The following projects are underway to improve current units of competency, skill sets and qualifications. The Government allocates projects to Industry Reference Committees, based on advice in the annual IRC Skills Forecasts and Proposed Schedules of Work. On behalf of the IRCs, Skills Impact manages the projects.
Projects are established only when a Case For Change has been approved by the Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC), as outlined in the National Schedule. Following this approval, Skills Impact and the relevant IRC take the project through a process that adheres to the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.
Click on the project(s) listed below to find out more and to register your interest to receive updates.
Click here to view completed projects
Across IRCs
Ag Machinery – Safety & Technology Project
This project will review units of competency, skill sets and qualifications relating to the use of new technology and safety measures across a range of mobile farm machinery operations.
Agriculture and Production Horticulture IRC
Ag Chemical Handling Project
Units of competency and skill sets for chemical handling are being reviewed to reflect current industry skills standards and practices, ensuring all job functions are accurately described.
Apiculture (Bees) Project
Units of competency and the qualification in bee keeping are being updated to ensure all job functions are accurately described, with appropriate current knowledge and skill needs.
Amenity Horticulture, Landscaping, Conservation & Land Management IRC
Pest Management Project
The Certificate III in Pest Management and its related skill set and units of competency are being reviewed to ensure all job functions are accurately described, with appropriate current knowledge and skill needs.
Animal Care and Management IRC
Farriery Project
The farriery qualification and units of competency are being updated to ensure all job functions are accurately described, with appropriate current knowledge and skill needs.
Veterinary Nursing Project
Veterinary nursing units of competency and qualifications are being reviewed to ensure they reflect the current occupational skill standards and needs of industry.
Work Safely Around Animals (Infection Control)
The project will research and develop up to six new units of competency to address infection control within various industries.
Aquaculture and Wild Catch IRC
Aquaculture, Fishing Operations & Biosecurity Project
Working concurrently with the Seafood Post Harvest Project, 12 qualifications, 13 skill sets and approximately 104 units of competency are being reviewed so that all job functions are accurately described, with appropriate current knowledge and skill needs. A focus of this project will be to incorporate skills to address changes in technology, legislative and regulatory requirements and environmental sustainability and management.
Seafood Post Harvest Project
Working concurrently with the Aquaculture, Fishing Operations & Biosecurity Project, 8 qualifications, 1 skill set and approximately 49 units of competency are being reviewed so that all job functions are accurately described, with appropriate current knowledge and skill needs. A focus of this project will be to incorporate skills to address changes in distribution, processing, storage, fishing and environmental management.
Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical IRC
Food & Beverage Manufacturing – Cross Sector Project
Working concurrently with the Food Science and Technology and the Wine Operations projects, 38 ‘cross-sector’ units of competency are being reviewed to ensure current knowledge and skill requirements are clearly identified and accurately reflect current industry practice.
Food Science and Technology Project
Four qualifications and approximately 81 units of competency are being reviewed to ensure all job functions are accurately described in the training package components, with appropriate current knowledge and skill needs.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Standards Project
Units of competency, skill sets and qualifications in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry are being reviewed to reflect current skills standards and practices, ensuring all job functions are accurately described.
Wine Operations Project
Wine industry units of competency and qualifications are being updated to reflect changing industry skills requirements, especially in the area of technology.
Racing IRC
Racing Project
Units of competency, skill sets and qualifications are being reviewed and updated to reflect the current skills and safety requirements of the racing industry, and to ensure that all job functions are accurately described.
Timber Building Solutions IRC
Prefabricated Building Systems Project
Units of competency for timber truss and frame design and manufacture are being reviewed and updated to reflect emerging industry skill requirements, including prefabrication of panelised building systems, so that all job functions are accurately described.
Timber and Wood Processing IRC
Cross Laminated Timber Building Systems Project
Units of competency relating to cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Glulam production are being reviewed and updated, to incorporate the skills and knowledge that is required to operate machinery, so all job functions are accurately described.
Pulp and Paper Manufacturing IRC
Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Safety Compliance Project
Units of competency are being reviewed with regard to occupational health and safety, so they reflect current industry skills standards and practices and all job functions are accurately described.
Cross Sector Projects
Many of the skills most valued by industry apply in multiple sectors of Australia’s economy. The AISC has identified seven cross-sector skills areas where opportunities exist to create flexible and transferable units of competency, skill sets and qualifications that will benefit industry, learners and the broader VET sector.
Skills Impact is collaborating with the AISC, the Australian Department of Education and Training, Industry Reference Committees, Skills Service Organisations and other stakeholders to lead two of these projects.
Environmental Sustainability Skills Project
This project will identify skills needs that are shared by multiple industry sectors in relation to environmentally sustainable products, manufacturing, whole of life cycle management and sustainable energy production. A Case for Change will be generated, including recommendations for the development and modification of relevant units of competency, skill sets and qualifications.
Automation Skills Project
This project will identify skills needs that are shared by multiple industry sectors in relation to automated processes. A Case for Change will be generated, including recommendations for the development and modification of relevant units of competency, skill sets and qualifications.
Other Cross Sector Projects
The Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) has identified six other across-industry projects, which are being managed by other government-appointed Skills Service Organisations. These projects will examine the workforce skilling implications of:
- Big data skills – visit PwC Skills for Australia for more information
- Coding skills – visit IBSA Manufacturing for more information
- Consumer engagement through social and online media – visit Skills IQ for more information
- Cyber security – visit PwC Skills for Australia for more information
- Supply chain skills – visit Australian Industry Standards for more information
- Team work and communication – visit PwC Skills for Australia for more information