VAC 7.6
Section B: 5.1 of ASQA’s accredited course document template contains the course structure and the ‘packaging rules’ component of the course. The course structure will be determined by the outcomes of the consultation undertaken with relevant stakeholders during the development of the course.
The rules for completion of the course—also referred to as the packaging rules—reflect the skills and knowledge outcomes identified for the course and the pathways that learners may use to achieve those outcomes. Units of competency must be grouped and packaged into meaningful combinations that reflect the intended roles and skill outcomes.
The course structure may take a variety of forms, including:
- core only model
- core and electives model
- core and specialisation(s) model
- core, specialisation(s) and electives model
- electives only.
All units of competency in qualifications are to be described as either ‘core’ or ‘elective’. Core units are mandatory for all learners, whereas elective units provide the learner with a choice. For example, a list of seven electives could be provided, and the packaging rules may require the learner to complete three. Combinations of electives that result in particular specialisations are to be called ‘Groups’ and labelled alphabetically e.g. Group A, Group B.
The course structure must also identify the nominal (supervised) hours for each unit. The course owner determines the hours assigned to the enterprise units developed for the course; however, for imported training package units the assigned hours are to reflect those specified in the Victorian Purchasing Guides.
Guidance on the sequencing of units should be included in Section B: 5.1 to inform an RTO’s development of its training and assessment strategies for the accredited course.
Where pre-requisite relationships exist, the course structure must include the identified pre-requisite units, including those required for any imported units from a training package or existing accredited course. Note when developing enterprise units that pre-requisite unit relationships must be identified in the unit’s ‘Pre-requisite unit’ field.
Case study—Demonstrating course structure of a core only model accredited course |
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A course owner has developed the course 10242NAT Certificate III in Underground Coal Mine Inertisation Team Operations. The course comprises training package and enterprise units it has developed. The nominal (supervised) hours for the existing training package units included in the course have been allocated in accordance with the Victorian Purchasing Guides. The nominal (supervised) hours for the enterprise units were determined as a result of the consultation and validation activities undertaken during the development of the course. The course document advises that sequencing of delivery and assessment of all units should follow the order of the units as they are listed in the structure; however, they must be delivered and assessed in a sequence that satisfies the identified pre-requisite relationships. To be awarded the qualification, Certificate III in Underground Coal Mine Inertisation Team Operations, participants are required to successfully complete 21 units of competency comprising: Participants who exit the program without completing all of the units will receive a Statement of Attainment identifying those units that they have achieved.
Note: This case study is modelled on the current accredited course 10242NAT Certificate III in Underground Coal Mine Inertisation Team Operations Permission for ASQA to use information from this accredited course was provided from the course owner, the Queensland Mines Rescue Service Limited. |
Case study—Demonstrating course structure for a core and specialisation model accredited course |
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A course owner has developed the course 10732NAT Diploma of Forensic Identification (Biometrics) (Document Examination). The course comprises a training package unit and enterprise units it has developed. The nominal (supervised) hours for the existing training package units included in the course have been allocated in accordance with the Victorian Purchasing Guides. The nominal (supervised) hours for the enterprise units were determined as a result of the consultation and validation activities undertaken during the development of the course. Packaging rules:
Elective units are to be packaged as follows:
Note: This case study is modelled on current accredited course 10732NAT Diploma of Forensic Identification (Biometrics) (Document Examination). Permission for ASQA to use information from this accredited course was provided by the course owner, Canberra Institute of Technology. |