Training packages

A training package is a set of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications used to recognise and assess people’s skills in a specific industry, industry sector or enterprise.

Training packages describe the skills and knowledge that individuals need to possess to perform effectively in the workplace. Despite the name, a training package does not describe how an individual should be trained. Teachers and trainers develop learning and assessment strategies—the ‘how’—depending on learners’ needs, abilities and circumstances.

What do training packages comprise?

Training packages consist of a set of endorsed components. Some training packages also have an associated collection of support materials—these are not endorsed (refer to Figure 1).

1. Endorsed components:

Units of competency—define the skills and knowledge to operate effectively in employment and how they need to be applied.

Qualifications—groups of units of competency ranging from certificate I to vocational graduate diploma.

Assessment guidelines—the industry’s preferred approach to assessment, including the qualifications required by assessors, the design of assessment processes and how assessments should be conducted.

2. Non-endorsed support materials:

Some training packages also have resources to support learning and assessment such as assessment materials, learning strategies and professional development materials. Where these resources are not included in the training package, registered training organisations can access resources that have already been developed by training authorities and other training providers through industry skills councils, TVET Australia and the Resource Generator.

Figure 1: Training package components

Endorsed materials (core)

Units of competency

Assessment guidelines

Qualifications

Non-endorsed support materials (optional)

Learning strategies

Assessment resources

Professional development materials

What is the role of the registered training organisation?

The training package does not state how training is to be delivered or what assessment methodology will be used. These considerations are the responsibility of the registered training organisation. A training package provides guidance on assessment, but it is the responsibility of the registered training organisation to certify that the person has been assessed as competent against the standards.

Implementing training packages

While training packages are nationally endorsed, the guidelines and policies governing their implementation vary slightly in each state and territory. For example, training package qualifications may be eligible for state government funding arrangements in some states or territories and not in others according to local priorities.

Implementation guides provide additional general and state-specific information to assist registered training organisations, trainers and assessors in delivering training.

Implementation guides describe:

  • qualifications included in the training package
  • registration processes and requirements for registered training organisations
  • how to transition from accredited courses or earlier versions of the training package to the latest endorsed qualifications
  • timelines for transferring students from old qualifications to new ones (sometimes called transitioning)
  • sample training programs
  • industry licensing requirements
  • contacts and resources
  • apprenticeships and/or traineeships that include competencies or qualifications from the training package.

Why use training packages?

The benefits of using a training package include:

  • ensuring that training meets the needs and requirements of industry to the standard set by industry
  • delivering qualifications that are consistent and nationally recognised, making it easier for students to move between states and territories and for employers to hire people who have worked for other companies or moved from interstate
  • providing students with the flexibility to choose how, when and where the training is undertaken
  • providing individuals and businesses with assurance that the training may be contextualised to suit the needs of the enterprise and/or individual.

How is a training package developed?

The development of training packages is managed by industry skills councils on behalf of an industry.

To gain national endorsement, developers must provide evidence of extensive consultation and support within the industry area or enterprise. On successful completion of a quality assurance process, training packages are endorsed by the National Quality Council, agreed to by state and territory ministers for vocational education and training, and placed on the National Training Information Service.

Review of training packages

Training packages are monitored and reviewed by industry through national industry skills councils to ensure they are current and continue to meet the existing and emerging needs of industry. Training packages are reviewed through continuous improvement processes, and must be resubmitted for endorsement every three years to the National Quality Council.

Up-to-date information on the status of training packages in the review process can be found on the Training Packages @ Work website.

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