Training packages and accredited courses are the foundations of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system. These training packages are used as the basis for developing the training resources and materials delivered by registered training organisations (RTOs). These contain the specific skills and knowledge that industries have identified for individuals to perform effectively in the workplace. However, training packages do not describe how people should be trained.
Who Creates Training Packages?
Training packages are developed by Skills Service Organisations in consultation with industries, enterprises, and/or professional organisations. Skills Service Organisations are independent, professional organisations that work with Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) in creating and reviewing training packages. There are six SSOs funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, these are:
- Artibus Innovation
- Australian Industry Standards
- IBSA Manufacturing
- PWC’s Skills for Australia
- Skills Impact
- Skills IQ
What are the Components of Training Packages?
Training packages contain a set of nationally endorsed components and a collection of non-endorsed components.
Nationally Endorsed Components
Nationally Endorsed Components provides the basis of training and assessment in training packages. A training package must satisfy all component requirements for training to be nationally recognised.
- Qualifications – every training package contains details of the units of competency that must be accomplished to meet specific AQF qualifications. The “packaging rules” for training packages provide rules on how to arrange units to create a valid AQF qualification.
- Competency Standards – this contains information on the necessary skills and knowledge required to perform effectively in the workplace.
- Assessment Guidelines – this refers to the assessment methods to be used by RTOs when assessing a student’s level of competency. This ensures that all assessments are compliant with principles of assessment and rules of evidence.
- Credit Arrangements – Existing arrangements between the training package qualifications and higher education qualifications. This provides information on how previous education (units completed in a qualification) or work experience can be credited via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competency (RCC).
Non-endorsed Components
These refer to the other components of a training package that contribute to the successful delivery of a training program but doesn’t require a formal endorsement.
- Skill Sets – provides information on the single units of competency which meet an identified need or outcome
- Quality assured – guidelines on how an RTO can better interpret and understand the nationally endorsed components
Where can I get access to these training packages?
Training packages are developed with public funds and are available in the public domain. You can search and freely download training packages from the National Register of VET.
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