Archived material
Some aspects of the documents in this section no longer apply, however they have been archived for reference.
Newsletter No. 12 – 27 November 1998
The New South Wales Government Reforms for the School Certificate and the Higher School Certificate
Vocational Education and Training (VET) and the HSC
What is the Board’s commitment to Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses in the new HSC?
In line with the principles for Vocational Education and Training in the HSC set out in the Government’s White Paper, the Board is committed to providing high-quality VET courses that:
- are appropriate for all students, including those who intend to go on to higher education;
- are offered in sufficient variety to satisfy different student needs and contribute to the broad education of students;
- have clear links to post-school destinations and allow HSC and Australian Qualifications Framework accreditation to be gained concurrently;
- are relevant to industry needs and training requirements;
- are developed in collaboration with secondary and vocational education and training sectors, and industry;
- have a component of structured workplace training where appropriate.
Vocational courses in the new HSC will be developed to comply with the requirements of the National Training Framework.
What is the National Training Framework?
The vocational training system in Australia is undergoing a major review. As a result of this review, the National Training Framework has been developed.
The National Training Framework is the overarching policy structure that provides a set of principles and policies for VET across Australia. The aim is to make training arrangements across the country consistent, simpler and more flexible.
For HSC VET courses to be supported and recognised by industry, they must comply with the requirements of the National Training Framework.
Three key components of the National Training Framework are:
- National Training Packages
- the Australian Qualifications Framework
- the New Apprenticeship System.
What will be the impact of the National Training Framework on VET courses in the new HSC?
To maximise opportunities for students, VET courses in the HSC must fulfil the various requirements of the relevant industry Training Package. Both course structures and assessment will need to focus on competencies so that students can become eligible for vocational qualifications.
What is a National Training Package?
Each industry is producing a National Training Package, which will underpin all training and qualifications in that industry. The Training Packages consist of components endorsed by the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA), and non-endorsed components. The endorsed components are:
- national industry competency standards -- the skills, knowledge and experience required for an individual to be deemed competent;
- assessment guidelines, which address assessor qualification requirements and the conditions under which competencies should be assessed;
- national qualifications, which consist of groups of competencies that together make up a qualification under the AQF.
The non-endorsed components can include things like professional development resources, assessment methods and materials, and learning strategies.
What is the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)?
This is the national framework that defines all qualifications recognised nationally in post-compulsory education and training within Australia. An AQF qualification provides national recognition of outcomes achieved in post-compulsory education and training and aims to assist people to move easily between the various education and training sectors and employment. AQF VET qualifications range from entry-level certificates to diplomas.
Qualifications under the AQF can only be issued after students have been assessed as competent in those combinations of competencies defined in the relevant Training Package.
How will New Apprenticeships be accommodated in frameworks?
Where possible, part-time contracted trainees will be able to complete the off-the-job training requirements of their traineeships through study of a course or courses within the relevant framework.
How will VET courses be arranged?
The Board is developing curriculum frameworks for a set of appropriate industries. Each framework will consist of several elements. Central to each framework will be course structures that identify combinations of units of competency contained in the relevant endorsed national industry Training Package. These combinations will satisfy Board requirements for unit credit and will give students opportunities to achieve work-related competencies and qualifications that are valued and respected by the industry.
The documentation for each framework will also provide clear advice regarding:
- the 120 hour, 240 hour and extension courses (of 60 or 120 hours) available within the framework;
- curriculum materials which may be used to deliver the units of competency in the framework;
- background information about the industry for teachers, trainers and students;
- implementation strategies;
- assessment.
One purpose of a framework is to provide a systematic and consistent mechanism for the accreditation of students’ learning in a given industry area. This means that the type of course currently endorsed by the Board as a TAFE-delivered VET (or JSSTAFE) course will continue to be delivered by TAFE, but will be accredited under the framework.
In which industries will the Board have curriculum frameworks?
The Board is currently developing frameworks in a number of industry areas which have been selected by applying a specific set of criteria. Additional frameworks may be developed in the future. As far as possible, these criteria ensure that courses are available in industries in which:
- job and career opportunities are anticipated;
- there is clear industry support for VET courses as part of the HSC;
- qualified teachers and appropriate facilities are available to schools;
- courses can articulate into further education and training;
- qualifications within the AQF are available to students;
- an acceptable level of student demand can be anticipated.
The process for the development of a framework begins with an investigation, undertaken by officers of the Board, into the extent to which a particular industry satisfies the criteria. If the Board decides to develop a framework for that industry, an extensive consultation and development process occurs, during which schools and colleges are consulted and informed. Each framework will be published in ample time for implementation in the following academic year.
To date, the Board has approved the development of curriculum frameworks in:
- Business Services (incorporating Office Administration)
- Construction
- Information Technology
- Metal and Engineering
- Primary Industries
- Retail
- Telecommunications
- Tourism and Hospitality.
What will happen to the current courses, ie Industry Studies, the vocational Content Endorsed Courses and JSSTAFE courses?
If the Board develops a curriculum framework in an industry for which vocational courses currently exist, those courses will be subsumed within the framework. In these industries, the distinction between TAFE-delivered and school-delivered courses will no longer exist. Courses within the frameworks may be taught by a range of providers.
This means that, for example, Industry Studies would cease to exist as a discrete course but opportunities currently available in Industry Studies will be taken up in the Metal and Engineering, Retail, and Tourism and Hospitality frameworks. TAFE will continue to deliver some VET courses within the frameworks to HSC students. In some cases, schools and TAFE colleges will work together to ensure that all units of competency in a course are covered.
In industries where the Board does not develop a curriculum framework, courses may be proposed to the Board for endorsement. Many of these will be delivered by TAFE and will be contained in the document TAFE Delivered Vocational HSC Courses for Schools.
What about other industries?
The Board is aware of the range of local opportunities for vocational courses in industries which might not be included in a centrally developed curriculum framework. The opportunity for schools to use the endorsement process for School-designed Board Endorsed Courses will continue to be available.
Locally designed vocational courses will need to meet specific criteria, including:
- documented industry support;
- school/ school system support;
- alignment of course proposals to relevant national industry Training Packages (where available);
- accreditation by the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB) where Training Packages are not available;
- adherence to the Board of Studies’ unit structure and indicative hour requirements.
Will the courses be recognised by universities?
It is anticipated that selected courses within each framework will be considered by the universities for inclusion in calculations for university entrance.
Information regarding recognition by universities will be included in course framework documentation.
What is the timeline for the implementation of these arrangements?
The Board anticipates that the eight frameworks approved to date will be available for implementation in Year 11, 2000.
Will credit be available from other Board of Studies subjects?
Curriculum framework documents will contain information on the relevant competencies that may be acquired through the study of other Board courses. The extent of the credit available will become clearer as syllabuses are reviewed and developed.
It should be noted that the assessment of competency will need to be conducted by an assessor who has the qualifications stipulated in the relevant Training Package.
How will the key competencies be incorporated into VET programs?
Key competencies are an integral part of units of competency in each industry Training Package. Each course within a curriculum framework will indicate the key competency or competencies that can be developed through the study of the course. Additional information concerning relevant key competencies will be provided in each set of industry framework documents.
Will students receive the HSC credential for VET?
To receive HSC credentialling for VET courses, students will need to meet Board of Studies requirements for satisfactory course completion.
What VET credentials will be available to students?
Students who follow courses within the Board’s frameworks and who are assessed as competent in the relevant units of competency may be eligible for a vocational qualification under the AQF. These qualifications will mostly be at Level I or II.
Students who follow vocational Board Endorsed Courses in other industries may also be eligible for qualifications under the AQF, providing that they are assessed as competent. The level of certificate for which they are eligible will vary from course to course.
Students who achieve competencies but do not fulfil the requirements of a complete certificate will be eligible for a Statement of Attainment, which will list the competencies achieved.
Who will assess VET?
In order to gain accreditation for the HSC, the student’s teacher will have to determine whether the Board’s criteria for satisfactory course completion have been met. In addition, to gain industry accreditation, competency assessment will need to be conducted by an assessor who meets the assessor qualifications stipulated in the relevant Training Package.
Further information
Future newsletters will contain up-to-date information about Board VET courses as it becomes available.
Professor Gordon Stanley
President, Board of Studies NSW
27 November 1998