AISC Communique – 12 August 2020 Meeting

The 33rd meeting of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (the Committee) was held on 12 August 2020 via Go To.

The Chair thanked Ms Megan Kirchner for her considered input into training package development while on the Committee, and welcomed Ms Jenny Lambert from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the replacement industry representative.

VET Reform Update and Discussion

The Committee received a briefing from Ms Nadine Williams, Deputy Secretary Skills and Training on the most recent developments on skills reform as outlined in the Heads of Agreement released on 5 August 2020. The briefing addressed the various reforms being driven by the new National Federation Reform Cabinet (National Cabinet) Skills Committee with a focus on improving VET quality and relevance, and enhancing outcomes for students, employers and industry.

Two reforms to be undertaken immediately to support economic recovery are:

reform the training package system, including rationalising qualifications on the national register, to look at shaping training products to service occupations across industries.
industry engagement arrangements.

The Commonwealth is keen to draw on the lessons learnt from the AISC Emergency Sub‑committee model, as well as feedback from the Committee and Industry Reference Committee (IRC) Chairs on how industry engagement could be enhanced.

Cases for Endorsement

Sixteen Cases for Endorsement, including three resubmission Cases for Endorsement, were approved by the Committee for referral to Ministers for endorsement:

IRC	Details of submission	AISC Decision
Automotive Allied IRC; Automotive Heavy Vehicle IRC; Automotive Light Vehicle IRC; Automotive Strategic IRC; Automotive Vehicle Body Repair IRC AUR Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package Version 6.0	The Case for Endorsement includes: Updated: 31 qualifications and 289 units of competency. New: 15 units and 9 skills sets. Deleted: 7 qualifications.	Approved the AUR Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package Version 6.0
Business Services IRC BSB Business Services Training Package Version 7.0 – Technical Skills and Business Enterprise Skills	The Case for Endorsement includes: Updated: 33 qualifications (amalgamated from 66) and 283 units of competency. New: 20 units and 33 skills sets. Deleted: 7 qualifications Superseded: 242 units of competency.	Approved the BSB Business Services Training Package Version 7.0 – Technical Skills and Business Enterprise Skills
Financial Services IRC Financial Services Training Package Version 5.0 – Financial Planning / Insurance Services / Superannuation	The Case for Endorsement includes: Updated: 8 qualifications and 69 units of competency. New: 1 qualification and 9 units. Deleted: 6 qualifications and 30 units of competency.	Approved the FNS Financial Services Training Package Version 5.0 – Financial Planning / Insurance Services / Superannuation
Construction, Plumbing and Services IRC Plumbing Services and Fire Protection	This Case for Endorsement includes: Updated: 8 qualifications and 155 units of competency. New: 6 units of competency Deleted: 5 qualifications and 7 units of competency.	Approved the Plumbing and Fire Protection project Approved the future update to the Certificate III in Fire Protection to update the two non-transitioned CPP-Property Services units in the core of the qualification once the FPIT qualifications have transitioned (noting this is defined as a major change in the policy that requires AISC approval as it involves the update of two core units).

IRC

Details of submission

AISC Decision

Automotive Allied IRC; Automotive Heavy Vehicle IRC; Automotive Light Vehicle IRC; Automotive Strategic IRC; Automotive Vehicle Body Repair IRC

AUR Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package Version 6.0

The Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 31 qualifications and 289 units of competency.
New: 15 units and 9 skills sets.
Deleted: 7 qualifications.

Approved the AUR Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package Version 6.0

Business Services IRC

BSB Business Services Training Package Version 7.0 – Technical Skills and Business Enterprise Skills

The Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 33 qualifications (amalgamated from 66) and 283 units of competency.
New: 20 units and 33 skills sets.
Deleted: 7 qualifications
Superseded: 242 units of competency.

Approved the BSB Business Services Training Package Version 7.0 – Technical Skills and Business Enterprise Skills

Financial Services IRC

Financial Services Training Package Version 5.0 – Financial Planning / Insurance Services / Superannuation

The Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 8 qualifications and 69 units of competency.
New: 1 qualification and 9 units.
Deleted: 6 qualifications and 30 units of competency.

Approved the FNS Financial Services Training Package Version 5.0 – Financial Planning / Insurance Services / Superannuation

Construction, Plumbing and Services IRC

Plumbing Services and Fire Protection

This Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 8 qualifications and 155 units of competency.
New: 6 units of competency
Deleted: 5 qualifications and 7 units of competency.

Approved the Plumbing and Fire Protection project

Approved the future update to the Certificate III in Fire Protection to update the two non-transitioned CPP-Property Services units in the core of the qualification once the FPIT qualifications have transitioned (noting this is defined as a major change in the policy that requires AISC approval as it involves the update of two core units).

IRC	Details of submission	AISC Decision
Construction, Plumbing and Services IRC Construction Plumbing and Services Training Package Release 7.0 – Shopfitting	The Case for Endorsement includes: Updated: 1 qualification and 10 units of competency.	Approved the CPC Construction Plumbing and Services Training Package Release 7.0 – Shopfitting
Construction, Plumbing and Services IRC Concreting	This Case for Endorsement includes: Updated: 1 qualification and 18 units of competency. New: 2 units of competency and 5 skills sets.	Approved CPC30320 Certificate III in Concreting
Meat IRC Australian Meat Processing Training Package Release 5.0 – Halal Meat Processing / Game Harvesting Auditing / Poultry Processing	The Case for Endorsement includes: New: 7 units of competency and 12 skills sets.	Approved the AMP Australian Meat Processing Training Package Release 5.0 – Halal Meat Processing / Game Harvesting Auditing / Poultry Processing.
Forest Management and Harvesting IRC; Timber Building Solutions IRC Forest and Wood Products Training Package Version 6.0 – New Timber Harvesting Technologies / Timber Truss and Frame Estimating and Design / Timber Merchandising	The Case for Endorsement includes: Updated: 4 qualifications, 56 units of competency and 1 skill set. New: 6 units of competency and 5 skills sets.	Approved the Forest and Wood Products Training Package Version 6.0 – New Timber Harvesting Technologies / Timber Truss and Frame Estimating and Design / Timber Merchandising.
Aquaculture and Wild Catch IRC Seafood Industry Training Package Version 2.0 – Fishtech and Aquabotics / Crocodile Farming	This Case for Endorsement includes: Updated: 5 units of competency and 18 units of competency with minor revisions (non‑endorsed update). New: 20 units of competency, 1 qualification and 11 skill sets. Deleted: 2 units of competency and 1 skill set.	Approved the Seafood Industry Training Package Version 2.0 – Fishtech and Aquabotics / Crocodile Farming

IRC

Details of submission

AISC Decision

Construction, Plumbing and Services IRC

Construction Plumbing and Services Training Package Release 7.0 – Shopfitting

The Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 1 qualification and 10 units of competency.

Approved the CPC Construction Plumbing and Services Training Package Release 7.0 – Shopfitting

Construction, Plumbing and Services IRC

Concreting

This Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 1 qualification and 18 units of competency.
New: 2 units of competency and 5 skills sets.

Approved CPC30320 Certificate III in Concreting

Meat IRC

Australian Meat Processing Training Package Release 5.0 – Halal Meat Processing / Game Harvesting Auditing / Poultry Processing

The Case for Endorsement includes:

New: 7 units of competency and 12 skills sets.

Approved the AMP Australian Meat Processing Training Package Release 5.0 – Halal Meat Processing / Game Harvesting Auditing / Poultry Processing.

Forest Management and Harvesting IRC; Timber Building Solutions IRC

Forest and Wood Products Training Package Version 6.0 – New Timber Harvesting Technologies / Timber Truss and Frame Estimating and Design / Timber Merchandising

The Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 4 qualifications, 56 units of competency and 1 skill set.

New: 6 units of competency and 5 skills sets.

Approved the Forest and Wood Products Training Package Version 6.0 – New Timber Harvesting Technologies / Timber Truss and Frame Estimating and Design / Timber Merchandising.

Aquaculture and Wild Catch IRC

Seafood Industry Training Package Version 2.0 – Fishtech and Aquabotics / Crocodile Farming

This Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 5 units of competency and 18 units of competency with minor revisions (non‑endorsed update).
New: 20 units of competency, 1 qualification and 11 skill sets.
Deleted: 2 units of competency and 1 skill set.

Approved the Seafood Industry Training Package Version 2.0 – Fishtech and Aquabotics / Crocodile Farming

IRC

Details of submission

AISC Decision

Process Manufacturing, Recreational Vehicle and Laboratory IRC

Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining Training Package Release 2.0 – Phase 2

This Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 1 qualification.
New: 15 units of competency.

Approved the Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining Training Package Release 2.0 – Phase 2

Maritime IRC

Maritime Training Package Release 6.0 – Maritime AMSA Regulations Phases 2 and 3; MAR Deck and Engineer Officers; MAR Regulatory Skill Sets

This Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 15 qualifications and 107 units of competency.
New: 1 new qualification, 15 units of competency and 13 skill sets.
Deleted: 3 qualifications and 26 units of competency.

Approved the Maritime Training Package Release 6.0.

Noted: The AISC noted the importance of ensuring a comprehensive consultative approach is used with all maritime sectors for further development on the training package

Rail IRC

Transport and Logistics (Rail) Training Package release 7.0 – Passenger Train Guard / Network Fault Support / Train and Network Control

This Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 3 qualifications, 34 units of competency and 1 skill set.
New: 5 units of competency and 3 skill sets.

Approved the Transport and Logistics (Rail) Training Package release 7.0 – Passenger Train Guard / Network Fault Support / Train and Network Control

Defence IRC

Defence Training Package Release 3.0

This Case for Endorsement includes:

Updated: 18 qualifications and 121 units of competency.
New: 6 new skills sets.
Deleted: 2 qualifications and 19 units of competency.

Approved the Defence Training Package Release 3.0

IRC

Details of re‑submission

AISC Decision

First Aid IRC

Health Training Package Version 5.0

This Case for Endorsement was considered on 25 February 2020 but not approved. It includes:

Updated: 8 units of competency (of which 7 are not equivalent) and 1 new skill set.
New: 1 new unit of competency.

Approved the Health Training Package Version 5.0

Noted : Victoria raised technical concerns

Construction Plumbing and Services IRC

Carpentry and Joinery

This Case for Endorsement was considered on 25 February 2020 but not approved. It includes the proposal to:

Merge 5 existing qualifications into two to reduce duplication of the core units.

Approved the Carpentry and Joinery project and supported an extended transition period of two years.

It was also agreed that prior to the expiry of the transition period, employers would be surveyed about the removal of the Certificate III in Formwork/Falsework.

Electrotechnology IRC

Electrotechnology Training Package Release 2.0

This Case for Endorsement was considered on 25 February 2020 but not approved. It includes:

530 units of competency.
50 skill sets.
79 qualifications.

Approved the Electrotechnology Training Package Release 2.0 and supported an extended transition timeframe of two years.

Noted: Victoria raised technical concerns.

The Committee noted that the approval of the Construction, Plumbing and Services projects and the Electrotechnology project completes the work to transition these two significant training packages to the 2012 Standards following endorsement by Skills Ministers.

These training packages are critical not only in terms of the number of enrolments, but also their significance to the economy as it shifts towards economic recovery post the COVID‑19 pandemic.

The Committee welcomed Industry Reference Committee (IRC) Chairs, Mr Stuart Maxwell, Construction, Plumbing and Services IRC, and Dr Peter LeCornu, First Aid, who were invited to the meeting to talk about the work of their IRCs in developing their training package products for approval and respond to questions from AISC members.

Industry Skills Forecasts

The AISC considered the following 2020 Skills Forecasts and Proposed Schedules of Work:

IRC	Details of submission	AISC Decision
Construction Plumbing and Services IRC Construction Plumbing and Services (6 projects)	Hydrogen project Develop one skill set and eight new units in the CPC Training Package related to the introduction of hydrogen technology.	Not approved to proceed to training package development.
	Heritage Skills project Develop one new skill set in specialist heritage skills.	Not approved to proceed to training package development.
	Construction Hazards projects Develop 3-6 units of competency around hazard safety awareness for construction hazards, incorporating three projects: Asbestos safety awareness Silicosis safety awareness Mental health safety awareness	Approved the Silicosis safety awareness project to proceed to training package development. Did not approve the Asbestos and Mental health proposals to proceed to training package development.
	Precast concrete installation project Develop one new qualification and eight new units of competency.	Requested further evidence of industry demand.
	Propose the following projects: Cured in Place Pipe – a unit of competency for the Certificate III in Plumbing. Certificate II in Plumbing – one new plumbing pathway qualification. Construction – up to four new steel units of competency. Certificate III in Swimming Pool and Spa Building – one new qualification. Rope Work – three units of competency.	Not approved to proceed to training package development.

IRC	Details of submission	AISC Decision
Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing IRC Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (2 projects)	Flour Milling project Review the Certificate IV in Flour Milling, with an expectation of its deletion and incorporation of skills into alternative qualifications through new or revised units of competency, including potentially a stream in food processing and/or a milling skill set.	Approved to proceed to training package development.
	High Volume Production Baking project One qualification to be reviewed and potentially deleted; three units of competency to be reviewed and potentially deleted and one new skill set to be created.	Approved to proceed to training package development.
Forest Management and Harvesting IRC; Timber and Wood Processing IRC; Timber Building Solutions IRC Forestry (4 projects)	Attract New Entrants project Review five qualifications, deleting up to one qualification and consolidating two Certificate II qualifications, review 44 units of competency and develop one new unit of competency	Approved to proceed to training package development.
	Review of high‑level jobs in Forestry project Review three qualifications, updating up to three qualifications and deleting up to one qualification and review 54 units of competency and create 6 new units of competency (Review of high‑level jobs in Forestry project).	Approved to proceed to training package development.
	Safety Mindsets in Remote Operations project Create up to two units of competency and one skill set relating to shaping and sustaining safety culture and practices whilst working in remote high‑risk operations.	Approved to proceed to training package development.
	Responding and Assisting in Bushfires The project proposes a job function analysis of all forestry and sawmilling roles relevant to the management of bushfires of up to 24 forestry and sawmilling qualifications.	More information requested to evidence the scope of the training package development required.

IRC	Details of submission	AISC Decision
Pulp Paper and Manufacturing IRC Pulp and Paper (2 projects)	Rationalise Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Training Package project The project will reduce the number of qualifications and identify possibilities for the utilisation of cross-sector units. Qualifications: Review 7 qualifications Update up to 7 qualifications Delete up to 4 qualifications Units of Competency (units): Review 80 units Update up to 80 units Delete up to 20 units Create up to 5 new units Skill sets (10): Review and update up to 10 skill sets Delete up to 2 skill sets Create up to 5 new skill sets.	Approved to proceed to training package development. Noted the low enrolments and use of the national training standards by industry to meet its training needs.
	The second project for the development of standardised training resources proposed by the Pulp and Paper Manufacturing IRC was not brought forward to the AISC.
Maritime IRC Maritime (2 projects)	Dredging Operations project The proposal is to develop a new skill set comprising up to four new units of competency.	Approved to proceed to training package development.
	Maritime Operations Linesperson project The proposal is to review and update one qualification by reviewing seven existing units of competency and developing one new unit.	Approved to proceed to training package development.
Gas IRC Gas (3 projects)	Storage and Reinjection of Gas project Update two existing units of competency and develop up to three new units of competency.	Approved to proceed to training package development. Noted the Gas IRC need to look for ways to increase the use of the Training Package
	Hydrogen Gas Technology project Update ten units of competency and develop up to six new units of competency and three new skill sets.	Approved to proceed to training package development. Noted value in Gas IRC collaborating with the Construction Plumbing and Services IRC to discuss future training package needs for hydrogen.
	Data Loggers project Develop up to five new units of competency.	Approved to proceed to training package development.

Cases for Change

The Committee considered the following Cases for Change.

IRC

Details of submission: New

AISC Decision

Aviation IRC

Aviation
(1 project)

Remotely Piloted Aircraft

Develop one new unit of competency and one new skill set.

Approved to proceed to training package development.

Public Safety IRC

Police Protection and Police Search and Rescue
(2 projects)

Police Protection and Police Search and Rescue

Update four existing qualifications
Update 19 existing units of competency.

Approved to proceed to training package development.

Textiles, Clothing and Footwear IRC

Textiles, Clothing and Footwear
(1 project)

New technologies and materials, advanced clothing production and garment alteration skill sets and applied fashion design

Update 14 existing qualifications
Update 233 existing units of competency.

Not approved to proceed to training package development.

Furnishing IRC

Furnishing
(1 project)

Pathways, Cabinet Making and Related Qualifications Project

Review, re‑develop and rationalise 13 qualifications
Review and update 179 units of competency.

Conditionally approved to proceed to training package development with the requirement to split the work into a number of smaller projects.

Sustainability IRC

Sustainability
(1 project)

Competitive Systems and Practices Project

Review of 7 qualifications
Review and update of 114 Units of Competency
Creation of 1 new unit (Five core Lean Values and required behaviours)
Consideration of the development of skill sets in Competitive Systems and Practices.

Conditionally approved to proceed to training package development with the requirement to split the work into a number of smaller projects.

The following Case for Change – Resubmission was considered by the Committee:

IRC

Details of submission

AISC Decision

Transport and Logistics IRC

Driving Operations
(1 project)

Driving Operations

Revise 102 existing units of competency
Create up to four new units of competency
Revise one skill set.

Conditionally approved to proceed to training package development with the requirement to split the work into a number of smaller projects.

Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Regulatory Strategy 2020-22

Ms Saxon Rice, Chief Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) updated the Committee on the ASQA Regulatory Strategy 2020‑22 (the Strategy).

The Strategy has been developed within the context of the COVID‑19 pandemic, taking into account the pressures the pandemic has placed on the VET sector. It sets out the steps ASQA will take to achieve enhanced quality in the VET sector through a focus on self‑assurance and excellence in training outcomes.

The Strategy identifies immediate changes ASQA can undertake to improve the quality of VET outcomes, including greater consultation and strengthened engagement with the sector and industry, and the publication of clearer performance data for the sector, such as best practice examples and audit findings.

Longer term strategies include a shift away from a compliance focus to encouraging providers to concentrate upon reviewing the systems and processes they have in place to deliver high quality outcomes, and supporting an environment of best practice through continuous improvement.

IRC Working Group update

The Committee agreed to hold a workshop on 8 September 2020 to discuss strategies to address the following issues raised by IRC Chairs Day at their meeting held on 7 July 2020:

great strategic leadership and guidance from the AISC to the IRC network
improved communication and engagement
IRC capacity building
streamline and improve training products processes.

AISC members agreed to address the issues in a two‑stage approach:

Take some immediate actions that can be implemented without delay to introduce greater transparency, involvement and support into the system for IRCs.
Undertake a considered analysis of opportunities and mechanisms to support IRC Chairs and agree a forward agenda to follow these through to implementation.

Next meeting: The next meeting of the AISC will be held on Tuesday 13 October 2020.

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