Clause 1.13 a in the SRTOs 2015 requires trainers and assessors to have vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed. This means they must have the particular skills and knowledge relevant to the industry area in which they are delivering. Some training products may also stipulate specific vocational competency requirements for trainers and assessors. This can include relevant industry qualifications and/or work history. The following advice is to help RTOs ensure these requirements are evidenced and appropriate records are maintained that demonstrate staff are vocationally competent both at the qualification and unit of competency level.

Hold the exact units of competency in the qualifications being delivered:

Your trainers and assessors can demonstrate vocational competencies by holding the exact units of competency that they are delivering (so long as they also have relevant industry experience). Additionally, some training products have specific requirements for assessors to hold vocational qualifications so RTOs need to ensure that these requirements are identified and evidenced appropriately. For example, to deliver commercial cookery units from the SIT training package assessors must hold a Certificate III or Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery. Another example is trainers and assessors who deliver TAE qualifications must hold either the Diploma of Vocational Education and Training or the Diploma of Training Design and Development or a higher level qualification in adult education.

Demonstrating equivalence with mapping:

RTOs can have trainers and assessors provide a documented analysis e.g. mapping that shows how the superseded units they hold and/or other credentials they hold and/or work history (industry knowledge and skills) demonstrates equivalence to the units of competency they are currently delivering. The mapping should be done at least to the element level of the units of competency they are training and assessing. RTOs should ensure that supporting documentation is also provided that evidences credentials held and verifies claims of work history in the form of statements of services or references. Copies of vocational qualifications must be authenticated with the issuing organisation and records of verification retained on file.

Evidencing relevant industry experience:

Some training packages and / or units of competency have specific requirements regarding years of industry experience that assessors must have to train and assess them. These requirements must be evidenced in the trainers file for the training products they are currently delivering. If your trainer and assessor holds a vocational qualification without having relevant industry experience they will not be viewed as being credible and this can impact on student and industry outcomes for your RTO. It is important that in addition to adhering to the training package requirements that you also seek industry feedback regarding what they view as the appropriate vocational qualifications and experience for your trainers and assessors as required in Clauses 1.5 & 1.6.

Occupational licences and accreditations:

For qualifications or units of competency with specific licensing or industry accreditation outcomes it may be a requirement that trainers and assessors hold a licence, ticket, professional body credential or registration relevant to the vocational area they are training and assessing. In this case it is important that RTOs ensure records of these credentials are regularly maintained and up to date in each file as they typically have expiry dates.