TAC Talks

This is the third episode of the TAC Talk series on Amplifying Excellence in WA VET Through Award Winner Stories where we spotlight people making significant strides in vocational education and training (VET). This episode features Anthony Nelson-Burns, a remarkable individual who triumphed as the WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year and reached the finals of the National Training Awards in 2023. Anthony's journey is a testament to resilience. He overcame challenges and personal setbacks to achieve success in the engineering field and finishing his apprenticeship early. Now, Anthony champions vocational training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, advocating for culturally sensitive approaches that reduce barriers and create a welcoming learning environment for all. This episode may serve as a valuable resource for RTOs seeking further information on learning environments which promote and support the diversity of learners.

This episode is part of a series dedicated to amplifying excellence in WA VET through award winner stories. In this instalment, we are speaking with Anthony Georgeff, finalist for the Australian Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award at the Australian Training Awards. Anthony shares his experiences engaging students and encourages listeners to consider literacy and language skills beyond immediate applications – highlighting the wider community issues that may impact student learning. This episode may serve as a valuable resource for RTOs seeking further information on language literacy and numeracy support and student wellbeing. More information on Read Write Now is available at https://www.read-write-now.org.au/. Published 24/4/24

This episode is part of a series dedicated to amplifying excellence in WA VET through award winner stories. In this instalment, we have the privilege of speaking with Holly Gudsell, WA and Australian VET Teacher/Trainer of the year. Holly speaks to us about her pivotal role in shaping the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Officer (AIEO) program. This program is founded upon several key principles, including: Incorporation of the 8 Aboriginal Ways of Learning, which are central to Aboriginal Pedagogy (8ways.online) Adoption of Trauma-Informed Care Principles Emphasis on the Three C’s: Communication, Cultural Safety, and Contextualisation Integration of Universal Design for Learning principles. This episode may serve as a valuable resource for RTOs seeking to develop culturally safe environments for First Nations learners. Published 27/3/24

Fraudulent certificates can affect the reputation of your RTO and undermine the quality of the VET sector. This 6-minute episode provides information on safeguarding your qualifications and mitigating this risk by boosting certificate security and verifying incoming certificates. Reporting any encountered fraud to the affected RTO, police, and TAC (if applicable) further strengthens your defence. More information on this topic is available in the TAC Fact Sheet: Issuing Testamurs and Statements of Attainment  For a copy of the transcript click here.  Published 17/01/2024

This short 5 minute podcast provides information on Clauses 8.5 and 8.6 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015. The Standards for RTOs state that RTOs must comply with Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation and regulatory requirements relevant to its operations; and that staff and clients need to be informed of these regulatory requirements and any changes that are made that affect the services delivered. This podcast explores what this could include and how RTOs could communicate this information. For a copy of the transcript click here: https://www.wa.gov.au/media/43396   Published 13 December 2023

Nobody likes complaints and for many RTOs, receiving a complaint from a learner or other stakeholder may be confronting. However responding to complaints can be a useful and important process.  This short 4 minute podcast provides information around Standard 6 of the Standards for RTOs on complaints and how they can provide an understanding of an RTOs clients’ expectations and experiences.  More information on this topic is available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: RTO Complaints and Appeals Transcript available here: https://www.wa.gov.au/media/42894 Published 15 November 2023

This podcast provides further information on Standards 4 and 5 of the Standards for RTOs, which require RTOs to provide accurate and accessible information about themselves, their services, and their performance. It also requires RTOs to ensure that each prospective and current learner is properly informed. The podcast explores the concept of providing prospective students with the information they need to make an informed decision about which RTO will best meet their learning needs and career objectives. It does this by discussing three key areas: What learners can get out of the training What students need to put into the training What your RTO will do for them By providing prospective students with this information, RTOs can help them to make informed decisions about their training and to set themselves up for success. More information on this topic is available in the: TAC Fact Sheet – Marketing and Advertising TAC Fact Sheet – Identifying and Meeting Learner Needs TAC Fact Sheet – Amount of Training TAC Talks Podcast – Protecting Learners when there are Industry Licensing Outcomes TAC Talks Podcast – Identifying and Meeting Learner Needs TAC Talks Podcast – Amount of Training Webinar – RTO Marketing For a copy of the transcript click here. Published 10/10/2023

This podcast navigates the complex topic of equivalence in the VET environment, including how it applies to awarding credit. Equivalence is often misunderstood in the VET sector, and when used incorrectly, it can have significant implications for the integrity of training and assessment. This podcast provides clarity on the specific meanings of equivalence in the VET sector, and how to use it as intended. The podcast also discusses when and how credit can be used appropriately, and the links between equivalence and awarding credit. More information on this topic is available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: Training Product Equivalence TAC Fact Sheet: Awarding Credit TAC Fact Sheet: Recognition of Prior Learning TAC Fact Sheet: Vocational Competence and Industry Currency For a copy of the transcript click here. Published 20/09/2023

TAC Talk Shorts provide succinct information on relevant topics with tips on where to find further guidance. This short 4 minute podcast provides information on RTO's requirements on reporting their Third Party arrangements to TAC.  More information on this topic is available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: Third Party Arrangements; TAC Fact Sheet: Third Party Arrangements for the Third Party; and Users’ Guide to the Standards for RTOs uploaded 16 August 2023

TAC Talk Shorts provide succinct information on relevant topics with tips on where to find further guidance.   This short 4 minute podcast provides information on what RTOs needs to retain to meet their obligations for managing information.   More information on this topic is available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: Records Management; and Users’ Guide to the Standards for RTOs uploaded 19 July 2023

It's hard to think of an industry area where there are not some specific requirements to work in a job in that industry.  The details of those requirements range depending on what industry thinks is critical so that the job is done safely and well. These details sit on a spectrum, ranging from industry taking unskilled workers and training them on the job, through to specific qualification requirements or national requirements that form part of a license or registration.  This podcast explores this spectrum and how it is important to ensure any licensing outcomes are clearly understood by your RTO and by potential learners. More information on this topic is available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: Marketing and Advertising uploaded 14 December 2022

Clause 1.26 and 1.27 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 outlines the transition and teach out arrangements for RTOs when a training product has been superseded or removed or deleted.  Because the arrangements are different for when products are superseded vs removed or deleted, we do have some confusion in the sector.  This confusion also happens regarding enrolments. This podcast provides clarity around Clauses 1.26 and 1.27 of the Standards for RTOs in relation to transition and teach out arrangements for RTOs. More information on this topic is available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: Transition and Teach Out *please note that on 13 December 2022 The Hon Brendan O'Connor MP announced that SSOs would now be replaced by Jobs and Skills Councils (JSC) instead of Industry Clusters. 

Vocational education and training (VET) enables the skilling of people for industry and the workplace. This means that the training and assessment delivered by registered training organisations (RTO) should accurately reflect workplace requirements. Effective industry engagement enables RTOs to reflect the needs of industry and current workplace requirements. This podcast examines Clauses 1.5, 1.6 and 1.13b of the Standards for RTOs in relation to industry engagement and what this means for RTOs. More information on this topic is available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: Industry Engagement; and TAC Fact Sheet: Vocational Competence and Industry Currency uploaded 12 September 2022

TAC frequently receives questions on the requirements for trainers and assessors in the VET sector. Common questions include - Why am I not qualified to train or assess in the VET sector when I have a Bachelor of Education, or higher level qualification in adult education, and previous teaching experience? Why are these qualifications or former experience not considered ‘sufficient’? What vocational and industry skills do I need to become a VET practitioner? This podcast answers these commonly asked questions and provides information on: specifications within the Standards for RTOs; credentials you must hold to be a trainer and assessor in the VET sector and reasons for these; and how RTOs and individuals can meet these requirements. More information on this topic is available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: Trainer and Assessor Regulatory Requirements; and TAC Fact Sheet: Vocational Competence and Industry Currency uploaded 30 August 2022

The Training Accreditation Council is Western Australia's Vocational Education and Training (VET) Regulator responsible for the quality assurance and recognition of VET services in WA. Join both the Chairperson of the Council, Anne Driscoll and A/Director Training Regulation, Lisa Barron for this podcast that discusses the role of the Council and its guiding principles, why WA has a State based VET Regulator and insights into TAC's regulatory functions and current strategy.   More information on this topic is also available via the TAC website under 'About Us' at the following links: The Training Accreditation Council Regulatory Approach uploaded 25 July 2022

Every learner is unique, they have had different experiences, undergone different learning, have different learning styles, different ambitions and motivations, and have different challenges. The RTO therefore, should develop responsive training and assessment strategies that reflect their understanding of varying learner needs. This podcast unpacks the requirements in Clauses 1.1, 1.2 and 1.7, Standard 4 and Clauses 5.1 and 5.2b of the Standards for RTOs and provides insights on strategies RTOs can adopt to support and meet individual learner needs. More information on this topic is also available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: Identifying and Meeting Learner Needs The Users Guide to the Standards for RTOs uploaded 14 June 2022

The term "Amount of Training" refers to the time a learner is to be formally engaged with the RTO in structured learning activities. The amount of training determined must be sufficient to enable the learner to meet the requirements of the nationally recognised Training Product in which they are enrolled, whether that is a single unit of competency, a skill set or a qualification. This podcast unpacks Clauses 1.1 and 1.2 of the Standards for RTOs in relation to amount of training and the responsibilities of the RTO. More information on this topic is also available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: Amount of Training; TAC Fact Sheet: Developing Training and Assessment Strategies; and TAC Users Guide to the Standards for RTOs. uploaded 26 April 2022

The quality of training and assessment in the TAE Training and Education Training Package and specifically in the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is pivotal to the quality of delivery in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector overall. This podcast examines Clauses 1.22 – 1.25 of the Standards for RTOs that detail specific requirements for RTOs that deliver training products from the TAE Training Package.  More information on this topic is also available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: Delivery of Training and Assessment Qualifications uploaded 1 December 2021

More information on this topic is available in the Users Guide to the Standards for RTOs. This podcast unpacks Clause 7.3 of the Standards for RTOs in relation to fee protection where learner fees are collected in advance.  uploaded 30 July 2021

This podcast explores the topic of how units fit into the Australian Qualifications Framework. More information on this topic is available in the: TAC Fact Sheet: The Australian Qualifications Framework and Units of Competency The Users Guide to the Standards for RTOs uploaded 4 June 2021