Training and assessment resources and support materials

Training and assessment resources and support materials are developed to support the delivery and assessment of training from training packages. They can be printed materials, CDs, videos, web-based resources or libraries of resources.

What are resources and support materials?

Resources and support materials may include:

  • learner resources (learner guides, workbooks, booklets)
  • assessment tools (sample assessment materials)
  • trainer resources (toolboxes, multimedia resources)
  • mapping guides that provide correlations between old qualifications and/or new training package qualifications
  • training package guides or implementation guides.

Training packages do not stipulate how training should be delivered and support materials are not usually included in training packages. Support materials are the tools used to implement teaching plans developed by registered training organisations to meet the training package requirements.

Registered training organisations have the choice of developing their own support materials or using resources that have already been developed by state or territory training authorities or other registered training organisations.

How to assess the quality of the support materials?

It is important to consider the quality and relevance of training support materials. Not all resources are of equal quality, nor appropriate for different training contexts.

Support materials that meet the quality assurance requirements of the National Quality Council are ‘noted’ and can be distinguished by a special tick logo. These resources are usually listed on the National Training Information Service and on the TVET Australia Product Services website.

The following questions are based on a set of principles used by the National Quality Council to assess the quality of support materials:

  • Does the resource identify and relate to specific units of competency from an endorsed training package?
  • Is it complementary to existing materials—not just a duplication?
  • Does it use current industry terminology and examples?
  • Does it provide tasks and examples relevant to the workplace?
  • Does the resource look easy to use? Is it visually appealing?
  • Does it suit the audience or learner group (age, equity, education or literacy level) and provide a range of strategies, tasks and examples to suit the audience or learner group?
  • If the resource is designed to be used online, does it work on different platforms? Is it easily accessible?
  • Does the resource accommodate different learning styles, different cultural contexts and a variety of training environments?
  • Does it allow for various training delivery methods, such as on-the-job or off-the-job?
  • Does the resource allow for easy access by Indigenous, rural or isolated learners, or those with disabilities?

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