In the draft Credential Policy released in October 2024, we learned that the intention is to reintroduce TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment as an allowable credential to deliver and assess VET.
This is what is proposed:
Enabling individuals who hold the 2010 version of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110) to deliver training and assessment without needing to hold the two additional units of competency in addressing adult language, literacy and numeracy skills and designing and developing assessment tools.
While recognising that previous changes to the Standards in 2016 requiring qualification upgrades caused burden and expense to the sector, this change is designed to alleviate the sector’s concerns around mandatory upgrades and help ease workforce pressures by enabling those holding the 2010 version of the qualification to re-enter the workforce without completing additional units.
This would also support greater alignment with the latest version of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122), given that the updated versions of the additional units are no longer core units in the qualification.
To ensure currency of skills and quality training for those with the older qualification, the Standards would still require all trainers and assessors to undertake professional development to ensure current skills and knowledge in training and assessment, and to hold relevant industry competencies, skills and knowledge.
Now, here's where things get a bit sticky...
Until 'TAE22' it was understood that a change in core units and/or number of units in a qualification meant a qualification was superseded and not equivalent. The TAE40122 has six (6) core units (out of a total of 12) and has been made ‘equivalent’ to TAE40116 which had 9 core units (out of a total of 10) – it broke precedent and although a member of the Education IRC at the time said they thought there was precedent to make this change, the previous example has never been provided.
TAE40110 had seven (7) core units (out of a total of 10) and was deemed not equivalent to its successor, the TAE40116.
Now, between TAE10 and TAE22 there is only ONE core unit that is equivalent - meaning it will produce the same work outcome. Only one.
In the diagram below:
red = deleted unit
purple = unit superseded and not equivalent
green = unit superseded and equivalent
1 x core unit from TAE10 is equivalent in the TAE22 version of the qualification; 1 x core unit is now deleted from the TAE Training Package; 5 x core units are superseded and not equivalent
This means a best-case scenario for a TAE10 holder is that four (4) of their ten (10) 'Cert IV TAE' units are deemed equivalent as part of TAE40122 – that’s less than half of the original qualification!
So we have to question - is this really going to bring "greater alignment"??
Plus, since the last time a person could train under 'TAE10', we've had numerous sector changes, including the impacts of COVID and technological advances changing the ways training is delivered and assessed.
As we wait for the revised Standards to enacted into legislation (due 1.1.25) we also wait to see what feedback about the Credential Policy (if any) has been actioned. Skills Education supplied DEWR representatives a copy of the panel discussion held on 14.10.24 and to date (late December), that clip has not been viewed.
Education Matters members can view the recording here