AISC Communique - 20 February 2018

On this page

New cross sector Industry Reference Committees (IRCs)

The AISC has decided to establish two specific purpose time limited IRCs to ensure strong strategic focus and cross industry consultation in key areas. The Industry 4.0 IRC will undertake two cross sector projects, Digital Skills and Automation, as well as identifying and addressing potential Industry 4.0 skills needs not covered by existing qualifications. The Industry 4.0 IRC will ensure the national training system is responding to innovations occurring through advanced industrial activity and digital transformation. The Environmental Sustainability IRC will allow industry experts to participate and ensure effective management of the environmental sustainability cross sector project.

Future-Proof: Protecting Australians Through Education and Skills – Business Council of Australia

Ms Megan Kirchner, in her role as Head, Tertiary Education, Business Council of Australia (BCA), discussed with the AISC BCA’s report ‘Future-Proof: Protecting Australians Through Education and Skills’ The Committee welcomed consultation on the report and acknowledged the importance of having an Australian system that responds to future workforce requirements and provides learners with informed choices.

End to end training package development process mapping

AISC Chair, Professor John Pollaers welcomed Ms Lisa Koch, Director, and Ms Amy Simpson-Deeks, Principal Consultant from Fyusion Asia Pacific, who presented their final report on training package development, endorsement and implementation process mapping. Fyusion outlined the process followed and provided key observations. The Committee will consider the next steps coming from the process mapping project.

SkillsIQ

Professor Pollaers welcomed Ms Yasmin King, Chief Executive Officer and Ms Melinda Brown, General Manager, from the Skills Service Organisation (SSO), SkillsIQ, who discussed with the committee their work as an SSO and the 17 IRCs they support. SkillsIQ spoke about the challenges industries face in embracing change and maintaining a future-focus; improved approaches to support IRCs with data; the multiple channels they use to get quality engagement; and their cooperative research project to explore workforce development in regional areas.

Training package development

Cases for Endorsement

The Committee approved the following Cases for Endorsement for implementation:

  • AUR Automotive Retail, Service and Repair – Certificate II in Auto Air Conditioning

  • CUA Creative Arts and Culture

  • HLT Health – Dental

  • MAR Maritime (Near Coastal) – approved the alignment of the training package to the national seafarer certification requirements, acknowledging concerns relating to consultation in some parts of industry

  • MEA Aerospace – Licensing and regulatory requirements, subject to the IRC updating the unit codes for all units requiring endorsement

  • MSL Laboratory Operations – Histotechnology, subject to the IRC updating the unit codes for all units requiring endorsement

  • POL Police Case for Endorsement – considered out of session since 4 December 2017 meeting

The Committee considered the following Cases for Endorsement:

  • ACM Veterinary Nursing – requested further information on the nature and impact of prerequisites

  • MEM Manufacturing and Engineering – requested the training package be revised to ensure it is made compliant with the Standards for Training Packages by removing content that mandates learner pathways

  • PSP Public Sector – Auslan: the AISC met with the Chair of the Public Sector IRC and Auslan TAC, with original decision confirmed.

Cases for Change

The AISC approved to proceed to training package development, out-of-session since 4 December 2017 meeting unless otherwise indicated:

  • CPC Certificate III and Certificate IV in Demolition

  • CPC Certificate III in Painting and Decorating

  • DEF Defence

  • MEA Aeroskills – CASA Licenses

  • MSF Furnishing – Blinds, Awnings, Security Screens and Grills

  • MSL Laboratory Operations

  • MSS Sustainability – approved at meeting on 20 February 2018

  • MST Textiles, Footwear and Clothing – Fashion design and merchandising

  • PMB Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking

The AISC also approved cross-sector project Cases for Change:

  • Automation – further scoping and consultation to occur by the new Industry 4.0 IRC (once established)

  • Big Data - work to be undertaken by Information and Communications Technology IRC

  • Cyber Security – work to be undertaken by Information and Communications Technology IRC

  • Digital Skills – further scoping and consultation to occur by the new Industry 4.0 IRC (once established)

  • Environmental Sustainability – further scoping and consultation to occur by the new Environmental Sustainability IRC (once established)

  • Supply Chain Management – work to be undertaken by Transport and Logistics IRC.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the AISC is Tuesday 10 April 2018.