The Training and Assessment Strategy (TAS) in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector serves as a comprehensive framework, outlining the macro-level requirements for delivering effective training and assessment. This strategy is critical for ensuring that a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) can successfully deliver qualifications and training products that meet industry standards and learner needs. Let's delve into the key components and functions of the TAS:
Key Components of the Training and Assessment Strategy
Qualification and Competency Codes: Includes the codes and titles of the qualifications or units of competency.
Enrollment Requirements: Outlines the criteria set by the RTO for course enrollment.
Core and Elective Units: Lists the core and elective units in the course, providing a rationale for their inclusion.
Training Product Details: Provides information about the training product and its alignment with qualification packaging rules.
Prerequisites: Describes any pre-existing knowledge or skills required for enrollment.
RTO Details: Offers information about the training organisation and a contact person.
Unit Clustering: If applicable, details any clustering of units for more efficient delivery.
Learner Cohort Description: Describes the learner cohort, including employment status, academic background, and related industry experience.
Training Delivery and Assessment Methods: Explains how the training and assessment will be conducted.
Entry and Exit Points: Defines the pathways into and out of the training.
Timeframes: Specifies the duration for delivery and assessment of the course.
Volume of Learning and Training Amount: Details the total learning volume and training hours.
Work-Placement Requirements: If relevant, include information about work-placement elements.
Training and Assessment Execution: Describes how training and assessment activities will be conducted.
Staff Qualifications: Details the qualifications of staff delivering and assessing the training.
Required Resources: Lists the equipment, facilities, and resources needed.
Industry Consultation: Explains how industry feedback has shaped the training and assessment.
Program Validation: Describes how the program’s effectiveness and relevance are ensured.
Delivery Sequence: Outlines the order in which units will be delivered.
Review and Approval Processes: Details the processes for reviewing and approving the TAS.
Functions of the TAS
Organisational Capacity Validation: The TAS helps confirm that the RTO has the necessary resources, staff, and organisational capacity to deliver the qualification.
Guidance for Training Delivery: It acts as a blueprint guiding the RTO in what, where, when, and how training is delivered.
Continuous Improvement Tool: As a dynamic document, the TAS is continually revised to reflect changes in training delivery methods, industry needs, and regulatory requirements.
Development and Maintenance of the TAS
Tool or Template Creation: A TAS can be created using a Word document or similar software and should be easily amendable.
Regular Updates: The strategy should be regularly updated to stay aligned with current educational practices, industry trends, and regulatory changes.
In summary, the Training and Assessment Strategy is an essential document for any RTO, providing a detailed and structured approach to delivering quality vocational education and training. It ensures that training programs are well-planned, resource-efficient, and aligned with industry standards, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness and relevance of VET training.
