Australian Seeds Processing Industry Training Initiative - Explanation of Terms
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- Last Updated on Monday, 22 August 2011 13:22
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ASA recently approached AgriFood Skills Australia for assistance in getting a national training course accredited for people employed as 'seed processors' ('seed growers' will be covered subsequently).
The purpose of this paper is to explain some of the terms and jargon used in this process.
National training courses are derived from 'units of competency'. A number of these 'units' can be combined into a documented 'Training Package'. AgriFood Skills Australia manages a number of Training Packages and will manage the seed processing units and package when it is complete.
A unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to complete a work function. For example 'Operate a screen cleaner for seed processing' is a unit of competency that describes the skills and knowledge required of a person to use that machinery 'competently'.
In consultation with the Seed Industry Training Advisory Group (SITAG) AgriFood Skills Australia has now prepared eight units of competency that together cover the work functions of a person working as a seed processor. When approved these eight units of competency will together form the qualification Certificate III in Seed Processing.
This Certificate will be 'housed' in the AHC09 Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package and will describe the job role of a 'seed processor'.
This course may then go on the national register of courses approved for funding for training. Funding depends on individual states identifying the package as a priority. Industry bodies such as ASA, ASF and GCA can influence this decision by working with the state Industry Training Advisory Boards (ITABs). Clear broad support by the industry is an essential prerequisite to secure approval.
Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are the only organisations approved to deliver nationally accredited training.
RTOs use the units of competency within a qualification to devise a training program (deliver training). They do not teach the units per se, but 'unpack' them and prepare a training program that delivers knowledge (through 'classes') and skills (through workplace experience). Assessors, who may or may not be trainers, can assess participants and grade them as 'competent' or 'not yet competent'. This is known as 'Competency Based Training and Assessment' (CBT, CBA) - the training system upon which Training Packages rest.
Significant funding is available supporting approved CBT/CBA training. In certain cases this can be up to 100% of training cost.
RTOs can work closely with industry bodies such as ASA, ASF and individual companies to deliver training in partnership.