Business Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC)

The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) are reviewing Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) to ensure the structure and membership of each IRC provides the best possible industry coverage and expertise to support training package development.

The Business Services IRC has responsibility for the Business Services training package, which comprises 66 qualifications aligned to the following job roles:

  • Clerks
  • Legal secretaries
  • Medical receptionists
  • Office managers
  • Executive assistants
  • Sales representatives
  • Retail managers
  • Safety advisors
  • Human resource managers
  • Records managers
  • Contract managers
  • Conveyancers
  • Library, Archives and Records Technician

We are seeking feedback on whether a separate Work Health and Safety (WHS) Industry Reference Committee should be established.

The Business Services Training Package currently contains four (4) qualifications and associated units of competency related to WHS. Key WHS stakeholders have called for the establishment of a separate WHS IRC given the impact that WHS graduates have in workplaces across Australia and the significant cost (both human and economic) of work related injury, ill-health and death.

Industry stakeholders were asked to comment on the proposal to establish a dedicated WHS IRC. While the number of qualifications and units may be relatively small to warrant a dedicated IRC in the longer term, there are a number of options in this respect. For example, the IRC could be established to oversee work to update the existing qualifications in the first instance, with the need for a dedicated IRC to be reviewed on completion of that work.

Proposed Structure

The table below shows a proposed structure for the Business Services IRC. Industry stakeholders were invited to provide comment with the consultation period closing 20 January 2017. Once the structure has been agreed, the AISC will call for nominations against vacant positions. For more information about the review process, please visit the IRC review page.

When providing feedback, you may wish to consider factors such as:

  • the particular characteristics of the business services sector itself (for example, size, underpinning industries, interdependencies with other sectors/industries, and emerging or disappearing workforce markets)
  • new or emerging skill needs, including skills associated with sector or job trends, changing work practices, and the impact of new technologies, regulations or processes
  • the importance of addressing both the supply (including products and services) and demand sides of the industry, and
  • the Business Services training package itself, which contains qualifications and units of competency designed to meet the needs of those involved in the different sub-sectors within the business services industry.

The sub-sectors defined in the Business Services training package are:

  • Business administration and governance
  • Business communication
  • Business Compliance
  • Business leadership and management
  • Other specialist business services:
    • Conveyancing and legal
    • Environmental management
    • Franchising
    • Human Services
    • International trade
    • Library and information services
    • Purchasing
    • Work Health and Safety

Industry stakeholders should note that membership of the IRC is not the only avenue for raising their views. The Business Services IRC will be responsible for ensuring, with the support of its Skills Service Organisation (PwC’s Skills for Australia), that appropriate industry stakeholders have the opportunity to provide input into training product development, as well as support the outcomes of the IRC’s deliberations. Specific expertise/advice outside the reach of the IRC could also be sought on an as needs basis, including through the establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee.

It is proposed that the Business Services IRC take the following form:

Representative type Number of Reps Organisation (specify nature where possible/appropriate) Comments/rationale
Employer/Enterprise 5 A call for nominations will be made at a later date once the structure is agreed Representation could cover across a range of sub-sectors in a range of geographic areas. In view of the significant number of students completing Business Administration, and Management, employer representation in these areas would ensure training products are delivering the right learning outcome.

Additionally, members in this category may provide input from the perspective of recent graduates to gain in-depth technical understanding of the training package outcomes, rules, and regulations and how those skills translate into the workforce.

Members in this category should be in a strong position to provide relevant information through various sources, act as an influencer in supporting high quality VET training product development.

Members that represent organisations with broad use of the BSB training products may be well equipped to assist the IRC in the identification of relevant industry standards and ensuring that are reflected in the appropriated BSB units and qualifications.

Peak Body 5 A call for nominations will be made at a later date once the structure is agreed Ideally, peak bodies representing sub-sectors in a range of geographic areas. It will be important to streamline membership across this category to prevent duplication in functions and interests. In some cases, organisations that fall under this category may also perform a dual function as an employer or training provider which may be an efficient use of limited membership numbers.

Representatives may also nominate other non-member peak bodies/associations or industry experts (eg; WHS, procurement and marketing) or establish a TAC to provide specific advice on technical matters or delivery implications. This mechanism can used to increase the breadth and depth of industry knowledge on the IRC as required.

Union 1 An employee association that represents the sector The appropriate organisation to be advised by the ACTU.
Government 1 A call for nominations will be made at a later date once the structure is agreed Possibility of including representation from non-corporate Commonwealth/ State/ Territory entities (material entities such as government departments)
Total members 12