In the last newsletter, we discussed the following:

• ASQA Guidelines on “industry currency.”
• How to stay up to date in terms of “industry currency.”
• Factors that influence “industry currency.”
• What is “industry current or currency period.”
• The definition of vocational education and training currency.
• Licensing requirements for trainers and assessors.

In part 4 of the series, we will discuss how to complete a compliant trainer matrix, trainer file and trainer files checklists.

Your RTO must maintain compliant and complete trainers and assessors file and records. It may take a substantial amount of time to develop a detailed staff matrix for the first time, but you will find it very useful to demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements after that.

The definition of a trainer matrix

The trainer matrix feature allows trainers and RTO administration to track and manage evidence that will support the requirements of vocational competencies, current industry skills, VET knowledge and skills and professional development (clauses 1.13 – 1.16 under Standards for RTOs 2015).

The trainer matrix, therefore, provides evidence of the qualifications and industry currency of trainers involved in program delivery, mapped to each unit they deliver and assess. A trainer’s matrix should be developed when a trainer is initially assigned to deliver and assess a unit/s. Existing trainer assigned should update their matrixes at least annually to record additional industry experience, trainer qualifications changes/upgrades and relevant professional development.  

ASQA Guidelines on “trainer matrix”:

There is no prescribed way of recording evidence of verification of trainer and assessor qualifications; this is an operational decision for each RTO. For example, RTO’s may choose to record the verification within their RTO’s trainer and assessor matrix. (FAQs https://www.asqa.gov.au/topic/trainers-and-assessors)

What must be included in a ”trainer’s matrix.”  

From the explanation above, it is evident that a skills matrix must include sufficient and unambiguous information:

(1) The document should be appropriately labelled and version controlled.

(2) The RTO’s name, code and contact details should be included

(3) Trainer name and contact details
 

(4) Department name and contact details, if applicable

(5) Information if it is for “initial registration or appointment as a trainer/assessor” or “annual update”.

(6) Information and details about the qualifications or unit/s of competency the trainer/assessor is training and/or assessing at the RTO.

(7) The Trainer/Assessor must include their work experience and qualifications that enable them to train and assess each unit of competency delivered. This information should be verified by bona fide qualification documentation, a resume, references and information which may be checked to confirm authenticity.   

• Vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed;
• Current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided; and
• Current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment

(8) You must record your vocational education and training (VET) work experience. Details and description of the duties, the name of the employer or organisation, the position held, and date/s and time worked.

(9) You must record your vocational education and training qualification and equivalence. Name of the course achieved, the institution from where it is obtained, and the dates received. This section can also be used for writing down other certificates and licenses obtained.

(10) You must record your training and assessment (TAE or equivalent) credentials and qualifications (according to clause 1.14 and clause 1.15). Please also include the following information:

Training and Assessment Credentials Required – Trainers

On or prior to 30 June 2019 (no equivalence)

• TAE40110 or TAE40116* or
• TAE40110 + one of the following Units of Competency: TAELLN401A/TAELLN411 and
• one of the following Units of Competency: TAEASS502A/TAEASS502B/TAEASS502 or a diploma or higher-level qualification in adult education OR
• Diploma related to adult education OR
• Higher qualification in adult education

From 1 July 2019 (no equivalence)

• TAE40116* or TAE40110 + one of the following Units of Competency: TAELLN401A/TAELLN411 and
• one of the following Units of Competency: TAEASS502A/TAEASS502B/TAEASS502 or a diploma or higher-level qualification in adult education OR
• Diploma related to adult education OR
• Higher qualification in adult education

Training and Assessment Credentials Required – Assessors

On or prior to 30 June 2019 (no equivalence)

• Assessor Skill Set (TAESS00001 or TAESS00011 Assessor Skill Set) or
• TAE40110 or TAE40116* or
• TAE40110 + one of the following Units of Competency: TAELLN401A/TAELLN411 and
• one of the following Units of Competency: TAEASS502A/TAEASS502B/TAEASS502 or a diploma or higher-level qualification in adult education OR
• Diploma related to adult education OR
• Higher qualification in adult education

From 1 July 2019 (no equivalence)

• Assessor Skill Set (TAESS00001 or TAESS00011 Assessor Skill Set) or
• TAESS00001 plus one of the following Units of Competency: TAEASS502A/TAEASS502B/TAEASS502 or
• TAE40116* or TAE40110 + one of the following Units of Competency: TAELLN401A/TAELLN411 and
• one of the following Units of Competency: TAEASS502A/TAEASS502B/TAEASS502 or a diploma or higher level qualification in adult education OR
• Diploma related to adult education OR
• Higher qualification in adult education

You must, therefore, have a Training and Assessment Qualifications section on your skills matrix and options to select the checkboxes or let the Trainer/Assessor write the training and assessment qualification/s they have acquired.

(11) Provide details of how you meet the vocational competence requirements of each unit you are delivering or assessing. This may be through holding the same unit of competency, holding an older version of the same unit and verifying there are no gaps, holding an older version of the same unit and providing details of how gaps have been addressed, other formal qualifications, professional development activities, evidence from work in the industry, etc.

Please ensure all areas of the unit of competency are addressed through the evidence provided. Provide examples and explain each criterion to ensure you have addressed all areas of the unit of competency. If the units are not equivalent (e.g. a Statement of Attainment for the specific unit/course has not been submitted), a mapping document must be provided to demonstrate how the units have been mapped to ensure vocational competency. In some cases, such mapping document may be provided by the RTO.  

(12) You must have a section to comply with the professional development requirements mentioned under Vet Quality Framework (VQF) Reference: SRTO 1.16

Professional development means activities that develop and/or maintain an individual’s skills, knowledge, expertise and other characteristics as a trainer or assessor. This includes both formal and informal activities that encompass vocational competencies, the currency of industry skills and knowledge and practice of vocational training, learning and assessment, including competency-based training and assessment. Examples of professional development activities include:

• participation in courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, or formal learning programs;
• participation in mentoring, professional associations or other learning networks;
• personal development through individual research or reading of publications or other relevant information;
• participation in moderation or validation activities; and
• participation in industry release schemes.

Identify any areas requiring professional development to address in the upcoming year. Where possible, identify where professional development may be undertaken. Once professional development has occurred, remove from this section and put the details in the appropriate sections of the skills matrix.

“The future professional development needs” must include the following professional development sessions:

• Knowledge about the units of competency
• Vocational training and learning knowledge
• Industry currency
• Assessment and/or learner resource validation
• Competency-based training and assessment
• E-learning/ technology and industry changes and their effect on VET training and assessment

(13) You must include the evidence of current knowledge and skills in vocational education and training to inform training and assessment practices (Vet Quality Framework Reference: SRTO 1.13c) The section may include the following fields: Activity, Organisation/person provided by, Dates Undertake, Time involved, Type of Activity, Knowledge or skills gained

(14) You must include a declaration and verification section to confirm that the information provided on the Trainer Matrix and any related documentation is true and accurate. You give permission to your employer to verify the accuracy of any information provided.

In short, a valid trainer matrix includes the following information:

• Training Product/s delivered and/or assessed;
• Mapping to the compliance and regulatory standards (Trainers and assessors’ clause 1.13 to 1.16 and Individuals working under the supervision of a trainer clause 1.17 to 1.20.);
• Ongoing study towards completion of formal qualifications
• PD and Industry currency in the last 12 months;
• Employment history;
• Positions held, employer, dates of employment;
• Relevant industry experience/training;
• Current appointments, memberships of professional/industry associations;
• Professional development planned; and
• Have a declaration and verification checklist   

It is also recommended that all resumes/CVs are verified for currency and authenticity through the undertaking of reference checks.

Who must complete the skills matrix in your RTO?

It is the responsibility of the trainer/assessor to confirm that the information presented in the skills matrix is complete, authentic and valid. Your organisation can follow a joint-effort to complete the skills matrix, where the administration or compliance department can develop the template, complete all training package criteria, and then you as a trainer and assessor review all information, fill in the gaps and ensure every statement is true, complete and valid.

The trainer file and checklist

An RTO must hold valid files for all Trainers and Assessors (this includes files for contractors and employees). A valid file includes the following information:

• Compliance checklist
  • Trainer file checklist
• Employment contract
  • A signed and dated copy of employment contract and offer letter
  • A signed copy of position description
• CV/ Resume
  • A current copy of the trainer/assessor’s CV (usually updated on an annual basis)
• Qualifications/ licenses/ checks
  • Evidence of vocational competencies
  • Evidence of industry currency
  • Evidence of VET currency
  • Training and assessment qualification
  • Vocational licenses/ tickets/ cards (as required)
  • National police clearance check
  • Working with children check
• Performance management
  • Staff key performance indicators and appraisal (at least an annual basis)
  • Trainer observation forms (observation by RTO staff)
  • Trainer feedback forms (from students)
• Induction
  • Staff induction checklist
  • Staff induction session
  • Staff handbook
• Direct supervision
  • Direct supervision plan and documentation (as required)
• HR/ Payroll/ Leave forms
  • Personal details form with bank details
  • Tax file declaration
  • Superannuation details
  • Business name confirmation (for contractors)
  • ABN and GST (for contractors)  
• Insurances
  • Copy of professional indemnity insurance

Stay tuned for more… upcoming newsletters we will cover the following topics:

• Part 5: Common errors and non-compliance identified in the trainer and assessor files.
• Special edition on frequently asked questions and answers on trainer files.

You can purchase a trainer file kit (skills template, file checklist and other necessary forms such as induction, WHS etc.) at a special price of $250.00 (normally $650) by emailing info@caqa.com.au. Offer expires 30th June.

In the last newsletter we discussed the following:

• The definition of vocational competency
• ASQA Guidelines on “vocational competence”
• The three C’s of Vocational competency related to demonstrating skills and knowledge in an “industry area”
• Skills and knowledge in an “industry area”

In this part of the series, we will discuss industry currency, vocational education and training currency, licensing requirements and professional development requirements.

Your trainers and assessors must maintain industry currency to work as trainers and assessors in the vocational education and training sector.

The definition of industry currency

Industry currency and professional knowledge refers to the competence of an individual to perform their job role. The knowledge required in an occupation does not remain static, so employees need to continuously update their skills. As vocational education and training (VET) practitioners train the individuals entering these occupations, it is important for them to ensure that their industry knowledge and skills are current.

A clear and verified relationship between the trainer’s and assessor’s current industry skills and knowledge and the qualifications/units they deliver and assess must be established. This is to ensure the trainer and assessor has “current” knowledge and skills in terms of emerging technological innovations, regulatory and legislative changes and shifts in client demands. The industry usually does not use the term “Industry currency”.  For them it is either “professional competence” to encompass the concepts of currency, updating and upskilling or “industry relevance”, defining it as a solid grounding in the industry gained from being trained and employed in the industry.

ASQA Guidelines on “industry currency”:

To provide training that reflects current industry practice and valid assessment, your RTO’s trainers and assessors must maintain the currency of their skills and knowledge in both:

• their industry area and,
• vocational education and training.

It is also acceptable for an appropriately qualified trainer and assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together.

How to stay up-to-date in terms of “industry currency”

In many situations, trainers and assessors may be working in the industry sector and this can be used as evidence for industry currency. Where this is not the case, currency needs to be established through different mediums such as:

• Attending trade events, workshops, conferences, technical seminars and other industrial events  
• Reading industry magazines and journals (subscription and notes taken)
• Undertaking online research (and have documented logs of these activities)
• Engaging in industry networks
• Participating in LinkedIn groups
• Product manufacturer/vendor training  

Factors that influence “Industry currency”

• Technology innovation
• Changing legislation and regulatory requirements
• Changes to industry practice
• New and emerging skills and specialisations as work practices change
• Technical skills being outdated through periods of non-use

What is “industry current or currency period”

Each RTO has to consider the relevant factors, ideally in consultation with industry, to determine an appropriate currency period. A lot will depend on how static the industry is or how fast it is developing and changing. In general anything that is 2 years old, or more will not be considered current.

The definition of vocational education and training currency

VET currency refers to the competence of an individual to work in the vocational education and training sector.

Current VET trainers/assessors must:

• Develop knowledge and practice of vocational training and assessment, including competency based training and assessment competencies through continual professional development.
• Undertake professional development that contributes to the demonstration of vocational training and learning requirements

How to stay up-to-date in terms of “VET currency”

• Subscribing to VET and RTO newsletters and magazines. Make sure you keep a PD log of what you read, where you read it, what you learned and how you implemented the learning.
• Participation in VET forums and discussions such as LinkedIn.
• Participation in VET seminars, conferences and workshops (particularly the ones delivered by the regulatory bodies)
• Enrolling in PD courses and workshops for RTO staff
• Participation in resource writing and validation

Licensing requirements for trainers and assessors

If licensing requirements vary from the training package requirements, RTOs must ensure that all aspects of the training package are met. License requirements should be considered in addition to the requirements for the training package. For example, a white card is a mandatory work card required in Australia to be able to train and assess students working on a construction site.

Stay tuned for more… in our coming newsletters we will cover the following topics:

• Part 4: How to complete a compliant trainer matrix and trainer files checklists
• Part 5: Common errors and non-compliance identified in the trainer and assessor files.
• Special edition on frequently asked questions and answers on trainer files.

In the last newsletter (published in November 2018) we discussed the following:

• Legislative and regulatory requirements
• Requirements for all trainers and assessors
• Trainer CVs

In part 2 of the series, we will discuss the vocational competency requirements.

The quality of your training and assessment is dependent on the skills and knowledge of your trainers and assessors. The Standards specify that trainers and assessors must be skilled VET practitioners with current industry skills and knowledge. This will ensure that students receive the training required and are properly assessed before being issued with a qualification or statement of attainment.

Let’s start with the vocational competency requirements for trainers and assessors.

The definition of vocational competency

Vocational competency in a particular industry consists of broad industry knowledge and experience, usually combined with a relevant industry qualification. A person who has vocational competency will be familiar with the content of the vocation and will have relevant current experience in the industry. Vocational competencies must be considered on an industry-by-industry basis and with reference to the guidance provided in the assessment guidelines of the relevant training package. (Reference: NCVER)

A clear and verified relationship between the trainer’s and assessor’s formal and informal training and experience and the qualifications/units they deliver and assess must be established. Training Packages include specific industry advice related to the vocational competencies of assessors. This may include advice on relevant industry qualifications and experience required for assessing against the Training Package.  The Training Package will also provide specific industry advice outlining what it sees as acceptable forms of evidence to demonstrate the maintenance of currency of vocational competency.

ASQA Guidelines on “vocational competence”:

To provide training that reflects current industry practice and valid assessment, your RTO’s trainers and assessors must maintain the currency of their skills and knowledge in both:

• their industry area and,
• vocational education and training.

It is also acceptable for an appropriately qualified trainer and assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together.

The three C’s of Vocational competency related to demonstrating skills and knowledge in an “industry area”

Vocational competence and currency = Broad industry knowledge + experience + relevant industry qualification in terms of:

1. Content: How have you determined that you know how to do the job of the qualifications you deliver and assess?
2. Context: Does this information clearly show the relationship between what you are delivering and what you have experience in?
3. Currency: How up-to-date are you with current work practices in your industry and how do you find out if something is changing or has changed?

Skills and knowledge in an “industry area”

In many situations, trainers and assessors will hold the qualification and/or units of competency that they deliver or assess. Where this is not the case equivalence needs to be established.

• Formal vocational education and training qualification/units of competency you deliver and assess
• Participate in documented mapping activities to demonstrate you have at least the required level of knowledge and skills.

Stay tuned for more… upcoming newsletters we will cover the following topics:

• Part 3: Industry currency, vocational education and training currency, licensing requirements and professional development requirements and trainer files checklists.
• Part 4: How to complete a compliant trainer matrix
• Part 5: Common errors and non-compliance identified in the trainer and assessor files.
• Special edition on frequently asked questions and answers on trainer files.