Who is there to support training organisations and what RTO representatives should know. (Part 1)
18 November, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Who 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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ASQA has changed the rules for purchase and sale of RTO’s
18 November, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

ASQA has changed the rules for purchase and sale of RTO’s

Australian Skills Quality Authority has made it crystal clear that “Registered training organisations (RTOs) and Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) providers are not permitted to transfer their registration from one legal entity to another. However, where a change of company shareholdings occurs, but the ABN/ACN of the entity registered with […]

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The major issues with current legislative and regulatory standards (Part 1)
1 October, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

The major issues with current legislative and regulatory standards (Part 1)

We are starting a series of articles discussing what is broken or can be improved in the current legislative and regulatory standards. We will also talk about how there should be no room for ambiguity and a very clear understanding in terms of what is expected from the training organisations.  Our first target is the […]

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RTO experiences with ASQA from the front line-Part 2
1 October, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

RTO experiences with ASQA from the front line-Part 2

We are continuing to share the RTO experiences from the front line with the current regulatory body of vocational education and training, Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). 1. Completely unjust and untrue grounds used by Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) for RTO rejection    2. No exit meeting with the RTO, no information regarding where […]

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Conducting validation in your training organisation
18 September, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Conducting validation in your training organisation

 What is validation? Explanation: Checking that the assessment tools, methods, judgement, evidence and processes to ensure that the training product meets: Principles of Assessment – i.e. valid, reliable, flexible and fair Rules of Evidence – i.e. valid, authentic, current and sufficient The judgment made by the trainer/assessor is benchmarked* with colleagues or industry experts There […]

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Interview: Tamara Simon: Australia’s Only Dedicated RTO Business Coach from ‘Take Another Look’.
10 September, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Interview: Tamara Simon: Australia’s Only Dedicated RTO Business Coach from ‘Take Another Look’.

Here is a copy of our interview with Tamara Simon – Australia’s Only Dedicated RTO Business Coach. Bio Tamara Simon is the Australia’s Only Dedicated RTO Business Coach who knows the key to RTO success lies in your Business Strategy, People Performance and Systems Simplification. Tamara has taken countless RTO CEOs, RTO Managers and RTO […]

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Interview: Troy Williams, Chief Executive Officer at the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA).
21 August, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Interview: Troy Williams, Chief Executive Officer at the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA).

Here is a copy of our interview with Troy Williams, Chief Executive Officer at the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA).  Troy, in a nutshell, what has been your experience of working in the training and education industry? It’s diverse.  From the perspective of a provider, in the late 1990s I established a Registered Training […]

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Experiences from the front line
20 August, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Experiences from the front line

We believe the purpose of a regulatory body is to promote and protect the education and training system. Australia has a world-class education and training system that other countries envy, but the real-life stories below also raise questions.  RTO One’s Experience:  This is a very common scenario in a number of stories we have received:  […]

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INTERVIEW: Dianne Dayhew CEO, National Apprentice Employment Network
15 August, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

INTERVIEW: Dianne Dayhew CEO, National Apprentice Employment Network

Dianne, in a nutshell, what has been your experience of working in the training and education industry? I have worked in training, education and employment since the mid-1990s. I have seen many ministers, governments and policies come and go, great initiatives start, gain traction, and disappear. One thing about vocational education and training is that […]

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Third-Party Arrangements – What does this mean for your RTO?
14 August, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Third-Party Arrangements – What does this mean for your RTO?

ASQA has published an updated guide on third-party arrangements that will come into effect from 1 September 2019 for new third-party arrangements and 1 November 2019 for existing arrangements. If you have an existing third-party arrangement, you should have already received an email from ASQA with information about the new requirements and the transition period.   […]

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How does an RTO protect itself in this current climate?
14 August, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

How does an RTO protect itself in this current climate?

RTO’s need to be prepared to weather any storm.  There are simple practices all RTO’s should be adhering to to ensure they are ready for whatever comes their way. As an RTO the first step is ensuring that you understand the applicable legislation, standards and what best practice looks like.  For the VET sector these […]

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Internal audits and why they are so important (Part 5 of 5)
4 July, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Internal audits and why they are so important (Part 5 of 5)

In the first five parts of this series we discussed the following:  What are internal audits? What are the benefits of conducting internal audits? What is an audit scope? What is usually included in an RTO internal audit? Who can be an internal auditor? Compliance costs and risks in terms of “risk management” The effective […]

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Your trainer and assessor files (Part 4 of 5)
28 May, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Your trainer and assessor files (Part 4 of 5)

In the last newsletter, we discussed the following: ASQA Guidelines on “industry currency.” How to stay up to date in terms of “industry currency.” Factors that influence “industry currency.” What is “industry current or currency period.” The definition of vocational education and training currency. Licensing requirements for trainers and assessors. In part 4 of the […]

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The Quality Indicator data
28 May, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

The Quality Indicator data

The Quality Indicators provide valuable data for RTOs to identify areas for improvement in training and assessment services and to gauge how well it is meeting its clients’ needs. The Quality Indicator data that is collected will also be used by the registering body in its monitoring of the quality of the RTOs’ operations to […]

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First aid training under review after the death of a footballer from heat stress
28 May, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

First aid training under review after the death of a footballer from heat stress

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) urged registered training organisations (RTOs) that give first aid training to revise their practices in the wake of the decision of the West Australian coroner on the death of a young soccer player. The coroner found that the 15-year-old died after heat stroke during a rugby-league session. He received […]

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Your trainer and assessor files (Part 3 of 5)
6 May, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Your trainer and assessor files (Part 3 of 5)

In the last newsletter we discussed the following: The definition of vocational competency ASQA Guidelines on “vocational competence” The three C’s of Vocational competency related to demonstrating skills and knowledge in an “industry area” Skills and knowledge in an “industry area” In this part of the series, we will discuss industry currency, vocational education and […]

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Internal audits and why they are so important (Part 4 of 5)
6 May, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Internal audits and why they are so important (Part 4 of 5)

In the first three parts of this series we discussed the following: What are internal audits? What are the benefits of conducting internal audits? What is an audit scope? What is usually included in an RTO internal audit? Who can be an internal auditor? Compliance costs and risks in terms of “risk management” The effective […]

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Can I sue ASQA for damages?
11 April, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Can I sue ASQA for damages?

Published with written permission from the author.  Reference: Zhouand, Z. (2019, April 09). Can I sue ASQA for damages? Retrieved April 09, 2019, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/can-i-sue-asqa-damages-zmarak-zhouand/ In the current environment, an increasing number of people feel that they and their Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) have suffered loss and damage due to what they believe are wrongful acts […]

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Your trainer and assessor files (Part 2 of 5)
10 April, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Your trainer and assessor files (Part 2 of 5)

In the last newsletter (published in November 2018) we discussed the following: Legislative and regulatory requirements Requirements for all trainers and assessors Trainer CVs In part 2 of the series, we will discuss the vocational competency requirements. The quality of your training and assessment is dependent on the skills and knowledge of your trainers and […]

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Internal audits and why they are so important (Part 3 of 5)
10 April, 2019

Sukh Sandhu

Internal audits and why they are so important (Part 3 of 5)

In part 1 & 2 of this series we discussed the following: What are internal audits? What are the benefits of conducting internal audits? What is an audit scope? What is usually included in an RTO internal audit? Who can be an internal auditor? Compliance costs and risks in terms of “risk management” The effective […]

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