43rd Meeting of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee
VET Reform update
This was the last meeting of the Committee for 2021 in what was acknowledged as a challenging year. Some of the key achievements by the Committee in 2021 were highlighted and members were thanked for their valuable contributions throughout the year. It was noted there is still significant work ahead in 2022 and the Committee will continue to play a key role in supporting Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) to ensure continuity and stability of the VET system during transition to the new arrangements.
Members also received an update on progress with development of the National Skills Agreement and the National Training Register Enhancement project.
Additional Activities to support a National Recovery Training Program
The Committee noted the interim report provided by Australian Industry Standards (AIS), which summarised its progress to date to identify common competency requirements for job roles related to disaster recovery. The Committee noted the skills audit component of the project has been completed and found an average gap of 50 per cent between the capabilities required for a recovery role in current units of competency.
The Committee noted the skills audit has identified the need for new units of competency to be developed to support recovery skills capabilities. The Committee approved an extension to an existing project on emergency management to also incorporate the findings of this skills audit, specifically the addition of the development of 2 qualifications, 7 skill sets and 5 units.
Training packages: Project/Policy Issues
Mining Skills Organisation Pilot - Digital Transformation Project
The Committee welcomed Mr Nigel Haywood, General Manager, from the Mining Skills Organisation Pilot (MSOP). Mr Haywood provided an update on progress to test an alternate fast-track process for incorporating accredited training into the RII Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package. Members noted the MSOP had engaged with the Coal Mining, Drilling and Metalliferous Mining IRCs, who are now considering the proposal.
The Committee noted the fast-track training product development project is aimed at addressing digital skills needs in the mining sector. The fast-track process will involve rapid consultation with IRC networks, broader industry stakeholders and State and Territory Training Authorities (STAs) during December and into January. Quality assurance processes will run parallel to the consultation process to ensure the training products meet the Standards for Training Packages. The project will test the possibility of incorporating accredited training into the national training system though a truncated consultation period.
First Aid Transition
The Committee noted the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) had agreed to extend the transition period for superseded first aid units by 6 months to 14 April 2022 to allow extra time for Skills Service Organisations (SSOs) and IRCs to update all remaining training products to reflect current first aid units. The Committee also agreed to expedite the training package development process allowing updates to be made via a ‘minor change’ process no later than 31 March 2022 to avoid any further delays to implementation and ensure training products that import first aid units (either as elective, core or perquisites) are updated by the new transition deadline.
The Department will communicate this decision as soon as possible to all relevant IRCs, SSOs and affected Registered Training Organisations. The Department will undertake an audit of affected training products in April 2022 to ensure all necessary updates have been made.
Cases for Endorsement
The Committee considered the following new Cases for Endorsement for referral to Skills Ministers:
|
IRC |
Details of submission |
AISC Decision |
|
Construction Plumbing and Services IRC CPC Construction Plumbing and Services Training Package – White Card |
The Case for Endorsement includes:
|
Approved the training product for endorsement
|
|
Furnishing IRC MSF Furnishing Training Package – Glass and Glazing |
The Case for Endorsement includes:
|
Approved the training products for endorsement |
|
Textile, Clothing and Footwear IRC MST Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Training Package Release 5.0 (Stage 1) – Using Advanced Materials and New Technologies in a Circular Economy |
The Case for Endorsement includes:
|
Approved the training products for endorsement |
|
Public Sector IRC PSP Public Sector Training Package Version 3.0 – Governance and Trade Measurement |
The Case for Endorsement includes:
|
Approved the training products for endorsement |
|
Rail IRC TLI Transport and Logistics Training Package Release 11.0 |
The Case for Endorsement includes:
|
Approved the training products for endorsement |
Cases for Change
The Committee considered the following Case for Change projects, which will be expected to meet transition timeframes in line with recent decisions by Skills Ministers regarding transition to new arrangements:
|
IRC |
Details of submission |
AISC Decision |
|
Public Safety IRC DEF Defence Training Package |
The Case for Change includes two projects: Project A – Cryptology Project
|
Not Approved to proceed to training package development |
|
Project B – Moral Injury Project
|
Approved to proceed to training package development as a fast track project |
|
|
Rail IRC TLI Transport and Logistics Training Package – Rail Mechanical Signalling Project |
This Case for Change includes:
|
Not Approved to proceed to training package development
|
|
Aviation IRC AVI Aviation Training Package |
The Case for Change includes two projects: Project A – Aviation Commercial Pilot – Helicopter Project
|
Approved to proceed to training package development as a fast track project |
|
Project B – Aerodrome Ground Lighting Project
|
Not Approved to proceed to training package development
|
|
|
Property Services IRC CPP Property Services Training Package – Bushfire Protection Assessment |
This Case for Change includes:
|
Approved to proceed to training package development
|
|
Maritime IRC MAR Maritime Training Package – Vessel Traffic Services |
This Case for Change includes:
|
Approved to proceed to training package development as a fast track project
|
|
Public Safety IRC POL Police Training Package – Surveillance |
This Case for Change includes:
|
Approved to proceed to training package development as a fast track project
|
|
Sport and Recreation IRC SIS Sport and Recreation Training Package – Sport and Recreation, and Aquatic and Community Recreation |
This Case for Change includes:
|
Approved to proceed to training package development
|
|
Transport and Logistics IRC TLI Transport and Logistics Training Package – Electric Heavy Vehicle |
This Case for Change includes:
|
Approved to proceed to training package development as a fast track project |
Next meeting: The next AISC meeting will be held on Tuesday 22 February 2022.
Download the Communique as a PDF here.