I want to voice my opinion – Your letters and emails to us
In this newsletter, we are selecting this email that we received from one of our subscribers genuinely questioning the current regulatory environment on the Registered Training Organisations: Thank you for your ongoing support of the VET Sector and in particular your reporting on the actions of ASQA. I have worked in the VET industry for […]
Read MoreThe VET Sector News II – December 2019
Apprentice and trainee commencements down in June 2019 quarter The latest release of national apprentice and trainee data show commencements were down 3.3% to 33 295 in the June 2019 quarter, when compared with the same quarter in 2018. Apprentices and trainees 2019 — June quarter, published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research […]
Read MoreSatisfaction with vocational education and training remains high
New data from over 170 000 vocational education and training (VET) students shows that satisfaction with VET remains high, according to a new report by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The annual National Student Outcomes Survey is Australia’s largest survey of VET students and provides information on employment outcomes and training satisfaction […]
Read MoreVET International Engagement Strategy 2025 launched
The Morrison Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure Australian VET sector continues to play a significant role in contributing to the development of a highly skilled workforce by lodging Vocational Education and Training International Engagement Strategy 2025. Australia’s first National Strategy for International Education 2025 enables Australia’s international education sector to be more innovative, […]
Read MoreThe rapid review of ASQA announced by Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business
A rapid review of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has been announced. We are sharing the details of the review with this article. Two recent national reviews have focused on the VET sector, including the role of ASQA – the 2019 Expert Review of Australia’s VET System (the Joyce Review), and the 2018 review […]
Read MoreNational Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment Bill 2019
The National Vocational Education and Training regulator Amendment Bill 2019 has been lodged in the senate. The proposed amendments are intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the ASQA’s regulation of the sector. The changes strengthen registration requirements, modernise information and data sharing and improve the administrative efficiency of the NVETR Act. Key reforms […]
Read More2019 Australian Training Awards winners announced
The Australian Training Awards are the peak national awards for the VET sector recognising individuals, businesses and registered training organisations for their contribution to skilling Australia. On 21 November the awards were presented and the winners are: Lifetime Achievement Award — Wayne Collyer Wayne Collyer was Managing Director at Polytechnic West (now South Metropolitan TAFE) […]
Read MoreCommuniqué for the COAG Skills Council Meeting – 22 November 2019
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Skills Council (the Council) held its second meeting today in Brisbane to agree on an ambitious approach to enhancing vocational education and training (VET). Council congratulated the winners and finalists recognised at the Australian Training Awards on their outstanding achievements. The winners and finalists offer a shining example of […]
Read MoreASQA’s slash and burn approach on Registered Training Organisations
An approach that is not very well thought out can cause significant knee jerk reactions. This is exactly what we all are experiencing from ASQA. The poor implementation and monitoring of VET FEE-HELP scheme and the way a few private and public organisations took advantage and rorted the funding is still causing significant nightmares […]
Read MoreVictims of ASQA: The Real stories (Part – 1)
In this section we explore stories of how a regulatory body is destroying Australia’s education and training sector, the livelihood of people and causing immense stress and loss to the individuals working in the training organisations. Our first guest in this series is Brett Hilder. Brett Hilder is a businessman with extensive experience drawn from […]
Read MoreHas the Australian Skills Quality Authority taken Australia back 30 years?
The effects of the VET regulator’s actions on our industry and Australia’s reputation with regards to innovative learning has been detrimental to what is internationally seen as best practice. The attitude towards learning methods that are applied outside traditional face-to face classroom based training have put our education system at risk. We are not reaching […]
Read MoreThe drop in traineeships and apprenticeships. Why is it happening?
A recent figures revealed that the federal government over the last five years has underspent close to $1 billion of its budget on TAFE, training and apprenticeships. This is on top of previous cuts. At the same time, that these budgets cuts are happening, Australia is still experiencing critical skills shortages in several industries. A […]
Read MoreWhere are we going and why are we here?
If you have followed the recent discussion on social media ASQA’s practices, RTO closures, TAFE non-compliance, rorting of government funding (by now this is historical data being republished) it is one thing that stands out; students are not part of the discussion. How did we arrive where we are at this point in time? ASQA […]
Read MoreIs natural justice or procedural fairness possible with the current set up of ASQA?
We have evaluated how fair and transparent the internal workings of Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is. Where can an RTO go to complain and seek justice? How effective are the “external avenues”? ASQA’s auditors on the day of the audit Please note: ASQA has engaged some very professional officers and auditors as well and […]
Read MoreConcerns about the competency levels of Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) officers and auditors
The VET industry has some serious concerns regarding the competency of ASQA’s officers and auditors. We would like to look into this with some facts, records and figures. Qualified auditors with Senior VET Experience – are they qualified enough? Unfortunately, the regulatory body has moved away from recruiting officers with a background in the education […]
Read MoreIndustry consultation form released to assist development of VET accredited courses
ASQA has released a tool to assist in the development of VET accredited courses. The following media released has been published by Australian Skills Quality Authority: The Standards for VET Accredited Courses 2012 require a course developer to provide: evidence of an industry need and supporting evidence that industry consultation and validation of course content […]
Read MoreFinancial Viability Risk Assessment (FVRA) tool has changed again, version 3.1.
The financial viability risk assessment (FVRA) tool has been changed again by ASQA to make it more user friendly. The latest change was implemented on October 4, 2019. The changes have been made to make the FVRA tool more user-friendly and in cases where it is incomplete, provide additional guidance to identify items missing. The […]
Read MoreI want to voice my opinion – your letters and emails to us
In this newsletter, we have selected this email received from one of our subscribers genuinely questioning the current regulatory environment of Registered Training Organisations: “It has been my experience as an RTO Manager that everyone except the RTO is protected in the current environment. Students and staff can complain to ASQA and Smart and Skilled […]
Read MoreReview of Australian Qualifications Framework (Part 1)
The AQF review, chaired by Victoria University tertiary education professor Peter Noonan, recommended a shake -up of Australia’s qualification system. Under the recommended changes senior secondary students would also be able to study subjects at school that would count towards a vocational training qualification or university degree. The new changes will enable students to mix […]
Read MoreWho is there to support training organisations and what RTO representatives should know. (Part 1)
In this article, we will discuss the issues registered training organisations are experiencing in their day-to-day operations. You have the following help available: RTO consultants Extend your own understanding and get an unbiased evaluation of your training and assessment from a consultant who can evaluate your practices and give you feedback. Contact a few and […]
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