An Introduction to Competency Based Training in Australia

Benchmarks for Assessment – Competency Based Training

Accredited courses offered by our Colleges are competency based.

The concept of competency focuses on what the employee is expected to do in the workplace.  It also embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills, knowledge and attitudes to new situations and environments.

One of the most important characteristics of competency based training is that it is focused on training people for actual jobs in the work place.  The training, therefore, has relevance to the individual.

A competency standard is a nationally agreed statement of the skills and knowledge required for effective performance in a particular job or job function.  Someone who is competent can demonstrate that they have the required skills and knowledge and be able to apply these to the standards of performance required in the workplace. They indicate clearly the standard of performance required in the job by the industry or enterprise.

Nationally Recognised Training

Nationally recognised training programs are portable throughout Australia, and are offered anywhere in Australia and are part of a national system.  Individuals undertaking these programs will have their skills recognised nationally.

There have been many changes in society within the last decade. Vocational Education and Training (VET) was traditionally thought of as technical and trade training.  As new industries, such as communications and the service industries, began to grow this needed to be expanded.  We now find courses available in most industry areas.

Flexibility

The traditional approach to training is not always appropriate for an individual, with its emphasis on the completion of a particular course over a set time.  Individuals now have access to recognised training through more flexible delivery arrangements including on-line learning, on and off the job training, and distance.

Qualifications

On completion of an accredited course, you will receive a Nationally Recognised Certificate.

This means that training programs offered anywhere in Australia are part of a national system.  Individuals undertaking these programs will have their skills recognised nationally.

VETAB accredited courses can only be issued by a Registered Training Organisation such as the Illawarra Business College.

If you choose to undertake part of a course, you will receive a Statement of Attainment for the Units completed. You can use these to complete your course later on.

Assessments

Assessments will be conducted to determine the achievement of competency-based learning outcomes. Assessments will include written assignments, projects, observations, practical skills demonstrations, participation in role plays, written reports and may be conducted in real and/or simulated workplace environments.

AQTF

The Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) comprises sets of nationally agreed standards to ensure the quality of vocational education and training services throughout Australia:

The Standards for Registered Training Organisations requires registered training organisations (RTOs) to:

• have documented systems for quality training and assessment
• conduct an internal audit at least annually
• have documented agreements with other organisations when they provide training or assessment in partnership
• have written procedures for recruitment, induction and professional development of staff
• use trainers and assessors with specified competencies
• follow explicit requirements for quality assurance in assessment
• have a recognition of prior learning process in place and offer to recognise the prior learning of all learners on enrolment, and
• follow specific requirements for developing, validating and implementing learning and assessment strategies.

AQF

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) comprises thirteen national qualifications issued in:

• the secondary schools sector;
• the vocational education and training sector (TAFE and registered private providers); and
• the higher education sector (mainly universities).

These qualifications are shown below, grouped according to the educational sector in which they are most commonly issued.

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