aqtf essential conditions and standards for ... - aga · gippsland group training limited, t/a...

AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Continuing

Registration & VRQA Guidelines for VET Providers – Extension to Scope Audit Report

Audit Date: 12/13 July 2017 RTO: Gippsland Group Training Ltd

T/as Apprenticeships Group Australia

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Applicant Details

Applicant Name Gippsland Group Training Ltd T/as Apprenticeships Group Australia

TOID 3829

Address 80 Firmins Lane, Morwell VIC 3840

Audit conducted at 192 High Street, Northcote.

Website www.agaustralia.com.au

Registration Contact Mr Stephen Lewis

Phone Number 03 9481 9112 Email [email protected]

Audit Team

Audit Firm ShineWing Australia Auditor/s John Molenaar

Auditor/s Other Attendees

Marielle Guinto,Training Support Manager

Nathan McDonald, Delivery Partner

Registering Body Details

Contact Person Simon Thorn

Phone Number 9032 1562 Email [email protected]

Audit Details

Type of Audit Extension to Scope Audit

Conditions Audited 8

Standards Audited 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 2.4

2016 VRQA Guidelines Audited

3.1, 3.2 4.1, 4.2

Audit Date/s 12/13 July 2017

RTO Background

Gippsland Group Training Limited, T/A Apprenticeships Group Australia (AGA), was one of the first group training organisations in Australia, operating in Victoria (and with RTO partners across Australia) for over 30 years. AGA is a not-for-profit organisation, with a primary focus on meeting the needs of the young people that it trains and employs. It offers an apprenticeship service to both apprentice/trainee and employers – a service which develops the individual to meet the dynamic and changing needs of employers. AGA has a 2017 Skills First contract with DET for 1000 training places, with current 400 enrolments in this program. An additional 500 apprentices and trainees enrolled in earlier years also form part of AGAs student population. The organisation is also funded to deliver the Employability Skills Training Program which it does with RTO partners in SA and TAS and the Australian Apprenticeship Support network (AASN) program in Victoria under sub-contract to MAS National (MAS).





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The proportion of client groups iinside AGAs GTO includes approximately 65% apprentices and 35% trainees who are placed with over 350 employers including multi-national companies. AGAs student population primarily comprises apprentices, trainees, VET in Schools students and pre-apprentices. Apprentices and trainees are also placed with employers involved in infrastructure projects such as the level crossing removal projects. Fee for service activities include the occasional delivery of individual units to workers in employment and links are maintained with TAFEs, eg Chisholm and Federation for collaborative projects. AGA income sources include approximately $48m made up of Skills First Program, AASN projects, RTO fee for service activities, employment projects, however the most significant source of funding is through its Group Training services. The past focus of AGA has been on traditional trades, but more recently AGA commenced to offer a wide range of training and employment solutions (including pre-vocational courses and traineeships) which can be tailored to many different industries or professions. As part of this move, AGA has submitted an application for Extension to Scope to include ten units related to the Electricity Supply Industry in response to employer requests for refresher training for their employees and also initial training in the units, as part of their work requirements and to meet regulatory and network requirements. Information about the UET12 Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector Training Package and the seven units subject to this Extension to Scope application. Five units reviewed are identified in the Training Package as part of an endorsed Skill Set for the purposes of refresher training and/or to meet regulatory and/or network requirements. The following units:

UETTDRRF02B - Perform pole top rescue

UETTDRRF03B - Perform EWP rescue

UETTDRRF05B - Perform rescue from switchyard structures at heights

UETTDRRF07B - Perform cable pit/trench/excavation rescue

UETTDRRF08B - Perform EWP controlled descent escape are identified as a Skill Set with only one unit and the requirement that candidates must hold and shall be current in the unit: HLTAID001 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation. AGA will only deliver the units to workers who are currently in the unit: HLTAID001 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The following two units are identified in the Training Package as a Skill Set with only one unit

UETTDRRF09B - Apply access procedures to work on or near electrical network infrastructure

UETTDRRF06B - Perform rescue from a live LV panel The Training Package does not specify the requirement that candidates must hold and shall be current in the unit: HLTAID001 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation, however AGA will only deliver the units to workers who are currently in the unit: HLTAID001 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ESI employees are required to maintain currency in the above units for authorisation/approval to work on ESI Networks.

http://www.australianindustrystandards.org.au/training-packages/electricity-supply-industry-generation-sector-training-package/





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Apprenticeships Group Australia delivery and assessment of the units Employers identify workers who require refresher training and contact AGA to conduct the training and assessment and provide a Statement of Attainment for satisfactorily completed units. Though the units can be delivered for the purposes of refresher training or for initial training for workers to meet regulatory and/or network requirements, AGA has structured learning and assessment arrangements for refresher training courses. No nominal hours have been identified for the units so the ‘amount of training’ for the delivery and assessment is determined based on industry feedback and the experience of industry specialists and trainers/assessors who have previously delivered and assessed the units. The determination made by AGA for the ‘amount of training’ based on industry advice, is that each individual unit, based on workers who are current in the unit: HLTAID001 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation prior to enrolment, will be delivered and assessed within the following durations, based on groups of no more than six learners:

Refresher training: four hours unit

Initial training: eight hours a unit Where units are delivered and assessed as a cluster of two or three units within one course, and where units have an overlap of content, the delivery and assessment duration may be:

Eight hours for the two or three units in a refresher course, or

Sixteen hours for an initial course. AGA requires that workers hold and be current in the unit: HLTAID001 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation prior to enrolment in the unit. The Statement of Attainment for the satisfactory completion of the skill set will include the wording: This Skill Set from the UET12 ESI – Transmission, Distribution and Rail Training Package meets the industry requirements for Perform Pole Top Rescue and CPR. All training and assessment activities will be conducted in the workplace of the learners, with the employer providing access to all the required facilities and equipment, as specified in each unit.

Qualifications/Units Audited1

QUALIFICATION/UNIT OF COMPETENCE/ACCREDITED COURSE

TGA Code Qualification/Unit of Competence/Accredited

Course (as per TGA) Delivery Site

UETTDRRF02B Perform pole top rescue Employer work sites

UETTDRRF03B Perform EWP rescue Employer work sites

1 Samples have been selected in accordance with the VRQA VET Audit Sampling Methodology





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UETTDRRF05B Perform rescue from switchyard structures at heights

Employer work sites

UETTDRRF06B Perform rescue from a live LV panel Employer work sites

UETTDRRF07B Perform cable pit/trench/excavation rescue Employer work sites

UETTDRRF08B Perform EWP controlled descent escape Employer work sites

UETTDRRF09B Apply access procedures to work on or near electrical network infrastructure

Employer work sites

Interviewee(s) – Staff name and position; employer name and position

Nathan McDonald

Trainer/assessor:

Perform pole top rescue

Perform EWP rescue

Perform rescue from switchyard structures at heights

Perform rescue from a live LV panel

Perform cable pit/trench/excavation rescue

Perform EWP controlled descent escape

Apply access procedures to work on or near electrical network infrastructure

Marielle Guintto Training Support Manager

Permanent Delivery Sites –

Do the RTO’s permanent delivery sites match the information provided by the VRQA?

Yes No

X

If ‘No’, please provided amended details below:

Third party Arrangements –

Do the RTO’s third party arrangements match the information provided by the VRQA?

Yes No

X

If ‘No’, please provided amended details below:

It was noted that AGA had entered into a partnership agreement with Magnetic Training and Consultancy for the provision of qualified, experienced and current trainers for delivery and assessment of the units. The trainers/assessors were assessed by AGA using the same quality review procedures as are applied to the trainers/assessors employed directly by AGA.





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Audit Summary - AQTF Conditions of Registration

AQTF Conditions Compliant

Non -Compliant

Not audited

1 Governance X

2 Interactions with the Registering Body X

3 Compliance with Legislation X

4 Insurance X

5 Financial Management X

6 Certification & Issuing of Qualifications & Statements of Attainment

X

7 Recognition of Qualifications Issued by other RTOs X

8 Accuracy and Integrity of Marketing X

9 Transition to Training Packages/Expiry of Accredited Courses X

Summary of Non-Compliance2

CF.8.1 Apprenticeships Group Australia had not prepared draft marketing or student information materials to enable a review and assessment to confirm that its marketing and advertising of AQF qualifications to prospective clients was ethical, accurate and consistent with its scope of registration and that the NRT logo was employed in accordance with its conditions of use. VRQA Note: Gippsland Group Training Ltd has provided rectifications and is now compliant with this Condition.

2 CF = Condition Finding. Finding references are aligned to the Detailed Findings section of this report.





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Audit Summary - AQTF Standards

AQTF Standards/Elements Compliant

Non -Compliant

Not audited

Standard 1 X

1.1 – Continuous Improvement Strategy X

1.2 – Training and Assessment Strategies X

1.3 – Training and Assessment Resources X

1.4 – Trainer and Assessor Competency X

1.5 – Assessment Strategies X

Standard 2 X

2.1 – Meeting the Needs of Clients X

2.2 – Continuous Improvement of Client Services X

2.3 – Provision of Information to Clients X

2.4 – Third-Party Engagement in Training and Assessment X

2.5 – Provision of Support Services to Clients X

2.6 – Learner Access to Records of Participation X

2.7 – Complaints and Appeals Strategy X

Standard 3 X

3.1 – Operations Management X

3.2 – Continuous Improvement of Operations X

3.3 – Third-Party Training and/ or Assessment Services X

3.4 – Records Management X

Summary of Non-Compliance3

SF 1.2.1

UETTDRRF02B - Perform pole top rescue UETTDRRF03B - Perform EWP rescue UETTDRRF08B - Perform EWP controlled descent escape The Training and Assessment Strategy for the cluster of three units identified overall delivery and assessment arrangements. The delivery arrangements included learning plans for each individual unit and assessment tasks related to each individual unit. The TAS identified eight-hour duration for the three units combined, the individual unit learning plans identified four hours for each unit and did not identify assessment time. These identified an inconsistency of duration. The key learning resources included a PowerPoint for each unit and Unit Workbook. Session plans were not available to identify the components of the PowerPoint or unit workbook, relevant to each session.

3 SF = Standard Finding. Finding references are aligned to the Detailed Findings section of this report.





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UETTDRRF06B - Perform rescue from a live LV panel


UETTDRRF08B - Perform EWP controlled descent escape


The key learning resources included a PowerPoint for each unit and Unit Workbook. Session plans were not available to identify the components of the PowerPoint or Unit Workbook, relevant to each session.

VRQA Note: Gippsland Group Training Ltd has provided rectifications and is now compliant with this standard.





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Audit Summary – 2016 VRQA Guidelines for VET Providers

2016 VRQA Guidelines Compliant Non -Compliant

Not audited

1. Governance, Financial viability and Management systems

1.1 – Strategic Plan and Business Plan X

1.2 – Financial Viability X

1.3 – Management Systems X

1.4 – Governance X

2. Transparency and oversight of third parties X

2.1 – Third party agreement X

2.2 – Co-operation with VRQA X

2.3 – Notifying VRQA of Third party agreements X

2.4 – Information - Disclosure of third party services X

2.5 – Pre-enrolment materials - Disclosure of third party services X

2.6 – Changes to third party services X

2.7 – Complaints - Third party services X

2.8 – Appeals - Third party services X

3. Trainer and assessor qualification (including individuals working under the supervision of a trainer

X

3.1 – Vocational & Industry skill requirements X

3.2 – Training and Assessment (TAE) skill requirements X

3.3 – Assessment only skill requirements X

3.4 – Supervision arrangement requirements X

3.5 – Trainer under supervision skill requirements X

4. Delivery of training and assessment services X

4.1 – Training and assessment practices X

4.2 – Amount of training X

4.3 – TAE - Independent validation of assessment system, tools, processes and outcomes

X

4.4 – TAE – Trainer and Assessor skills (1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016)

X

4.5 – TAE – Trainer and Assessor skills (1 January 2017 onwards) X

4.6 – TAE – Trainer under supervision requirements X

4.7 – TAE – Registration requirements X

5. Annual Declaration of Compliance X

5.1 – Annual Declaration of Compliance X

AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Continuing Registration & VRQA Guidelines for VET Providers –

Extension to Scope Audit Report

Audit Date: 12/13 July 2017 RTO: Gippsland Group Training Ltd T/as Apprenticeships Group Australia

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Detailed Findings - AQTF Conditions of Registration

CONDITION 6 - Certification & Issuing of Qualifications & Statements of Attainment Not audited

Finding Evidence/Documentation Reviewed Required Rectification(s)

Not audited as part of this Extension to Scope audit.

N/A

Improvement Opportunities

CF6.1.1 Apprenticeships Group Australia would benefit by developing a template Statement of Attainment for the units delivered that identifies: This Skill Set from the UET12 ESI – Transmission, Distribution and Rail Training Package meets the industry requirements for (insert unit) and CPR.




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CONDITION 8 - Accuracy and Integrity of Marketing Non Compliant


Apprenticeships Group Australia had not prepared marketing or student information materials to enable a review and assessment to confirm that its marketing and advertising of AQF qualifications to prospective clients was ethical, accurate and consistent with its scope of registration and that the NRT logo was employed in accordance with its conditions of use.

No evidence available at the time of audit

Apprenticeships Group Australia is required to prepare marketing/student information materials for the units to be included on scope.

VRQA Note: Gippsland Group Training Ltd has provided rectifications and is now compliant with this Condition.




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Detailed Findings - AQTF Standards

ELEMENT 1.2 - Strategies for training and assessment meet the requirements of the relevant Training Package or accredited course and are developed in consultation with industry.

Non Compliant


UETTDRRF02B - Perform pole top rescue UETTDRRF03B - Perform EWP rescue UETTDRRF08B - Perform EWP controlled descent escape The Training and Assessment Strategy for the cluster of three units identified overall delivery and assessment arrangements. The delivery arrangements included learning plans for each individual unit and assessment tasks related to each individual unit. The TAS identified eight-hour duration for the three units combined, the individual unit learning plans identified four hours for each unit and did not identify assessment time. These identified an inconsistency of duration. The key learning resources included a PowerPoint for each unit and Unit Workbook. Session plans were not available to identify the components of the PowerPoint or unit workbook, relevant to each session.


Training and assessment arrangements for the units:



UETTDRRF08B - Perform EWP controlled descent






UETTDRRF02B - Perform pole top rescue UETTDRRF03B - Perform EWP rescue UETTDRRF08B - Perform EWP controlled descent escape Apprenticeships Group Australia is required to:

Review the delivery and assessment arrangements for the cluster of three units and ensure a consistency of duration for the cluster of units and the three units individually within the cluster.

Develop sufficient guidance to trainers/assessors to ensure a consistency of training and assessment activities, including the identification of a consistent duration of training and assessment.







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The key learning resources included a PowerPoint for each unit and Unit Workbook. Session plans were not available to identify the components of the PowerPoint or Unit Workbook, relevant to each session.



Apprenticeships Group Australia is required to develop sufficient guidance to trainers/assessors to ensure a consistency of training and assessment activities, including the identification of a consistent duration of training and assessment.


SI.1.2 Apprenticeships Group Australia would benefit by:

Developing session plans for each unit that include the components of each unit to be delivered in each session, the specific PowerPoint slides related to each session, the pages from the Unit Workbook relevant to each session, the specific assessment tasks to be conducted, the specific workplace policies and procedures that relate to the unit, specific equipment required and the specific assessment tasks to be conducted.

Identifying in the TAS, student support services relevant to learners in the workplace for short courses including availability of one on one training in student support services rather than technology.

Deleting reference to moderation in the TAS as no moderation activities were conducted.

VRQA Note: Gippsland Group Training Ltd has provided rectifications and is now compliant with this Standard.




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ELEMENT 1.3 - Staff, facilities, equipment and training and assessment materials used by the RTO are consistent with the requirements of the Training Package or accredited course and the RTO’s own training and assessment strategies.

Compliant


Apprenticeships Group Australia had identified the required staff, facilities, equipment and training and assessment materials to be used by the RTO, consistent with the requirements of the Training Package and the RTO’s training and assessment strategies including Learning Plans and Learning Assessment Plans.

TAS – unit facilities, equipment and learning resource requirements.

Learning Plans – equipment and resource requirements.

N/A




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ELEMENT 1.4 - Training and assessment is delivered by trainers and assessors who:

a) have the necessary training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Quality Council or its successors, and

b) have the relevant vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered or assessed, and

c) can demonstrate current industry skills directly relevant to the training/assessment being undertaken, and

d) continue to develop their Vocational Education and Training (VET) knowledge and skills as well as their industry currency and trainer/assessor competence.

Compliant


The identified units would be delivered by trainers and assessors who have the necessary training and assessment competencies and have the relevant vocational competencies. The trainers/assessors were able to demonstrate current industry skills directly relevant to the training/assessment being undertaken, and provided evidence of activities to develop their Vocational Education and Training (VET) knowledge and skills as well as their industry currency and trainer/assessor competence.

Trainer/assessor files providing evidence of qualifications, skills and currency to deliver the following units:








N/A




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ELEMENT 1.5 - Assessment including Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

a) meets the requirements of the relevant Training Package or accredited course

b) is conducted in accordance with the principles of assessment and the rules of evidence

c) meets workplace and, where relevant, regulatory requirements

d) is systematically validated.

Compliant


Apprenticeships Group Australia had developed assessment that met the requirements of the relevant Training Package in readiness to conduct assessments in accordance with the principles of assessment and the rules of evidence. The assessments met workplace and regulatory requirements. The assessment tools had been pre-assessment validated.

Assessment instruments and tools for the following units:








N/A


SI.1.5 Apprenticeships Group Australia would benefit by including in the unit assessment mapping information, the specific observation tasks identified in the Observation Checklist, for each area of unit content mapped.




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2.4 - Employers and other parties who contribute to each learner’s training and assessment are engaged in the development, delivery and monitoring of training and assessment.

Compliant


The employer contributed significantly to each learner’s training and assessment through the development of the learning and assessment arrangements and through the provision of access to workplace facilities and equipment for training and assessment.

N/A

N/A




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Detailed Findings – 2016 VRQA Guidelines for VET Providers

GUIDELINE 3.1 In addition to the requirements specified in Guidelines 3.2 and 3.3, an RTO’s training and assessment is only delivered only by persons who have:

a) vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed; b) current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided; and c) current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment.

Industry experts may also be involved in the assessment judgement, working alongside the trainer and/or assessor to conduct the assessment.

Compliant


The two identified trainers/assessors delivering training and assessment held the vocational competencies, current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided; and current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informed their training and assessment.

See evidence at Standard 1.4

N/A




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GUIDELINE 3.2 An RTO’s training and assessment is only delivered only by persons who have the qualifications specified in Item 1 or Item 2 of Schedule 1 of these Guidelines.

Compliant


The two trainers reviewed held the required training qualifications.

See evidence at Standard 1.4

N/A




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GUIDELINE 4.1 - An RTO’s training and assessment strategies and practices, including the amount of training it provides, are consistent with the requirements of the training packages and VET accredited courses and enable each student to meet the requirements for each unit of competency or module in which the student is enrolled.

Compliant


Apprenticeships Group Australia training and assessment strategies and practices, including the amount of training it provided, was consistent with the requirements of the training packages to enable each student to meet the requirements for each unit of competency or module in which the student was enrolled.

See comments: RTO background in the introductory section of this audit report.

N/A




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GUIDELINE 4.2 - For the purposes of Guideline 4.1, an RTO determines the amount of training it provides to each student with regard to:

a) the existing skills, knowledge and the experience of the student; b) the mode of delivery; and

c) where a full qualification is not being delivered, the number of units and/or modules being delivered as a proportion of the full qualification.

Compliant


Apprenticeships Group Australia had determined the amount of training it provided to each student with regard to: a) the existing skills, knowledge and the experience

of the student; b) the mode of delivery; and c) the number of units and being delivered as a

proportion of the full qualification.

See comments: RTO background in the introductory section of this audit report.

N/A

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