Australian Qualifications FrameworkLinkage of NQF, lifelong learning with employment systems in

Australia, including recognition of prior learningGreg Clarke

Tertiary, Skills and Productivity Group

Key features of the Australian training system

• Strong industry leadership and engagement

• Training qualifications developed by industry

• Industry determines competencies (‘standards’) for each qualification

• National qualifications framework

Guiding Principles Underpinning the Training System

The guiding principles that underpin the national training system are:• Industry and business needs, both now and for the future,

drive training policies, priorities and delivery. • Better quality training and outcomes for clients are assured

through more flexible and accelerated pathways.• Processes are simplified and streamlined and enhance

national consistency.• Young people have opportunities to gain a wide range of

lasting skills that provide a strong foundation for their working lives.

• Training opportunities are expanded in areas of current and expected skill shortage.

AQF - National Qualifications

Lifelong Learning for Australia• Is cradle to grave

• Embraces all forms of education

- primary, secondary, tertiary

- workplace and on-the-job

- private and recreational

• Focuses on the individuals life course

Key issues for AustraliaIssuesIssues ElementsElements

Is increasing Is increasingParticipation in educationParticipation in education

for VET and Higher Educationfor attainment to year 12 or VET equivalent

Regional & rural areasRegional & rural areas

Indigenous groupsIndigenous groups

Fewer opportunitiesFewer opportunities

Have fewer prospects and more problems

What is RPL?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) involves the

formal assessment of previously unrecognised skills

and knowledge that an individual has achieved

outside the formal education and training system.

RPL in AustraliaProvides a national qualifications standard

for recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Australian Qualifications

Framework(AQF)

• Differences in understandings of terms

• Impact of the Federal system on consistency of practice/funding

• Differences in rationale for RPL

• Need improved data collection, analysis and evaluation

• No framework to determine optimal levels of RPL

• Conflicting views about impact of funding on level and

distribution of RPL in VET

• Shortage of RPL assessors

• Need for a culture shift to embed RPL into the system

Key Issues ─ RPL in Australia

Government responsibility for RPL

Ministerial Councils

(MCVTE & MCEETYA)

States & Territory

Governments

C’WealthGovernment

Regulation and delivery of

education and training

Funding of education and

training

Vocational Education and Training in Australia – Quality Assurance

TRAINING PACKAGES

AUSTRALIAN QUALIFICATIONS

TRAINING FRAMEWORK

(AQTF)

Training Packages

Nationally endorsed competency standards, assessment guidelines and Australian Quality Framework qualifications

Developed by industry through national Industry Skills Councils

Australian Apprenticeships Australian Apprenticeships offer:•A great way to get a head start in a chosen career. •Paid work and structured training that can be on-the-job, off-the-job or a combination of both. •‘Competency based’ which means you can complete your training faster if you reach the required skills level. •Existing skills and prior experience are recognised and course credit granted, potentially reducing formal training time.Available as full-time or part-time, also available part-time in many schools. •Leads to nationally recognised qualifications and skills which provide the basis for further education and training over the course of your working life. •A pathway from school to work.

Australian Apprenticeships

All Australian Apprenticeships translate to the Australian Qualifications Framework from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma.

Training content of Australian Apprenticeships is based on a system of training packages.

Industry Skills CouncilsAgriFood Skills Australia

Community Services and Health

Construction and Property Services

Electro-Comms and Energy Utilities (Ee-oz)

Forestworks

Government and Community Safety (Government Skills Australia)

Innovation and Business (IBSA)

Manufacturing Industry Skills Council (Manufacturing Skills Australia)

Resources and Infrastructure Industry Skills Council (Skills DMC)

Service Skills Australia

Transport and Logistics

Industry Skills Council Governance• ISCs are independent, not-for-profit companies which

are managed by an independent board of directors. • The directors include representatives from employer

associations, industry associations and unions. • The Australian Government fund ISCs and sets broad

parameters that are required to meet specific roles in the national training system.

• The Board then sets the more detailed directions for their ISC. This recognises that each industry is different and has different needs.

Funding to ISCsThe Australian Government provides funding to ISCs to:

• provide industry intelligence and advice to Skills Australia, government and enterprises on workforce development and skills needs;

• actively support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of high quality training and workforce development products and services, including training packages;

• provide independent skills and training advice to enterprises, including matching identified training needs with appropriate training solutions; and

• work with enterprises, employment service providers, training providers and government to allocate training places.

Strengthened Role for Industry Skills Councils

The role of Industry Skills Councils has been expanded and strengthened as part of the Skilling Australia for the Future policy

Industry intelligence and advice on workforce skills development.

Independent skills and training advice to enterprises.

Core role in developing Training Packages and support materials remains.

Industry Skills Councils & Training Packages

Nationally endorsed training packages are developed by Industry Skills Councils or enterprises to meet the identified training needs of specific industries or industry sectors.

To gain national endorsement, developers must provide evidence of extensive consultation and support within the relevant industry area or enterprise.

Australian Qualifications Training Framework (AQTF)

• Ensures national consistency in recognition of qualifications, and delivery of training.

• Required RPL to be treated like an other assessment and is subject to audit and monitoring.

• Assessment is to meet requirements of relevant Training Package or accredited course.

Legislative basis of AQTF• AQTF is underpinned by legislation enacted in each State and Territory

• Enables individuals to have national recognition and portability of national qualifications and statement of attainment.

• Different approaches in each State for providing State-wide policy frameworks for implementing RPL

Useful WebsitesNational Quality Council

www.nqc.tvetaustralia.com.au/about_nqc

AQTF http://www.training.com.au/aqtf2007/

Training Package Development Handbookwww.tpdh.deewr.gov.au

National Training Information Servicewww.ntis.gov.au

Training Package Development and Endorsement Processes 2008www.dest.gov.au/sectors/training_skills/policy_issues_reviews/

Training_Package_Development_Endorsement_Process_2008.htm

Training.com.auwww.training.com.au

Training Packages @ Workwww.tpatwork.com

OECD Review Panel’s Policy Recommendations:

• Develop a set of agreed national definitions of terms

• More shared practice and collaborative research and

evaluation between jurisdictions

• A clearer and more widely understood rationale for RPL

• Provide data on the long term impact of RPL on the

individual or workplace including evaluations of RPL

initiatives

• Develop appropriate national RPL targets

Policy Recommendations

Policy Recommendations Develop a framework for analysing the effects of changes in RPL

funding Professional development and a culture shift among professional

workforce Embed RPL practice into the system by:

o having champions of RPL in industryo providing modules on lifelong learning and RPLo promoting business success stories within industrieso reinforcing public awarenesso develop outreach activities – vocational guidance and

systematic support

• Council of Australian Governments (COAG) RPL

Agenda – In February 2006 agreed to improve the

practice and take-up of RPL and streamline RPL

process

• The Australian Qualifications Framework Council

(AQFC) – developing common terms and definitions

on credit transfer and articulation

• Skilling Solutions Queensland

Current initiatives

Further contact details:Greg ClarkeBranch ManagerTertiary, Skills and Productivity groupDepartment of Education, Employment and Workplace

RelationsCanberra, Australia+61 2 6240 8224 or +61 412 654 498Gregory.clarke@deewr.gov.au

Questions?