PD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who needs to complete a Professional Development form?

All Trainers providing Training or Assessment in the Australian VET sector need to have current industry skills, vocational training and learning experience. This is required by Clauses 1.13 - 1.16 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations.

To meet this standard, each year we record what professional development you've done, so that we have evidence of your recent industry experience.

What counts as "industry experience?"

Industry experience refers to relevant, current, and practical experience in the industry area related to the training being delivered. It’s a key requirement for Trainers and Assessors to maintain vocational competency and credibility. Here’s a breakdown of what typically counts as industry experience:

✅ What Counts as Industry Experience

1. Recent employment in the relevant industry (e.g., working in a role that directly relates to the units or qualification being delivered).
2. Self-employment or consultancy work in the field.
3. Vocational placements or work-integrated learning relevant to the industry area.
4. Short-term contracts, projects or freelance work that align with the vocational outcomes of the course.
5. Active membership or participation in professional bodies, industry associations or committees.
6. Attending industry events, expos, networking groups, or participating in industry-specific professional development.
7. Engagement in workplace visits, shadowing, or mentoring in a relevant role.
8. Maintaining or upgrading industry skills through hands-on activities, even in a volunteer capacity.

IMPORTANT: It does not include delivering the course.

What COUnts as "skills and knowledge relating to engaging and supporting VET students"?

When it comes to professional development (PD) in the context of "skills and knowledge relating to engaging and supporting VET students"—we're talking about activities that help Trainers and Assessors:

• Improve learner engagement techniques
• Better understand and support diverse learner needs
• Develop more inclusive, accessible, and learner-centred practices
• Strengthen digital literacy and learner support strategies

✅ What Counts as PD in This Area - examples of PD activities that clearly tick the box:
🎓 Formal Training / Courses

• Short courses or workshops on:
  • Adult learning principles
  • Learning difficulties and disabilities
  • LLN (Language, Literacy, Numeracy) support strategies
  • Engaging disengaged learners
  • Mental health first aid
  • Cultural competence (e.g. working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students)
  • Inclusive education practices
  • eLearning engagement strategies
• Webinars or micro-credentials from reputable training bodies

🧠 Self-Directed Learning

• Reading research, journals or government reports on VET learner engagement
• Watching professional videos or podcasts from VET experts on student support

🤝 Collaborative Learning / Peer Engagement

• Participating in communities of practice or trainer networks
• Peer observations followed by reflection/discussion
• Mentoring or being mentored with a focus on learner support

🛠️ Practical Development

• Updating or designing resources or activities that better engage learners
• Trialling new technology tools (e.g. Kahoot, Padlet, Canva for Education) in your delivery
• Applying universal design for learning (UDL) principles
• Adjusting teaching methods based on learner feedback

🧾 Professional Development Logs / Evidence

• Certificate of attendance or completion
• Notes/reflections on what was learned and how it will be applied

💡 Pro Tip: For compliance purposes, it helps to record:

1. Date of PD
2. Topic/title
3. Provider or source
4. How it relates to supporting VET learners
5. What you learned and how it will influence your practice