1. Objective
Master Builders RTO develops Training and Assessment Strategies (TAS) in consultation with industry. The TAS meets the requirements of the relevant Training Package or VET accredited course. Staff, Equipment, Facilities and Learning Materials are consistent with the requirements of the relevant Training Package or VET accredited course and the relevant TAS.
2. Policy Statement
The TAS sets out the blueprint for the delivery and assessment of the qualification or unit competency or accredited course aligned to the learners needs & training package. It is developed in consultation with industry and systematically reviewed for currency and customised to suit needs of the specific target group.
3. Scope
This policy applies to the development of the TAS for every qualification on scope (or to be placed on scope). Consultation with industry, validation of training and assessment and resources including staff, equipment, facilities and learning materials is part of the process.
Master Builders RTO ensures that training and assessment meets the needs of client groups and the training package by aligning the unit of competency to the student manuals, student assessments, facilitator guides and other associated learner materials.
Master Builders RTO completes a validation process for each program. Validation exercises are completed:
a) on an annual basis both with internal staff and external panel members; b) as part of a systematic review;
c) when changes to the training package have occurred; d) prior to a new qualification being placed on scope; and e) after a major restructure or rewriting of a qualification.
All TASs are reviewed annually and updated if required. The process for development of training and assessment strategies is clearly reflected within Master Builders RTO business plan.
4. The Training and Assessment Strategy The training and assessment strategy consists of:
a. RTO details b. Title of Qualification
c. Training Package (a register of Training Packages and expiry dates is maintained) d. Target Group
e. Background Data
f. Language, Literacy and Numeracy Support g. Technology
h. Recognition of Prior Learning i. Duration
j. Program Description
k. Students/learners (Target Group) l. Industry Consultation
m. Special Learning Needs n. Entry/Exit Points o. Program Schedule p. Class Timetable q. Delivery modes r. Resources s. Trainers/Assessors
t. Trainer and Assessor Matrix u. Assessment Validation v. Rules of Evidence w. Employability Skills x. Assessment Methods y. Learning Resources
z. Identify Commonwealth & Legislative requirements aa. Asset and Equipment Register
bb. Risk Assessment
cc. Course Development Signoff dd. Endorsements
5. Trainers and Assessors
Training and assessment are conducted by Trainers and Assessors who have the necessary training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standard
Council (NSCC) competency qualification in accordance with the NSSC Determination for
Training and Assessment Competencies to be held by Trainers and Assessors1.
Trainers and Assessors will adhere to Trainer Handbook (provided during induction).
Assessments will be carried out in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines as set out in the relevant Training Packages and these are:
BSB07 Business Services Business Package; and/or
CPC08 Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
Trainers and Assessors are reviewed on a bi-annual (March & September) basis in accordance with the operational plan to ensure that training and delivery are within the directions set out in the Training and Assessment Strategy. A Trainer Observation Form (FTO) is used for this exercise. Any findings of continuous improvement found in the
performance review are registered in the Continuous Improvement Register for tracking and monitoring for completion.
6. TAS Development Procedures
a. The training and assessment strategies are developed in consultation with industry. b. Initial and ongoing consulting with employers and industry (stakeholders) is
undertaken to enable Master Builders RTO to understand the needs of these groups and trends and changes in technology for further development and continuous improvement.
c. The Manager - Training invites industry to consult in the development of the training and assessment strategies. All industry consultation is documented including phone consultation and face-to-face meetings. An Industry Consultation form (FIC) is used to document these conversations. Industry sources may come from one or more of the following stakeholders: employers, industry associations, industry skills councils and unions.
d. The Manager - Training researches and identifies any specific learner needs, including any relevant legislation and licensing requirements.
1
e. The training package must be unpacked to ensure Master Builders RTO has a full understanding of all parts of the package (this assists in developing training resources and assessment tools which are aligned fully to the appropriate unit of competency).
f. All research findings and consultations are collated, reviewed and refined for addition/development of the TAS.
g. A draft copy of TAS is provided to industry reviewers for feedback. Any feedback is considered and where approved a modification/improvement to the TAS is completed and documented.
h. The TAS may be tailored to suit specific client or workplace needs, for example, this may include: the mode of delivery; timing of assessment; and duration of course. The client is consulted about the changes and if agreed must provide formal acknowledgement. The Manager - Training is consulted in customisation of TAS and if required approves customisation.
i. A validation of assessment tool exercise, is completed prior to scope application. This ensures that the TAS prepares the learner for the specific workplace requirements (validation is systematic – refer to the Validation and Moderation policy (PPVM) for more detail).
j. Validation of assessment including RPL is completed on an annual basis and/or earlier as required.
k. The TAS risk mitigation section must be reviewed and considered, assessing the level of risk associated with involvement in training/assessing in the proposed qualification. Categories to target include: Master Builders RTO, student and trainers potential risk. Master Builders RTO must consider potential source of risk, likelihood of risk occurring, and the potential impact. A strategy must then be developed to mitigate risk, which may include appropriate treatment/control measures.
l. Once the TAS is endorsed by industry stakeholders and approved by the Manager - Training, it is deployed and made operational.
m. Trainers and assessors are provided a formal presentation regarding the contents of TAS and its application.
n. Trainers and assessors are provided a copy of TAS in the programs they will be teaching.
o. Moderation exercises are completed internally by training & assessing staff and Manager - Training every six months; this is detailed in Agenda Items for Training Meetings.
p. Moderation exercises are also completed with external parties on an annual basis and/or when changes to the training package have occurred or prior to a new qualification being placed on scope.
q. The TAS is reviewed annually and updated if required (refer to TAS review, management review report and business plan) or earlier if necessary.
r. Changes to TAS may occur where industry has changed, feedback has been received, analysed and changes are required to document.
s. Where changes are required to the TAS, this is detailed in the TAS review document and a corrective action notice is developed by Manager - Training for auctioning. t. Bi-annually, the Assistant Training Manager – Compliance and Program
Development will undertake performance reviews of trainer and assessors to ensure what is detailed in the TAS is what is occurring in practice. Continuous Improvement findings are entered in the Continuous Improvement Register for tracking and monitoring.
u. If validation and/or moderation exercises dictate that changes are necessary to the TAS, for example: it may be found that the TAS is no longer current and does not meet the needs of industry or learners. As such, the Manager - Training reviews, analyses and makes the relevant changes.
v. Any changes to TAS are notified to the relevant stakeholders and must be approved by the Manager - Training.
w. As part of continuous improvement Master Builders RTO continually seeks ways of improving its service and delivery. Master Builders RTO maintains a close link with its clients and industry for continual feedback.
x. Master Builders RTO reviews legislation and other relevant education websites regularly. If required, Master Builders RTO ensures that changes or improvements are made and quickly adapts its training and assessment program to the changes.
7. Training and Assessment Strategy Review
The Manager – Training will ensure that all Training and Assessment Strategies are reviewed in March on a yearly basis and uses the Training and Assessment Strategies Review Form (FTASR). Continuous Improvement findings are entered in the Continuous Improvement Register for tracking and monitoring.
8. Responsible parties
The Manager - Training is responsible for overall strategic and operational management. The Manager - Training oversees the development of TAS and approves implementation of TAS and/or changes to TAS (where applicable).
The Manager - Training is responsible for:
a. The development, monitoring, review and updates to all TAS;
b. Ensuring that all TAS are compliant to the VET Quality Framework requirements and associated legislative instruments;
c. Completing scheduled reviews of all TAS’s annually or earlier as required
d. Extensions to scope, maintaining scope and monitoring of training packages for changes, updates and expiration;
e. Identifying any licensing requirements or particular regulations;
f. Identifying appropriate industry stakeholders in the development phase; g. Sourcing or developing appropriate learner resources and assessment tools;
h. Sourcing or developing LLN pre-course assessment which is in alignment with AQF level to be trained/assessed;
i. Preparing and facilitating the validation and moderation exercises;
j. Further industry engagement/consultation and as such completion of validation and consultation documentation;
k. Moderation exercises with trainers and assessors and external stakeholders;
l. Developing the qualification mapping matrix to detail how strategy aligns with training package and industry requirements;
m. Conducting internal audits and risk assessments; n. Continuous improvement activities;
o. Ensuring trainers complete delivery and assessment plan for relevant competency; p. Maintaining the version control and register.
The Assistant Managers, Compliance Coordinator and Event Planning and Promotions Analyst may assist the Manager - Training with validation and moderation exercises.
9. Associated documents:
a. VQF Quality Management System (VQFQMS) b. Training and Assessment Strategy Template (FTAS) c. Training and Assessment Strategy Review (FTASR) d. Management Review Report (FMRRT)
e. Validation and Moderation (PPVM) f. Industry Consultation form (FIC) g. Validation Assessment Tool (FVAT)
h. Validation Assessment Evidence Cover Sheet (FAECS) i. Trainer Skills Matrix (FTSM)
j. Policy: Compliance Commonwealth Legislation (PPCCL) k. Legislation Update Register (FLUR)
l. Trainer Observation Form (FTO)
m. Policy: Version Document Control (PPVCP) n. Version Document Control Register (FVDCR)
Policy developed by: Master Builders Association of Victoria RTO Refer to: SNR 15.2
Approved by: Julie-Anne Sheppard, Manager - Training
Viviana Hood, General Manager - Commercial Services Policy endorsed by: Radley De Silva, Chief Executive Officer
