Background to integrating licensing into VET
Queensland has been at the forefront of work to improve the alignment between the licensing and training systems so that the skill related requirements for licensing is able to be demonstrated through the vocational education and training (VET) system.
The department has led a number of national projects to provide a framework to allow the training and industry sectors to be more closely aligned so that students completing vocational training also achieve the requirements for industry licensing. The project work and research completed have been at the core of the current COAG led developments to integrate licensing requirements into VET system.
Licensing Relations Unit projects
In 2001, Queensland, through the department, led the Licensing Line National Project, which began the process of bring licensing and training stakeholders together to integrate licensing requirements into the national VET system.
As a starting point it was the job of the Licensing Relations Unit to develop a model for integrating licensing requirements into the development, review and implementation of relevant training packages. The project focused on identifying licensing issues within the specific industry areas of Occupational Health and Safety and Transport.
The outcomes from the project included:
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a project report - Stairway to a licence and beyond
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a final report - Road to transition - improved pathways for operator certification
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the development of an Examples of best practice guide to provide examples of addressing occupational licensing issues as part of the training package development, review and implementation processes
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the development of A guide to assist training package developers in integrating licensing standards within training packages
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the development of 10 accredited courses as an interim model to allow registered training organisations to offer nationally accredited training which address specific licensing requirements.
Other national projects
The National Licensing Project ran concurrently to the Licensing Line National Project. It was established to do a high level examination of industry licensing in relation to training packages and the national VET system. Researchers were commissioned in 2001 to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the inter-relationship between occupational licensing and the national VET system, particularly the implementation of training packages. A series of consultations were held throughout 2001 and 2002 with objectives to:
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provide an overview of the nature of the problem
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outline the policy context within which vocational education training and industry regulation occurs
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propose a strategic response, in the form of action plans, to address policy issues for the national VET system, and industry regulatory requirements.
A final research report A licence to skill: the implications of industry licensing for the implementation of training packages was completed. The report emphasised that while a training package qualification is designed and intended to provide an individual with the necessary skills for employment in a particular industry, ideally, it should also provide the skill requirements for the issue of an industry license, where one is required.