It is rare that the number one story in VDC News is focused on something as ‘mundane’ as the “organising framework” or design of training packages.
However, training packages have been a cornerstone of the Australian VET system since their introduction almost thirty years ago. And now major changes have been introduced which are designed to bring the focus of VET teaching and assessment back on to the user (ie learners and the trainers who educate them).
While the focus of training packages will of course continue to be on documenting the skills needed in specific job roles; as they are re-designed training packages will now explicitly also be:
“Anchored in good design, use simple, concise language and clearly articulate requirements. System-wide reforms will see the reduction of over-prescription, duplication, and narrow specificity in training package products, supporting skills transferability and recognition of prior learning. Development and provision of industry-specific, cross-sector and foundation skills will enable learners to realise their individual learning potential, promote lifelong learning, and facilitate better VET, higher education, employment and career pathways.”
The changes are also designed to:
- support quality delivery and assessment, including so that “training package products will (become) flexible to reduce churn and enable Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to deliver innovative, high-quality training that is responsive to local need”, and
- continue to align with related policies such as the AQF and the Standards for RTOs.
The changes to the Training Package Organising Framework allow for the introduction of the new “purpose-driven, principles-based” VET qualification reforms. These were agreed by Skills Ministers in late 2024 to “improve the relevance and value of VET qualifications” by allowing industry, Jobs and Skills Councils, RTOs and education experts to develop new VET qualifications in new ways where the current approach is not meeting the needs of industry, RTOs and learners.
The Training Package Organising Framework notes that “all Qualification Development Quality Principles must be applied to all new and updated training package qualifications; however, the extent to which each principle affects the design of a qualification may vary, depending on the purpose of that qualification… For example:
- Qualifications designed and primarily used for a specific occupation may require a higher level of specificity, e.g. for safety or the integrity of the trades
- Qualifications that prepare learners for multiple, related occupations will consider skill similarity and transferability, with reduction of product duplication and specification where possible, while retaining industry relevance
- Qualifications designed to support pathways, and applied learning may be focused on cross-sectoral and foundation skills units and have a stronger emphasis on reducing product duplication and specification.”
Crucially, in future, all new training package products (ie qualifications and their sub-components) will not only involve consultations with RTOs but also with “educational experts” in their design and development. The intention is to make it easier for VET trainers and assessors to develop educationally engaging materials which support deep student learning.
