As part of the Higher Education Relief Package, the government has announced that $4.3 million will be provided to build and run a marketplace for microcredentials. The marketplace will provide a nationally consistent platform to compare course outcomes, duration, mode of delivery and credit point value. Since the package was announced, 54 providers have created 344 short online courses in areas of skills shortage.

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AISC Emergency Response Sub-Committee has commissioned the development of new resources to support Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in the delivery of the COVID-19 Critical Skills Point of Care Testing. The skillset is part of the national COVID-19 response and includes the following units:

• MSL974030 Process body fluid specimens using a point of care testing device
• HLTPAT003 Perform capillary blood collections

The resources will include online learning resources with links to videos covering key topics, a facilitator implementation and assessment guide as well as digital and printed workbooks.

For further information, click here.

An addendum has been published to the AQF Second Edition January 2013 to add a new qualification type to the AQF, the Undergraduate Certificate, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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From 1 July 2020, eligible carers in New South Wales and Queensland who are looking to return to the workforce or advance their career can access assistance through the Mid-Career Checkpoint program. This program will assist people who have spent more than two years out of the workforce undertaking caring responsibilities and are now looking to return to paid employment.

For further information, click here.

Registered training organisations (RTOs) are reminded that the submission window for reporting June quarter ACT-funded training activity is open from 1 to 15 July 2020.  This requirement applies to RTOs with a Training Initiative Funding Agreement, and those that have approved teach-out arrangements under the previous ACT Funding Agreement.

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Training Accreditation Council (TAC) Annual Declaration on Compliance

TAC registered RTOs can access the Annual Declaration on Compliance for the 2019/2020 financial year, with the Declaration to be submitted by 30 September 2020.

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This report explores the volume and nature of RPL currently granted in the Australian VET system and an analysis of the factors that most affect the likelihood of RPL being granted to a student. It finds that only a small proportion of Australian VET students are granted recognition of prior learning (RPL) each year and that the use of RPL in VET is decreasing.

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The proportion of trade apprentices and trainees satisfied with their training has increased since 2008, up 6.4 percentage points in 2019 for those who completed training. This paper also shows the proportion of trade non-completers satisfied with their training has increased since 2008, up 6.9 percentage points.

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Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships Information Service (AATIS) has launched a blog to provide job hunting tips to potential apprentices and help career influencers stay on top of industry trends.

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New Fact Sheets

The TAC has recently published new Fact Sheets on Governance, Records Management and Distance and Online Modes of Training Delivery in accordance with the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015.

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Free training to get WA Skills Ready

As part of the WA COVID-19 Recovery Plan, the McGowan Labor Government has unveiled a comprehensive $57 million package for the training sector that will deliver 15 free short courses and slash course fees or thousands of Western Australians. In an expansion of the Lower fees, local skills initiative, course fees for a further 39 high priority courses will be deducted by as much as 72 per cent. The program now includes 73 courses and will ensure Western Australians can access affordable training to help them get back into jobs.

Read more.

The following training packages have been updated on training.gov.au:

• FNS: Financial Services
  Revised 1st July 2020.
• BSB: Business Services
  Revised 7th July 2020.
• CHC: Community Services
  Revised 7th July 2020.
• CPP: Property Services
  Revised 7th July 2020. 

Updates have been made to some Australian Apprenticeships and Traineeships Qualifications.

View here.

29 July 2020, 11:00am – 12:00pm AEST
This session will provide a clear understanding of the difference between micro-learning, micro-credentialing and badging, and will gain insights on how you might start offering micro-credentials in your RTO.

Register.

28 July 2020 – 30 July 2020
Theme: Challenges facing Vocational Education and Training

Presentation from 24 international speakers on the following challenges:

• Building a value driven TVET culture
• Measuring quality in vocational education
• Bridging the gap between TVET curricula and industry needs
• TVET Policy and compliance models
• TVET funding models
• Education and training technology
• Instructional design models
• TVET workforce continuous development

Register.

Online 7th -10th July 2020
Theme: Workforce ready: challenges and opportunities for VET.

The 29th National Vet Research Conference ‘No Frills’ will be held online for the first time ever, with a combination of pre-recorded content, key note speakers, workshops and presentations on the future of VET.

For more information, click here.

Professional development workshops on online responsiveness for Tasmanian VET practitioners have commenced.
These workshops are delivered online and at no cost, with a specific focus on Tasmanian trainers, VET practitioners and anyone involved in developing, managing and providing support in a vocational training environment.

To register, click here.