Nominations are now closed.
Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) understand the skills needs of their sector, industry or occupation. They advise the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) and ensure training products meet the needs of employers, employees, training providers, and people seeking training qualifications.
The AISC is calling for organisations to nominate for the following IRC:
Education IRC
Two organisational positions representing employers in the VET Sector.
Employer organisations in the VET Sector are Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that may be in the following categories: public, private, enterprise, community and school-based RTOs.
The Education IRC has responsibility for the TAE Training and Education Training Package, which houses key qualifications for the VET workforce. The Training Package comprises six qualifications aligned to the following key job roles:
- managers and directors of RTOs
- vocational education and training (VET) teachers and practitioners, and
- industry experts delivering lectures and seminars.
It is anticipated that the Education IRC will submit a Case for Change to review the TAE Training and Education Training Package to the AISC in August 2021. The TAE review will have strong linkages to the VET Workforce Quality Strategy and revisions to the Standards for RTOs (which include requirements re workforce credentials) currently being progressed as part of the quality reforms.
The Education IRC also has responsibility for the FSK Foundation Skills Training Package, which is comprised of three qualifications. FSK qualifications do not align to occupational outcomes. Rather, they are designed to support the building of foundation skills within VET programs. FSK training products are especially aimed at enabling individuals to both acquire the foundation skills required to participate successfully in education and training, as well as develop the foundation skills that underpin vocational competence.
IRCs are supported by a Skills Service Organisation (SSO) to develop and review training products. The Education IRC is supported by PwC Skills for Australia.
The AISC seeks to ensure that the membership of the Education IRC provides industry coverage and expertise to support training product development for their industry. The AISC is looking for organisations with extensive experience in and knowledge of its industry sector, with the capacity to proactively apply these attributes to the work of the IRC.
The AISC website has more information on IRCs and SSOs. The IRC Operating Framework outlines best practice governance principles and processes to assist in the day-to-day operation of IRCs.
Assessment Criteria
When considering nominations, the AISC is interested in the nominee’s:
- comprehensive organisational knowledge of their industry and relevant industry experience (where relevant)
- level of influence the organisation has across the sector and strategic approach to broad industry-wide issues
- capacity of the organisation to consider current and future directions for their industry and to relate those factors to skills and workforce development
- capability of the organisation to provide input directly to training package development, to seek input from established industry networks, and to represent a variety interests and skills needs across the industry
- ability of the organisation to undertake duties in good faith, acting in the public interest and best interests of the industry sector.
As there may be numerous organisations with an interest in an IRC vacancy, the AISC needs to ensure the most suitable nominee is selected. In determining the final membership of IRCs, the AISC will consider both the characterisitscs of nominating organisations (as set out in their nomination) as well as the composition of the IRC as a whole to ensure it is appropriate to the industry.
While it may not be possible to include every nominee on the IRC, SSOs and IRCs consult widely during the training package development process and are supported by Technical Advisory Committee members who are consulted on technical and related industry information.
The process for appointing an IRC position is outlined below.