What do I need to know about vocational training?
1. What is a Training Package?
Despite increasing awareness and industry use of national Training Packages, there are still some misconceptions about what a Training Package is and the role they are intended to serve in vocational and technical education (VTE).
The name 'Training Package' itself contributes to the misunderstanding, as it may suggest that the primary role is to describe how people should be trained. In fact this is the one thing that the endorsed components of a Training Package do not do.
Unlike curriculum, which sets the process, learning outcomes and sequence of a training program, a Training Package simply describes what is required of someone in a work situation.
The 'competency standards' component of a Training Package is therefore a detailed description of the skills and knowledge required for a particular industry and role and the workplace environment and conditions.
In describing the competencies required by an industry, a Training Package makes no assumptions about how someone may gain those skills. All employees have skills, knowledge and experience that may have been gained on the job, through formal training or previous work or life experiences.
Instead, it concentrates on expected work outcomes clearly and in sufficient detail to allow assessment against the competency standards through processes including demonstration in the workplace, recognition of current competence (RCC) or prior learning (RPL).
Competency standards provide a benchmark for training and assessment across an industry. They enable enterprises to accurately define particular roles within industry and are a useful guide when designing job classifications, workplace appraisal, skill development and associated award linkages. They are the basis for designing VET courses and assessment approaches for both on and off the job delivery.
In a Training Package, competency standards are grouped to define training and assessment 'pathways' leading to a particular qualification. These 'Packaging Rules' determine the number and type of competencies (core, specialist) that must be successfully completed. Choice is allowed just the same as a student undertaking an Arts degree may choose his/her own subjects according to career prospects and personal interest.
Please refer to the National Training Information Service (NTIS), www.ntis.gov.au, for the current competency standards, packaging rules and qualifications >>
The Training Package for the Food Processing and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing industries was originally endorsed in 1998. Training Packages are reviewed by industry every 3-5 years to ensure that the competency standards, qualifications, pathways and packaging rules remain current.
The second version released in 2003 and named FDF03 Food Processing Industry Training Package is under review during 2006. Further information about the Review is available from the Agri-Food Industry Skills Council at www.agrifoodskills.net.au
The complete package is available on CD from the Australian Training Products Ltd at www.atpl.net.au/listcatalogues.aspx >>
2. What about the national qualifications?
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a national framework for all education and training qualifications in Australia. There are 12 qualifications in the AQF, divided between three sectors: School, VET and Higher Education (university).
Certificates I to IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma are directly relevant to the Vocational sector, although in practice this distinction is not so clear. It is not unusual for the Schools sector to be delivering Certificates 1 or higher, for the VET sector to deliver Graduate certificates, and for the Higher Education sector to be involved in delivery of Certificate IV.
Refer to the list of qualifications at www.aqf.edu.au >>
3. What is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)?
An RTO decides which Training Packages it will deliver (called scope of registration) and is registered by the state registering body for a certain period. In NSW the registering body is VETAB (Vocational Education & Training Accreditation Board). Each RTO must operate within its own scope of registration and is audited by the registering body in accordance with the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). Complaints about an RTO in NSW regarding our industry should be directed to the food processing recognition officer at VETAB.
The RTO may be a public (TAFE) or private provider and can issue AQF qualifications and Statements of Attainment for Training Packages listed on its scope of registration. A Statement of Attainment is a record of competencies achieved (like a testamur) which, although falling short of an AQF qualification, may be counted towards a qualification later.
Many RTOs in each state are registered to deliver our Food Processing Industry Training Package (includes pharmaceutical manufacturing). They are listed by Training Package (FDF03 - national code) and state on the National Training Information Service (NTIS) website at www.ntis.gov.au.
4. How can I access government funding to train my workers?
4.1 Apprenticeships and Traineeships
'New Apprenticeships' is a general term referring to both Apprenticeships and Traineeships that combine work and structured training as determined in an industry’s Training Package.
Employers receive attractive Commonwealth and State government incentives (different in each state) for apprentices and new entrant trainees (employed less than 3 months when signed up). Existing worker trainees are also funded in our industry. This workplace supervisor's guide is helpful >>
Use the NSW Department of Education and Training's Apprenticeship website to check available apprenticeships and traineeships and the RTOs that are listed on the Approved Provider List (APL) for government funding. Government funding incentives received by employers and RTOs for trainees and apprentices are also listed. Refer to http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au/index2.htm >>
Australian Apprenticeship Centres (AACs) provide services to employers who wish to take on an apprentice or trainee. For comprehensive information on AACs, visit the dedicated website, www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au here >>
Search for your closest AAC here >>
4.2 Group Training Companies
Group Training Companies employ apprentices and trainees and then place them with 'host employers', usually from small to medium sized enterprises. Group Training provides a cost-efficient and administratively simple way for these businesses to hire New Apprentices when this might otherwise not be possible.
Firstly, they may not be able to offer a New Apprentice a permanent position due to an inability to guarantee ongoing work; secondly, they may not have the range of work available to ensure that a New Apprentice gains all the necessary job skills; and thirdly they may simply not have the time to undertake all employment and training functions themselves.
Within this arrangement, the Group Training Company acts as the primary employer. It selects the New Apprentice, manages the training and takes responsibility for all paperwork connected with wages, allowances, superannuation, workers compensation, sick/holiday pay and other employment benefits. It also rotates the New Apprentices from business to business, where necessary, to ensure that they all receive a broad range of training and experience.
If you would like to know more about group training arrangements in your area, visit the Group Training Australia website at http://www.gtaltd.com.au>>
Contact details for the Group Training Association of NSW Inc.
30-32 Pomeroy Street HOMEBUSH NSW 2140
T: 02 9746 9333
F: 02 9746 9444
E: daniellem@nswgrouptraining.com.au
5. Can I get my overseas or other trade qualifications recognised?
If you have experience working in a particular recognised trade like baking but do not have formal qualifications in that trade, you can apply to have your trade skills assessed and formally recognised by the NSW Vocational Training Tribunal (VTT) and receive trade certification. You may do this if you:
- have worked in the particular trade for at least four years (either in Australia or overseas), or
- have completed an apprenticeship or other trade training (either in Australia or overseas), or
- have completed a recognised industry assessment program or
- have acquired an appropriate qualification
Trade recognition in NSW is conducted in accordance with Part 3 of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001. Fees are established by regulation under this Act.
Contact:
Apprenticeship and Traineeship Administration Authority
Vocational Training Tribunal NSW
Level 12, 1 Oxford Street
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
P:(02) 9266 8450
W: http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au/html/tradeskills.htm
6. Did you know that year 11 and 12 students can become trainees and apprentices in your business?
Senior students now have the opportunity to gain credit towards the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) and credit towards national vocational qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). View the NSW Board of Studies website at http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/voc_ed/index.html.
For more information contact the HSC Vocational Education Advisers for:
- Government Schools - http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au
- Catholic Schools - http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au/html/catholic.htm
- Independent Schools - www.studentnet.edu.au/vet
7. Are you aware of the Awards and Conditions in your industry for trainees and apprentices?
NSW (State) industrial awards
P: 13 16 28
W: www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au
Federal industrial awards
P: 1300 363 264
W: www.wagenet.gov.au
8. Need Advice? Speak with your local Industry Training Centre
Nine Department of Education & Training (DET) Industry Training Services Centres are located in NSW at Newcastle, Wollongong, Tamworth, Lismore, Wagga Wagga, Orange, Parramatta, Bankstown and Chatswood.
P: 13 28 11
W: http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au/html/itscs.htm