Continuous Improvement Project
Project completed. Changes to the Certificate IV and Diploma qualifications in Building and Construction (Building) have been implemented in CPC08 version 4.
Introduction
The Certificate IV and Diploma qualifications in Building and Construction (Building) in the CPC08 Construction, Plumbing and Services Integrated Framework Training Package were designed to define higher level building skills and meet registration and licensing requirements for builders in Australian States and Territories.
During the review of these qualifications in 2007 concerns were raised that the requirements for individual registration as a builder were not well aligned to the competency outcomes of the qualifications. In some jurisdictions it is necessary to complete significant additional competencies in the Diploma to meet Builders’ Registration requirements. In part this is because both the Certificate IV and Diploma have direct entry and no pre-requisites and the Diploma does not specifically include units of competency from the Certificate IV although there is some topic overlap.
Why is the project important?
In some jurisdictions it is necessary to complete significant additional competencies in the Diploma to meet Builders’ Registration Board requirements. In part this is because the Certificate IV and Diploma are direct entry qualifications with no pre-requisites and the current Diploma does not specifically include units of competency from the Certificate IV. As such there is no direct articulation between Certificate IV and Diploma competencies in the Training Package so Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) cannot readily ascertain what credit/advanced standing someone holding a Certificate IV should be granted if they subsequently undertake the Diploma without a complex mapping and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
RTOs are also including underpinning content from some Certificate IV competencies in the Diploma when they deliver it. This extends the nominal training duration of some Diploma units of competency to the degree that they are not able to be delivered and assessed in a 12 month period so progressive recognition and State funding is adversely affected. Units of competency from other qualifications can be substituted when choosing electives in the Certificate IV and Diploma but not sufficiently to allow the minimum packaging of the qualifications to meet all jurisdictional registration requirements.
Project Outcomes
The project will amend the structure of both the Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) and the Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) with support of all key industry and RTO stakeholders, including the State and Territory regulators responsible for builder registration and licensing.
The Project Process
The project is now underway and it is scheduled for completion in August 2008.
To download the project key stages and deliverables, click here
To download the report on the project findings with recommendations click here
Key Stakeholders consulted
- Industry associations such as the Housing industry Association (HIA), Master Builders’ Australia (MBA) for distribution to their members and State and Territory networks as well as their training arms that deliver the relevant qualifications.
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Electrical Union (CFMEU)
- Builders’ Licensing Australasia (BLA) regulators
- Building and construction enterprises
- Construction ITABs for distribution to interested members
- RTOs with scope of registration for the BCG03General Construction Training Package Certificate IV and Diploma qualifications, and TAFE curriculum agencies such as the NSW Manufacturing, Engineering, Construction and Transport Curriculum Centre (MECAT)
- National Advanced Building Network (TAFE) members
- State and Territory Training Authorities.
The project is nearing completion and the report with recommendations has been provided to CPSISC and forwarded to State and Territory training authorities, industry stakeholders and regulators for final comment. When agreed a Case for Endorsement will be drafted for submitting the qualification changes to the National Quality Council (NQC)
You can contact the project consultant to provide any final feedback on the project at:
info@andrelewisandassociates.com.au
