Vocational Education & Training (VET) an Overview The following information has been copied from the www.training.com.au website. Visit the website for more information, or links to other publications. The Training System Education is one of Australia's best strategies to achieve social, economic and environmental sustainability. Vocational education and training (VET) is 'education and training for work' and part of a broader educational network in Australia that includes schools, universities and adult and community education. The Australian VET system is one of the most sophisticated in the world because it is: Industry-led The employers, unions and professional associations of an industry define the outcomes that are required from training. National The VET system is jointly-managed by state, territory and Australian governments, in partnership with industry and training providers. Client focused Clients of the VET system are employers and individuals who use it or intend to use it. This simple, flexible and relevant system responds to client needs. The fundamental elements of the VET system are: A quality framework The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) defines all nationally recognised qualifications. The Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) is a set of nationally agreed standards that ensure high quality VET services throughout Australia. Registered training organisations Training organisations must meet AQTF standards to become registered. Only registered training organisations (RTOs) can issue AQF qualifications and deliver training and assessment services. National recognition National recognition is the cornerstone of the Australian Quality Training Framework. All states and territories must recognise registered training organisations (RTOs) registered by other states and territories and all RTOs must recognise AQF qualifications and statements of attainment issued by other RTOs. This national recognition of RTOs and qualifications enhances mobility in the labour market. The structure of VET The Australian vocational education and training (VET) system is recognised as among the most sophisticated in the world because it is: Industry led - employers and industry representatives define what outcome is required from training. National the system is jointly managed by state, territory and Australian governments. Client focused it is flexible and relevant and responsive to client needs. The fundamental elements of the system are: the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) registered training organisations (RTOs) Page 1 of 5
state and territory registering authorities The Australian Qualifications Framework The AQF defines all nationally recognised qualifications. It provides a single framework for all qualifications from Senior Secondary Certification to PhD. Within the VET sector the following qualifications can be issued: Certificate I Certificate II Certificate III Certificate IV Diploma Advanced Diploma Under the AQF, the achievement of a group of competencies leads to the attainment of a VET qualification. The Australian Quality Training Framework The AQTF is the basis of the nationally consistent high quality VET system. It consists of two sets of nationally agreed standards: standards for registered training organisations standards for state and territory registering and course accrediting authorities. The adherence by training providers and registering authorities to these two standards will ensure a nationally consistent, high quality training system. Registered training organisations Training organisations must meet AQTF standards to become registered. Only registered training organisations (RTOs) can issue AQF qualifications and deliver accredited training and assessment. State and territory registering authorities Registering authorities in each state and territory are responsible for registering and monitoring training organisations and ensuring they comply with AQTF standards. They also accredit vocational education and training (VET) courses and approve training organisations delivery of VET to overseas students. National Recognition All training organisations must recognise AQF qualifications issued by other RTOs. Qualifications are nationally recognised. This enhances mobility in the labour market. Key organisations are: the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEST) State and Territory Training Authorities (STAs) Industry Skills Councils (ISCs) Registered training organisations (RTOs). Registered Training Organisations Registered training organisations (RTOs) are providers and assessors of nationally recognised training. Only RTOs can issue nationally recognised qualifications. In order to become registered, training providers must meet the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) standards. This ensures the quality of Vocational Education and Training (VET) services throughout Australia. Training organisations register to provide nationally recognised training with its relevant state or territory registration authority. When registering the RTO must state its scope of registration detailing: the training or assessment it intends to deliver Page 2 of 5
the fields or industries in which it may deliver training or assessment the maximum level of qualifications it may issue. To ensure an RTO continues to deliver quality training or assessment, its registration must be renewed with the relevant state or territory registering authority at least every five years. The registering authority can audit the RTO at any time during its period of registration. Types of RTOs RTOs include TAFE colleges and institutes, adult and community education providers, private providers, community organisations, schools, higher education institutions, commercial and enterprise training providers, industry bodies, and other organisations that meet registration requirements. All registered training organisations are entered into the National Training Information Service (NTIS) database listing their details and scope of registration. Units of Competency The following information is taken from the ANTA document ABC of VET Units of Competency. This document and others in the ABC of VET series are available to download from the www.training.com.au website. What are they? A Training Package sets out the skills, knowledge, and attitudes a person requires to work effectively in a given industry. Each Training Package contains units of competency (sometimes also referred to as competency standards ). The units are determined mainly by industry, but also sometimes by enterprises for their own enterprise Training Packages. Each unit of competency contains: elements of competency performance criteria range of variables, and an evidence guide. Units of competency are grouped to make up qualifications in Training Packages. Where do I find them? Units of competency and qualifications developed by industry are available at <www.ntis.gov.au>, the web-based National Training Information Service. Units and qualifications can be downloaded here or can be purchased from Australian Training Products Ltd (ATP) or the relevant industry advisory body. The MYOB Bookkeeping Assessment Page 3 of 5
MYOB Assessment covering Nationally Accredited Units of Competency MYOB Training is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and is accredited to assess individuals against a number of nationally accredited units of competency in line with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). What are units of competency? MYOB Training has developed assessment for the units of competency that cover the information in the MYOB Bookkeeping course. These units have been taken from the Business Services and Financial Services Training Packages. These packages contain units of competency which relate to a specific area of skills and knowledge and their application to a particular standard of performance required in the business or financial services workplace. Once you have been assessed as competent in accordance with the endorsed standards you will be issued with a statement of attainment for the competencies achieved. Pathways to qualifications Additional competencies may be achieved later which will build towards the awarding the following qualifications: FNS30304 Certificate III in Financial Services (Accounts Clerical) FNS40604 Certificate IV in Financial Services (Accounting). MYOB Training do not currently offer a qualification however the Australian Qualifications Framework means that other Registered Training Organisations must recognise any competencies attained and recorded on a Statement of Attainment issued by a Registered Training Organisation. What are the units of competency being assessed? The MYOB Bookkeeping assessment will assess your competence against the following units in accordance with the AQF guidelines: BSBFIA301A Maintain financial records FNSACCT407B Set up and operate a computerized accounting system FNSICACC301B Administer accounts payable FNSICACC307B Reconcile and monitor accounts receivable FNSICACC304B Prepare and bank receipts FNSICGEN305B Maintain daily financial/business records Assessment/Feedback When assessing a unit of competency you are assessed as either Competent, or Not yet Competent. You will not be given a mark or grade associated with this assessment. If you are assessed as not yet competent in some or all performance criteria you will be given feedback on these areas, specific feedback as to the nature of any errors you made, and directed to further study. What happens if I am found to be not yet competent? You will be given the opportunity to take a supplementary assessment covering the areas you were found to be not yet competent. The first supplementary assessment is included in the price Page 4 of 5
of the assessment, if you are still found to be not yet competent in some areas you will be given to opportunity to receive a statement of attainment for any units you have achieved, or charged a fee to take another supplementary assessment to complete all units. Page 5 of 5