41st Meeting of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee
Aged Care and Disability Support Qualifications Review
The Committee welcomed: Ms Jodie Davis, Chair, Direct Client Care Industry Reference Committee (IRC); Mr Marcus Riley, Chair, Aged Services IRC; Mr Benjamin Keast, Chair, Disability Support IRC; and Melinda Brown, General Manager, SkillsIQ, who presented the case for endorsement for the project to update the Certificate III in Individual Support, the Certificate IV in Ageing Support, and the Certificate IV in Disability.
The Committee acknowledged the significant work that has been undertaken by the three IRCs to update qualifications. The Committee agreed on the critical importance and the requirement for timely implementation of this project given the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care, Quality and Safety which highlighted the need to review current training products, and significant workforce and skills needs across the aged care and disability support sectors.
The AISC also acknowledged that the project has been underpinned by extensive stakeholder consultation, with multiple opportunities provided for stakeholders to give feedback. Concerns raised and the proposed responses were documented comprehensively. The AISC agreed that the process for the project has been robust, and that the updated training products presented by the IRC reflect the broad needs of the aged care and disability support sectors nationally.
While the Committee noted the integrity of the project process, and the significant evidence of stakeholder support for the proposed updates to the training products, it also noted that there continue to be residual (albeit significant) differences in views among some sections of industry relating to the content and structure of a small number of units of competency. The AISC also noted that a number of implementation issues have been raised.
Given these concerns, and in the interest of achieving a timely resolution building on the work the three IRC’s have already done, the AISC approved the revised training products for the CHC Community Services Training Package Individual Support, Ageing and Disability Support, on the proviso that the training products are referred to Skills Senior Officials Network (SSON) as part of the endorsement process to urgently provide advice on:
- Common outstanding issues relating to training package content and structure, as raised with jurisdictions by their industry stakeholders and how these issues will be managed to achieve resolution and acceptance of the Training Package
- Steps that can be taken to support RTO uptake and delivery of the updated training products.
VET Reform update
The Committee received an overview on the Transition Advisory Group’s (TAG) engagement activities across their member networks and key stakeholders to keep them informed on the design, implementation, and transition to the new industry engagement arrangements.
The Committee noted briefings were held with IRC Chairs in early September and further communication and engagement will occur over the coming months as further details on transition and implementation are finalised and become available.
In addition, members received an update on progress with stakeholder consultations in relation to the other two immediate areas of Skills Reform: Qualifications Reform; and Quality Reforms.
Case for Endorsement - New
The Committee considered the following new Cases for Endorsement for referral to Skills Ministers:
| IRC | Details of submission | AISC Decision |
|---|---|---|
|
Aged Services, Direct Client Care and Support, Disability Support IRCs CHC Community Services Training Package – Individual Support, Ageing and Disability |
The Case for Endorsement includes: • 3 updated qualifications • 10 new units of competency • 26 updated units of competency • 6 new skill sets • 12 updated skill sets |
Approved the training products for endorsement on the condition the training products are referred to SSON to urgently provide advice on common outstanding issues related to the content and structure of the qualifications and steps that can be taken to support RTO implementation. |
|
Direct Client Care and Support IRC HLT Health Training Package – Allied Health Assistance and Health Support Services |
The Case for Endorsement includes: • 4 new units of competency • 1 new skill set • 3 updated qualifications • 1 deleted qualification •27 updated units of competency • 6 updated skill sets |
In-principle approval of the training products for endorsement, subject to endorsement of the CHC Community Services Training Package – Individual Support, Ageing and Disability detailed above*. |
|
Transport and Logistics IRC TLI Transport and Logistics Training Package – High Risk Work Licence Units |
The Case for Endorsement includes: • 9 updated units of competency |
Approved the training products for endorsement. |
|
Automotive Light Vehicle, Automotive Heavy Auto Vehicle, Automotive Vehicle Body Repair, Automotive Allied and Automotive Strategic IRCs AUR Automotive Training Package Release 7.0 |
The Case for Endorsement includes three projects: Project 21A - Accessory Fitting • 1 new qualification • 3 new units of competency • 3 updated units of competency Project 21B - Battery Electric Vehicle Repair • 1 new qualification • 2 new units of competency • 1 updated unit of competency • 2 updated skill sets Project 21C - Heavy Vehicle Telematics Service and Repair • 1 updated unit of competency • 1 new unit of competency |
Approved the training products for endorsement. |
|
Business Services IRC BSB Business Services Training Package Release 8.0 |
The Case for Endorsement includes: Project 21A - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Governance • 2 amalgamated qualifications • 8 updated units of competency • 1 new unit of competency • 1 new skill set Project 21B Cyber Security Awareness • 7 new units of competency • 2 new skill sets Project 21C Organisational Disruption • 3 new units of competency • 2 new skill sets |
Approved the training products for endorsement. |
|
Technicians Support IRC HLT Health Training Package – Health Administration |
The Case for Endorsement includes: • 1 updated qualification • 4 updated units of competency |
Approved the training products for endorsement. |
|
Information and Communications Technology IRC ICT Information and Communications Technology Training Package Release 8.0 |
The Case for Endorsement includes: Project 21A - In-demand Technologies • 33 new units of competency • 14 new skill sets Project 21B - Refresh Training in ICT • 27 updated units of competency • 8 updated qualifications • 34 new skill sets • 26 updated skill sets • 4 deleted skill sets |
Approved the training products for endorsement. |
|
Aerospace IRC MEA Aerospace Training Package – Alignment of VET Qualifications with Aerospace Licensing Regulations |
The Case for Endorsement includes: • 15 updated qualifications • 160 updated units of competency • 95 updated skill sets |
Approved the training products for endorsement. |
|
Civil Infrastructure IRC RII Civil Infrastructure Training Package Release 8.0 |
The Case for Endorsement includes: • 1 new qualification • 12 new units of competency • 9 new skill sets • 1 updated qualification |
Approved the training products for endorsement. |
|
Tourism, Travel and Hospitality IRC SIT Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Training Package - Cookery, catering and patisserie |
The Case for Endorsement includes: • 1 new unit of competency • 10 updated qualifications • 68 updated units of competency • 5 updated skill sets • 1 deleted qualification |
Approved the training products for endorsement. |
|
Rail, and Transport and Logistics IRCs TLI Transport and Logistics Training Package Release 10.0 |
The Case for Endorsement includes: • 1 new qualification • 7 new units of competency • 6 new skill sets • 40 updated qualifications • 88 updated units of competency • 11 updated skill sets • 3 deleted qualifications • 26 deleted units of competency • 2 deleted skill sets |
Approved the training products for endorsement. |
|
Gas IRC UEG Gas Training Package Release 3.0 |
The Case for Endorsement includes: • 14 new units of competency • 3 new skill sets • 3 updated qualifications • 18 updated units of competency |
Approved the training products for endorsement. |
*There are interdependencies between the two projects e.g. common units of competency.
Case for Endorsement - Resubmission
The Committee considered the following resubmitted Case for Endorsement for referral to Skills Ministers:
| IRC | Details of submission | AISC Decision |
|---|---|---|
|
Technicians Support IRC HLT Health Training Package – Hospital or Health Services Pharmacy Support |
The Case for Endorsement includes: • 14 new units of competency • 2 updated qualifications • 9 updated units of competency
|
Approved the training products for endorsement. |
Cases for Change
The Committee considered the following four Cases for Change projects:
| IRC | Details of submission | AISC Decision |
|---|---|---|
|
Construction, Plumbing and Services IRC CPC Construction Plumbing and Services – Precast Concrete |
The Case for Change includes: • 1 new qualification • 8 new units of competency • 2 new skill sets
|
Approved to proceed to training package development subject to the provision of a detailed project plan to ensure work can be completed by the end of 2022. |
|
Gas IRC UEG Gas Supply Industry Skills |
This Case for Change includes: • 5 updated qualifications • 73 updated units of competency |
Approved to proceed to training package development, subject to the provision of a detailed project plan to ensure work can be completed by the end of 2022. Agreed the IRC should undertake training product development to assess and demonstrate the skills and training need for previously deleted LPG units, prior to reinstating these units. |
|
Culture and Related Industries IRC CUA Creative Arts and Culture |
This Case for Change includes two projects: Project 22A – Virtual and hybrid events and creative products • 3 new units of competency • 1 new skill set Project 22B – Working with confronting material project • 1 new unit of competency |
Approved to proceed to training package development. |
In August 2021, the AISC approved six of nine projects proposed by the Electrotechnology IRC, taking into consideration the significant amount of training product development to be completed by December 2022.
The AISC gave the Electrotechnology IRC the opportunity to undertake alternative projects to the ones approved, as long as the projects were of comparable size and complexity. As a result, the AISC noted that the Electrotechnology IRC subsequently opted to undertake the Renewables project instead of the previously approved Instrumentation and Control project.
Next meeting
The next AISC meeting will be held on Friday 12 November 2021.
Download the Communique as a PDF here.