One of the questions most frequently asked by assessors is – how much evidence is needed?
The new AQTF provides some good examples of how much evidence RTOs must keep for auditor scrutiny and to demonstrate their compliance with the AQTF Standards. My experience whilst visiting and talking to RTO’s is that current practices vary enormously.
Some assessors are accused of collecting too little evidence while others collect too much. In fact, the volume of evidence collected will vary according to the competency being assessed, the candidate, the AQF level and the context of assessment.
I was discussing this point with an RTO recently and they were saying they HAD to provide evidence in questions and answers. He said to me they had some 150 questions that needed answering for 1 unit of competence! Is this really good RTO practise?
Evidence is about looking at the whole picture and not just one specific way of collecting it. Generally there are no rules for the amount required; although there are cases of specific training packages/units of competency where required evidence is prescribed.
The critical aspect of evidence in each unit will indicate what must be submitted.
- Does the sample of evidence show competency over time?
- Does the sample if evidence show that the candidate can apply the competency if different contexts as listed in the range statement of the competency standard?
- Does the sample of evidence give you sufficient depth and breadth to give you confidence that performance can be repeated?
It is really up to you as the assessor and the RTO to unpack the Unit and create an assessment judgement tool to demonstrate the learner is competent. Think about the layers of competency and refer to the dimensions of competency, the required technical skills, knowledge, attitudes, employability skills, regulatory and legislative requirements, AQF level (relative to job role) and the ability to transfer competency standards to different contexts
A key point to remember is that the type of evidence provided should be able to demonstrate a consistency of approach, compliance with the standards and the achievement of quality outcomes.
The key factor for RTOs to consider is the quality of evidence available not merely the quantity.