We are seeking your feedback on training package projects that have been proposed for 2021 – 2022 and specific changes to the industry environment that have been identified in this year’s Annual Update to the IRC Skills Forecast and Proposed Schedule of Work (Skills Forecast).
The importance of a skilled animal care and management industry was highlighted by the 2019-2020 bushfires and COVID-19. The industry was recognised as an essential service, with important animal welfare issues needing to be addressed throughout the crisis.
This year’s Annual Update includes information about employers’ use of training packages and qualifications, barriers to hiring apprentices and trainees, and reasons behind non-completion rates. It also looks at alternative training being delivered, some of which draws on the training package, but is not delivered by registered training organisations.
Proposed projects are summarised below. Feedback is being collected up until 19 April 2020.
The draft Annual Update will be submitted from the Animal Care and Management Industry Reference Committee to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) at the end of April, for their consideration.
View the Annual Update and provide feedback
Proposed Schedule of Work
2021-22
Project 1: Trainers of Assistance Dogs
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. This proposal is for the development of national units of competency to support the range of skills required of dog trainers in this important specialisation. The units would be packaged as a specialisation in existing qualifications. Assistance dogs are now supporting an expanding range of disabilities and impairments (e.g. epilepsy, dementia, mental ill-health, mobility and hearing impairment), all requiring distinct training methods to prepare the dog for interpreting and reacting to various symptoms and situations. Trainers not only require knowledge of the impacts of health-related conditions and how to train dogs for specific tasks, but they must also understand applicable legislation, risk management strategies, and public and workplace health and safety guidelines. Assistance dogs are covered under numerous laws for public access rights when assisting a person living with a disability. Accredited training, that utilises national units and qualifications, will support existing regulation and alleviate concerns associated with non-accredited trainers.
Project 2: Companion Animal Incident Management
The 2019-2020 bushfires highlighted the important role of animal facility workers, emergency service workers and evacuation centres in supporting injured and displaced animals. With many evacuation centres overwhelmed, the need for revised evacuation protocols, procedures for accommodating companion animals and staff training were recommended by several reports, including the Royal Commission. The Royal Commission recommended ‘national consistency in training and competency standards’ to encourage resource and information sharing, and to enable ‘someone trained in one state or territory to work effectively in another’. This proposal is for the review and revision of existing animal incident management units of competency. The proposed project will provide a national approach to the skills standards for responding to incidents involving companion animals, which could also be used by local boarding kennels, shelters, and evacuation centres to upskill staff.