‘Skill sets’ could assist the vocational education and training (VET) system meet industry needs, according to new research.
Published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), the report Workforce skills development and engagement in training through skill sets, by John Mills, David Crean, Danielle Ranshaw and Kaye Bowman, reviewed the role of skill sets as a skilling solution, using agrifood students as a case study.
‘Skills sets’ are a related set of competency units, below the level of a full qualification that combine to meet a specific need. According to the National Training Information System there are some 924 skill sets defined within the National Training Packages, as of June 2012.
Based on the research, skill sets provide opportunities for workers to top up their skills, attract and engage more people into VET and can act as a pathway to further study or a full qualification.
According to the authors, the main reasons for skill set training are to upgrade skills, gain specific knowledge or for licensing and compliance.
“The research has found that skills sets do not deter people going on to full qualifications in the agrifoods sector,” said NCVER General Manager, Research, Ms Sue Fergusson.
“In many cases, skill sets encourage engagement with VET and act as useful stepping stones to further study or completing a full qualification.
“As well as a pathway to a full qualification, skills sets can offer existing workers the chance to ‘top up’ their skills after gaining a qualification.”
Copies of Workforce skills development and engagement in training through skill sets are available at: www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2568.html
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