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To refresh yourself, please find Part 1 here
The majority trainers are unaware of the value of having an accurate and up-to-date trainer matrix available as a road map to the training planned, designed, and offered to learners and ultimately also for the audit and verification purposes. Part of a training organisation’s responsibility is to assist trainers to keep these up to date. You may fall behind if you do not remain on top of compliance criteria, and you may not know it until your trainers and assessors are unable to prepare or assess the students they have been assigned.
We have discussed a number of most critical aspects of a compliant Trainer Matrix in our last article. They were:
In this part, we will discuss:
The definition of a trainer matrix according to regulatory guidelines
The trainer matrix feature allows trainers and RTO administration to track and manage evidence that will support the requirements of vocational competencies, current industry skills, VET knowledge and skills and professional development (clauses 1.13 – 1.16 under Standards for RTOs 2015).
The trainer matrix, therefore, provides evidence of the qualifications and industry currency of trainers involved in program delivery, mapped to each unit they deliver and assess. A trainer’s matrix should be developed when a trainer is initially assigned to deliver and assess a unit/s. Existing trainers assigned should update their matrixes at least annually to record additional industry experience, trainer qualifications changes/upgrades and relevant professional development.
ASQA Guidelines on trainer matrixes:
There is no prescribed way of recording evidence of verification of trainer and assessor qualifications; this is an operational decision for each RTO. For example, RTO’s may choose to record the verification within their RTO’s trainer and assessor matrix. (FAQs)
What must be included in a trainer’s matrix.
From the explanation above, it is evident that a skills matrix must include sufficient and unambiguous information:
From 1 July 2019 (no equivalence)
Training and Assessment Credentials Required – Assessors
On or prior to 30 June 2019 (no equivalence)
From 1 July 2019 (no equivalence)
You must, therefore, have a Training and Assessment Qualifications section on your skills matrix and options to select the checkboxes or let the Trainer/Assessor write the training and assessment qualification/s they have acquired.
Identify any areas requiring professional development to address in the upcoming year. Where possible, identify where professional development may be undertaken. Once professional development has occurred, remove from this section and put the details in the appropriate sections of the skills matrix.
“The future professional development needs” must include the following professional development sessions:
It is also recommended that all resumes/CVs are verified for currency and authenticity through the undertaking of reference checks.
Who must complete the skills matrix in your RTO?
It is the responsibility of the trainer/assessor to confirm that the information presented in the skills matrix is complete, authentic and valid. Your organisation can follow a joint-effort to complete the skills matrix, where the administration or compliance department can develop the template, complete all training package criteria, and then you as a trainer and assessor review all information, fill in the gaps and ensure every statement is true, complete and valid.
The trainer file and checklist
An RTO must hold valid files for all Trainers and Assessors (this includes files for contractors and employees). A valid file includes the following information:
In our next editions, we will discuss:
References:
https://www.asqa.gov.au/resources/fact-sheets/meeting-trainer-and-assessor-requirements