persons who have; (a) vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed, This comes as a surprise to many people. The fact that these people think they are current actually demonstrates that they are not current, because if they were current they would know what they need to demonstrate currency. I knew of one women who had a Masters in Childcare but was deemed not current to train and assess in Childcare. Why? www.rplassist.com.au 1
(b) current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided, and (c) current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment. Industry experts may also be involved in the assessment judgement, working alongside the trainer and/or assessor to conduct the assessment. 1.2 The RTO s training and assessment is delivered only by persons who have; (a) prior to 1 January 2016, the training and assessment qualification specified in Item 1 or Item 2 of Schedule 1, or demonstrated equivalence of competencies, and (b) from 1 January 2016, the training and assessment qualification specified in Item 1 or Item 2 of Schedule 1. Schedule 1 Item Relevant Standard AQF Qualification or Unit of Competency 1 1.14 1.15 2 1.14 TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or its successor. A diploma or higher level qualification in adult education. 1.15 So the question comes, how does one demonstrate the following? Vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed, Continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and trainer/assessor competence. There are two things an auditor will look for; 1. A mapping document for every trainer which maps their qualifications and experience to each unit of competency (or some other way of proving it does, as officially it is not mandatory to have a matrix/map, it just makes it easier). In conclusion demonstrating ongoing currency is a commitment by each trainer and assessor to keeping as up to date with their skills and knowledge to be the best possible trainer assessor. After all, isn t that why people entered the profession? The last thing the VET sector wants is someone they trained not to be able to do their work professionally. So how current are you? Why not take a few minutes to assess your currency using the Training Needs Analysis questionnaire on the following pages. te: this is not meant to be a definitive guide to currency but an indication of where there maybe gaps so that Professional Development can be better targeted. 2. Evidence of ongoing Professional Development both within VET and Vocationally. This requires evidence of attendances/participation to online seminars, workshops, PD programs both internally and externally or in online forums, relevant membership to relevant associations, work experiences or other relevant events. Auditors usually want to see a Professional Development Plan for each trainer/assessor for the next 12 24 months to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement. www.rplassist.com.au 2
Training Needs Analysis Questionnaire Please place a tick or cross in the box that most represents where you see your current level 01 When was the last time you undertook Professional Development related to trainer / assessment competence? (This is not in relation to your industry skills / knowledge) Over 2 years 02 How confident do you feel in your understanding of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015? t Confident 03 Do you understand the operations of the Australian Skills Quality Authority or your RTO s relevant state regulator? Parts of it 04 How confident do you feel in delivering training and assessment to clients with language and literacy issues? t Confident 05 How confident do you feel in delivering training and assessment to clients with disabilities? t Confident 06 6. How confident do you feel in delivering training and assessment to clients from diverse cultural backgrounds? t Confident 07 When was the last time you looked at or read at a Unit of Competency? Over 2 years 08 When was the last time you prepared a session plan? Over 2 years 09 When was the last time you developed learning materials for a session? www.rplassist.com.au 3
10 Do you think your training sessions could do with some spicing up? For example: some new activities, games etc... t sure 11 Are you able to design classroom activities? t sure 12. If asked, could you (without going and looking it up) tell another person: What the Rules of Evidence are and list them? What the Principles of Assessment are and list them? What Dimensions of Competency are and list them? What Employability / Foundation Skills are and list them? What Critical Aspects are in a Unit of Competency? Where in a Unit of Competency you would find the Critical Aspects? What the function / purpose of Validation is? What the function of an Evidence Matrix is? What the purpose of clustering materials / assessments is? www.rplassist.com.au 4
13 When was the last time you designed / developed an assessment tool to cover an entire unit of competency? 14 When was the last time you mapped an assessment tool back to a Unit of Competency? 15 When was the last time you conducted an RPL assessment? 16 When was the last time you were involved in a Validation session? 17 List the organisations that you are a member of in relation to training and assessment. 18 When was the last time you were involved in a Training or Assessment Professional Development session / workshop? 19 List the organisations you are a member of in relation to your vocational / industry. 20 When was the last time you worked in your vocational / industry field? Less than 3 years Over 4 years 21 When was the last time you undertook Professional Development in your vocation / industry area? Less than 3 years Over 4 years www.rplassist.com.au 5
22 List the Professional Development you have undertaken in your vocational / industry area in the past 12 months? 23 When was the last time you mapped your qualifications and experience Unit by Unit including Performance Criteria to the units you currently deliver and assess to demonstrate your currency? Questionnaire Completion After completing this questionnaire, note the areas where you have not undertaken training in the last 18 months, practice or workshops in a particular question, this then is an item of Professional Development that should be marked on your list. For those trainers/assessors who work for RTO s with Appraisals Systems that require you to have an ongoing Professional Development Plan, these items can assist you and your RTO to map out a Professional Development Plan. Get the recognition you deserve www.rplassist.com.au 6