Training Product Transition

Over time training products (units of competency, skill sets, qualifications, training packages) are updated or deleted. When this happens, there are timeframes that must be met for ‘finishing off’ any continuing learners or to move them across to the new training product. This process is called ‘transition’.

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There are several documents we must reference to understand the transition requirements. Firstly, clauses 1.26 and 1.27 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 outline some requirements, and these need to be referenced in conjunction with the General Direction: Learner Transition.

The key timeframes are outlined below. Careful attention needs to be paid to whether the training product is a unit of competency, a skill set or a qualification. The action shown as special circumstances is when the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) may decide to grant an extension to the timeframe to transition or complete (for deleted products). These extensions may apply to only select training products and components from those training products (for example, extending the time for a qualification but not a skill set).

Action	12 months	18 months	24 months	^Continue Enrolment
Replacement training product	X			X
Deleted training product			X
Deleted skill set or unit of competency	X
Special circumstances granted		X	X	X

^Continue Enrolment: It is possible to continue to enrol students in the superseded training product while in transition, noting that students either need to be able to complete the qualification in the timeframes available, or the RTO is in a position to transition students to the new qualification and they will not be significantly disadvantaged.

Equivalence

When a training product is replaced, a determination is made about whether the new product is equivalent to the old product. There is confusion around how equivalence is determined.

Units of Competency and Equivalence

Equivalence is not based on the assessment requirements of the unit, it is based on the job outcome of the unit. Will the learner who did the superseded unit be able to perform the job than someone doing the new unit can perform? If so, it may be deemed equivalent.

Qualifications and Equivalence

This is based on the packaging rules of the qualification. If there are new core units added, it will not be equivalent. If there are more units required overall, it will not be equivalent.

Credit Transfer and Equivalence

There is confusion about when credit transfers can be issued for new versions of units. The easy situation to identify is that credit transfer can be provided if the code is the same. When the code is not the same, a gap analysis must be carried out to determine the differences between the units (even when equivalent). If there are no material differences, then credit transfer may be granted. If there are material differences then additional work may be required.

Top Tips

Make sure your transition procedures include catering for the following items.

• Keep up with changing training products by subscribing to www.training.gov.au (for each individual unit, skill set and qualification).

• Plan out the time required to transition to ensure deadlines are met. Statements of Attainment and Certificates cannot be issue after the transition deadline passes.

• Ensure clear communication with students so they know about timeframes, additional work that may be needed and other implications from transitioning.

• Look at the domino effect in your RTO of related materials that need to be updated. This will include all marketing material, handbooks, your 5 year validation plan, trainer profiles (including potentially updating qualifications), etc as well as the obvious training and assessment materials.