1. Prepare for partnership with the organisation

1.1 Determine RTO readiness for engagement with the organisation, in line with the RTO’s strategic plan

1.2 Identify skills needed by RTO staff to work effectively with the organisation, as determined by the requirements of the organisation

1.3 Conduct an RTO skills analysis to determine if the RTO staff have required skills or need further development prior to engaging with the organisation

2. Negotiate the partnership

2.1 Identify and set objectives for the partnership in line with the strategic direction and plan of both the RTO and the organisation

2.2 Determine and act on the likely strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the partnership arrangement

2.3 Come to a common agreement with the organisation about the services and responsibilities of the RTO and organisation

2.4 Analyse resources needed for the partnership arrangement and determine what resources both parties will be contributing to the partnership

2.5 Facilitate the drawing up and signing of a contract or agreement by appropriate personnel in both organisations

3. Implement the partnership

3.1 Design organisational processes in consultation with relevant RTO and partner organisation personnel

3.2 Establish reporting and recordkeeping processes in accordance with RTO and partner organisation requirements

3.3 Set the parameters for quality assurance of the service offered to the organisation

3.4 Develop a learning and development strategy in consultation with relevant RTO and organisation personnel

3.5 Contextualise the learning and development service as required by the organisation

3.6 Provide the learning and development service required by the organisation

4. Maintain the partnership

4.1 Use appropriate communication and interpersonal skills to develop and maintain a professional relationship with the organisation

4.2 Providesupport for own staff when providing the service to the organisation

4.3 Encourage organisation to provide support for their own staff when undergoing training, development and assessment

5. Evaluate and review the partnership

5.1 Evaluate the recipients’ reaction to the learning and development service

5.2 Evaluate the development in terms of the application of new skills, knowledge and attitude to the workplace

5.3 Analyse the changes the learning and development service has made to the organisation

5.4 Set up review criteria and review the partnership arrangement, in consultation with the organisation

5.5 Use evaluation and review processes to make suggestions for improving existing and future partnership arrangements, and report to relevant personnel

Required skills

communication and interpersonal skills to:

negotiate with the partner organisation

communicate with a wide range of personnel

communicate with diverse community groups or target groups

listen to needs of the organisation

maintain the partnership

provide support to staff

write proposals, agreements and reports

initiative and enterprise to:

base learning and development services on organisational needs

put an emphasis on continuous improvement

plan quality assurance processes

develop a learning and development strategy

contextualise learning and development services

planning and organising skills to:

conduct a skills analysis

organise required services

establish reporting and recordkeeping processes

review the partnership

problem solving skills to:

analyse organisational needs

analysing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities of and threats to the partnership

analyse resource needs of the partnership arrangement

evaluate the learning and development service.

Required knowledge

industry knowledge to understand:

the organisation’s business and complexity

emerging technologies and trends within the industry

sound knowledge of the industry area of the partner organisation, including:

services and/or products

emerging technologies

business complexities

conditions

sound knowledge of the partner organisation, including:

strategic direction and plans

staffing

reporting and recordkeeping requirements

relevant policies and procedures including quality and OHS procedures

training and assessment practices and procedures, including:

customisation of units of competency, resources and assessment tasks to meet organisational needs

requirements of the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

develop and maintain key aspects of a partnership between an RTO and at least one organisation through the stages outlined in this unit, including:

preparing for a partnership with an organisation

negotiating the partnership

implementing the partnership

maintaining the partnership

evaluating and reviewing the partnership.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Evidence must be gathered in the workplace wherever possible. Where no workplace is available, a simulated workplace must be provided.

Method of assessment

Guidance information for assessment

RTO readiness may include:

making decisions about:

who will benefit from the partnership and why

what services the RTO can provide

flexibility of the RTO

whether the RTO staff have the required skills

whether there are structures in place as required by the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).

Organisation may include:

industry groups such as industry associations or peak bodies

enterprises such as small, medium or large commercial organisations

community groups such as not-for-profit organisations.

Skills needed by RTO staff may include:

communication skills

creativity and innovation

management

industry knowledge

knowledge of training and assessment methodologies and practices.

Services may include:

learning and development services

human resources services.

Responsibilities may include:

regular reporting and communication

provision of resources.

Resources may include:

equipment

money

personnel for training, assessment, supervision or mentoring

space to provide learning and development services

time for staff to undertake training.

Organisational processes may include:

confidentiality agreements

insurances

key contacts in each organisation

ownership of intellectual property

reporting arrangements.

Reporting and recordkeeping processes may include:

expenditure and budget

personnel records of training completed

progress reports and updates

evaluations.

Parameters for quality assurance may include:

Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF)

organisational quality assurance policies and procedures of partner

industry, legal and ethical standards.

Review criteria may include:

budget

challenges

commitment

communication processes

expectations

lessons learned

successes.