Mapping and Equivalence of TAE40116 to TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

The TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment has now been endorsed and we can more clearly analyse and compare the TAE40110 and TAE40116 qualifications.

Yes the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is broadly equivalent

In terms of occupational outcome for entry-level VET teachers, trainers and assessors, the TAE40116 and TAE40122 are deemed equivalent. Further, the Skills Service Organisation (PWC Skills for Australia) have emphasised the importance that this qualification be recognised as a successor to the previous version.

So long as the VET regulators recognise the TAE40122 as the successor to the TAE40116, and it remains within the regulations as a recognised qualification, there will be no mandatory upgrades for Trainers and Assessors who hold TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

What is the mapping between the TAE40116 and TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment?

Looking at the equivalence between the two qualifications at the unit level paints a very different picture.

There are no equivalent core units and only a couple of opportunities for credit transfer of superseded units into the new course.

The transition from TAE40110 (2010 version) to the TAE40116 (2016 version) had many units deemed equivalent. This meant it was common for someone to be able to gain credit transfer for 80-90% of the new qualification. This will not be the case with the new TAE40122.

The qualifications do share a lot of the same content but the structure is very different.

Accellier has prepared a simplified equivalence mapping table as a guide to people who want to gain the new TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment:

In summary, a person with the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment would likely get credit transfer in the following 1 or 2 units of competency in the new qualification:

• TAEDEL412 Facilitate workplace-based learning
• An elective, such as TAEDEL311 Provide work skill instruction

Credit transfer will therefore only make up a small part of the pathway for a TAE40116 qualified trainer to gain the TAE40122.

Can I get Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for non-equivalent TAE40122 units?

These units share similar outcomes but are not deemed equivalent:

• TAEASS412 Assess competence
• TAEASS413 Participate in assessment validation
• TAEASS512 Design and develop assessment tools
• TAEDEL411 Facilitate vocational training
• TAEDES412 Design and develop plans for vocational training
• TAEDES411 Use nationally recognised training products for accredited vocational training and assessment
• TAELLN421 Integrate core skills support into training and assessment

In this case, a trainer and assessor who is actively performing the above competencies as part of their work at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), and can provide evidence to demonstrate that, would likely be able to bridge the gaps and get RPL.

What is the best upgrade pathway to TAE40122 for someone who holds TAE40116?

One of the features of the new TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is that it is much more flexible. The main structural differences are:

• The older TAE40116 has 10 units; 9 core and only 1 elective
• The newer TAE40122 has 12 units; 6 core and 6 electives

This means there are a lot more options for people to choose a study pathway that is relevant to them. Someone who was interested in developing skills in supporting learners with LLN needs or disabilities could focus their learning in that area. Someone who did a lot of workplace training could select electives more relevant to that.

This is a positive move but it does complicate the upgrade pathway.

In previous upgrades, credit transfer made it a very simple process for most people. However with the new TAE40122 not having much equivalence at the unit level, it means it’s going to be about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). To upgrade, the person with the TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment will have to demonstrate skills, knowledge and experience in the competencies for the new qualification.

No doubt, many people will just want to know the answer to this next question…

What is the quickest and easiest way to upgrade my TAE40116 to the new TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment?

This will depend on a few factors such as what Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) you can get from your recent training and assessment experience at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

Below is a pathway that I think will represent a common scenario combining RPL and gap assessment for experienced RTO trainer/assessors:

What if I hold the older TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and want to jump straight into the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment?

In this case, a person would only have credit transfer for these one or two units:

• TAEDEL412 Facilitate workplace-based learning
• TAEDEL311 Provide work skill instruction (if they hold TAEDEL301A – there may be another unit in there too)

Therefore, it would primarily be an RPL pathway for the remaining 9 or 10 units. Most importantly the person seeking RPL would need real and recent experience in a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

For any units where they don’t have recent skills and experience, they’d need to complete the training and assessment activities for those units.

What units are in the new TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment?

For quick reference, here are the proposed Packaging Rules.

• Total number of units = 12
  • 6 core units plus
  • 6 elective units, of which:
    • at least 3 must be from Group A
    • the remaining may be any elective unit listed below
    • up to 2 may be from any currently endorsed Certificate III or above training package qualification or accredited course; of these, no more than 1 may be selected from a Certificate III.

Core units

• TAEASS412 Assess competence
• TAEASS413 Participate in assessment validation
• TAEDEL411 Facilitate vocational training
• TAEDES411 Use nationally recognised training products to meet vocational training needs
• TAEDES412 Design and develop plans for vocational training
• TAEPDD401 Work effectively in the VET sector

Elective units

Group A Training and assessment

• TAEASS404 Assess competence in an online environment
• TAEASS512 Design and develop assessment tools
• TAEASS514 Develop and implement plans for recognition of prior learning
• TAEDEL311 Provide work skill instruction
• TAEDEL405 Plan, organise and facilitate online learning
• TAEDEL412 Facilitate workplace-based learning
• TAEDEL413 Facilitate distance-based training
• TAEDEL414 Mentor in the workplace
• TAEDEL415 Complete a practicum in a vocational education and training environment
• TAEDEL416 Facilitate learning for young vocational learners
• TAETAS411 Maintain training and assessment information

Group B Learner support

• TAELLN421 Integrate core skills support into training and assessment
• TAELLN422 Use foundation skills resources, strategies and advice
• TAELLN423 Integrate employability skills support into training and assessment
• TAEXDB411 Plan and implement individual support plans for learners with disability
• TAEXDB511 Develop and implement training and assessment strategies for learners with disability

Group C General

• BSBAUD411 Participate in quality audits
• BSBAUD412 Work within compliance frameworks
• BSBHRM413 Support the learning and development of teams and individuals
• BSBTWK401 Build and maintain business relationships

What about the new TAE Skill Sets?

This is a great question and it has come up in recent conversations with RTOs. Particularly the TAESS00014 Enterprise Trainer – Presenting Skill Set as this is used as a common strategy to bring on new trainers who are skilled and experienced industry professionals, under a supervision arrangement.

I’ve documented that approach in this article here.

There are some major differences proposed in the new draft skill sets.

Before looking at these I think it’s important to remember that the requirements all come down to the Standards for RTOs, rather than the TAE. Until they say something different the TAESS00014 skill set will still be a valid trainer-under-supervision credential.

In the proposed draft, the TAESS00014 Enterprise Trainer – Presenting Skill Set is deleted.

Its successor is TAESS00021 Facilitation Skill Set which includes:

• TAEDEL411 Facilitate vocational training
• TAEDES412 Design and develop plans for accredited vocational training

These two units map to the following current TAE units but neither of them are deemed equivalent:

• TAEDEL401 Plan, organise and deliver group-based learning
• TAEDES401 Design and develop learning programs

Therefore, if the new TAE Training Package proceeds as per the draft, there will be no equivalence between these skill sets.

Because the Standards for RTOs are likely to honour the TAESS00014 as an appropriate ‘trainer-under-supervision’ credential, there is no reason not to complete this currently if you’re considering becoming a new trainer.

Questions about the new Certificate IV in Training and Assessment?

We welcome your questions about these changes.

The changes are complex and we are doing our best to work with stakeholders to ensure we are up to date with current developments. If you have questions, we will do our best to answer based on the information that we have currently.