The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is the national regulator for Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector. ASQA sets the standards for training and assessment in the VET sector and monitors and enforces compliance with these standards. One of the key requirements under the ASQA 2015 standards is that trainers and assessors must meet certain requirements regarding their qualifications, industry experience, and professional development.
Qualifications
Under the ASQA 2015 standards, trainers and assessors must have the qualifications to deliver the training and assessment they are responsible for. This means that they must hold a relevant vocational qualification, at least to the level of the training they are delivering or have the vocational competencies to the level of the unit requirement. For example, if a trainer is delivering a Certificate III in Business, they could hold a Certificate III or higher in Business themselves. Additionally, trainers and assessors must hold the relevant training and assessment qualifications, such as Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE) or a higher Diploma in Adult education.
Industry experience
In addition to holding the relevant qualifications, trainers and assessors must also have current industry experience in the area they are delivering training and assessment in. This means they must have worked in the industry in the last five years or have maintained their industry currency through regular work, professional development, or other means. This requirement ensures that trainers and assessors have up-to-date knowledge and skills in their training industry and can provide relevant and effective training to their students.
Professional development
Finally, trainers and assessors must also undertake regular professional development to maintain their skills and knowledge. ASQA requires trainers and assessors to undertake professional development each year to maintain their qualifications and industry currency. This includes workshops, conferences, other training events, online courses, or self-directed learning. By undertaking regular professional development, trainers and assessors can stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices and provide the highest quality training to their students.
In conclusion, the ASQA 2015 standards set precise requirements for trainers and assessors in the VET sector regarding their qualifications, industry experience, and professional development. These requirements ensure that trainers and assessors have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide high-quality training and assessment to their students and maintain their currency in the industry. By adhering to these standards, VET providers can ensure that their trainers and assessors deliver training that meets the needs of their students and the industry and provides a high standard of education and training.
In our next Blog, we will explore in more detail what constitutes a trainer not holding Certificate IV in TAE but holding a Diploma in Adult education and what qualifications could be considered acceptable. We will also look at what vocational competencies mean at a unit level and if you don't hold the exact units you deliver and assess how you can document vocational equivalence.