New benchmarks for AQTF trainer and assessor competencies

Following the May 2010 endorsement of the TAE10 Training and Education Training Package the NQC has reviewed and updated its policy on the competencies to be held by trainers and assessors under the AQTF.

At its June 2010 meeting the council agreed to amend its policy on AQTF trainer and assessor competencies by:

  • replacing references to the TAA04 Certificate IV and assessor competencies with references to the revised TAE10 Certificate IV and assessor competencies
  • requiring all trainers and assessors to have these qualifications/competencies or be able to demonstrate equivalent competencies (i.e. delete all references to BSZ98 Certificate IV/competencies).

It is important to note that the new policy includes provision for trainers and assessors to "demonstrate equivalent competencies".

In other words, it is not the NQC's intention to require trainers and assessors to upgrade their formal qualifications if they are able to demonstrate they have gained the required competencies through continued professional practice.

Note also that the new policy retains the provision for direct supervision of trainers who do not have the required competencies by someone who does.

Implementation of the new requirements

The council has agreed to a transition period of two years to allow providers time to adopt a planned approach to ensuring all their trainers/assessors meet the new requirements.

Registering bodies will be responsible for implementing the new requirements and providers and their trainers and assessors should contact their registering body in the first instance if they have queries about the new policy or how it will be implemented.

Publication of policy

The new policy has been published as Appendix 2 to the Users Guide to the AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Initial Registration and the Users Guide to the AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Continuing Registration and will be communicated to stakeholders as part of the communication strategy to support implementation of the strengthened AQTF.

Given the long transition period, the superseded policy (as agreed by the NQC on 18 December 2009) will also be published, as Appendix 3 to the Users' Guide to the AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Initial Registration and the Users' Guide to the AQTF Essential Conditions and Standards for Continuing Registration.

Copies of the users guides, including Appendices 2 and 3 are available from www.training.com.au.

For the full announcement visit http://www.nqc.tvetaustralia.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/
53750/NQC_Special_Bulletin_-_New_Requirements_for_AQTF_Trainers_and_Assessors.pdf.