Thank you ASQA.

ASQA has championed the introduction of a new TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification. The new qualification requires a greater emphasis on competency-based assessment. There are three TAEASS units of competency that creates a gap between the old TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and new TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualifications:

• TAEASS401 Plan assessment activities and processes
• TAEASS502 design and develop assessment tools
• TAEASS403 Participate in assessment validation.

Training is being offered to close the gap. Recently, a group of participants were asked to self-assess their current competency at the commencement of a Gap Training program. There were twenty five knowledge and skill items to be assessed using the following simple rating scale:

0 = No knowledge or skill

1 = Limited knowledge or skill

2 = Competent knowledge or skill.

These participants currently hold the old TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification. Twenty two of the items related to knowledge and skills that are required before someone is deemed competent for the old qualification. Three of the items covered the gap training; gap between the old and new qualifications. The participants rated themselves highly against these three items but lowly against the twenty two items that each participant should have when entering the gap training.

These participants became self-aware that they had knowledge and skill gaps, and the Gap Training program was necessary to close those gaps. Some comments made:

• “The assessment units seemed to be rushed during the TAE40116 program.”
• “I didn’t see assessment as being important during the TAE40116 program.”
• “I’m working for an RTO that has poor assessment practices. Therefore I’ve never been required to use the skills covered during the TAE40116 program. I’ve forgotten a lot. ”
• “Although this gap training is covering the TAEASS units of competency, it has given me a much better understanding about competency-based training, and Australia’s VET system. I have learnt much more than expected.”

Will all VET practitioners need gap training?

No. Not every VET practitioner will need gap training. Every VET practitioner will need to get the new TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification before the 1st of April 2019. However, VET practitioners who are competent can seek recognition of prior learning (RPL). Let’s hope that RTOs ensure only people with current competency get issued with the new qualification. If someone cannot provide the evidence of competency through an RPL process then they need to do gap training.

How many people need gap training?

I estimate there are 200,000 trainers, assessors, TAFE teachers and VETiS teachers. Not every VET practitioner will have a gap. How many people in the VET workforce have a gap? 50%, 25%, 10%? Let’s say 10%, therefore 20,000 people need to do the gap training. This will be a positive step towards improving the quality of assessment. Many people criticise and complain about ASQA. I would like to give ASQA a compliment.

Thank you ASQA. I think ASQA has done the right thing. And I think the new TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification has the potential to raise the standard of training and assessment services in Australia.

Acronyms used in this article:

ASQA = Australian Skills Quality Authority; the national VET regulator

RTO = Registered Training Organisation

TAFE = Institutes of Technical and Further Education

VET = vocational education and training

VETiS = VET in schools; VET subjects delivery to secondary school students)