Department of Education
LEARNERS FIRST connected and inspired
Vocational Education and
Training
Capability Building
Policy
Department of Education
Skills Tasmania
Vocational Education and Training
Capability Building Policy
1. Scope
The Vocational Education and Training (VET) Capability Building policy is aimed at registered training
organisations (RTO).
While Group Training Organisations (GTOs) and Australian Apprenticeship Centres (AACs) have a
major role in the VET Industry, the context of this policy is aimed at organisations who deliver skills
development programs and services. They are still referred to as Service Providers in this Policy.
Addressing complaints and poor performing registered training organisations is not included in the
scope of this policy. This is managed in conjunction with relevant regulatory authorities such as the
Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
2. Purpose
This is one of a suite of Skills Tasmania’s policies being developed to support the Tasmanian Training
and Workforce Development Strategy and outlines Skills Tasmania’s strategic approach to:

Industry’s workforce and skills needs

Training and workforce development system capability building

Subsiding training

Individual learner’s employability and skills needs
This VET Capability Building Policy supports the Training and Workforce Development Strategy and
supports the Department of Education’s Strategic Plan 2014-2017 to develop successful, skilled and
innovated Tasmanians.]
3. Definitions
Capability refers to the overall ability of skills development organisations to provide quality services to
their clients.
Programs relate to the delivery and assessment of national registered units of competency,
qualifications or courses.
Services relate to value adding to the program outcomes. This might include additional
literacy/numeracy training, workforce skills plan, pastoral care and additional learning support.
4. Policy Statement
Skills Tasmania will work to continually improve the capability of training organisations to deliver quality
skills development programs and services that meet the needs of individuals, enterprises, industries
and communities.
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5. Policy objectives to ensure that:

Skills Tasmania understands the role of RTOs and the business environment in which service
providers operate;

RTOs are aware of the range, types and flexibility of products to meet the needs of clients;

RTOs are innovative and promote innovative practices to their clients;

Good relationships exist between various types of service providers;

Sound partnerships exist between enterprises, RTOs, service providers and government to
support our economy;

A modern business environment for transacting business, freeing up RTOs to concentrate on
their core activities.

High level of collaboration between agencies to ensure provision of quality programs and
service.
6. Actions to support the policy
We continue building on our understanding of RTOs and the business environment in which they
operate by:

Commissioning the VET Expert Reference Group to provide advice to the Secretary and other
departmental committees on matters, amongst other things, relating to the effectiveness and
capability of the VET workforce.

Maintaining strong relationships with registered training organisations. Skills Tasmania will
continue to engage with other VET sector organisations such as the Australian Skills Quality
Authority (ASQA), Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET), Australian
Apprenticeship Centres, Skill Centres and Group Training Organisations.

Continued monitoring and maintenance of information gathered through the RTO census to
support the registered training organisations workforce and capability needs.

Commissioning research to identify and inform Skills Tasmania on aspects of workforce
development and capability building needs of registered training organisations

Developing a VET workforce strategy to support the sustainability and growth of registered
training organisations in Tasmania.

Promoting the Tasmanian training workforce as highly skilled and professional, via the
Tasmanian Training Awards, e-learning events and other initiatives
We will ensure that RTOs are aware of the range, types and flexibility of products to meet the needs of
clients by:

Providing detailed and accurate information on new and emerging skills development
programs to RTOs.

Continuing to participate in Training Package development, review, endorsement and
continuous improvement processes.

Developing a web-based information hub for RTOs and service providers.
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
Delivering a professional development program for VET Practitioners.

Providing access to information and analysis about the labour market.
We will encourage RTOs to be innovative and promote innovative practices to their clients by:

Promoting innovative practice to RTOs.

Promoting programs such as ‘The Skills Fund, User Choice and E-learning Capability and
Engagement to RTOs and other VET Service Providers.

Deliver the VET Professional Development and E-learning Program that focus on RTOenterprise innovative partnerships.

Participating in any national VET workforce development programs.

Support flexible learning approaches, particularly e-learning, to RTOs.
We will foster better relationships between various types of service providers by:

Holding regional forums, focusing on latest developments.

Continuing to support the Skills Tasmania VET Expert Reference Panel.

Participating in any national VET workforce development programs.
We will develop and maintain a modern business environment for transacting business, freeing up
RTOs to concentrate on their core activities by:

Developing e-business processes and web pages that support modern business practices.

Continuously improving business processes through monitoring and feedback via client
surveys.
We will work collaboratively with other agencies to produce optimal quality outcome by:

Commissioning targeted audits against identified standards and outcomes.

Developing and monitoring output standards in purchasing contracts that ensure quality
results for clients.

Developing closer relationships with Commonwealth agencies, such as the Australian Skills
Quality Authority (ASQA) and the Commonwealth Department of Industry with an interest in
quality service delivery.

Developing a number of initiatives to improve quality of the training system such as
independent validation of assessment and the Endorsed Provider model.

Strengthening partnerships between training organisations and industry and training
organisations and higher education.
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7. Associated Documents and Policies
The following documents are available from http://www.skills.tas.gov.au/skillstas/policy-andpublications
1. Tasmanian Training and Workforce Development Strategy
2. Skilling Tasmania Industry Policy 2008
3. VET Reform Policy
4. Equity Policy & Action Plan 2008-2015
5. VET E-learning Policy
6. Adult Literacy Action Plan
7. Skills Tasmania Operational Plan (staff access only)
The following document is available from www.education.tas.gov.au (Search for the Doc ID)

Department of Education’s Strategic Plan 2014-2017 (Doc ID: TASED-4-4162)
Authorised by:
Position of authorising person:
Date authorised:
Developed by:
Date of last review:
Date for next review:
This document replaces:
Colin Pettit
Secretary, Department Of Education
May 2014
Skills Tasmania
30 June 2009
14 May 2015
Capability Building Policy 2009
Document control:
TRIM: FOL/14/2170 Version 1
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