The following projects are underway to improve current qualifications, skill sets and units of competency. The Government allocates projects to Industry Reference Committees (IRCs), based on advice in the IRC Skills Forecasts or a Case For Change.
On behalf of the IRCs, Skills Impact manages the projects, taking them through a process that adheres to the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.
Click on a project below to find out more and to register your interest to receive updates.
Cross Sector
Environmental Sustainability Skills Project
Australia’s transition toward a more environmentally sustainable society is being driven by political, economic, social and environmental imperatives. The transition brings challenges for the vocational education and training system to ensure the workforce is equipped with the skills required for new, and more sustainable, ways of working
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Agriculture and Production Horticulture IRC
Animal Reproduction Project
Qualifications and units of competency relating to reproduction of agricultural animals will be reviewed to incorporate the current skills and knowledge required for this work, including skills for working with new technologies.
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Crops, Pastures & Seeds Project
Farmers and seed producers are drawing on the latest technology and science in response to increasing global demand for food and fibre, and challenges brought about by changing environmental conditions. This project will review existing units of competency and qualifications related to broadacre cropping, pastures and seed to define current work techniques and practices.
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Dairy & Milk Harvesting Project
This project will review existing units of competency for dairy and milk harvesting so that they reflect the skills and knowledge required to operate the vast array of technologies across dairy harvesting operations of various sizes and contexts.
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Download outline of the project development process
Completed Projects
Once a project has been finalised, the revised qualifications, skill sets and units are published on training.gov.au and available for delivery by registered training organisations.
Click here to view completed projects
Amenity Horticulture, Landscaping, Conservation & Land Management IRC
Landscaping Project
This project will review and update current qualifications, skill sets and units of competency in landscaping construction and design, so that they reflect current industry trends, support safe work practices, and promote clear career pathways.
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Parks & Gardens Project
This project will review and update qualifications, skill sets and units of competency for managing and maintaining parks and gardens, so that they reflect current terminology, equipment and practices.
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Skills for Land Rehabilitation (Mined Land) Project
This project will address the need for national skills standards for the rehabilitation of land that has been used for mining. It may result in a specialisation stream within a current conservation and land management qualification and the development of skill sets.
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Animal Care and Management IRC
Exhibited Animal Care & Marine Wildlife Project
This project covers two distinct areas of animal care that both play a vital role in supporting the health, welfare and sustainability of some of our most vulnerable animals and wildlife. The skills standards for working with exhibited animals and for managing marine wildlife incidents are being reviewed as part of this project.
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Horse Care Project
This project will review the skills standards for a range of job roles responsible for providing care for horses. They will be updated to reflect current safety standards for specific job tasks and to better support career pathways.
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Pet Care & Animal Training Project
The project involves the review of four separate, but related, industry sectors covered by the ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package, including General Animal Studies, Companion Animals, Pet Grooming, and Animal Control and Regulation.
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Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical IRC
Flour Milling Project
The Certificate IV in Flour Milling and six grain-specific units of competency are being reviewed as part of this project, in order to support the highly technical and sought-after skills involved in flour milling.
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Food & Beverage Processing Project
A lot has changed in the food and beverage processing world in the past decade, from regulatory changes to trends in what consumers want to eat and drink. Some of the most used food and beverage qualifications are being reviewed to address these changes and give industry the tools it needs to keep up with consumer trends.
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High Volume Production Baking Project
This project will review the Certificate III in Plant Baking and three plant baking-specific units of competency, to determine how to best capture the skills standards for this sector. Seven plant baking-specific units of competency previously listed in the Food and Beverage Processing project will also be reviewed.
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Forest Management and Harvesting IRC
Entry Level Forestry Skills Project
Qualifications, units of competency and skill sets for entry level forestry roles will be reviewed and redesigned as part of this project, with scope to develop units and skill sets to reflect current skills needs.
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High-Level Forestry Skills Project
Consultation will take place throughout this project to review and redesign skills standards and qualifications for high level job roles in forestry, including the specialist skills to supervise, plan and manage production forests and commercial plantations sustainably.
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Remote Forestry Operations Project
As part of this project, one skill set and two new units will be developed to address the need for specialised safety skills for remote operations, including mental health awareness and first aid.
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Meat IRC
Diploma & Advanced Diploma in Meat Processing Project
This project will undertake a comprehensive review and update of Diploma and Advanced Diploma level qualifications in meat processing, and a review of 28 units of competency. There is scope to import or develop units where necessary to ensure the qualifications are accessible and meet industry need.
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Meat Rendering Project
This project will capture the skills required to perform rendering and pre-rendering processes, including the expertise to work with the more recent equipment, terminology and processes.
Meat Slicing Project
Consultation will take place to address the need for a unit that captures the skills required for using meat slicing equipment in a retail butcher setting, as well as more broadly in the meat and food and beverage processing industries.
Pulp and Paper Manufacturing IRC
Pulp and Paper Manufacturing Review Project
This project will undertake a full review of all pulp and paper manufacturing qualifications and skills standards so they reflect current job roles, new technologies and processes and the current regulatory environment. This project will also look at identifying some solutions to improve the usability of the training package and accessibility of training.
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Racing and Breeding IRC
Greyhound Racing Careers and Jockeys Project
This project will review and improve the Certificate II in Racing Industry and The Certificate IV in Racing (Jockey) to support current industry skills needs and improve improve training delivery.