(Reference is an extract from ANTA 2004)

     Overview of Training Packages

What is a Training Package?

A Training Package is an integrated set of nationally endorsed competency standards, Assessment Guidelines and Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications for a specific industry, industry sector or enterprise.

Each Training Package:

*Provides a consistent and reliable set of components for training, recognising and assessing people's skills and may also have optional support materials

*Enables nationally recognised qualifications to be awarded through direct assessment of workplace competencies

*Encourages the development and delivery of flexible training which suits individual and industry requirements, and

*Encourages learning and assessment in a work-related environment, which leads to verifiable workplace outcomes.

How do Training Packages fit within the National Training Framework?

The National Training Framework (NTF) is made up of the nationally agreed quality arrangements for the vocational education and training (VET) system.  These are the Australian Quality Training Framework(AQTF), and Training Packages endorsed by the National Training Quality Council (NTQC).

How are Training Packages developed?

Training Packages are developed by national Industry Skills Councils (ISCs), (formerly Industry Training Advisory Bodies), or enterprises to met the identified training needs of specific industries or industry sectors.  To gain national endorsement of Training Packages, developers must provide evidence of extensive consultation and support within the industry area or enterprise.

How do Training Packages encourage flexibility?

Training Packages describe the skills and knowledge needed to perform effectively in the workplace without prescribing how people should be trained.

Training Packages acknowledge that people can achieve vocational competence in many ways by emphasising what the learner can do, not how or where they learned to do it.  For example, some experienced workers might b able to demonstrate competency against the units of competency, and even gain a qualification, without completing a formal training program.

With Training Packages, assessments and training may be conducted at the workplace[lace, off-the-job, at a training organisation, during regular wok, or through work experience, work placement, work simulation or any combination of these.

Who can deliver and assess using Training Packages?

Training and assessment using Training Packages must be conducted by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that has the qualifications or specific units of competency on its scope of registration, or that works in partnership with another RTO as specified in the AQTF Standards for Registered Training Organisations.