Courses
Carrick Institute of Education’s quality vocational programs range from Certificate to Advanced Diploma in Accounting, Human Resources, Business Marketing, Community Welfare Work, Event Management, Hairdressing, Hospitality Management, Commercial Cookery, Patisserie and Tourism Management.
Students will be required to purchase books and equipment relevant to their course of study. These costs are not included in course fees.
What is Competency Based Training
Competency Based Training (CBT) provides delivery assessment and certification of training that relates to the demonstration of skills, knowledge and attitudes and the application required for effective performance in the workplace.
Nationally agreed statements called Competency Standards are used to describe the skills and knowledge required for a person to operate effectively in the workplace. They contain descriptors of outcomes to be achieved (Elements) and criteria for performance (Performance Criteria).
Distinguishing features of the competency-based system are:
- Theory is combined with skill practice. Essential knowledge is learned to support the performance of skills;
- Detailed training materials are aligned to the competencies to be achieved and are designed to support the acquisition of knowledge and skills;
- Operates under the assumption that all participants can master the required knowledge or skill, provided sufficient time and appropriate training methods are used;
- Participant’s knowledge and skills may bypass training or competencies already attained;
- Learning can be self-paced;
- Flexible teaching approaches (group, individual, self-paced, directed learning);
- Acknowledges adult learning principles and individual learning styles;
- Satisfactory completion of training is based on achievement of all specified competencies.
CBT allows for the required level of performance and expected mode of assessment to be made clear prior to the commencement of training, with the rate at which a learner will progress through the program determined by their demonstrated competence rather than by time spent engaged in study.
Assessment, under the Competency Based Training system takes into account the participants knowledge and attitudes but requires actual performance of the competency as the primary source of evidence. To be deemed competent the learner must be able to perform a skill to a specific standard under specific conditions.
Assessment methods under the CBT system may include but are not restricted to:
- Self assessment
- Oral presentation
- Demonstration
- Interview / Discussion
- Observation
- Debate
- Workbook
- Evidence portfolio
- Role play
- Reflective Journal
Unlike the traditional education system, the assessment process with CBT is continual. Assessments can take place before (RPL), during and after training to give the teacher the opportunity to assess all aspects of competence across a range of situations and over a period of time.
What is a Training Package?
Training Packages are sets of nationally endorsed standards and qualifications for recognising and assessing people’s skills.
A Training Package describes the skills and knowledge needed to perform effectively in the workplace. They do not prescribe how an individual should be trained. Teachers and trainers develop learning strategies - the “how” - depending on learners’ needs, abilities and circumstances.
Training Packages are developed by industry through national Industry Training Advisory Bodies (ITABs), recognised bodies or by enterprises to meet the identified training needs of specific industries or industry sectors. To gain national endorsement, developers must provide evidence of extensive consultation and support within the industry area or enterprise.
Training Packages complete a quality assurance process and then are endorsed by the National Training Quality Council (NTQC) and placed on the National Training Information Service (NTIS).
In October 2002, there were 76 endorsed Training Packages. Seven of these were enterprise Training Packages, developed by enterprises for their own unique needs. Training Packages have a set date for review - usually around three years after they are endorsed.
What is the AQTF?
The Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) is a set of nationally agreed standards to ensure the quality of Vocational Education and Training services throughout Australia. Ministers first approved a revised Australian Recognition Framework (ARF) on the 8th June 2001 and changed its name to the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).
From January 1st 2002
The AQTF standards have been used to assess applications for:
- Initial registration
- Renewal of registration
- Extension to scope of registration
From July 1st 2002
All Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) must comply with the 12 Standards of the AQTF.
States and Territories apply the Standards for Registered Training Organisations under the AQTF when:
- Registering organisations to deliver training, assess competency and issue Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications
- Auditing registered training organisations (RTOs) to ensure they meet (and continue to meet) the requirements of the AQTF
- Applying mutual recognition and
- Accrediting courses.
The AQTF ensures that all RTOs and the qualifications they issue are recognised throughout Australia.
The Standards for Registered Training Organisations under the AQTF requires RTOs to:
- Have documented systems for quality training and assessment
- Conduct an internal audit at least annually
- Have documented agreements with other organisations when they provide training or assessment in partnership
- Have written procedures for recruitment, induction and professional development of staff
- Use trainers and assessors with specified competencies
- Follow explicit requirements for quality assurance in assessment
- Have a recognition of prior learning process in place and offer to recognise the prior learning of all learners on enrolment
- Follow specific requirements for developing, validating and implementing learning and assessment strategies
The following website contains more information about the AQTF
http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/training_skills/policy_issues_reviews/key_issues/nts/