Glossary

Academic Transcript

A document that is a formal record of your studies

Accredited

A course of study in the Australian Qualifications Framework; the qualification is nationally recognised in the VET sector and as a trade qualification by industry.

ACFE

ACFE stands for Adult Community and Further Education and is the name of a division within the Victorian Department of Education.

The Adult, Community and Further Education Board's role is to plan and promote adult learning, allocate resources, develop policies, and advise the Minister for Training and Skills on matters related to adult education in Victoria.

Through the Board, the Victorian Government provides funding to registered Learn Local providers to deliver education and training programs to a broad range of Victorians who are above compulsory school age and who are seeking to gain the educational capacity and core skills they need for study, work and life.

ACSF

Australian Core Skills Framework. A tool which assists both specialist and non-specialist English language, literacy, and numeracy practitioners in describing an individual’s performance in the five core skills of learning, reading, writing, oral communication, and numeracy.

AQF

Australian Qualifications Framework

AQTF

Australian Quality Training Framework

ASQA

Australian Skills Quality Authority. The national regulator for Australia’s vocational education and training sector.

Assessment

The process of gathering information that demonstrates competency in an area of your studies. This can be demonstrated via a number of sources including written, oral, and holistic assessments, and apply to the requirements of the training.

Auspicing

To ‘auspice’ means to provide support, sponsorship or guidance. In VETDSS, it is the term used when a school offers VET programs to its students, via a registered training organisation (RTO) such as AST.

AST are responsible for issuing qualifications and Statement of Attainments and offering support to the school and its students. The school is responsible for the delivery of the program, using existing experienced teachers already employed at the school.

Auspicing enables students to be taught vocational training programs within their school, alongside their full-time study, whilst also having the vocational expertise of AST to oversee the project.

Blended Delivery

A combination of e-learning and face-to-face methods e.g. trainer meetings, tutorials, and classrooms.

Competent

The achievement of demonstrating consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace. It embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments.

Competency is achieved through a range of assessments, supervised or assessed by a qualified trainer.

CT

Credit Transfer (also known as Mutual Recognition). An application process where previous unit/s completed with AST or another RTO may be transferred to your current qualification.

Deferral

A postponement of training that is approved via an application process. Approved deferrals do not impact funding entitlements.

E-Learning

Learning that is conducted via electronic media, typically on the internet e.g. webinars, learning/student portals.

Eligibility

Meeting the criteria to be entitled to something.

Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills is the term given to fundamental abilities essential for effective learning, work and daily life. They include literacy, numeracy, communication and digital literacy. These skills serve as the building blocks for acquiring more advanced knowledge and are crucial for individuals to navigate diverse contexts, participate in society and succeed in various educational and professional pursuits.

Holistic Assessment

Using multiple sources to gather information that demonstrates competency in a number of areas in your studies. Holistic assessments typically assess multiple units within a qualification at once.

LLN

Language, Literacy, and Numeracy is an evaluation of a person’s language, literacy, numeracy, oral communication, and digital literacy. This is generally performed to determine if the person requires assistance, has special learning needs, or seeks reasonable adjustment to accommodate a disability or defined learning need.

Non-Accredited

Not leading to the issuance of a nationally recognised qualification, statement of attainment, or skill set. Participants may receive a Certificate of Attendance or Statement of Participation - it will not have the Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) logo affixed to it.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). A process that assesses an individual’s formal, non-formal, and informal learning to determine the extent to which the individual meets the requirements specific in the training package or VET-accredited course.

RPL

Recognition of Prior Learning. A process that assesses an individual’s formal, non-formal, and informal learning to determine the extent to which the individual meets the requirements specific in the training package or VET-accredited course.

RTO

Registered Training Organisation

Skill Set

A micro-credential is generally made up of 2 to 4 units of competency also issued by the authority of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Statement of Attainment

A statement given to a person confirming that the person has satisfied the requirements of units of competency or modules specified in the statement.

Subsidised

Varying degrees of financial support opportunities either via employers, traineeship/apprenticeship, or state or federal government initiatives.

Unit of Competency

An individual course of study. Qualifications consist of a number of core and elective units of competency.

USI

Unique Student Identifier is a reference number that is required to be awarded for competencies in accredited training. Further information can be found at www.usi.gov.au

VET

Vocational Education and Training. Post-compulsory education and training (excluding degree and higher-level programs delivered by further education institutions such as universities) providing people with occupational or work-related knowledge and skills.

VETDSS

VETDSS stands for VET Delivered to Secondary Schools. Through an auspicing arrangement, secondary school students choose their VET programs and have them delivered in their school by their familiar school teachers, but the course is managed by Access Skills Training (AST). AST are responsible for enrolling the secondary school students into their courses and providing the certificates and/or Statement of Attainments at the end of their studies.

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Vocational Education and Training (VET) equips individuals with practical skills and knowledge for specific trades or professions. Focused on hands-on learning, VET programs prepare students for careers in areas such as Community Services, Hospitality or Building and Construction.

These courses often involve apprenticeships or traineeships, where a large part of the study involved work placement, fostering direct experience in the chosen field. VET aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application, enabling individuals to enter the workforce with competence and relevant expertise.

Vocational Placement

Demonstrating the skills and knowledge within a qualification in an industry setting. Vocational Placement is another source of assessment.

Withdrawal

Ceasing to participate in a training activity via an application process.