Training packages and accredited courses are both critical components of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system. They are used as the basis for most programs carried out by RTOs and are developed and assessed in keeping with national standards. In this post, we will give an overview of these training products utilised by RTOs. TRAINING PACKAGES
Training packages are nationally accredited qualifications created to assist students in developing the skills they require for the workplace. Training Packages are found at TAFES, Universities and private entities. Training packages are an indispensable resource for providing structured, accredited training by RTOs or registered training organisations. Through consultation with industry experts, training packages are developed to meet the needs of the Australian Industry and include nationally recognised qualifications. Whilst the Training Package describes the skills required, they are not training manuals and do not outline how an individual should be taught. Training and assessment processes should be developed within the RTO. Training packages include several nationally endorsed items and several non-endorsed items:
Nationally Endorsed items
Non-Endorsed Components
ACCREDITED COURSES Accredited courses play an essential part in the VET system in Australia. They are designed to meet the skills and requirements of industry, enterprise, or community where a nationally endorsed training package does not address them. In the VET system, a course is accredited in one of 2 ways: • As a short course – these are courses as opposed to certificates or diplomas, and graduates receive a statement of attainment. • As an AQF valid qualification (including Certificates I, II, III, and IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate, and Graduate Diploma). An accredited course can be comprised of a combination of the following: • Nationally endorsed units of competency (brought in from training packages). • Enterprise units of competency (if there are no training package units of competency available, then this will be developed as part of the course). • Modules (If it is not possible to develop enterprise units of competency, and if the course has no clear vocational outcomes, these are developed as part of the course)
RTOS AND ACCREDITED COURSES Once a course is accredited, it has achieved a nationally recognised qualification or statement of attainment that can be issued on completion of the course. Anyone can develop a course that can then become accredited by 3 different agencies depending on where the course has been created: • Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) • Training Accreditation Council (TAC) Western Australia • Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority (VRQA).
If you are an RTO looking to accredit a course or re-accredit a course, an RTO Consultant can help you make sure your course is 100% compliant. Get in touch for more information on 1300 833 424 or email info@rtointelligence.com.au
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