Eight new projects to review and improve national qualifications and skills standards have been approved to commence. The projects are across the agriculture, horticulture, animal care, food, pharmaceutical and meat processing industries.
They were approved by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) on the 22 June, based on the project proposals (cases for change) submitted as part of the 2021 Annual Updates to the IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work.
Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation and Land Management
Review of Unit Sectors Project: This project continues the full review of the AHC Training Package outlined in the 2019 – 2022 Skills Forecast. It will consist of five sub-projects across the following areas and sectors:
- Community and common work-related skills
- Composting and organic production
- Permaculture
- Livestock
- Indigenous
Water Trading Project: Access to water resources is vital to Australian farmers and it is equally vital that farming communities understand the water market. Skills standards related to the acquisition, management and trading of water will be developed.
For more information about these projects, read the Annual Update
Animal Care and Management
Trainers of Assistance Dogs Project: Growing evidence for how assistance animals can improve the quality of life for people with impairments and disabilities is driving demand for more skilled trainers of assistance dogs. The specific skills standards for this job role will be developed and packaged as a specialisation in existing qualifications.
Companion Animal Incident Management Project: The 2019-2020 bushfires highlighted the important role of animal facility workers, emergency service workers and evacuation centres in supporting injured and displaced animals. This project will provide a national approach to the skills standards for responding to incidents involving companion animals.
For more information about these projects, read the Annual Update
Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical
Indigenous Food Skills Project: There are growing national and international markets for Australia’s indigenous food. New skills are required to guide the harvesting and processing of wild food including dealing with cultural issues and working in remote locations, as well as ensuring product meets strict international regulation relating to identification of foods as being indigenous. Skills standards will be reviewed and developed to incorporate these requirements.
Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practice Project: Recent industry and RTO feedback on previously updated units have indicated a need to update the units to improve training delivery and accurately reflect current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
Sugar Milling Project: Current sugar milling qualifications will be redesigned to reflect the skills shared across industry job roles, and to encourage use of training within the VET system.
For more information about these projects, read the Annual Update
Meat Processing
Meat Processing Skills Review Project: A full review of the AMP Australian Meat Processing Training Package will start with creating foundational training products that will lead to simplification of the training package and training delivery.
For more information about this project, read the Annual Update