AQTF 2007 - What's Changed?
Many teachers in TAFE NSW have wondered how the changes to the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) will affect them, so we went to the experts for an opinion.
How is AQTF 2007 different to AQTF 2005?
The most obvious changes are:
- Three Essential Standards instead of the previous twelve
- Nine Conditions of Registration
- Three nationally determined Quality Indicators
- The need to demonstrate continuous improvement against the Essential Standards:
- The RTO provides quality training and assessment across all of its operations.
- The RTO adheres to principles of access and equity to maximise outcomes for clients.
- Management systems are responsive to the needs of clients, staff and stakeholders, and the environments in which the RTO operates.
Each of the standards consists of a number of underpinning elements and a nationally developed Users Guide has also been developed to assist RTOs in interpreting and applying the Essential Standards for Registration to their operations. http://www.training.com.au/aqtf2007/
The standards are designed so that each RTO has the opportunity to identify the outcomes they wish to achieve and to determine what evidence i.e. quality indicators they will provide to demonstrate that these outcomes are being met. Each TAFE NSW Institute is an RTO.
Quality indicators
There are a range of quality indicators under AQTF 2007. Three of these quality indicators are determined nationally and will be reported separately These are:
- Employer Satisfaction
- Learner engagement and satisfaction
- Competency completion
All other quality indicators will be determined by RTOs to support their reporting on outcomes against the three Essential Standards
Reporting against the three national quality indicators
Reporting will not commence until 2008. DEST has commissioned work to develop and trial instruments to collect information about RTO performance against these indicators, in particular Employer Satisfaction and Learner Engagement and Satisfaction. A decision regarding the collection tools and processes will be made once the pilots have been completed.
Institutes participate in the NCVER Employer Satisfaction Surveys and data is also collected through the NCVER Student Outcomes Survey which is conducted every two years. TAFE Institutes also currently collect student satisfaction data to gain feedback for improving the quality of their services as part of the existing continuous improvement processes.
TAFE NSW currently collects data on competency completion rates through its central data collection systems. This system will enable Institutes to provide information on the competency completion rate Quality Indicator.
Given the history in TAFE NSW of conducting surveys and storing data we are in a good position to implement any decisions regarding the national quality indicators.
RTO (Institute) quality indicators
Each Institute is able to determine and identify desired outcomes that demonstrate they are meeting the requirements of the Essential Standards. These indicators may be qualitative or quantative and Institutes will need to decide what data is relevant for them to collect as evidence of achieving outcomes and demonstrating continuous improvement.
How can this be achieved?
Identification of outcomes is an integral part of an Institute’s strategic planning process which then feeds into the annual business plan. Outcomes which align to the three Essential Standards need to be included in the planning process together with the relevant quality indicators which will demonstrate the achievement of these outcomes.
These quality indicators will become the basis of the evidence which demonstrate the achievement of relevant outcomes against AQTF 2007.
Does this mean major change?
Institutes have already developed and implemented systems and procedures in response to the VETAB re registration audits as well as ISO certification requirements. These can be aligned to the AQTF 2007 Essential Standards for Registration and the following examples demonstrate existing processes already in place within Institutes.
Standard 1
TAFE NSW has already developed a Learning and Assessment Strategy Guide, Form and Procedure to be completed by head teachers when adding a qualification to an Institutes Scope of Registration. The consistent implementation of this procedure across an Institute will provide evidence that systems are in place to ensure quality training and assessment across that Institute.
Standard 2
Institutes already have RPL processes in place as well as procedures for complaints and appeals and information to students prior to enrolment. These processes will meet the requirements for an RTO to maximise outcomes for its clients.
Standard 3
All Institutes have ISO 9000:2000 certification. The operating protocols and procedures associated with ISO certification should enable Institutes to demonstrate they meet the requirement for responsive quality management systems identified in this standard.
Has the audit process changed?
In essence the major change will be in the conduct of the audit. The standards are not one size fits all and auditors will take into account RTOs individual situations. At audit it will be up to the RTO to determine what evidence they will provide to demonstrate that outcomes which they have identified are being met and that continuous improvement processes are in place. The focus of audits will be on RTOs demonstrating they are achieving outcomes rather than demonstrating compliance with the standards.
More information relating to the AQTF 2007 and DET can be found here