FSO Project - Training Package Projects
Qualification Design to Support Digital Capability
Overview
This project tested a new approach to qualification design to build digital capability and aimed to develop and test an innovative new approach to qualification design that is underpinned by Qualification Reform Design Group – Quality Principles.
The FSO was tasked to develop a set of Purpose 3 units of competency focused on the development of general digital capability skills. The FSO engaged 2 different providers (an established RTO and a Design Thinking consultancy) to develop different approaches to creating new units of competency and assessment approaches that would enable digital capability uplift across all industry areas.
These new units of competency focus on the principles guiding the Qualification Reform which include:
Increased Flexibility: Greater adaptability to industry changes, ensuring that training remains relevant and responsive to evolving needs.
Improved Clarity: Reduced ambiguity in language, making it more accessible for both educators and learners, and enhancing content application.
Enhanced Skill Integration: Enabling a stronger focus on integrating foundational skills and critical thinking, equipping learners with essential competencies for the modern workforce.
Balanced Knowledge and Skills: balancing theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing learners for real-world applications.
Deliverables
The project was tasked with completing the following:
A report evaluating the Australian Digital Capability Framework (ADCF) as a common language to describe digital capability.
Five (5) new innovative Units of Competency (UoC), one (1) for each of the ADCF focus areas allowing for assessment against the broad proficiency levels outlined in the ADCF.
Methodology identifying which existing units of competency deliver similar digital capabilities and make recommendations on removal, consolidation, or retention – informed by the purpose of the existing product.
Qualification template with examples of qualifications/ Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) levels to describe the level of each of the digital capability's learners must demonstrate to be awarded the qualification.
Example assessment approaches related to performance at each proficiency levels.
Identification of opportunities and barriers for the new UoCs.
Examples of how Recognition of Prior Learning could be used for a learners’ existing digital skills.
Consultation and Feedback
Broad consultation will be undertaken during the project. This will include workshops with Training Providers /Industry & Employers to discuss:
Feasibility of establishing a common language for digital capability.
Developing and refining a proposed methodology to identify which industry-specific digital capability units exist across other training packages that potentially duplicate the ADCF units.
For more information please contact Project Lead Jo Fuller jo@futureskillsorgnaisation.com.au
Future Skills Organisation - QR - Demonstration Project Final Report - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Australian Government This final report provides an overview and key findings from the Future Skills Organisation (FSO) Demonstration Project: Testing a new approach to qualification design to build digital capability.
Update
On 6 December 2024, the Qualification Reform Design Group presented their final advice for consideration by the Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council, developed through a tripartite lens and in collaboration with Jobs and Skills Councils, states and territories, and key stakeholders, on how to make progress on advancing VET qualification reform.
Final advice from the Qualification Reform Design Group to Skills Ministers, December 2024
On 6 December 2024, Skills Ministers agreed to a new, purpose-based approach to VET qualifications design that is guided by design principles and will improve quality, simplify course designs and reduce complexity.
Factsheet on VET Qualification Reform
Jobs and Skills Councils’ Demonstration Projects
Throughout 2024, the Qualification Reform Design Group, Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs), and state and territory officials worked closely to road-test the proposed approach to ensure it can deliver high-quality qualifications to VET students, industry and educators.
A summary of each JSC demonstration project, and a copy of their final reports are available.
Project Status
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This stage has been finalised. FSO has considered the Qualifications Reform principles, and has interpreted them as follows:
The need to ensure the system is responsive and relevant to the needs of Industry.
Training aligns with current and emerging workforce needs, and to also be adaptable to technological changes.
The need to adopt a learner-centric approach which emphasises clear pathways, scaffolded learning, and assessments that build skills progressively.
Qualifications should be simplified and made more accessible
Transferable skills across sectors are valued, and
Digital capabilities are prioritised to prepare learners for modern workplaces.
This Demonstration Project has enforced the need for digital capability uplift to the BSB and ICT Training Packages.
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The consultation process involved a diverse group of stakeholders, who were FSO collaborators with digital skills as a priority skill development area. There were 8 workshops in total. This included:
Training Providers: TAFE institutions, private RTOs, community-based managers, learning designers, assessment designers, and educational experts.
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs): Industry experts specialising in digital skills.
The insights gathered from this consultation reaffirm the necessity of QRDG's differentiated approach to qualification design. Whilst the quality principles guiding the development of these training products were accepted, the workshops undertaken revealed certain challenges, particularly around flexibility and consistency across training providers.
Key points identified include:
Impact on National Standards: Stakeholders expressed concerns about how changes might affect national standards.
Implementation Challenges: Concerns were raised about the implementation of a new structure and the impact of increased flexibility which might be too difficult to implement.
Maintaining Transparency: There was also concern about how the transparency of outcomes would be maintained.
The primary risks are in the implementation phase, particularly in how Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) will deliver and assess the training in a way that is flexible, agile, and applicable across industry sectors
The consultation distilled several key findings:
Transferable Skills: Emphasised the importance of skills that can be adapted to various contexts.
Job Alignment: The need for training to be aligned with job outcomes was highlighted.
Speed of Change: The challenge of keeping pace with rapid technological advancements was also discussed.
Unit of Competency (UoC) Reform: There was support for generic UoCs with simplified learning and assessment outcomes and conditions.
The importance of a frameworks to provide clear descriptions of digital capabilities and proficiency levels.
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The project’s innovative approach to UoC design aims to address the evolving digital skills needs across the economy. By developing a prototype and testing its application, we seek to create a more relevant and adaptable qualification framework. Ongoing engagement with stakeholders and responsive adjustments will be key to overcoming challenges and achieving successful reform.
The insights gathered from this consultation reaffirm the necessity of QRDG's differentiated approach to qualification design. By focusing on adaptable, transferable skills and reducing the emphasis on rigid, job-specific training, this model promotes a more versatile and future-oriented workforce. The feedback highlights the importance of simplicity, flexibility, and alignment with real-world job outcomes, all of which are central to the successful implementation of a new system. As the qualification reform moves forward, these principles will guide the continued refinement and development of qualifications that meet the evolving needs of industries and learners alike.
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Finalisation of the project is underway and will be completed by March 2025.
