Projects
Current projects:
Review of the Seafood Industry Training
Package
Community of practice project
"How MACs work"
Completed projects:
Resource generator website
"Managing seafood safety - step by step"
Learning Resources
Learning materials for Fisheries Compliance
‘Seafood training – the
first step'
Training package on CD-ROM
REVIEW OF THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY TRAINING PACKAGE - STAGE II
This project commenced in June 2002 and was complete in December 2003. Reports from the entire process may be accessed below.
Review of the Seafood Industry
Training Package
Stage I
Stage II Phase 1
Stage II Phase 2
Stage II, Jan 03 update reports
Stage II Validation phase
PHASE 1 reports (November 2002):
Review of Seafood Training
Package gathers steam - overview
Report from Australian Fisheries
Academy
Report from CIT Solutions
Report from River Murray Training
PHASE 2 reports (December 2002):
Report from Australian Fisheries
Academy
Report from CIT Solutions
Report from River Murray Training
PHASE 2 JAN 2003 update reports:
Report from River
Murray Training
Report from Australian
Fisheries Academy
Report from CIT Solutions
On 30 July 2003, the project steering committee approved the final draft of the Training Package. This followed a two-month validation phase during which stakeholders were invited to comment on all aspects of the revised Package.
The Package is due to be endorsed by the National Quality Training Council of ANTA in November 2003 and has received strong acceptance particularly by industry and training providers.
The revised Package will be available for implementation by state and territory authorities in early 2004. Further information is available.
October 2003 update
- Revised Seafood Training Package set for Endorsement
The revised Seafood Industry Training Package was forwarded
to ANTA 1 October 2003 as the first step in the endorsement process. Seafood
Training Australia is expecting the revised Package to be considered by
the National Quality Training Council for endorsement in December 2003.
A summary of the major changes is included in the accompanying
article.
For more information please contact Ross Ord or Anita Heijkoop at Seafood
Training Australia 1300 733 037 or 02 6281 0383 asic@asic.org.au
Revised Training
Package - a Good News Story
October 2003 Update
A substantial training project nearing finalisation has the
potential to bring significant benefits to all sectors of the Australian
seafood industry. The project, a comprehensive review of the seafood industry
Training Package is being managed by Seafood Training Australia (STA)
on behalf of the Australian Seafood Industry Council (ASIC).
The revised Package was forwarded to ANTA on 1 October 2003 as part of
the endorsement process.
Over the last 18 months, all aspects of the Package which underpins vocational
training programs throughout Australia have been examined and improvements
made. Chair of STA John Roach from the Master Fish Merchants Association
considers the enhancements to the Package will help position the seafood
industry for substantial growth and profitability.
Mr Roach believes the project outcomes have built on what is already an
excellent platform for the training of our entry level, supervisory and
technician/managerial workers. “Industry members, training providers
and trainees will welcome the greater flexibility in choice of training
programs. As well, the greater coverage of food safety, QA and environmental
awareness including ecologically sustainable development will prepare
our workers for both today’s and tomorrow’s workplace.”
A significant breakthrough has been the use of the same ‘training
modules’ (units of competency) needed to prepare for vessel operations
and maintenance licenses as those used in the maritime Training Package.
David Oliver from the National Maritime Safety Committee considers this
a very important enhancement. “I’m pleased the NMSC has been
involved in the Review project. From an industry, regulators and training
providers perspective, the rationalisation of small vessel operations
units is great news - deckhands and aquaculture workers can now confidently
prepare for their coxswain or skipper 3 tickets by completing training
from the seafood Package.”
STA Project Manager Ross Ord explained each of the 15 issues identified
for action during the review has been incorporated in the new Package.
“Fisheries officers with a public education role working in the field
in northern Australia will welcome a new Certificate II level qualification
in fisheries compliance”. Other new units of competency now included
in the Package cover:
—fisheries data management and collection
—fisheries observers
—generic skills and knowledge for occupational divers in the seafood
industry
—the fundamentals of the operations of fisheries management advisory
committees (MACs) and
—first level seafood industry leadership.
The revised Package is to be presented to the Australian National Training
Authority for endorsement by each state and the Commonwealth by end 2003.
ASIC CEO Russ Neal sees the work as complementing the strategic direction
of ASIC and each industry sector. “ASIC recognises it is rightly
the choice of industry members to undertake any training program based
on the seafood Training Package. This new Package, however will go a long
way to ensuring current industry employees and new entrants undertaking
traineeships and short courses based on it, will be very well prepared
to make an excellent contribution to this exciting industry.”
Further information on the revised Seafood Industry Training Package
can be gained from Seafood Training Australia on 1300 733 037.
COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE PROJECT
Goal of the project
Project components
Project officer
Kick-off workshops - June 03
Darwin meeting - Jul 03
Moderation workshop - Sep 03
Next round of workshops
Looking for active members contributions
Member details
Use of the Resource Generator
Contact details
The very exciting project involving the seafood industry community of practice of training providers and assessors commenced successfully in May 2003. This project's goal is to empower the community in the development of aquaculture resources beyond AQF level II. The Australian National Training Authority who is the principal sponsor, is watching the project closely as it has the potential to be a model for other industries. The concept sets a benchmark in the development of materials which support Training Packages.
The project officer Ms Jo-Anne Ruscoe is responsible for the day-to-day organisation and co-ordination of the project. Ms Ruscoe will also put in place a framework and strategies for the community of practice to continue beyond the life of the project.
Components of the project
There are four components to the project: These are:
1. Assessment plans for level III aquaculture units
2. Resource for whole of qualifiaction / whole of job assessment at level
III aquaculture
3. A supervisor’s kit to support learning and assessment in the workplace
(includes work experience students)
4. Recognition resource for Diploma of Aquaculture.
Project kicks off with June 03 workshops
Three workshops held in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth during June 2003
to give the project an energetic start were a resounding success. Participants
indicated that their learning increased significantly as a result of the
professional development activity on higher level and integrated assessment.
All attendees were issued with a Certification of Participation
for the professional development activity.
Using input from the workshops, the methodology for the project was refined and plans for the commencement of the development of templates for the assessment materials were laid.
Aquaed in Darwin
Quite a few of the COP members were in Darwin for AquaEd and the prawn/barramundi
farmers conference at the end of July 03 so it was an ideal opportunity
to run a session on the Community. Dos O'Sullivan led a session which
commenced work on developing an integrated assessment instrument and Jo
Ruscoe explained the project aims.
Moderation workshop, Sep 03
One recommendation that arose from the June workshops was the need
for continued professional development, and to maintain as much face to
face contact as possible. Seafood Training Australia hosted an additional
workshop for this project in Fremantle just prior to the Seafood Directions
conference in Perth.
Its theme was moderation of aquaculture assessment tools and was hosted by Challenger TAFE.
The CoP is building on these activities through a group site on the ANTA
Resource Generator (RG) for moderation of assessment tools. This will
be of benefit for all RTOs to meet the AQTF requirements for moderation.
If you are interested in participating in activities including online
moderation and validation of assessment resources, please respond via
the moderation discussion on the Seafood Training Community discussion
board on the RG. For further information, contact
Jo-anne Ruscoe.
Member details
The Project Co-ordinator, Jo-Anne Ruscoe has distributed participant
details to all members of the community of practice. There are
seventy two individuals from a wide cross section of organisations
who are members of the Community.
Many have provided their contact details and information about their work and means of contributing to the community. This is available on the Resource Generator (RG).
The information available to date shows that within this large group of colleagues there is a valuable foundation of skills, knowledge and resources. There also exists a great deal of willingness to collaborate and support others. Jo-Anne thanks all of the members for their contributions. As other members join up, they will be sent updates on a monthly basis.
To join the group on the Resource Generator or to become a member of this Community, please contact Jo-Anne as follows:
Jo-Anne Ruscoe
National Project Coordinator
'Community of Practice' - Seafood Training Australia
Ph 08 8946-6071, fax 08 894-66151, mob 0415-244759
Email jo-anne.ruscoe@cdu.edu.au
Registration to join the community of practice
on the Resource Generator
(RG) site
Members are invited to register onto the Resource Generator site and
become a member of the community of practice on the site. Membership
provides: access to discussion forums, the opportunity for resolving
issues, the facility to send messages to the group and a mechanism for
collaborating on a wide range of issues. This facility is additional to
the access provided to resources which support training and assessment
using the Seafood Industry Training Package.
Twenty two members are currently using the RG as a rather vibrant medium for communication. The medium is being used to discuss assessment issues and review the assessment resources under development. There are also sub-groups set up for the teams that are developing the assessment resources.
Do you have any ideas for using the RG in other ways? Or are you interested in contributing to the development of assessment resources? Perhaps you would like to be a part of this dynamic community? Then please contact Jo-Anne Ruscoe.
Next round of workshops/professional
development - December 03
Sydney at SFM, 4-5 December
Perth/Fremantle 10-11 December
Southeast region late Jan/early Feb
04
The CoP project team is planning to hold a
one and a half day workshop in conjunction with Aquaculture Australia
expo and Aquaculture Asia-Pacific in Sydney in December. The workshop
will commence with an early morning tour and hands-on food safety workshop
at the Sydney Fish Markets on Thursday 4th December.
Also included in the agenda is:
* moderation of assessment tools developed by the CoP
* developing a strategy for trial and validation of materials
* discussion on the strengths, weaknesses and opportunties for the CoP.
All members have been emailed asking for responses regarding who can attend
the Sydney workshop, in order to assist in the planning of the second
round of East Coast CoP workshops. Contact Jo-Anne
Ruscoe for further information.
A one and a half day workshop is planned
for Perth/Fremantle 10-11 December at Challenger TAFE. This will be a
professional development activity concentrating on WA moderation group
activities. The agenda will cover:
* Moderation of assessment materials developed by CoP.
* Developing a strategy for trial and validation of material
Contact Jo-Anne Ruscoe for further information.
Southeast region - late January/Early
February. Location to be announced following discussions with members.
A possible location is Launceston.
The agenda will comprise:
* Professional development activity (to be announced) - possibly disease
management.
* Moderation of assessment materials developed by CoP.
* Developing a strategy for trial and validation of materials
* Resource generator future uses (optional workshop on using the RG to
be offered)
Contact Jo-Anne Ruscoe for further information.
Looking for active members
contributions
We are still looking for members to contribute to the development of the
assessment components (assessment resources)
These are:
1. Assessment plans for level III aquaculture units. Currently there are
8 members working on these.
2. Resource for whole of qualification / whole of job assessment at level
III aquaculture.
3. A supervisor’s kit to support learning and assessment in the workplace
(includes work experience students)
4. Recognition resource for Diploma of Aquaculture – incorporating
a candidate’s guide and assessor’s guide.
This is a great opportunity for professional skills development, and to contribute to the development of quality industry training.
Contact Jo Ruscoe for further details on any of these materials.
This kit which is designed to induct new members to Management Advisory Committees in fisheries has now been finalised.
Dr Ivan Johnstone, who undertook the original scoping study and Dr Graeme Evans, both of CIT Solutions were involved with this project in conjunction with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.
Units of competency for active and valuable membership of MACs are in the process of development as part of the project to review the Seafood Industry Training Package.
For more information, contact Ross Ord on +61 2 6281-0383.
COMPLETED PROJECTS:
RESOURCE GENERATOR
PROJECT www.resourcegenerator.gov.au
The Resource Generator is a website that enables users to find, view, pulldown and customise resources to support the development, delivery and evaluation of training and assessment programs. It contains the full suite of learning resources developed by Seafood Training Australia and references to other useful resources and websites. There is also the facility which allows users to customise learning and assessment materials and share these resources with their own ‘group’. This facility will assist institutions with campuses spread geographically as well as private enterprises and sole operators working in remote places, even on fishing vessels.
This site provides much needed support for training providers to produce uniquely tailored training programs and materials for the specific needs of clients.
Changes endorsed with the release of Version 2.00 of the Training Package have been added to the site. These amendments include the more flexible qualifications framework, two new qualifications and 21 new units of competency in seafood processing and 7 units in strategic industry leadership.
NEW AND UPDATED RESOURCES on RESOURCE GENERATOR - JULY 03
A project involving the maintenance of the Resource Generator site for a further six months till end of June 2003 has been finalised. The following new and updated resources are available on the Resource Generator website.
NEW!
— MAC induction kit
UPDATED! The following resources have been updated in July
2003:
— index of resources by unit
of competency
— index of resources by qualification
— keywords table
ALSO AVAILABLE!
— 22 references to learner guides available from Australian Remote
and Rural Learning Systems
— observation records for Certificates II and III in all four sectors
of the Training Package
— Fisheries Compliance resources including SFI401A Administer the
District Office and two additional chapters in the Assessment Plans and
Skills Development Guide
— Seafood Safety CD-ROM
— components of Aquatoolbox Series III
— components of Aquatoolbox Series IV
— model resource kit on food safety for fish handlers in a processing
plant
— induction resource for new workers on an aquaculture farm
— worksheets from "Seafood Training - the First Step" CD
ROM
— seafood industry careers flyers
— 'New Apprenticeships in the Seafood Industry' booklet
— a table of keywords which
are used on the Resource Generator
REVIEW OF THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY TRAINING PACKAGE - STAGE I
The Seafood Industry Training Package (SITP), endorsed January 21, 2000,
is now undergoing Stage II of its Review. Stage I which was undertaken
by the Australian Fisheries Academy and River Murray Training occurred
from July 2001 to January 2002. It identified issues associated
with the Training Package through a process of extensive consultation
with industry stakeholders. The final
report from the first phase contains the recommendations and issues
which inform Stage II.
Stage II, the development of the revised Package, commenced June 2002
with the new Package to be completed by the end of 2003. For further information,
contact Ross Ord, on 02 6281 0383 or rord@asic.org.au.
Stage I Final Report:
Part 1 - Executive summary
Part 2 - Process, methodology and consultations
Part 3 - Recommendations and issues
"MANAGING
SEAFOOD SAFETY - STEP BY STEP"
This CD-ROM has been ‘noted’ by the Australian National Training Authority and is designed for people who need to understand and comply with food safety requirements as it applies to the seafood industry. It is available from Seafood Training Australia (STA) on +61 2 6281-0383, Australian Training Products on +61-3-9655 0600 and from Seafood Services Australia (SSA), ph 1300 130321.
For further information on this resource, contact:
Ross Ord at STA on +61 2 6281-0383, email rord@asic.org.au or
Jayne Gallagher at SSA on 1300 130321, email jaynegallagher@seafoodservices.com.au
LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT MATERIALS
There are over 60 different learning and assessment resources which support theSeafood Industry Training Package. They comprise learning guides, assessment plans, companion guides, a training logbook in vessel operations, a CD-ROM in seafood safety and support materials for Certificate III in fisheries compliance.
The majority of the resources cover the core units of competency and units at Certificate I-II in the aquaculture, fishing operations and post-harvest sectors. For the fishing operations sector, units leading to the coxswain Certificate of Competency have been conveniently grouped into the areas of seamanship, vessel maintenance, radio communications, sea safety and commanding a small vessel.
Support materials for the Seafood Industry Training Package are available
from ATP,
ph. no. +61 3 9655-0600.
Booklets range in price from $13 to $32 each depending on whether they cover one unit or a group of units.
Materials are also downloadable from the Resource Generator website www.resourcegenerator.gov.au.
"SEAFOOD
TRAINING - THE FIRST STEP"
This is an interactive CD-ROM covering the underpinning knowledge in the four core units in the Seafood Industry Training Package. The core units of competency are included in every qualification from the Seafood Industry Training Package.
It has a strong emphasis on engaging the participant with around 3000
pages of photographs, videos, animations, drawings and interactive ‘quizzes’
covering the catching, aquaculture, processing, retail/wholesale and distribution
sectors of the Seafood Industry.
The CD-ROM looks at basic knowledge in food handling, working effectively,
occupational health and safety and communication for the industry. It
has examples from all over Australia covering such diverse subjects as
tuna farming, yabby farming, crocodile farming, pearl farming and the
Sydney Fish Market.
Available from Seafood Training Australia for $25.00 including GST, postage and handling. Phone +61-2-6281 0383.
SUPPORT MATERIALS FOR
FISHERIES COMPLIANCE
The resources for the Certificate III in Fisheries Compliance include:
- seven learning guides
- a skills development guide
- assessment plans
- an implementation guide.
These resources are available from ATP, ph +61-3-9655-0644. Contact Ross
Ord on
+61 2 6281-0383, email rord@asic.org.au for further information.
The Training Package on CD-ROM is an electronic version of the Training
Package. It is an added boost for training providers who need a portable
resource.
Version 2.00 is available from your local industry training advisory body
(ITAB),
ph 1300 733037 and from Seafood Training Australia on +61 2 6281-0383,
email asic@asic.org.au.