2022 Training Package Transitions: What Your RTO Needs to Know
Training packages significantly provide vocational education and training (VET) to students through registered training organisations (RTOs) in Australia. RTOs must keep up to date with the latest changes, including the review and updating of standards, qualifications, and guidelines. These changes are necessary to keep pace with current industry practices, regulations, and technologies.
Training package transitions are an essential aspect of this process, with strict deadlines set by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). By staying informed about the latest changes, including transition periods and deadlines, RTOs can maintain their credibility and deliver training that aligns with the latest industry standards. This, in turn, enhances the RTO’s marketing and recruitment efforts as students will recognise the RTO as offering in-demand courses that prepare them for the workforce.
To help RTOs maintain compliance, here are the essential things they need to know about training package transitions:
Tips for Keeping up with Recent Changes to Training Packages
RTOS must keep pace with the changes to training packages to maintain compliance and deliver high-quality vocational education and training. Because of this, we’re providing you with some essential tips for staying up to date:
Engage with Industry Bodies
RTOs can collaborate with employer groups, industry associations, and peak bodies representing various sectors to gain insights into industry trends and developments. These bodies can also guide how RTOs can deliver industry-relevant training that aligns with the current needs of the industry.
Consult with Training Package Developers
Training package developers are responsible for creating and maintaining vocational education and training (VET) training packages that outline the skills and knowledge required for a particular industry or occupation.
In Australia, examples of training package developers include the new Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs), which have replaced the Skills Service Organisation (SSO) and the Industry Reference Committee (IRC) structures. RTOs can refer to these developers’ websites to obtain information on the latest training package updates, including any changes in training requirements, assessment methods, or licensing conditions.
What to Do When Training Packages Change
Keep Track of Transition Periods and Deadlines
To ensure compliance, RTOs must stay informed about the latest changes to training packages, including transition periods and deadlines. Transition periods are 12 months by default; however, many transitions are extended to allow learners more time to complete their training and give RTOs extra time to set up and deliver the new qualifications. ASQA’s transition extension list is an excellent resource for keeping track of these extended dates, and RTOs should also visit training.gov.au as some special transition arrangements are published there too.
Staying informed about training package transitions can help your RTO ensure that your courses and assessments align with the latest standards, ehancing credibility in the eyes of students and the industry – and critically, remain compliant!
Attend Industry Forums and Workshops
Industry forums and workshops provide a great opportunity for RTOs to network with peers and learn about changes in the industry. Attending these events can be particularly helpful when it comes to understanding the practical implications of changes to training packages and how they can be implemented in an RTO’s training programs.
Review Learning Resources and Assessments
RTOs must review their learning resources and assessments to ensure they follow the new standards. This involves verifying that the materials are current and relevant.
Choose High-Quality Resources
After training package transitions, RTOs should update their training materials. Selecting high-quality resources that can help maintain your compliance can be challenging, given the many training resource providers. Important factors to consider when choosing high-quality training materials are the cost, content quality, ability to be easily contextualised, and adaptability to different training modes. Additionally, RTOs should have a plan in place in case their current resources fail to pass an audit.
Contextualise Your Resources
RTOs need to contextualise their training materials to meet the specific requirements of the industry, to ensure their programs are effective and relevant. This includes aligning the imagery and language of the resources to the industry, making sure instructions and assessment processes align with the delivery method and much more. Read more about contextualisation of resources here.
Evaluating whether the trainers possess the expertise and abilities to contextualise the materials is crucial. In case they need more experience, it is recommended to either hire a professional team to help or use updated resources. Although it might appear cost-effective to allow trainers to customise the materials, it can negatively affect the quality of the training and delivery.
Invest in Staff Development
The quality of education and training provided by RTOs often depends on the expertise of the trainers and assessors. To maintain compliance and improve credibility, RTOs should provide their staff with professional development opportunities such as workshops, seminars, and conferences.
More specifically, RTOs should ensure that all trainers hold the necessary certifications to deliver new qualifications, units, and/or skillsets.
Meet Transition Deadlines
ASQA provides stringent deadlines for training package transitions (usually 12 months) but allows for extension of the deadline where necessary. RTOs must promptly update their course materials to avoid negative effects on marketing, compliance, and enrollment. Failure to adhere to these deadlines can harm an RTO’s business.
Recent Training Package Changes
Here are recent training package changes from the past year:
Training Package | Version | 2022 Latest Release Date |
ACM – Animal Care and Management Training Package | 6.0 | 16 Jul |
AHC – Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package | 8.0 | 31 Jul |
AMP – Australian Meat Processing Training Package | 7.1 | 25 Feb |
AUM – Automotive Manufacturing | 2.2 | 07 Jul |
AUR – Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package | 7.1 | 23 Jun |
AVI – Aviation Training Package | 10.0 | 20 Oct |
BSB – Business Services Training Package | 8.0 | 25 Jan |
CHC – Community Services | 9.1 | 31 Dec |
CPC – Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package | 9.0 | 08 Dec |
CPP – Property Services Training Package | 17.0 | 19 Dec |
CSC – Correlational Services Training Package | 5.0 | 05 Dec |
CUA – Creative Arts and Culture Training Package | 6.0 | 19 Oct |
DEF – Defence Training Package | 5.1 | 22 Dec |
FBP – Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical | 7.0 | 20 Apr |
FNS – Financial Services Training Package | 8.2 | 03 Nov |
FWP – Forest and Wood Products Training Package | 7.1 | 23 Feb |
HLT – Health | 9.0 | 15 Dec |
ICT – Information and Communications Technology | 8.1 | 21 Jun |
MAR – Maritime Training Package | 10.0 | 20 Dec |
MEA – Aeroskills Training Package | 5.0 | 22 Nov |
MEM – Manufacturing and Engineering | 3.0 | 19 Dec |
MSF – Furnishing Training Package | 8.0 | 21 Dec |
MSL – Laboratory Operations | 4.0 | 20 Dec |
MSM – Manufacturing Training Package | 7.2 | 19 Apr |
MSS – Sustainability | 5.0 | 16 Dec |
MST – Textiles, Clothing and Footwear | 5.0 | 20 Dec |
NWP – National Water Training Package | 5.0 | 07 Dec |
PMA – Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining | 2.3 | 21 Sep |
PMB – Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking | 2.1 | 25 Mar |
POL – Police Training Package | 7.0 | 06 Dec |
PPM – Pulp & Paper Manufacturing Industry Training Package | 3.0 | 10 Feb |
PSP – Public Sector Training Package | 4.0 | 21 Nov |
PUA – Public Safety | 5.0 | 16 Dec |
RGR – Racing and Breeding Training Package | 4.1 | 25 Feb |
RII – Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package | 9.0 | 19 Oct |
SFI – Seafood Industry | 2.1 | 25 Feb |
SFL – Floristry Training Package | 1.1 | 04 Apr |
SHB – Hairdressing and Beauty Services Training Package | 4.1 | 05 Jul |
SIF – Funeral Services | 2.3 | 04 Apr |
SIS – Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package | 6.0 | 13 Dec |
SIT – Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Training Package | 2.1 | 09 Sep |
TAE – Training and Education Training Package | 5.0 | 08 Dec |
TLI – Transport and Logistics Training Package | 14.0 | 15 Dec |
UEE – Electrotechnology Training Package | 5.0 | 20 Dec |
UEG – Gas Industry Training Package | 4.0 | 09 Dec |
UEP – Electricity Supply Industry – Generation Sector Training Package | 3.0 | 13 Dec |
UET – Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector | 5.0 | 06 Dec |
The AHC, AMP, FBP, and FWP already have 2023 training package transitions in their latest versions:
Training Package | Version | 2023 Latest Release Date |
AHC – Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package, | 9.0 | 24 Jan |
AMP – Australian Meat Processing Training Package | 8.0 | 24 Jan |
FBP – Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical | 8.0 | 25 Jan |
FWP – Forest and Wood Products Training Package | 8.0 | 25 Jan |
Conclusion
In conclusion, training package transitions are critical aspects that RTOs need to stay up to date with to ensure that their programs are effective and relevant. RTOs should invest in their staff’s professional development, ensure contextualisation of their training materials, and adhere to transition deadlines to maintain compliance and improve their credibility. Keeping abreast of these changes will not only benefit RTOs but also ensure that students receive the most current and relevant training possible.
About TotalVet Training Resources
We provide premium RTO resources for Training Packages in Australia. Explore our extensive online catalogue today! You can also fill in the form for a 1-on-1 walkthrough, free samples, and other information you need.