Australia’s Skills Ministers are working to reshape Australia’s qualifications system to better support the diverse user needs of VET.
Some JSCs, including Skills Insight, are undertaking demonstration projects to show how qualification reform could be achieved.
We have produced a short 9-minute video to explain our proposed qualification reform concept. Our concept is being developed to consider the goals of the Qualification Reform Design Group and Skills Ministers. It aims to reduce duplication in the system and enhance the transferability of training and skills across qualifications, workplaces and industries.
Key features of our proposed concept
Recognises Competency is a Journey:
Our proposed concept acknowledges the unique roles that registered training organisations (RTOs), industry, and the workplace play in a learner’s journey to competency. Competency has multiple dimensions; while some aspects can be effectively trained and assessed by an RTO, it is essential to recognise that further competency development continues in the workplace, where real-world application and ongoing learning takes place.
Removing Duplication of Learning:
Our proposed concept centres around Learning and Assessment Modules (LA-mods), which focus on transferable and foundational knowledge and skills, such as ‘Operate a vehicle’ as one example. These are complemented by Application Modules (App-mods), which apply those skills to specific contexts, like operating a tractor. This approach allows learners to build on their transferable foundational skills, streamlining the learning process by eliminating the need to duplicate similar learning across multiple units of competency.
Transferable Skills Across Sectors:
Instead of tying qualifications to specific job roles, this concept emphasises transferable capability and training outcomes. This shift enables learners to transfer relevant parts of their training and skills across qualifications, workplaces and industries. Our proposed concept is built around Learning and Assessment Modules (LA-mods) that transcend industry or occupational boundaries, with the ability to select Application Modules (App-mods) for specific work contexts.
Please feel welcome to contact us with any comments or questions about this proposed concept.
Next steps
The concept is currently being tested on the existing Certificate II in Rural Operations. A Steering Committee of stakeholders with experience in VET delivery and/or the rural operations qualification is overseeing this work, with a final report due in September.
In parallel, Skills Insight is also working on a Categorisation Project to assign qualifications to specific purposes, with findings to be shared in the final report.