Qualifications Reform: a new approach to qualification design

The Australian government is working to improve the vocational education and training (VET) system to better meet the needs of both learners and industry. As part of this Qualifications Reform, the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance (Manufacturing Alliance) has been road testing a new approach to how qualifications are designed. For more information on the proposed new approach refer to the Qualification Reform Design Group initial advice to Skills Ministers.

As part of the proposed Qualifications Reform, the Manufacturing Alliance was invited to test and improve the proposed approach while identifying the opportunities and implications for our sector and training packages. This work includes:

• a purpose categorisation activity

• a demonstration project

The purpose categorisation activity involved the selection of 43 qualifications across 7 key training packages, including some that are less commonly used. These packages included:

• Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical (FBP) – 7 qualifications
• Manufacturing (MSA07) – 4 qualifications
• Manufacturing (MSM) – 14 qualifications
• Laboratory Operations (MSL) – 5 qualifications
• Sustainability (MSS) – 4 qualifications
• Manufacturing and Engineering (MEM) – 5 qualifications
• Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking (PMB) – 4 qualifications

Qualifications were grouped into one of the three categories, based on their purpose:

• Purpose 1: qualifications leading to a specific occupation
• Purpose 2: qualifications to prepare learners for multiple occupations within an industry
• Purpose 3: qualifications that develop cross-sectoral or foundation skills and knowledge which may be applied across industries, or lead to tertiary education and training pathways.

We used both data and stakeholder insights to assist in guiding categorisation of each qualification. As part of this work new Qualification Design Quality Principles were also considered to ensure qualifications are designed to reflect the needs of industry and learners.

Our demonstration project considers how the purpose-driven approach would work in practice. The project considers how best to align the future of technology-based skills in manufacturing, particularly in non-trade areas. The manufacturing technology qualifications in the MSA07 Manufacturing Training Package is one of the ways these skills can be developed and is the primary focus of this project.

We submitted our findings to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) at the end of September 2024.

For more details about the Manufacturing Alliance’s demonstration project, visit Qualifications Reform – Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance.