A Accreditation The process of formal recognition, based on National Accreditation Principles by the State/Territory Recognition Authority, that: the contents and standards of a course or customised qualifications are appropriate to the qualification outcome identified; the course / customised qualification and methods of delivery fulfil the purpose for which it was developed; and the content including curriculum and assessment are based on national competency standards where they exist Allowable Adjustment The nature and range of adjustment to an assessment tool or assessment method which will ensure valid and reliable assessment decisions, but also meet the characteristics of person(s) being assessed. ANTA Australian National Training Authority Appeal Process A process whereby the person being assessed, or other interested party, such as an employer, may dispute the outcome of an assessment and seek reassessment. AQF Australian Qualifications Framework is a twelve level structure which includes all qualifications in post- compulsory education and training (that is, after Year 10). The AQF ensures that qualifications are consistent and recognisable throughout Australia. AQF 2 Core Skills, common skill areas AQF 3 Core skills, common skills and specialist skill areas. AQF 4 & 5 Core skills, common skills,specialist skill areas and electives AQF 6 Specialist skill areas and electives ARF Australian Recognition Framework. The national system of recognition of vocational education and training. Assessment A process of collecting evidence and making judgments on whether competency has been achieved. In the context of the National Training Framework, the purpose of assessment is to confirm that an individual can perform to the standards expected in the workplace as expressed in the relevant industry standards. Assessment Context The environment in which the assessment will be carried out. This will include industry/sector context, physical and operational factors, the assessment system within which assessment is carried out, opportunities for gathering evidence in a number of situations, the purpose of the assessment, who carries out the assessment and the period of time during which it takes place. Assessment Guidelines One of the endorsed components of Training Packages, which set out mechanisms for valid, reliable, fair and flexible assessment of competency against the competency standards. The guidelines underpin assessments carried out by Registered Training Organisations under the Australian Recognition Framework (ARF). Assessment Plan An assessment plan is a document developed by an assessor, that includes the elements or units of competency to be assessed, when the assessment will occur, how the assessment will occur, the assessment methods to be used and the criteria for the assessment decision. Assessment System An assessment system is a controlled and ordered process designed to ensure that assessment decisions made in relation to many individuals, by many assessors, in many situations are consistent, fair, valid and reliable. Assessment Tools Assessment tools incorporate both the instruments and the instructions for gathering and interpreting of evidence. A variety of assessment tools should be used in the process of establishing competency. Evidence gathering/assessment tools include: specific instructions to be given on the performance of practical tasks or exercises or projects; record keeping guides examples of acceptable responses, rules for judgments in holistic competency assessment and descriptions of typical competent performances. Assessor An independent expert who reviews the application and associated evidence. C Candidate The person undertaking an assessment. Competency A skill that must be acquired to successfully carry out a job element. Competency standards Identify the skills and knowledge required to perform a job; have been developed with industry so they relate directly to the workplace; provide a benchmark against which it is possible to measure performance. Competency-based training Requires the identification of skills involved in an occupation and the specific mix of skills, knowledge and attitudes required for recognition in a specific occupation; mechanisms to achieve those skills; and methods of assessment and certification on attainment of those skills. Cookie Small file that stores information about you on your computer to make access to the site quicker Credit Transfer Recognition of competencies already attained in one qualification towards another qualification. Current Competency Individual competencies need to be reviewed periodically to ensure that the person’s competencies are current. It is possible that people having been competent in the past will, perhaps through lack of practice or further development of the standards, need further training and practice to demonstrate competency. This is an important concept in recognising prior learning. D DEETYA Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs DET NSW Department of Education and Training Direct Observation Direct observations involve opportunities to view the specific behaviours or tasks being performed as defined in the competency standards. The observation can occur in any convenient context where such behaviour can be demonstrated E Element of Competency Is the basic building blocks of the unit of competency. Elements describe the tasks that make up the broader function or job, described by the unit. Endorsed resume A resume endorsed by Milcom listing all your demonstrated competent skills Evidence Document which demonstrates satisfactory performance of competency. This may include job descriptions, work books, project plans, designs, portfolios, employer references. Evidence Guide Part of a unit of competency. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit of competency in the workplace and/or a training environment. The Evidence Guide specifies the context (including industry/sector context) of assessment, the critical aspects of evidence and the required or underpinning knowledge and skills. The Evidence Guide relates directly to the Performance Criteria and Range of Variables defined in the Unit of Competency. F Fairness A fair assessment will not disadvantage any person and will take into account the characteristics of the person being assessed Flexibility Flexibility in assessment allows for assessment either on or off the job and at mutually convenient times and situations. G Gap training Training provided to bridge any areas between the proven compencies supplied and the required compencies to obtain the outcome I Integrated Assessment An approach to assessment that covers multiple elements and/or units from relevant competency standards. The integrated approach combines knowledge, understanding, problem solving, technical skills, attitudes and ethics into assessment tasks. IT&TITAB Federal Government's Information Technology & Telecommunications Industry Training Advisory Body which ensures the quality and outcomes of courses provided by both private and public sector organisations. ITABs Industry Training Advisory Bodies representing a particular industry or sector, that advise government on the VET needs of its particular industry. K Key Competencies Are employment related general competencies that are essential for effective participation in the workplace. These must be incorporated with competency standards, with language and literacy competencies and occupational health and safety requirements. L Learning strategy Non-endorsed component of a training package, which provides guidance about the organisation of training and support for providers in the development of training programs. Includes implementation guidelines and training/learning materials M Mentoring A mentor is an experienced adviser who adopts a shared and integral role in the application process. N National Assessors and Workplace Trainer Body A non-profit association, governed by a seven person Board with representation from employer bodies, trade unions, national industry training advisory bodies, private and public training organisations. The Body is responsible for the development, review and implementation of workplace trainer and assessment competency standards. National Training Framework (NTF) Sets out the component parts of the vocational education system - national competency standards, national qualifications and national assessment guidelines - and their relationship to each other including implementation, quality assurance and recognition strategies and procedures. P Packaging The process of grouping competencies into combinations which have a meaning and purpose related to work functions and needs in an industry or enterprise Performance criteria Are evaluative statements that specify what is to be assessed and the required level of performance. The performance criteria specify the activities, skills, knowledge and understanding that provides evidence of competent performance for each element of competency. Portfolio A collection of documents and work samples which demonstrate that tasks have been satisfactorily completed. Professional Development Materials Non-endorsed component of training packages that provide information on how training packages might be used in the development of training programs. Q Qualification Formal certification, issued by a relevant approved body, in recognition that a person is assessed as having all the skills and knowledge required at a particular level. Quality Assurance A planned and systematic process of ensuring that the requirements of the assessment system, competency standards and any other criteria are applied in a consistent manner. Quality assurance mechanisms or procedures are an integral part of an assessment system. R Range of Variables Part of a competency standard, which sets out a range of contexts (including industry/sector contexts) in which performance can take place. The range helps the assessor to identify the specific industry/sector or enterprise application of the unit of competency. Reassessment An assessment activity initiated as a result of an appeal against the outcome of a previous assessment. Recognition of Equivalence (ROE) statement from TAFE NSW which can then be converted to a certificate or diploma Records of Assessment The information of assessment outcomes that is retained by the organisation that is responsible for issuing the nationally recognised Statement of Attainment or Qualification Reference List Catalogued numbering system to match application information to physical evidence. RPL Recognition of Prior Learning is a process whereby individuals can be exempted from some learning on the basis that they already possess certain competencies. These competencies may have been gained through work experience, life experience, or informal or related training. The individual may gain entry to or credit in recognised courses, or for classification within an industry or enterprise. RTO Registered Training Organisation is registered by State/Territory Authorities to provide training and/or assessment products and services, and issue qualifications and Statements of Attainment. S Statement of Attainment A formal certification that says a person has achieved some of the competencies identified for a particular qualification. It is issued by a Registered Training Organisation. T TAFE Technical & Further Education Training Package A set of national training resources consisting of national competency standards, assessment guidelines and national qualifications. These components are endorsed by the National Training Framework Committee. The package can also include Non-Endorsed Components, namely learning strategies, assessment materials and professional development materials. Tutorial Suggested text which may be used in describing evidence. U Unit of Competency A discrete component within a competency standard. It refers to a broad area of competency and the application of knowledge and skill. Units of Competency provide the basis for assessment, development of training, certification and credit transfer. V VETAB Vocational Education & Training Accreditation Board W Workplace Assessor A person who is accredited to assess the achievement of competencies in the workplace.