Industry e-validation of assessment exemplars
Guidelines for applicants
Proposals are due midday AEDT Tuesday 27 November 2012
23 October 2012
industry.flexiblelearning.net.au
Industry System Change Industry e-validation of assessment exemplars
1. Overview of services required
The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) as the business manager for the Industry System Change business activity of the National VET E-learning Strategy is seeking the services of up to FOUR registered training organisations (RTOs) to lead and undertake industry e-validation of assessment pilots.
These pilots will result in FOUR exemplars of industry e-validation of assessment. Each exemplar will focus on a different industry. The exemplars will demonstrate how RTOs are engaging their specific industry using e-learning tools, e-learning infrastructure and systems to independently e-validate their assessment.
2. Exemplars
RTOs will be engaged at $52,500 (plus GST) each from December 2012 to June 2013.
These RTOs will undertake pilots that engage their industry stakeholders using current e-learning tools, e-learning infrastructure and systems as part of their RTO’s industry validation of assessment.
Each RTO will determine how they will innovatively utilise technology to engage their industry and employer stakeholders in independent e-validation of assessment.
Each RTO will write up their pilots, resulting in four exemplar models of industry e-validation of assessment.
3. Background
National VET E-learning Strategy
The National VET E-learning Strategy (Strategy) is the national vocational and education training (VET) system’s e-learning strategy and is collaboratively funded by the Australian Government and all states and territories. It provides the VET system with e-learning skills, professional development, products, resources, e-standards and support networks to strengthen the skills base of Australia. Goal 2 of the Strategy is to support workforce development in industry through innovative training solutions.
Industry System Change business activity
The objective of the Industry System Change business activity is to support the adoption of e-learning in industry by sponsoring the development of industry-wide e-learning plans and programs, including those which have a regional focus.
Industry System Change is focused on funding a selection of industry sectors, in partnership with RTOs, to develop long-term innovative solutions for the integration of e-learning in overall industry-led workplace development. Support from Industry System Change contributes to employee progress towards a Certificate III and higher VET qualifications and aligns to COAG’s VET targets.
4. Industry validation of assessment
COAG announcement
In April 2012, COAG signed up to a set of reforms to the national training system; agreeing to a revised National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development and a new National Partnership Agreement on Skills Reform (NP).
One of the key reforms related to VET provision included:
“…improving the confidence of employers and students in the quality of training courses, by developing and piloting independent validation of training provider assessments and implementing strategies…” [1]
National Partnership agreement (NP)
The NP initiative arose from the Skills Australia (2011) report, Skills for prosperity - a roadmap for vocational education and training, released in May 2011. The report recommended external validation as a mechanism to lift the quality, rigour, validity and consistency of assessment outcomes.
The new National Partnership Agreement on Skills Reform (NP) commits the states and territories to a range of structural reforms and other actions that are directed to achieving the reform directions agreed under the National Agreement on Skills and Workforce Development.
One of these reforms is directed to assuring the quality of training and delivery outcomes, with an emphasis on measures that give industry more confidence in the standards of training delivery assessment.
Independent validation of assessment
Under the NP between the states and territories and the Commonwealth, states and territories have agreed to develop and pilot models of independent validation of RTO assessment practices with a view to informing the development of national models.
As part of the NP, the states and territories engagement will:
§ conduct pilot programs that provide for independent industry validation of registered training organisations’ (RTO) assessment practices and assessment tools, with a view to increase industry’s confidence in the skills and competence of students
§ identify areas of good practice and areas in need of improvement in assessment practices and recommend actions to address identified issues
§ inform a potential national approach to industry validation of RTO assessments.
§ deliver on jurisdictional requirements under the National Partnership Agreement on Skills Reform.
5. Scope of work
Purpose
The purpose of this work, is to build on the pilots of independent validation of RTO assessment practices undertaken by the jurisdictions through the NP.
Pilots will be led by RTOs for them to demonstrate use of current e-learning tools, e-learning infrastructure and systems to encourage industry e-validation of assessment. RTOs will demonstrate industry engagement using these as part of an e-validation of assessment process.
Assessment includes all types of assessment, including e-assessment.
Through the pilots the exemplars will also demonstrate best practice processes in validation by industry of the assessment practices and tools used by RTOs.
This work will improve the confidence of industry, employers and students in the quality of training courses, by developing and piloting e-validation of training provider assessments.
Industry and qualification focus
Preference will be given to the following, but not limited to:
§ Sport, recreation and fitness
§ Training and assessment
§ Security guard
§ Trade accreditation
§ Diploma in OH&S
§ Aged care and childcare
§ Manufacturing, including frontline management, leadership, supervision skills.
6. Selection criteria
The following selection criteria will be used:
i. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of national training packages and assessment methodologies
ii. Demonstrated experience in implementing independent validation processes
iii. Demonstrated capability to involve industry representatives and RTOs in the application of independent validation of assessment processes
iv. Demonstrated existing relationships with industry and employers in the industry sector/s nominated for the pilot
v. Identified appropriate e-learning tools, e-learning infrastructure and systems to support the
e-validation
vi. A sound project plan that demonstrates an effective approach to implementing the pilot program using innovative technology within the specified timeframes
vii. Demonstrated value for money in a budget
viii. Risk management strategy.
7. Important dates
§ Conduct of the pilot program between January and May 2013
§ Provision of a written progress report by 4 March 2013
§ Online presentation in late April 2013
§ Provision of a written final report in early June 2013.
8. Deliverables
The RTO will:
§ Develop and deliver a pilot program in that provides for independent industry e-validation of RTOs assessment practices and assessment tools
§ Undertake the pilot in conjunction with industry experts and additional RTOs (public and/or private training organisations) with demonstrated relevant experience in the vocational training system
§ Provide a comprehensive report that will identify areas of good practice and areas in need of improvement in assessment practices and recommend actions to address identified issues
§ Within the abovementioned report, provide advice on aspects of the pilots that can inform a potential national approach to industry validation of RTO assessments.
9. Budget
A total of $210,000 (ex GST) is available across the four exemplars for this work, with each exemplar valued at $52,400 (ex GST).
A detailed breakdown of the budget must be provided as part of proposal submissions.
Budgets must include a co-investment contribution. Contributions can be in-kind and may include salaries. The level of co-contribution will be taken into account in competitive assessment of proposals.
There will be two payments:
i. 60% on signing of contractual agreement
ii. 40% on completion of the work.
10. Lodgement requirements and further information
Submissions must include:
i. proposal cover sheet (refer to Attachment A)
ii. proposal addressing each of the selection criteria – no longer than 12 pages
Submission due date is by no later than midday AEDT 27 Tuesday November 2012.
Submissions must be lodged electronically to and copied to .
11. Selection process
The Industry Advisory Group provides strategic advice to the Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG) on industry priorities as they relate to the use of e-learning in workforce development.
The Industry Advisory Group will meet on Wednesday 5 December 2012 to select the exemplars.
Industry Advisory Group membership
Representing / OrganisationIndustry Advisory Group Chair and
Peak industry body or association / Australian Industry Group
Peak industry body or association / Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
FLAG Member / ACT Flexible Learning Advisory Group Member
Industry Skills Council / Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council
Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency / Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency
Industry Skills Council / Manufacturing Skills Australia
Industry Skills Council / Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council
Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) / Australian Services Union
Industry representative from mining and resources / The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia
Employer representative body / Group Training Australia
12. Conditions of engagement
The successful RTOs will be required to enter into an agreement with CIT. As with all National VET
E-learning Strategy activities the intellectual property and copyright will belong to the Commonwealth of Australia.
RTOs will report to Kerry Manikis, Business Manager, Industry System Change.
13. Contact
Contact the Industry System Change business activity for more information and to discuss your idea.
Kerry Manikis
Business Manager, Industry System Change
T: (02) 6207 3267 or (02) 6207 3262
E: or
W: http://industry.flexiblelearning.net.au
Attachment A: Cover sheet to be inserted in front of proposals
PROJECT DETAILSBrief / Industry e-validation of assessment exemplars
Proposal due date / By no later than midday AEST on Tuesday 27 November 2012
BUDGET / $52,500 (ex GST)
Co-investment
ORGANISATION
Name – Primary contact
Position
RTO
Phone
Name – Secondary contact
Position
RTO
Phone
ABN
Trading name
RTO number
Professional indemnity insurance / NO YES Amount AUD$
Public liability insurance / NO YES Amount AUD$
GST Registered / NO YES
Postal address
Suburb/Town
State/Territory / Postcode
Physical address
Suburb/Town
State/Territory / Postcode
Name – Contract signatory
Fax
Attach to this cover sheet proposal addressing selection criteria
National VET E-learning Strategy 6
[1] http://www.pm.gov.au/press-office/council-australian-governments-meeting-communiqu%C3%A9