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New accrediting standards come into effect
Under AQTF 2007, standards have been revised for the accreditation of courses and for state and territory accrediting bodies.
The two sets of standards which govern accreditation of courses are:
- AQTF 2007 Standards for Accredited Courses
- AQTF 2007 Standards for State and Territory Course Accrediting Bodies.
The two sets of standards which govern accreditation of courses by the states were first developed in 2002 and revised in 2005, with the current revisions coming into effect on 1 July 2007.
The current revision has been part of the total review of all Australian Quality Training Framework standards by the National Quality Council. As part of the review there is a strong national directive to achieve a higher level of national consistency.
The objective of the standards, together with nationally endorsed training package qualifications, is to ensure Australia’s vocational education and training system is responsive to industry needs and delivers quality training outcomes as well as protecting the consumers of training programs.
What’s new in the revised standards?
The new standards provide:
- greater emphasis on national consistency applicable to state and territory accrediting bodies through common standards, operational protocols and quality indicators
- increased recognition of the critical role to be played by accredited courses, enabling a timely response from the national vocational education and training sector to the changing needs of industry
- increased focus on maximising links between national training package developing bodies and state and territory accrediting bodies, maximising their complementary roles
- greater clarity in expectations for essential course documentation for accreditation, including packaging rules, outcomes to be achieved, standards for assessment and required resources. The accredited course document provides the basis for the development of strategies for training and assessment by each registered training organisation
- specified obligations requiring course copyright owners to monitor and evaluate their courses during the accreditation period to ensure that courses remain current and relevant, and to inform the accrediting body of changes.
There was wide consultation concerning the draft standards, which can be viewed at www.training.com.au/aqtf2007 The national Complaints Handling Guidelines (covering both registration and accreditation) may also be viewed here.
In line with the new accrediting arrangements the following guides and guidelines are still to be developed:
- Users’ Guide to the Standards for Accredited Courses (formerly Guidelines for Course Developers)
- national risk management guidelines for the assessment of courses for accreditation
- national moderation guidelines
- national templates for accreditation submissions.
Accredited courses bridge the gaps in training packages and address state-based skill requirements for industry, enterprises and the community. They also have the capacity to address changes in skill needs, and the needs of emerging and converging industries and industry sectors, in a responsive manner.
For more information on accreditation and accredited courses refer to the Back 2 Basics article in this edition of Training Packages @ Work at www.tpatwork.com/viewarticle.asp?articleid=2625 For more information on the revised accreditation standards visit www.training.com.au/aqtf2007
Article contributor: Gay Gallagher, Victorian Qualifications Authority
(Gay is the project officer managing the review of the standards applicable to the accreditation of courses.)
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