1. Policy

This policy is designed to ensure that Inspiritive Pty Ltd is able to ensure assessment instruments effectively address the requirements of the relevant Training Package (or accredited course) and the associated unit(s) of competency. This allows the RTO to ensure assessments are conducted in accordance with the principles of assessment and rules of evidence and identify areas for improvement.

The following procedure will ensure that the validation process occurs in a systematic and consistent manner and appropriate evidence of the validation activities are maintained in accordance with the Standards for RTO's 2015 which require

Validation is a quality review process. It involves checking that the assessment tool produces valid, reliable, sufficient, current and authentic evidence to enable reasonable judgements of competency to be made. The validation processes will review the assessment instruments and related documents to identify if any further changes are required to improve the quality and consistency of assessment outcomes.

  1. Procedure

2.1 Validation Schedule

Assessment instruments for all Units of Competency are to be validated at least once through the life of the associated Training Package or Accredited Course. Validation activities must be undertaken in a systematic manner and all validation activities will be scheduled through the ‘Validation Schedule' including identifying the units that are to be validated at each session.

The Training Manager shall ensure that a ‘Validation Schedule' is maintained that identifies when it is planned that each Unit of Competency included on the RTO's Scope of Registration is to undertake validation. The Validation Schedule is to be for a period of five years and must ensure that all units are validated over a five year period, with at least 50% of units scheduled for validation in the first three (3) years, and then the remaining 50% of units in the following Two (2) years.

The Validation Schedule must include the following details:

  • Proposed dates for the validation of each unit
  • The documents to be reviewed as part of the validation
  • Participants in the validation activity

To ensure regular validation sessions occur, the sessions should be scheduled approximately every 3 months (each quarter) for each industry area the RTO is providing training and assessment services.

This schedule is to be updated annually.

2.2 Validation Process

All validation activities are to be documented using the ‘Validation Checklist' (Appendix A). The validation process of each Unit of Competency is to be documented by completing the ‘Validation Checklist' which must be submitted to the Training Manager at the conclusion of each validation session. This checklist will ensure the Assessment instruments for an individual Unit of Competency are appropriate and address the Training Package requirements. Where any gaps are identified the required action is to be documented on the checklist.

The validation process is to include a review of:

  • The assessment system being implemented by the RTO
  • The assessment tools and processes for individual units
  • A sample of assessment judgements

The assessment instruments must be reviewed to ensure the assessment instruments:

  • Meet the Standards for RTO's 2015
  • Meet the requirements of the relevant Training Package and Unit of Competency
  • Meet the Principles of Assessment & Rules of Evidence requirements
  • Address and incorporate the Critical Aspects of Assessment and Evidence of the Unit of Competency
  • Address and incorporate the Required Skills and Knowledge of the Unit of Competency
  • Follow the unit of competency suggested assessment methods
  • Meets the Principles of Assessment
  • Meet the Rules of Assessment
  • Addresses Employability skills
  • Sufficient evidence is collected from the student

The validation sessions are also required to include the reviewing of previously conducted assessments from sample student files the assessments are being used in accordance with the Rules of Evidence. The number of student files to be reviewed must be sufficient to ensure that the result of the review of students' work is reliable and an accurate reflection of all the assessments in the unit being reviewed.

2.3 Validators

Validation of all units (other than those from the Training and Education Training Package) are to be conducted by person(s) who do not deliver or assess the unit being validated for Inspiritive Pty Ltd . The validator (s) must collectively have:

  • Vocational competencies and current industry skills relevant to the unit being validated
  • Current knowledge and skills in vocational teaching, learning and assessment
  • The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or the Assessor skills Set (TAESS00001)

The Training Manager will determine the person(s) to conduct these validations and this information will be included in the Validation Schedule

2.4 Results, Action, & Recording of Validation Activities

The results and outcomes of the validation activity must be documented using the ‘Validation Checklist' (Appendix A).

Where the validation process identifies issues which need attention, measures will be implemented to ensure that all assessments comply with the requirements of accuracy, consistency and fairness. Measures may include:

  • Revision of the assessment system and processes
  • Revision of the assessment tools
  • Revision of marking guides
  • Development of additional assessment tools/tasks
  • Professional development activities for assessors

It is the responsibility of the Training Manager to update the relevant Training and Assessment Strategy and relevant assessment instruments (if required) in line with the recommendations obtained through the validation activities. This process will be supported by the continuous improvement processes and relevant management and / or staff meetings.

The Training Manager shall ensure that all evidence of validation activities are maintained appropriately. This includes Validation Checklists, copies of materials reviewed, and evidence of implementation of identified improvements.

All validation activities are to be recorded and documented using the ‘Validation Checklist' and the Training Manager shall ensure evidence of all validation activities are collected and reviewed through the RTO meetings and quality assurance systems

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