Teacher/Assessor Qualifications, Experience and Increment Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide a simplified interpretation of CIT’s requirements relating to teacher /assessor qualifications, experience (to meet the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTO) 2015), and for incremental advancement for Teacher Level 1 teachers.

Requirements within this policy are drawn directly from the Agreement, predominately from clauses 39 (Pay Points, Increments and Advancement) and 40 (Qualification Requirements), and the relevant clauses of the RTO Standards 2015.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all permanent, temporary and casual teaching staff. Where incremental progression is concerned, casual teachers are excluded.

3. Principles

Qualification Requirements

3.1 All teachers (including casuals) are required to hold as a minimum a Certificate IV level qualification in Training and Assessment (such as a TAE 40110 or equivalent).

3.1.1 Where this qualification is not held teachers must be supervised in line with the RTO Standards until the full qualification is achieved (see subclause 40.7 of the Agreement for conditions). Appropriate documentation of supervisory arrangements must be kept using the Teaching Requirements Report, a copy of which must be kept by the Head of Department.

Note. Due to recently introduced changes to the RTO Standards, from 1 January 2016 individuals who do not hold the full qualification will not be permitted to conduct any teaching or assessment (including under supervision) unless they have successfully completed prescribed Enterprise Trainer and Assessor skills sets.

3.2 Where a new teacher does not already hold this qualification at engagement, they must obtain it in the first twelve months of employment.

3.2.1 Notwithstanding a possible extension allowed under the Enterprise Agreement, failure to obtain the required qualification will result in the cessation of the teacher's employment with CIT and a restriction from further engagement in any form.

3.3 All permanent or temporary teachers engaged before 20 October 2014 who do not hold the required qualification will remain at their existing increment level.

3.3.1 From 1 January 2016 these teachers will be restricted further in order to comply with the RTO Standards. This will result in teachers who have not at least completed the prescribed Enterprise Trainer and Assessor skills sets being removed from teaching duties. Teaching under supervision will only be permissible where the skill sets have been achieved.

Note. Due to recently introduced changes to the RTO Standards, from 1 January 2016 individuals who do not hold the full qualification will not be permitted to conduct any teaching or assessment (including under supervision) unless they have successfully completed prescribed Enterprise Trainer and Assessor skills sets.

3.4 Subject to the conditions detailed in the Agreement (clause 36 (Teacher Education)), a reduction in teaching load of up to 50 hours will be provided for the attainment of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110).

3.5 CIT does not recognise the Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training (BSZ40198) or any qualifications preceding this as an acceptable equivalent.

3.6 Teacher Level (TL) 1.7 teachers are required to hold a Diploma in Vocational Education and Training (or equivalent) in addition to the Certificate IV level qualification outlined at Principle 1.

3.7 TL 1.8 teachers are required to hold an Advanced Diploma in Adult Learning and Development (or equivalent) in addition to the Certificate IV level qualification outlined at Principle 1.

3.8 No teacher can be progressed to or be commenced at TL1.7 and above until their qualifications have been assessed by the Qualifications Committee as equal or equivalent to the mandatory qualification requirements. Assessments are made according to the Guidelines for Assessing Qualifications.

3.9 All teachers, regardless of any assessment under Principle 8, will be required to have their qualifications assessed by the Qualifications Committee when applying for temporary or permanent promotional positions (regardless of the duration of the engagement). Assessments will be initiated by the Selection Committee chair, or responsible manager, during the recruitment process – teachers will be required to provide copies of their qualifications when applying.

3.10 Subject to the conditions detailed in the Agreement (clause 36 (Teacher Education)), the provision of up to 200 hours (100 hours each) will be provided for the attainment of the Diploma in Vocational Education and Training (TAE50111), and the Advanced Diploma of Adult Learning and Development (10051NAT).

3.11 All teachers with teaching responsibilities are required to have:

3.11.1 vocational competence at least to the level being delivered and assessed; and

3.11.2 current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided (see paragraph 17).

3.12 If a teacher does not hold the actual unit of competency (UOC) they may demonstrate they have vocational competency through a number of means which includes evidence of:

3.12.1 current industry experience;

3.12.2 attendance at industry forums/seminars/presentations/meetings/conferences;

3.12.3 contact with industry/employers (emails or visits to workplaces or phone conversations); or

3.12.4 completion of qualifications or training (so having completed the actual UOC being delivered or other study which directly relates).

3.13 All teachers teaching an approved ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies unit at CIT must, in addition to the above, hold current Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) registration or a TQI permit to teach.

3.14 All Access Education teachers must, in addition to the above, hold a teaching qualification consisting of at least 4 years of academic study, and an accredited pre-service (initial) teacher education program or an accredited pre-service graduate teacher education qualification provided by a university or higher education provider.

3.15 All teachers teaching in Higher Education programs must be qualified to at least one Qualification Standard level higher than the course of study being taught (as required by the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) Threshold Standards).

3.16 There may be other requirements particular to an area of delivery.  These may include additional requirements specified within the Training Package or Accredited Course documentation, or specified by regulatory or licensing authorities, or required as part of contractual arrangements, or within particular teaching areas. These requirements will be stipulated in the relevant position profile.

3.17 All teachers must maintain their industry currency (i.e. industry registrations, accreditations and licences) and their vocational competence).

3.18 CIT Industry Placement is available to eligible teachers where industry placement is required to meet industry currency. Teachers should refer to the Industry Placement Procedure available on SIS.

3.19 All teachers are required to continue developing their education and training and trainer/assessor competencies.

3.20 Teachers/assessors must keep readily accessible records on the Trainer Skills Matrix of:

3.20.1 all qualifications and how they have been verified;

3.20.2 demonstrated vocational competencies and how they were obtained;

3.20.3 industry registrations, accreditations and licences; and

3.20.4 activities undertaken to maintain current industry and VET skills and knowledge.

Incremental Advancement

3.21 All incremental advancement for the Teacher Level 1 classification will be subject to the qualification requirements set out above.

3.22 Incremental advancement for all eligible permanent and temporary teachers will be as follows:

3.22.1 TL 1.1 to TL 1.5 teachers will increment annually to their next increment level with effect from their anniversary of commencement date.

3.22.2 TL 1.6 teachers will not increment to TL 1.7 on their anniversary date unless the required qualifications have been achieved and formally approved by the Qualifications Committee in line with Principle 20 below.

3.22.3 TL 1.7 teachers will not increment to TL 1.8 on their anniversary date unless the required qualifications have been achieved and formally approved by the Qualifications Committee in line with Principle 20 below.

3.22.4 For all teachers at TL 1.1 to TL 1.6, the college/division Director will confirm a teacher's teaching qualifications, for the purposes of incremental advancement, and provide certified copies of all qualifications to CIT Human Resources (HR) for filing.

Qualifications Committee - Assessments

3. 23 An assessment of teaching qualifications can be made on application to the Qualifications Committee at any time. Commencement of payment above the TL1.6 increment level however, will depend on the situations below:

3.23.1 An existing teacher who submits an application to the Qualifications Committee, and the qualifications are recognised, will be eligible for payment at their next increment level.

3.23.1.1 Where the application was submitted prior to the date the teacher was due to increment to the TL 1.7 level, the teacher will be eligible for payment from the date they are due to increment.

3.23.1.2 Where the application was submitted after the date the teacher was due to increment to the TL 1.7 level, the teacher will be eligible for payment from the date the qualifications were recognised by the Qualifications Committee. Where this applies, the teacher's next possible increment date will be 12 months from the date the qualification was recognised by the Qualifications Committee.

3.23.2 A new teacher who submits an application to the Qualifications Committee prior to commencement, and the teacher's Salary Assessment indicated that their commencement should be at either the TL 1.7 or TL 1.8 increment level, will be eligible for payment at the applicable level from commencement.

3.23.3 A new teacher who submits an application to the Qualifications Committee after commencement, but no later than six months from commencement, and the teacher's Salary Assessment indicated that their commencement should be at either the TL 1.7 or TL 1.8 increment level, will be paid at the TL 1.6 increment level until the date the qualifications are recognised by the Committee.

3.23.3.1 Any application submitted after 6 months from commencement will be considered an application from an existing teacher and 20.1 above will apply.

4. Documentation

Authority Source

1. ACT Public Service Canberra Institute of Technology (Teaching Staff) Enterprise Agreement 2013 - 2017 or its successor
2. Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations 2012
3. Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011
4. Teacher Quality Institute (TQI)
5. Education Act 2004 (ACT)

Related Documents

1. Qualification Assessment Form (Teacher Level 1.7 and above)
2. Qualifications and Experience Requirements for CIT Teachers Information Sheet (Getting Ready)
3. Teaching Requirements Report
4. Industry Currency Policy

Supporting Guide

1. Guidelines for Assessing Qualifications

5. Definitions

The Agreement - ACT Public Service Canberra Institute of Technology (Teaching Staff) Enterprise Agreement 2013 - 2017 or its successor.

Casual Teacher - Has the same meaning as within the Agreement.

Permanent and Temporary Teachers - Has the same meanings as within the Agreement.

Qualifications Committee - A committee comprising of the Deputy Chief Executive, the CIT General Manager and a Union representative, set up to assess qualifications to determine equivalency in line with the Agreement. See the Guidelines for Assessing Qualifications for further information.

The RTO Standards - Means the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTO) 2015 or its successor. This document sets out the requirements of a RTO in order for them to maintain their registration.

6. Policy Contact Officer

Manager, CIT Safety and Employment Relations.

Contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au for further information.