Updating Units for BSB51107 & TAE40110 Plus

I’ve just completed another of the new BSB51107 Diploma of Management units and figured I would come up for air before starting on the next one.
I have several RTOs waiting for this new resource and I’m intending to have it done by the end of the month. The BSB51107 Learning Guide is complete, together with the assessment tools for 4 of the 8 units.
BSB51107 is a Diploma level qualification so it doesn’t have the same structure as a Certificate IV. For instance, with BSB41412 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety and BSB40812 Certificate IV in Frontline Management the language is simple, straightforward and friendly. Hopefully it’s the same in the Diploma but I don’t think it’s necessary to avoid all the big words (like “cohesion”). I also don’t do a PowerPoint for Diploma.
Having delivered BSB51107 for some time now (my old clustered course) I have learnt what works and what doesn’t. I am seeing the new approach being to give the whole Learning Guide to trainees before they attend workshops – or get involved in chat rooms etc. So the Learning Guide is a single document containing the 8 units.
The assessment tools, on the other hand, are unit by unit. One of the problems we have with heavily clustered assessments is when to actually sign off a candidate as competent. With unit by unit assessment tools, it’s cut and dried.
For those of you who have contacted me about TAE40110 new course – yes, I am getting there. I have 3 units done (TAEDES401A, TAEDES402A and TAELLN401A). I am working madly to get this finished as soon as possible. I am aiming for the end of June but it could be a bit before.
I’ve also had enquiries about resources for BSB40812 Certificate IV in Frontline Management. The following units are developed:
• BSBMGT401A Show leadership in the workplace
• BSBMGT402A Implement operational plan
• BSBWHS401A Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs to meet legislative requirements
• BSBWOR402A Promote team effectiveness
• BSBSUS301A Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices
Because BSB40812 is a new code, it requires application for scope and I am hearing that ASQA has a backlog and RTOs are experiencing delays – which is good for me as it gives me just a little more time. Nevertheless I need to fast track this.
I am being asked for learning and assessment pathway resources for:
• BSBWHS408A Assist with effective WHS management of contractors
• BSBWHS409A Assist with workplace monitoring processes and
• PUAWER002B Ensure workplace emergency prevention procedures, systems and processes are implemented.
In the case of BSBWHS408A and BSBWHS409A I have created RPL tools but do not believe these units lend themselves to a learning and assessment pathway for inexperienced trainees. I don’t intend to create resources for PUAWER002B as I think there are too many variables in the type of workplace. Also, this unit has been around for a while so there are other resources available.
Samples of my new resources are not yet on the web site. This will be updated at the time the full qualifications are ready to go.
Thank you to my existing clients for your feedback on how well the resources are being received by the trainers and trainees. This has an up-side and a down-side. The up-side is that I’m doing something right. The down-side is that demand is outstripping supply! (There is only one of me.)
Sandy Welton

The Process of Updating Courseware

Sandy’s blog 26 April 2013

Time has got away with me again I’m afraid.  Kevin has been nagging me for my next blog for weeks but I’ve been so busy with development and training I haven’t had time.

I’m actually in the middle of several projects at once.  Keep trying to prioritise and then receive a call from a client that changes my priorities.

The projects I have on the go are:

Updating TAE40110 courseware and RPL tools:

I want to completely re-vamp my clustered course on a unit by unit basis.  So far I have created Learning Guides and Assessment Tasks (but not finished the RPL tools) for TAEDES401A and TAEDES402A.

I have completed Learning Guides and Assessment Tasks – and the RPL tools for TAELLN401A which was priority, as it will become a core unit in the new version of TAE40110 when it is endorsed.

In the meantime I needed to deliver the course so I took the opportunity to trial these 3 units in the new format and they worked a dream except (and isn’t there always an exception).  Version 1.0 of the TAELLN401A resources was written in March before the new FSK Foundation Skills Training Package was endorsed so I had referred to the case for endorsement in one of the assessment tasks.  Just a week before I delivered the course, FSK Foundation Skills Training Package was endorsed.  So after I finished delivering I changed this assessment task.  I just wish the powers that be wouldn’t change things quite so fast!

For the balance of the TAE40110 delivery I used the rest of the clustered course and it worked fine.

Updating BSB51107 Diploma of Management

Again, I have a clustered course but the OHS unit needed to be replaced with BSBWHS501A Ensure a safe workplace.  I am in process of rewriting the learning guide from scratch.  It will still be one learning guide rather than unit by unit but each section will relate to a single unit – so that it can be broken apart if necessary.  I’m exactly half way through.

Updating BSB40812 Certificate IV in Frontline Management

This clustered course is also out of date and I am developing unit by unit.  I have completed the core units and for the moment am leaving the electives until BSB51107 and TAE40110 are completed.  The demand right now is for the BSB51107 Diploma of Management and BSB40812 Certificate IV in Frontline Management.

Can I just finish with a big thank-you to my existing clients.  I really do appreciate your loyalty.

Sandy Welton

26 April 2013

Demand Rises for TAE40110

First I’d like to say thank you to my current clients for their continuing support.  It seems it’s not enough for me to develop sufficient resources for a qualification so as to meet the packaging rules.  My clients want more electives.  They say that this is because they like the structure and feel that it helps both the trainer and the trainee when there is a consistent structure and format.

Interestingly, there has been a sudden increase in demand for TAE40110.  I think this is because of the NSSC ruling that comes into force in June this year.

“To be entitled to work as a trainer in the VET sector a trainer must hold the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment from the TAE10 Training and Education Training Package or be able to demonstrate equivalence of competencies as a minimum; however, trainers are encouraged to obtain further qualifications.

New trainers must comply with this requirement within two years of commencing in this role. Trainers already practicing in this role must satisfy this requirement by 1 July 2013

To be entitled to undertake assessment of nationally recognised training, an assessor must hold the TAE10 Assessor Skill Set.”

Here’s the link: http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/policies/determination_for_trainer_and_assessor_competencies

Also, the next version of TAE40110 will include TAELLN401A as a core unit rather than an elective.  This will have implications for RTOs in delivering the Certificate IV and also for assessors in meeting the skill requirements to assess this qualification.

Here’s the link:

http://www.ibsa.org.au/news-and-projects/news/tabid/112/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/666/categoryId/30/Changes-Ahead-for-VET-Trainers-and-Assessors.aspx

For this reason, I have given priority to developing the unit TAELLN401A Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills.  This has been developed as a stand-alone unit that can be incorporated into the current clustered TAE40110 course or delivered independently.  In developing this unit I considered that clients may wish to undertake it self-paced – so it can be used in a workshop environment or self-paced.  The proviso is that two third party observations are required.  They can be observed by a trainer/assessor in the workshop or provided by a TAE40110 qualified assessor in the workplace.

TAELLN401A is currently a core unit in TAE50111 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training and is included in my RPL tools for this qualification.  However, in developing the training materials I have also developed stand-alone RPL tools for TAELLN401A appropriate for candidates who just wish to achieve this unit.

These RPL tools differ from the Diploma RPL tools, as I have focused upon a different type of candidate – one who is a practising trainer/assessor but not necessarily a “lead trainer/assessor” – so it includes a competency conversation and separate practical activities mapped to each PC so as to bridge any gaps.

I really enjoyed developing TAELLN401A.  I hold this unit myself as part of my own TAE50111 Diploma of Vocational Education and Training but in researching the unit and the ACSF I learned so much more about core skills and the upcoming foundation skills.

My next project is BSBSUS301A Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices.  There’s a lot of interest in sustainability and it’s likely to be incorporated into many qualifications.  I have RTO clients who wish to offer BSBSUS301A as an elective in BSB41412 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety and BSB40812 Certificate IV in Frontline Management.

BSBSUS301A is actually quite difficult to develop as a generic course because it specifies “within the work area”.  For some reason it also includes required knowledge of “terms and conditions of employment including policies and procedures such as daily tasks, work area responsibilities …” fortunately my RTO clients are very helpful in describing their training and assessment strategies, contexts of employment and characteristics of trainees.

Wish me luck with this one.  I’m aiming to finish it by the end of March.

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Expanding the Individual WHS Units

I am really noticing the increase in the number of enquiries since the holiday period is over.  Last week I went to the dentist and turned the phone on to silent.  During the 1.5 hours I was in the chair 3 new RTOs called me.  Thank you to everyone who has contacted me and can I just say that if I don’t answer the phone right away please do leave a message and I will get back to you.  Either that or send me a quick email.  I will always call you back.

Several of the RTOs who have already purchased the resources for BSB41412 Cert IV in Work Health and Safety asked whether I am going to develop the other electives.  In particular they want the two WHS electives BSBWHS408A Assist with effective WHS management of contractors and BSBWHS409A Assist with workplace monitoring processes.  As a result, I analysed these units and came to a number of conclusions which I then discussed with current clients.

For the contractor management unit, one of the critical aspects of evidence is: assisting with identifying existing contractor WHS arrangements, in the workplace.  This means it can’t be assessed in a workshop environment.  For the workplace monitoring unit, one of the critical aspects of evidence is: assisting with the use of appropriate equipment to monitor selected agents and/or conditions in the workplace.  The context of assessment does say that a simulated workplace is acceptable but nevertheless I think this unit would be difficult to assess in a workshop environment.

Further discussion with clients in relation to their training and assessment strategy indicated that their prospective candidates for these units were all in employment, working in an environment where these tasks are part of their job role.  On this basis I have now developed RPL tools for these two units.  I won’t be developing training and assessment resources for them.

Some RTOs have swapped out TAEASS301B Contribute to assessment for BSBWHS401A BSBWHS401A Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs to meet legislative requirements.  This unit is on the web site under Certificate IV in Frontline Management.  I recommend that if this unit is used as part of BSB41412 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, it should be the first unit delivered, as it gives a nice overview to build upon.

I’ve had requests to develop BSBCMM401A Make a presentation – contextualised to be part of the BSB41412 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.  Again, I needed to discuss this with my clients to figure out the best solution.  As a result, I have agreed to produce resources that can be incorporated into the BSB41412 course.  There are already several assessment tasks that require participants to prepare a presentation or information session.  This means that element 1 of the unit “Prepare a Presentation” is already done.  All we then need is for the trainee to deliver two of the presentations and submit a review of delivery to deal with elements 2 and 3.  I will need some short answer questions and some learning material as well but still think I can get this one done by the end of the week.  It’s a unit that I deliver all the time for FLM and TAE trainees so I know it really well.

Sandy Welton

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Unit by Unit Provides More Flexibility

Unit by Unit Provides More Flexibility for RTO’s

BSB07 Business Services Training Package Version 7.0 was endorsed by the NSSC on 5 December 2012.

I placed the highest priority on development of the resources for BSB41412 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety .  Now that this is finalised (and a good number of clients – predominantly TAFEs – have already purchased them) I needed to re-group and decide on the next step.

As my existing clients will be aware, some time ago I developed clustered courses for BSB40807  Certificate IV in Frontline Management and also for BSB51107  Diploma of Management.  RTOs are still using these resources.  They are working well and have passed audit on a number of occasions.  However, BSB07 Version 7.0 has changes to both of these qualifications which will require some minor modifications to the resources.

In the meantime I made an “executive decision” that all my new training resources would be unit by unit – rather than clustered training and assessment.  Clustering is very efficient but it does limit flexibility and choice for my client RTOs.

So I have decided not to make modifications to the existing BSB40807 and BSB51107 resources.  What I have done is to reduce the price drastically from $4,000 to $1,500.  Once I have a full set of units for both qualifications I will remove these resources from the web site.

BSB40812 Certificate IV in Frontline Management only has one change in version 7.0 of BSB07.  The core OHS unit is now replaced with a new core unit BSBWHS401A Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs to meet legislative requirements.  If you are an RTO currently delivering the Frontline Management qualification then you will already have resources for all the other units but you will need resources for the new core unit.

For this reason, I have developed a full set of learning and assessment materials for BSBWHS401A. Samples are available on the web site.

BSB51107 Diploma of Management retains its code.  All of the units are electives but again, the OHS unit has been replaced with a WHS unit.  This is my next “cab off the rank”.  I intend to complete this unit by mid-February.

Sandy Welton

To Find Out More –  Contact Us on 0407 131 075 or Use the Form Below.

Demand is High for BSB41412 (Cert IV WHS)

Well it certainly appears that there are a lot of RTOs who are interested in delivering the new BSB41412 Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety.

Yesterday there were over 100 hits on our web site and I received numerous phone calls from RTOs all over Australia.

I thought I would summarise some of the questions that the RTOs asked.  The first question related to time frame.  When is BSB41412 going to be up on www.training.gov.au?  I can only give the answer Eddie Hardman from IBSA gave me, as follows:

BSB41412 went to the NSSC for endorsement on 6 December.  Eddie says he is 110% certain it will be endorsed with no changes, since the draft units have gone through a lengthy and detailed approval process.  He says that BSB07 Business Services Training Package version 7 is already on training.gov.au, but it is hidden until he receives the paperwork from the NSSC.  Then he says it’s just a case of “pressing a button” to make it viewable on the site.  He envisages no more than a couple of weeks.

Several RTOs asked about equivalence with BSB41407.  Where there were 9 units previously there are now 10 – 5 core and 5 electives.  While BSB41407 is stated as equivalent to BSB41412, there are only 2 units that are stated as equivalent.  In other words you won’t be able to do a straight credit transfer.  It will need to be RPL.  This is the reason we have created simple, streamlined RPL tools that have a matrix at the back of the Assessor Guide, showing equivalence to units from BSB41407.  Where the full unit is equivalent, this is stated in the matrix.  I have also mapped all of the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills individually and this is also stated in the mapping matrix at the end of the Assessor Guide.

In answer to the question “will we need to apply for scope”?  It is my understanding that you will.  This is a new qualification so we can assume that the normal process of application applies.  With regard to continuing to deliver BSB41407, I am sure there will be a teach-out period as usual.  This is something to check with your registration body.

I was also asked whether there will be a new Diploma of WHS.  The answer is that all of the WHS levels will change.  There are a number of other qualifications that have also changed in this version of BSB07 so I suggest that if you haven’t done so it would be a good idea to visit the IBSA website.  All the information together with the qualifications and units can be accessed from the site.  This is the link: http://www.ibsa.org.au/training-packages/case-for-endorsement/bsb07-v7-case-for-endorsement.aspx.

You can download the case for endorsement on this web page and it lists all of the new qualifications and units and also clarifies equivalences.

Sandy Welton

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BSB41412 Cert IV WHS Update

IBSA put out a discussion paper on the proposed changes a couple of weeks ago and since then I’ve been in touch with IBSA to try and find out more.

Originally this qualification was to be endorsed at the end of June.  Then it was delayed to 24 October.  Now the latest date for endorsement is 6 December but we are not holding our breath!

They’ve also changed the code of the qualification.  It’s now BSB41412.  The 5 core units haven’t changed (thank goodness because we’ve already written the learning and assessment resources for these).

The electives are in 2 groups.  3 electives must be selected from Group A and the other 2 may be selected from Group B.  The number of electives is greater than before.

Eddie from IBSA has also sent me a mapping document indicating equivalences for people with BSB41407 Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety.  The qualification is stated as equivalent but not all the units are equivalent, so it looks like a straight credit transfer won’t be possible – which is what we expected and the reason we are putting together RPL tools as well.

In spite of the delays, I still feel that it’s worth devoting our time to this qualification.  There are about 400 RTOs with scope for Cert IV OHS so we believe there should be a huge demand for resources once the qualification is endorsed.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that there won’t be further delays.  Sometimes I wonder whether we wouldn’t all be better off sticking to non-accredited training.

Sandy Welton

29 September 2012

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So It Begins: Sandy’s Blog

This is my very first blog on our brand new website and I should start by thanking Kevin Gardner for the wonderful job he has done – not just with the design but the way that he has set up key words so that our site is found easily on a Google search. (Kevin is on our Professional Network page – check the “About” button.) We’ve had a lot of fights about wording though – as the search engine requires us to repeat the key words over and over again – which you may have noticed!

As a result of Kevin’s expertise and efficiency, we are now receiving enquiries for RTO resources from RTOs who previously didn’t know we existed. The majority of these are for TAE50111 resources and various BSB07 resources but we also expect that, as the new OHS Cert IV – BSB41412 – comes closer to endorsement, I will be receiving many more enquiries about our BSB41412 resources for learning and assessment and RPL. I expect to have all of the units for BSB41412 complete by the projected endorsement date in December. Currently all 5 core units have been completed.

I am so pleased to see the TAE10 RPL resources finally taking off. The RPL tools for TAE50111 and TAE50211 were completed back in February, when it was first endorsed. Feedback I am now getting is “if only we had known earlier”. Assessors are really liking the “mentored RPL” approach. Assessors are giving feedback that these two Diploma qualifications do not lend themselves to a straight learning and assessment pathway. Unless you are an experienced trainer/assessor currently working in an RTO you have no chance of achieving TAE50111. On the other hand, even if you are an experienced trainer/assessor, you still should be given detailed guidance and support from a qualified assessor.

As you may have noticed, it’s not possible to just click on a button and buy our RTO resources. I want to talk to you first. My professional standards are very high, and I only want to work with RTOs who have the same level of commitment to quality training and assessment. It’s also necessary to ask questions about how you deliver training and your methods of assessment so that I can determine whether the RTO resources will suit your needs.
Thank you to all the people who have already contacted me and thank you also to our professional network partners who have helped us in so many ways.

Sandy

August 2012

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