Training packages consist of a set of endorsed components and some have an associated collection of support materials.

1. Endorsed components:

•  Competency standards define the skills and knowledge, and how these are to be applied to operate effectively in employment.
• Qualifications are groups of competency standards and can range from certificate I to advanced diploma.
• Assessment guidelines set out the industry’s preferred approach to assessment, including the qualifications required by assessors, the design of assessment processes and how assessments should be conducted.

2. Support materials:

Some training packages also have resources such as assessment materials, learning strategies and professional development materials, to support learning and assessment. Where these resources are not included in the training package, registered training organisations can access resources that have already been developed by training authorities and other training providers.

While training packages are nationally endorsed, the guidelines and policies governing their implementation vary slightly in each state and territory. For example, training package qualifications may be eligible for state government funding arrangements in some states or territories and not in others. Implementation guides provide additional general and state-specific information to assist registered training organisations, teachers, trainers and assessors in delivering training.

They define:

• qualifications included in the training package
• registration processes and requirements for training organisations
• how to correlate course information from older accredited courses or earlier versions of the training package with the latest endorsed qualifications (sometimes called mapping)
• timelines for transferring students from old qualifications to new ones (sometimes called transitioning)
• sample training programs
• industry licensing requirements
• contacts and resources
• apprenticeships and/or traineeships that include competencies or qualifications from the training package.

The training package does not state how training is to be delivered—including mode of delivery and hours—or what the assessment methodology will be. These considerations are the responsibility of the registered training organisation. The training package provides guidance on assessment, but it is the responsibility of the registered training organisation to certify that the person has been assessed as competent against the standards.

The Australian National Training Authority has funded the development of a central national implementation guide website at www.tpguides.gov.au which provides information from states and territories about their requirements for implementing training packages. National implementation guides are available on this website for several training packages. Implementation guides are being added progressively as training packages are endorsed or reviewed.

The benefits of training packages include the following:

• Training meets the needs and requirements of industry to the standard set by industry.
• Qualifications are consistent and nationally recognised, making it easier for students to move between states and territories and for employers to hire people who have worked for other companies or moved from interstate.
• Students have the flexibility to choose how, when and where the training is undertaken.
• Individuals and businesses are assured of training and qualifications in areas that specifically suit the needs of the enterprise.

Training packages are developed by industry through national industry training advisory bodies or recognised bodies. Some national enterprises, such as Woolworths, have also developed their own training package to meet the specific training needs of their staff.

To gain national endorsement, developers must provide evidence of extensive consultation and support within the industry area or enterprise. On successful completion of a quality assurance process, training packages are endorsed by the National Training Quality Council, agreed to by state and territory ministers for vocational education and training, and placed on the National Training Information Service at www.ntis.gov.au

Training packages are monitored and reviewed to ensure they are current and continue to meet industry needs. All training packages must be reviewed and resubmitted for endorsement every three years. Generally, the review process starts18 months after a package is endorsed.

The review is conducted in two phases:

1. Phase one:

Feedback about the training package is collected from stakeholders over a period of six months.

2. Phase two:

The developer makes changes and additions based on the findings from the first phase. Further extensive consultation and validation occurs during this phase, before the reviewed package is submitted for evaluation and re-endorsement. Up-to-date information on the status of training packages in the review process is published at www.tpatwork.com

How to get involved in a review

There are a number of ways to become involved in the review of a training package:

• Make contact with the developers and/or reviewers.
• Contact industry associations such as the Australian Industry Group to be involved in their consultations.
• Talk to others who are involved in the review process.
• Read industry and vocational education and training literature.
• Participate in industry reference groups and surveys.
• Access industry websites. Contact the relevant industry training advisory body, Australian Training Products Limited, or the National Training Information Service. Up-to-date contact details and web links for these organisations are available on the Australian National Training Authority website at www.anta.gov.au

Source: Training Packages@work: Back to Basic