VETIG Newsletter Summer 2013 by Dimity Redcliffe

National & State VET Round Up

Questions & Answers

When you look at this list of events and readings, it is easy to see how busy everyone has been and why the year seems to have just flown. Click here for more

We are seeking YOUR questions about the new Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework. You can do so anonymously as we do not publish the name or details of people who write to us. Click here for more

Feedback from Events

Think Pieces

Both recent events have been concerned with the capabilities of our VET trainers. The breakfast was real ‘food for thought’. Carolyn Claridge has contributed her view of the session about professional standards. Click here for more

The Editor has composed a short piece to introduce readers to the new Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework.

Contributions from Members

How-to’s

We have an unusual but graphic contribution this edition. Check it out! Click here for more

Experience of using the new CSfW framework is almost negligible. However we have listed the tools/resources developed by the Department of Industry to show how the framework can be used in different contexts. Links to the resources are provided. ...Click here for more

Tips and Hints To help become familiar with yet another framework, try this activity when you are relaxing by the pool. ... Click here for more

Click here for more

A Message … from the President, VETIG, Ed Spink Once again the festive season is almost upon us. Before we finish for the year, let me pass on to all members, the best of season’s greetings from the management of VETIG. I would like to thank the members of the management committee, on your behalf, for the wonderful work they have done during 2013. I would also like to thank all the guest speakers and presenters who provided us with a wealth of information at our breakfasts and workshops during the year. We look forward to catching up with you again in 2014 when you attend the informative sessions we have planned. Take care over the holiday period and return refreshed for another exciting year with VETIG. Best Wishes Ed Spink

… from the Editor, Wendy Nichols Twelve months ago, our newsletter contained articles about the Australian Core Skills Framework and in the previous Spring edition, we had also focused on the other frameworks supporting the VET sector. Well, it must be “something in the air” at this time of the year, because this edition introduces you to the latest framework – the Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework (CSfW). I’ve seen many frameworks developed over the years but this one seems to have slipped in under the radar. We’ll be keen to hear your thoughts on the new framework and how you utilise it. Please share your experiences with us. For the time being, you can send your contributions to me at wendylou@iprimus.com.au. Next year I will be handing over the Editor’s reins. In the meantime, it’s business as usual and we look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your readership this year. I wish you a fun, relaxing and safe festive season. Best Wishes, Wendy

National and State VET Round Up COAG Reform Council releases reports on education and skills reform "The five years of solid data we present today indicate that we are seeing the first little ‘green shoots’ of change. But if reforms are to realise their full potential, governments must stay the course," the Hon John Brumby, Chair of the COAG Reform Council said. "Of equal importance to our performance monitoring is the public reporting of our findings. And today I present our report to you, and to the Australian people, on five years of education and skills reform in Australia." Mr Brumby outlined a brief summary of their two reports:      

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good progress in the early years; patchy results in those middle school years; lagging behind internationally; welcome gains in Year 12 attainment; not enough young people learning or earning; the highs and lows of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system: o more than 1 in 10 working age Australians studying for a qualification o but a fall in the percentage of VET graduates who reported improved employment status after training; and the long tail of underperformance.

"We are certainly entering an interesting time for reform in Australia," Mr Brumby said. For more information, view the:    

Complete speech - Keynote speech at the launch of the reports on education and skills - 30 October 2013; COAG Reform Council report on Education in Australia 2012: Five years of performance; media release - Year 12 completion up—but where to from there? - 30 October 2013; and media release - Education reform: The early years count - 30 October 2013.

Five years of reporting reveals Australia has a more qualified workforce. With workforce qualification levels rising and more people completing VET courses, more than half of working age Australians now have a higher level qualification. For more information, view the:   

COAG Reform Council report on Skills in Australia 2012: Five years of performance; media release - We're becoming a more skilled nation - 30 October 2013; and media release - Education reform: The early years count - 30 October 2013.

Mr Brumby will address the National Press Club and launch the council’s five year review of the reform agenda and the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Funding on Wednesday 6 November 2013. 2013 Australian Training Awards The majority of the 18 awards, which recognise individuals, business and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), are the culmination of the state and territory awards programs with winners from each state and territory eligible to compete at the national level in aligned categories. The remaining award categories are available by entering directly to the Australian Training Awards Program. “These awards put the spotlight on skills and training which is so vital to Australian businesses, employees, and the nation’s future prosperity,” Minister for Industry the Hon Ian Macfarlane said. “It is fitting that Perth hosted the 20th Australian Training Awards, because skills development is so crucial to maintaining momentum for the Western Australian economy. “The future of the nation is looking bright when we have such outstanding winners across seventeen categories in the field of vocational education and training,” Mr Macfarlane said. The 2013 Australian Training Awards winners:                  

Lifetime Achievement Award – Albert Evans AO, NSW Australian Apprentice of the Year – Patrick Janes, Ballarat, VIC Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year – Joel Schwarz, Mildura, VIC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Markeeta Douglas, Newcastle, NSW Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year – Ashlee Hodson, Belmore, Sydney, NSW Vocational Student of the Year – Kate Cross, Horsham, VIC VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year – Jacky Cheng, Broome, WA School Pathways to VET – Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College, Burwood, Sydney, NSW Employer of the Year – Crown Melbourne Limited, Melbourne, VIC Small Employer of the Year – Dayshelf Fire Systems, Southport, Gold Coast, QLD Large Training Provider of the Year – TAFE NSW - South Western Sydney Institute, Bankstown, Sydney, NSW Small Training Provider of the Year – Help Enterprises, Nundah, Brisbane, QLD International Training Provider of the Year – Box Hill Institute, Box Hill, Melbourne, VIC Industry Collaboration Award – TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute/ Racing NSW, Kingswood, Sydney, NSW Australian Apprenticeships - Employer Award – Thiess Pty Ltd, Milton, Brisbane, QLD Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice – Ros Bauer, Yuendumu, NT Leadership in VET Quality – Paul Rasmussen, Brisbane, QLD Skills for Sustainability – Educational Institution – Green Business Audit & Training, Torrensville, Adelaide, SA

The 2013 finalists can be viewed on the Winners and Finalists page of the Australian Training Awards website. Applications for the 2014 Australian Training Awards will open on 1 December 2013.

For more information, view the:      

2013 Australian Training Awards event photo gallery; media release - Showcasing Australian training at 20th national awards - 22 November 2013; Real Stories Real Achievements Video Series; @AusTrainAwards Twitter account; Australian Training Awards Magazine; and and visit the Australian Training Awards website.

Commonwealth Government Abbott Ministry announced The Minister for Education and the Leader of the House is the Hon Christopher Pyne, the Minister for Employment and Leader of the Government in the Senate is Senator the Hon Eric Abetz. Velg Training is looking forward to working with the new Ministry to continue to share timely information with the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. For more information:   

visit the Department of Industry website; visit the Prime Minister of Australia the Hon Tony Abbott's media centre; and download the Commonwealth Government - Abbott Ministry.

ASQA Update The following updates have also been published on the ASQA website:  Information sessions postponed – 10 October 2013  ASQA approves tuition assurance scheme – 10 October 2013  ASQA Update | Issue 24 | October 2013 – 31 October 2013  Referring Student Complaints to ASQA – 31 October 2013  Reminder—ensure you are applying for the current version of training products – 31 October 2013  NT information sessions – 11 November 2013  Latest news from the NSSC – 12 November 2013  ASQA Strategic Plan 2013-16 and Operational Plan 2013-14 – 12 November 2013  Results from recent ASQA Audit Survey – 13 November 2013  Revised audit fact sheet now available – 13 November 2013  Commissioner Dianne Orr presentation to Community Colleges Australia – 14 November 2013  November edition of Skills@Work newsletter – 15 November 2013  NT information sessions update – 20 November 2013 Access updates from ASQA, read their 'Latest news' section here. Training Packages For the latest news about Training Packages including endorsements, please refer to the November edition of the Skills @ Work newsletter – formerly the Training Packages @ Work publication.

Recent VET publications Energy Skills Queensland - 2013 Heartbeat Report for the Mining Industry - 28 November 2013 Government of SA Training and Skills Commission - Skills for Jobs 2013 Five-Year Workforce Development Plan - 26 November 2013 NCVER - Defining vocational streams: insights from the engineering, finance, agriculture and care sectors - 26 November 2013 NCVER - Issues for VET providers delivering associate and bachelor degrees: literature review - 26 November 2013 APO - Australian innovation system report 2013 - 25 November 2013 NCVER - Apprentices and trainees 2013 - June quarter - 21 November 2013 DERN - Digital identity - 21 November 2013 NCVER - Apprentices and trainees 2013 - June quarter - 21 November 2013 SCOTESE - National Regional Workforce Planning and Development Report - 19 November 2013 COAG Reform Council - Tracking equity: Comparing outcomes for women and girls across Australia - 19 November 2013 APO - Library budgets, staffing and literacy in Australian schools - 17 November 2013 DERN - Collaborative teaching - 14 November 2013 NCVER - Single-sex schools and science engagement - 14 November 2013 APO - Tertiary education: a quick guide to key internet links - 11 November 2013 NCVER - Apprentices and trainees 2013 - early trend estimates, September quarter - 8 November 2013 DERN - Global digital reality - 7 November 2013 COAG Reform Council - Lessons for federal reform: COAG reform agenda 2008-2013 - 6 November 2013 AiG - Getting it Right: Foundation Skills for the Workforce - 6 November 2013 NCVER - A half-open door: pathways for VET award holders into Australian universities - 6 November 2013 APO - Measures of student achievement: a quick guide - 6 November 2013 APO - School education: a quick guide to key internet links - 1 November 2013 DERN - Trends in teaching ICT - 31 October 2013 ASQA - Annual Report 2012-13 - 30 October 2013 Department of Industry - Annual Report 2012-13 Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education - 30 October 2013 ASQA - Agency Multicultural Plan for 2013-15 - October 2013 TAC - Annual Report 2012-13 - October 2013 VRQA - Annual Report 2012-13 - October 2013 NCVER - The likelihood of completing a VET qualification 2008-11 - 30 October 2013 NCVER - Australian vocational education and training statistics: pocket guide - 30 October 2013 COAG Reform Council - Education in Australia 2012: Five years of performance - 30 October 2013 COAG Reform Council - Skills in Australia 2012: Five years of performance - 30 October 2013 NCVER - Employers' use and views of the VET system 2013 - 28 October 2013 NCVER - Entry to the vocations: strengthening VET in Schools - 28 October 2013 APO - Inclusion in education: towards equality for students with disability - 24 October 2013 APO - Playbook for the G20 Brisbane summit - 23 October 2013 AWPA - Food and beverage workforce study - October 2013 AWPA - Manufacturing workforce issues paper - October 2013 NCVER - Skilled migrant women in regional Australia: promoting social inclusion through vocational education and training - 21 October 2013 NCVER - AVETMISS Validation Software: user guide - 21 October 2013 NCVER - AVETMISS Validation Software: quick guide - 21 October 2013 NCVER - AVETMISS Validation Software: frequently asked questions (FAQs) - 21 October 2013

NCVER - AVETMISS Validation Software: troubleshooting guide - 21 October 2013 NCVER - AVETMISS Validation Software: system comparison PC to web - 21 October 2013 NCVER - AVETMISS Validation Software: getting started checklist - 21 October 2013 NCVER - AVETMISS Validation Software: registration quick guide - 21 October 2013 ACER - Questioning the standards of literacy and numeracy - 15 October 2013 NCVER - Financial information 2012 - 11 October 2013 APO - Unit TV: trialling IPTV for education - 10 October 2013 APO - Faster than the speed of print: reconciling 'big data' social media analysis and academic scholarship - 10 October 2013 Energy Skills Queensland - Queensland Energy and Telecommunications Industry Skills and Workforce Development Report - October 2013 Queensland Major Contractors Association - 2013 Major Projects Report Update - October 2013 Australian Government Office for Learning & Teaching - 2012 Fellowships Annual Report - October 2013 OECD - OECD Survey of Adult Skills - 8 October 2013 NCVER - AVETMISS Validation Software: Business rules for apprentices and trainees - 4 October 2013 NCVER - AVETMISS Validation Software: Business rules for VET providers (Release 7.0) - 4 October 2013 APO - Acting early, changing lives: How prevention and early action saves money and improves wellbeing - 9 October 2013 APO - National mental health survey of doctors and medical students - 8 October 2013 APO - Management of casual teachers - 3 October 2013 DERN - MOOC: Learning to learn - 3 October 2013 APO - Solid partners solid futures: a partnership approach for excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander early childhood, education, training and employment from 2013 to 2016 - 3 October 2013 NCVER - Starting out in low-skill jobs - 2 October 2013 ForestWorks - Global strategies for sustainable success in the forest and timber products industry - 1 October 2013 APO - Partnering for school improvement: case studies of school-community partnerships in Australia 30 September 2013 DERN - Young children on the internet - 26 September 2013 Office for Learning & Teaching - Social, communicative and interpersonal leadership in the context of peer review - September 2013 DERN - Interactive whiteboards - 19 September 2013 APO - The future of Australian education: Sustainable places for learning - 18 September 2013 APO - Performance reporting systems in education - 18 September 2013 APO - Footprints in time - 16 September 2013 NCVER - AVETMISS R6.1 validation software: Software patch 6.62 - 13 September 2013 DERN - Reflecting with multimedia - 12 September 2013 APO - Risk factors for children's receptive vocabulary development from four to eight years in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children - 11 September 2013 ACPET - ACPET's 2013 National Conference - 6 September 2013 APO - Research and experimental development, businesses, Australia, 2011-12 - 6 September 2013 DERN - Backchannel interaction - 5 September 2013 ACER - The value of international assessments of adults' foundation skills - 4 September Recent VET newsletters The Training Packages @ Work newsletter is now prepared and distributed by the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. The newsletter is now known as the Skills @ Work newsletter (S@W) and is published monthly. Skills @ Work provides

specific information and resources for vocational education and training (VET) practitioners. The November edition can be found at: http://createsend.com/t/j-39EBCED5CD679AB6                                

APO Weekly Briefing - 27 November 2013 National VET E-learning Strategy Flex e-News - 27 November 2013 MSA Mskills Update - 26 November 2013 Energy Skills Queensland The Skill Connection News - 26 November 2013 QTIC Newsletter - 25 November 2013 TDA Newsletter - 25 November 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 25 November 2013 Insources Monday VET Update - 25 November 2013 Digital Capability - 25 November 2013 QLD E-learning News NVELS #1 - 24 November 2013 AAT Info Service E-Newsletter Issue 240 - 22 November 2013 Energy Skills Queensland AGM Invitation - 22 November 2013 SSA Taking the Lead E-News Blast 37.2 - 21 November 2013 CS&HISC Communications - 21 November 2013 E-Oz Energy Skills Australia e-Bulletin - 14 November 2013 Skills Tasmania Facts Newsletter - 14 November 2013 Go8 Newsletter - November 2013 Foundation Skills Workforce Development Project - 20 November 2013 TAC Update - Issue 26 - November 2013 - 20 November 2013 APO Weekly Briefing - 20 November 2013 Digital Capability - 20 November 2013 COAG Reform Council inBrief - 19 November 2013 VETinfonews - 18 November 2013 IBSA TAE Alert - 18 November 2013 TDA Newsletter - 18 November 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 18 November 2013 Insources Monday VET Update - 18 November 2013 TLISC Newsletter - Projects Update - 18 November 2013 SkillsDMC Announcement - 15 November 2013 CS&HISC Matters Newsletter - 14 November 2013 NCVER News #316 - 14 November 2013 Training Matters November 2013 - 11 November 2013

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APO Weekly Briefing - 13 November 2013 WorldSkills Australia - 12 November 2013 Insources Monday VET Update - 11 November 2013 TDA Newsletter - 11 November 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 11 November 2013 IBSA VET Capability Alert - 11 November 2013 NCVER Insight Issue 50 | November 2013 - 8 November 2013 TAFE Queensland - TAFE Insight Term 4, 2013 - 7 November 2013 Digital Capability - 7 November 2013 VETinfonews - 6 November 2013 COAG Reform Council inBrief - 6 November 2013 APO Weekly Briefing - 6 November 2013

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ESQ Skill Connection November 2013 - 5 November 2013 CS&HISC Breaking News - 4 November 2013 WorldSkills Australia - 4 November 2013 Insources Monday VET Update - 4 November 2013 TDA Newsletter - 4 November 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 4 November 2013 SSA Taking The Lead - 1 November 2013 ForestWorks Skills Update - 1 November 2013 NSSC Communiqué 14 - October 2013 - 1 November 2013 Skills @ Work - 1 November 2013 ASQA Update | Issue 24 | October 2013 - 31 October 2013 COAG Reform Council inBrief - 31 October 2013 NCVER News #315 - 31 October 2013 E-Oz Energy Skills Australia e-Bulletin - 29 October 2013 Foundation Skills Workforce Development Project Newsletter - 28 October 2013 APO Weekly Briefing - 30 October 2013 IBSA TAE Review Alert - 30 October 2013 Insources The VET Buzz - 30 October 2013 Mskills Update - October 2013 - 29 October 2013 myfuture news October 2013 - 29 October 2013 AgriFood Skills Australia October 2013 - 28 October 2013 AgriFood National Regional Initiatives October 2013 - 28 October 2013 TDA Newsletter - 28 October 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 28 October 2013 Insources VET Monday's update - 28 October 2013 AAT Info Service E-Newsletter Update Issue 238 - 25 October 2013 NSW STS Training Matters News - Issue #95 - 25 October 2013 Mskills Update - AWPA - 25 October 2013 ForestWorks ISC - 25 October 2013 Service Skills Australia - 23 October 2013 VETinfonews - 23 October 2013 APO Weekly Briefing - 23 October 2013 CS&HISC matters - 23 October 2013 Insources Training and Education Newsletter - 23 October 2013 National VET E-learning Strategy Flex e-News - 23 October 2013 QTIC - 22 October 2013 TLISC Newsletter - Literacy Update - 22 October 2013 myfuture - 22 October 2013 eWorks eLink - 22 October 2013 TDA Newsletter - 21 October 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 21 October 2013 Insources Training and Education Monday's VET update - 21 October 2013 NCVER News #314 - 17 October 2013 Group of Eight Australia - October 2013 APO Weekly Briefing - 16 October 2013 QLD DETE Skills update - 16 October 2013 Skills Tasmania Facts - Issue 186 - 16 October 2013 RSA Newsletter October 2013 - 15 October 2013 WorldSkills Australia - AuSkills Melbourne - 14 October 2013

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TLISC - 14 October 2013 QTIC - 14 October 2013 Insources Training and Education Monday's VET update - 14 October 2013 TDA Newsletter - 14 October 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 14 October 2013 AgriFood Skills Australia National Consultations for 2014 Environmental Scan - 11 October 2013 AAT Info Service E-newsletter Issue 237 - 11 October 2013 Insources Training and Education Newsletter - 10 October 2013 WorldSkills Australia SkillNews - October - 9 October 2013 APO Weekly Briefing - 9 October 2013 vetinfonews - 8 October 2013 IBSA News - 8 October 2013 COAG Reform Council inBrief - 8 October 2013 TDA Newsletter - 8 October 2013 CPSISC Newsletter September to October 2013 - 8 October 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 7 October 2013 TLISC October 2013 - 7 October 2013 NCVER News #313 - 4 October 2013 Insources Training and Education Newsletter - 3 October 2013 MSA Mskills Special: 2014 EScan - 3 October 2013 APO Weekly Briefing - 2 October 2013 Training Packages@WORK - October 2013 September eLink - 30 September 2013 QTIC Newsletter - 30 September 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 30 September 2013 TDA Newsletter - 30 September 2013 Insources Monday's VET Update - 30 September 2013 WFTN Network News - 27 September 2013 ForestWorks ISC Newsletter - 27 September 2013 AAT Info Service E-Newsletter Issue 236 - 27 September 2013 APO Weekly Briefing - 25 September 2013 myfuture news September 2013 - 25 September 2013 Insources Training and Education Newsletter - 25 September 2013 ForestWorks ISC Newsletter - 24 September 2013 eWorks eLink Newsletter - 24 September 2013 Mskills Update September 2013 - 24 September 2013 COAG Reform Council inBrief - 23 September 2013 TLISC Newsletter - Issue 13 - 23 September 2013 Insources Monday's VET Update - 23 September 2013 VETinfo Newsletter - 23 September 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 23 September 2013 TDA Newsletter - 23 September 2013 National VET E-learning Strategy Flex e-News - 20 September 2013 QLD DETE Education Views - 20 September 2013 CS&HISC EScan - 20 September 2013 IBSA Product News - 19 September 2013 Skills Queensland - 19 September 2013 QTIC 2013 Tourism Awards Gala - 18 September 2013 APO Weekly Briefing - 18 September 2013

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IBSA Workforce Development Update - 17 September 2013 MSA Mskills Special: Training Package updates - 17 September 2013 Insources Monday's VET Update - 16 September 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 16 September 2013 TDA Newsletter - 16 September 2013 WSA Breaking News - 13 September 2013 QLD DETE - 13 September 2013 IBSA News - 13 September 2013 AAT Info Service E-Newsletter Issue 235 - 13 September 2013 QLD DETE Skills update - 12 September 2013 WorldSkills Australia - 11 September 2013 APO Weekly Briefing - 11 September 2013 Mskills Update - 10 September 2013 VETinfo Newsletter - 9 September 2013 ACPET National Monday Update - 9 September 2013 Insources VET Monday's Update - 9 September 2013 TDA Newsletter - 9 September 2013 NCVER News #312 - 6 September 2013 AgriFood Skills Australia | August 2013 | Issue 37 - 6 September 2013 QLD DETE Education Views - 6 September 2013

Useful links ASQA Media and Publications http://www.asqa.gov.au/media-and-publications/latest-news.html Communique for Standing Council on Tertiary Education Skills & Employment (SCOTESE) http://www.scotese.natese.gov.au/communiques Industry Skills Councils http://www.isc.org.au/ NSSC – New Training Package Standards & Policies http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/training_packages National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) – Review of standards for the regulation of VET http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/standards_review Training.gov.au www.training.gov.au Unique Student Identifier (USI) initiative for VET http://www.innovation.gov.au/Skills/National/UniqueStudentIdentifierForVET/Pages/default.aspx

Thank you Dimity, at VELG, for compiling the Round-Up.

Feedback from Events Professional Standards for Trainers and Assessors in Queensland - Breakfast 27 November 2013 Riverglenn, Kate Street, Indooroopilly Presenters: Sue Goodwin, General Manager, Ithaca Group John Ryan, Director, Queensland College of Teachers (QCT)

I finally made it in time to eat! Coming from the other side of Brisbane through peak hour traffic – this is a large achievement for me and the breakfast at Indooroopilly’s Riverglen was well worth the early morning effort. After quick greetings whilst I demolished a hearty plate, it was time for Sam Nicolosi (VETIG Committee Member and our resident Industry Skills Council expert) to introduce our guest presenters; John Ryan (Director, Queensland College of Teachers) and Sue Goodwin (General Manager, Ithaca Group) for an interactive session on the Queensland Government’s reform agenda relating to the professional standards of trainers and assessors. The action plan, as explained by John initially, is about developing standards of accreditation for trainers and assessors in Queensland, which would be introduced under voluntary arrangements from 2016, with the aim of recognising VET training ‘professionals’. John referred to this as developing a ‘Community of Practice’; recognising that the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment does not on its own produce quality training professionals. Sue Goodwin described the process of creating the issues paper around Action area 2.7 - Recognising the professional standards of trainers and assessors, referring us also to the National VET Practitioner Capability Framework (IBSA and Commonwealth of Australia, 2013) for further detail on the support VET Practitioners and RTO managers need to assess their current capabilities and the levels needed to meet future demands. Robust discussion was held on the opportunities for approved RTOs to be able to offer accreditation with delivery of their TAE programs, the costs involved with registration, consideration of extra compliance requirements in connection with the heightened expectations of quality, how standards would be maintained, how the system would work with RTOs who deliver interstate and how it would work with VET practitioners who deliver from interstate. The strongest point of agreement undoubtedly was that ownership of these standards of accreditation, whatever they end up as, was a must for the system to be successful. Tassia Knack was introduced as leading the project, with her immense VET experience and knowledge being recognised as essential in assisting John and the Queensland College of Teachers in getting their

heads around the VET system (there was mention of the need for a VET acronym glossary, to which we all sagaciously raised our coffees!). John and Tassia have confirmed their consultation with VETIG throughout development of these standards and VETIG members are encouraged to raise any queries through our email: info@vetig.com.au Thanks to John, Sue and Tassia for sharing with us, to Sam for organising the presenters and to VETIG for putting on yet another successful (and yummy) event. For those wishing further information, please go to http://www.training.qld.gov.au/information/investing-in-skills/great-skills-real-opportunities or email great.skills@dete.qld.gov.au

Our thanks are extended to Carolyn Claridge for this feedback.

“LLN and the ACSF” - Workshop 30 October, 2013 Fitzy’s, Loganholme Facilitators: Gillian Tilney; Wendy Nichols Over-subscription of this half-day workshop reflects the need for the professional development of vocational trainers to help them integrate the ACSF core skills into the delivery and assessment of vocational training. The workshop considered general methods to accommodate the LLN requirements of the units of competency/qualifications and specific strategies to integrate the five core skills of Learning, Reading, Writing, Oral Communication and Numeracy. Feedback from participants indicated that a full day workshop would be more appropriate to cover the substantial content. In response, VETIG is planning to conduct additional one-day workshops next year. Please access the VETIG website in 2014 to see more details.

Contributions from Members The Editor offers you her interpretation of the current state of our VET sector, thanks to the skills of a talented illustrator, Barry Dwyer. No doubt you will identify with the sketch (especially the two trainers who are â&#x20AC;&#x153;just hanging onâ&#x20AC;?).

Illustration by Barry Dwyer (AKA 'Baz') 2013

Questions & Answers There has been little mention of the Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework and as such, we have received no questions about it. However, we hope this edition will generate some discussion and feedback and we can publish relevant questions and answers next year. We would like you to send us YOUR questions about the framework and we will do our best to find answers to them. Your name will not be published.

What question(s) do you have about the Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework? Please write to the Editor: wendylou@iprimus.com.au

Tips/Hints We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any seasoned tips or hints about using the CSfW. Instead, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve constructed a Word Search activity for you to become more familiar with the jargon of the CSfW. The words, for which you are searching, appear at the bottom of the puzzle on the next page.

W U

W E

W V

advanced

focus areas

capable

influencing

cluster

novice

connect

performance

context

proficient

CSfW

spiky

ESF

VET

expert

work

Think Piece This article introduces you to a new framework to support our VET sector. The information has been sourced from the website of the Australian Government’s Department of Industry. Links to the website are provided at the end of this article and in other sections of this edition. _______________________ Many of you would remember the introduction of the Mayer competencies that were developed in 1992 and were described as generic/key competencies required for effective participation in work. The Mayer competencies were revisited in 1992 and replaced by the Employability Skills Framework (ESF) that was introduced into Training Packages in 2006-07. As well as identifying generic employability skills, the ESF also identified a number of personal attributes valued by employers. While listing the employability skills in all units of competency in training packages raised an awareness of their importance, there seems to be some confusion associated with the term, ‘employability’ skills. A 2011 NCVER publication found that “Teachers are uncertain about how to teach and assess employability skills.“ and “Consistency continues to be an issue in assessing and reporting employability skills.”1 To address these issues and others, the Australian Government funded research and consultations throughout 2011-2012 that have led to the development of the Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework (CSfW), which brings a new dimension to the focus on non-technical skills in work contexts. While the ESF was focused specifically on employees, the CSfW is broader in its application as it also applies to self-employment, volunteer work and training. The CSfW describes a set of non-technical skills, knowledge and understandings that underpin successful participation in work. There are ten Skill Areas that are grouped under three Skill Clusters. They are:

CLUSTER 1 - NAVIGATE THE WORLD OF WORK a. Manage career and work life b. Work with roles, rights and protocols

CLUSTER 2 - INTERACT WITH OTHERS a. Communicate for work b. Connect and work with others c. Recognise and utilise diverse perspectives

CLUSTER 3 - GET THE WORK DONE a. Plan and organise b. Make decisions c. Identify and solve problems d. Create and innovate e. Work in a digital world Each Skill Area describes a combination of knowledge, skills and understandings and their application to work. It is important to note that the CSfW is not intended to replace the Employability Skills Framework but rather, builds upon it. The Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework …

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only includes skills that can be demonstrated, taught and learnt so does not duplicate the listing of attributes as found in the ESF

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acknowledges the role of influencing factors that may affect an individual’s ability to develop and apply their skills in a specific work situation, including: o individual factors e.g. self-belief, o work factors e.g. level of autonomy and o external factors e.g. family responsibilities

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specifically targets educators, trainers, practitioners and those developing training packages, courseware and curriculum to support the development of these skills in an educational setting

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provides a common language for describing and talking about generic skills related to work and to facilitate the development of these non-technical skills required for work in an educational or learning setting

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recognises that these skills continue to be developed across the span of an individual’s working life so performance in each of the Skill Areas is described across five stages of development – Novice, Advanced Beginner, Capable, Proficient and Expert.

A second important point to note is that the CSfW is complementary to the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) and together these form the Australian Government’s Foundation Skills Framework. It is acknowledged that to be successful in work an individual requires (a) technical skills, (b) language, literacy and numeracy skills and (c) core skills for work.

Well, now you have some idea about the CSfW but really, you should read the Australian Government publications to get the complete picture. http://www.innovation.gov.au/SKILLS/CORESKILLSFORWORKFRAMEWORK/Pages/default.aspx In our “How To …” section in this edition, we have listed the links to the resources that may help you to utilise the CSfW. If you wish to share your thoughts on this topic or, to ask more questions, please write to the Editor at: wendylou@iprimus.com.au

How-to’s How to utilise the Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework Here is a list of the individual tools and resources available on the website of the Department of Industry. The range of resources indicates the different contexts in which the framework can be applied. We suggest you read all of them. It won’t take you long but you will have a better idea of how to make the most of the new framework. The tools and resources can be found at: http://www.innovation.gov.au/skills/CoreSkillsForWorkFramework/Pages/ToolsResources.aspx

Mapping CSfW to 2002 Employability Skills Framework The Bridging Document provides a detailed understanding of how the CSfW aligns with the 2002 Employability Skills Framework (ESF).  

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Mapping CSfW to National Curriculum General Capabilities This resource maps each general capability area of the Australian National Curriculum to the Skill Areas of the CSfW and the ACSF.  

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Mapping CSfW to a Unit of Competency This resource outlines a possible approach to using the CSfW to identify the relevant skills that underpin performance in a unit of competency, either through explicit reference in Performance Criteria, or as underpinning skills.  

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Two scenarios using the CSfW in an Employment Services setting This resource contains two scenarios demonstrating how the CSfW might be used in different ways within the employment services sector. The first illustrates how the CSfW might be used to develop a core skills for work profile for a job seeker and the second illustrates how the CSfW can be used to assist both a job seeker and their employer within a work placement situation.

 Word document  PDF document Facilitating Individuals’ development This resource describes some of the research findings concerning the characteristics of support and opportunities that have been found to assist (or hinder) performance at each developmental stage, and movement to the next stage.  

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Self-reflection activity for school students This resource provides a way for school students to document their experiences while undertaking a structured work placement or work experience. It is a tool to help students reflect upon their observations and responses to situations while on a structured work placement.  

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Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework – A guide for Employers This resource provides an overview of the Core Skills for Work Developmental Framework (CSfW) for employers, its application and benefits. This resource should be read in conjunction with the CSfW.  

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