The vocational education and training (VET) sector is undergoing significant changes, and if you’re a contract, sessional, or full-time VET trainer or assessor, it’s time to pay attention. The revised Standards for Registered Training Organisations (SRTO) have introduced new requirements that make it clear: continuing professional development (PD) is no longer optional—it’s mandatory for everyone involved in VET.
These changes don’t just apply to VET practitioners but to all RTO staff. Whether you are directly delivering training or working in a support role, your RTO is now responsible for ensuring you have access to ongoing PD opportunities. It’s a shift in responsibility that puts the onus squarely on RTO management to provide and facilitate PD, but it also means that you, as a professional, must be proactive in participating and staying current in your field.
What the Revised SRTO Standards Say About PD
The revised standards place a strong emphasis on ensuring that VET students are trained, assessed, and supported by qualified, skilled, and committed professionals. It’s no longer enough to have the credentials to train and assess—you must also demonstrate that you’re continuously developing your skills and knowledge to stay at the top of your game.
Here are the key elements of the revised standards regarding PD:
- RTO Responsibility: The RTO must "facilitate access to continuing professional development for all staff to enable them to effectively perform their roles." This is a marked shift from previous guidelines where PD may have been more informally addressed or left to individual practitioners to arrange on their own. Now, RTOs must demonstrate that they are actively supporting their staff in accessing relevant PD opportunities.
- Mandatory Participation: It’s not just about access. RTOs must also ensure that you, as a VET professional, are actually undertaking PD. This requirement applies to everyone—not just trainers and assessors but also administrative and support staff involved in the educational process. In other words, if you’re working in VET, you need to be constantly improving your skills and staying current with industry changes.
- Specific Focus on VET Practitioners: For VET trainers and assessors, there are specific mandates related to maintaining current skills and knowledge in both vocational areas and training/assessment practices. Engaging in industry activities, attending workshops, and other forms of PD are now essential to demonstrate competency and relevance in your role.
What Does This Mean for You as a VET Trainer or Assessor?
The impact of these revised standards cannot be overstated. Here’s what you need to know:
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Your RTO Must Take Responsibility for PD
If you’ve ever felt like professional development was an afterthought in your organisation, that’s about to change. Under the new standards, your RTO must facilitate access to continuing PD and ensure you are given the time and resources to engage in relevant learning and development activities. This could mean more organised PD sessions, partnerships with industry for upskilling opportunities, and regular engagement with best practices in education. -
PD Is Now Non-Negotiable
For trainers and assessors, PD is no longer something you can “get around to when you have time.” You are required to stay current, not just in training and assessment methodologies, but also in the industry area you teach. Whether it’s keeping up with changes in legislation, new industry standards, or emerging technologies, you are expected to be at the cutting edge for the benefit of your students and your own career development. -
Dual Vocational Areas of Practice
VET trainers operate in a unique environment where they must maintain proficiency in two distinct vocational areas of practice: the subject they teach and the practice of training and assessment itself. The revised standards recognise this dual need and explicitly state that PD must address both areas. This means that engaging with industry is just as important as attending educational workshops, seminars, and certification updates related to training and assessment. -
Accountability and Transparency
The new standards introduce greater accountability for RTOs. They must demonstrate how they are supporting their staff's PD and provide evidence that trainers and assessors are continuously developing their skills. For you, this means that your PD will likely be more structured, more formalised, and more transparent. Expect regular performance reviews, updated PD plans, and possibly even reporting mechanisms to ensure that PD goals are being met. -
Term and Semester-Based Structures Could Help
RTOs are now encouraged to implement operations within the academic year, using terms and semesters to structure the workload and make room for PD. By organising the academic calendar this way, RTOs can set aside time for both teaching staff and general staff to participate in professional development activities, ensuring compliance with the new standards. This means that you may find yourself working within a more organised framework, with dedicated time for upskilling.
The Two Vocational Areas: A Closer Look
As a VET practitioner, you’re working across two key vocational areas: the industry or field of expertise in which you train and the broader practice of education and training. Both areas demand constant attention and development to ensure that your knowledge, skills, and methods remain current.
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Industry Knowledge
Every vocational area evolves over time. New technologies, methodologies, regulations, and industry trends are always emerging, and as a trainer, you are expected to stay up-to-date with these changes. Whether you work in hospitality, construction, information technology, or any other field, your students rely on you to provide them with the most relevant and up-to-date information. Maintaining your industry connections and attending relevant conferences, workshops, and professional events will become a central part of your role moving forward. -
Training and Assessment Competency
In addition to staying current in your industry, you must also keep pace with best practices in training and assessment. Educational theories evolve, new tools and techniques emerge, and student needs change. The revised standards make it clear that you need to continually improve in this area as well. This could involve taking part in train-the-trainer workshops, mastering new learning technologies, or developing more effective ways to support your students' learning journeys.
The RTO's Role in Ensuring Compliance and Success
While these changes might feel like additional pressure, the onus is not just on you to maintain these standards. Your RTO must provide the resources and structure necessary to support your professional development. This includes everything from setting aside time in the academic calendar for PD to offering financial and administrative support for relevant training courses and certifications.
RTOs must also demonstrate how they are managing their workforce effectively, including making sure there are enough trainers, assessors, and support staff to deliver services efficiently. This means better workforce planning and a clearer focus on ensuring all employees have the tools and opportunities to develop.
Professional Development: The Key to a Thriving VET Sector
At its core, this new emphasis on PD is about ensuring that the VET sector is staffed by professionals who are not only qualified but also engaged, informed, and ready to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. With the rise of technology, shifts in industry demands, and changes in student expectations, VET practitioners must remain agile and forward-thinking.
For you, the opportunity is clear: continuing PD is your pathway to becoming a more effective educator and a more knowledgeable professional. Engaging with PD not only keeps you compliant with the new standards but also positions you as a leader in your field, someone who is actively contributing to the growth and improvement of both your RTO and the wider VET sector.
The Future of VET: Embracing Change and Growth
As the VET sector continues to evolve, embracing continuous learning will be the key to success. Whether you’re a trainer, assessor, or an RTO manager, professional development is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. With these revised standards, the future of vocational education lies in the hands of professionals who are committed to lifelong learning, who are willing to push the boundaries of what’s possible, and who are always striving to improve the quality of the education they provide.
The revised SRTO standards are clear: the student must be at the heart of the VET system, and the only way to ensure their success is by ensuring that their educators are continuously developing and improving. So, whether you’re a contract trainer, a sessional assessor, or part of the RTO leadership team, it’s time to embrace professional development as the cornerstone of your career—and the future of vocational education.
