Well after almost 18 months of regular VET News issues, we now have too many subscribers for an Outlook account to manage (a good thing!). So, we have moved to MailChimp in order to manage subscriptions not only for VET News but all of Newbery Consulting’s email lists. This is the first official distribution using MailChimp so I hope it makes it to you safe and sound.

Good training!

As always we invite new subscribers at: Subscribe to VET News

If you have some news, send it to us at: news@newberyconsulting.com.au

Kind regards,

Joe Newbery

Compliance and Regulatory News

ASQA update

Consultation on ASQA cost recovery. More than 100 submissions were received from stakeholders following consultation on ASQA’s proposed fees and charges, which ran from 12 March to 9 April 2013. ASQA is reviewing the submissions with a view to finalising its 2013 Cost Recovery Impact Statement, which will be forwarded to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research. No timeframe has been provided as to when approved fees and charges will be published on the ASQA website. These will need to be agreed by the Standing Council on Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment (SCOTESE) and the Expenditure Review Committee (ERC) of Cabinet.

Monthly invoicing update. ASQA recently began issuing a monthly update on upcoming activity relating to fees and charges, including advance notification of significant annual fee invoicing activity. In its April update, ASQA has provided notice of its intention to begin issuing invoices for compliance monitoring audits undertaken since 1 January 2013. Click on link below to go to the update on the ASQA website.http://asqa.gov.au/news/1676/asqa-invoicing-update,-april-2013.html

Information on ASQA decisions now easier to find. ASQA has added a new navigation path on its website to information on ASQA decisions. The new link can be found at the very top of the Home page next to the Forms link. The ASQA decision page also includes a searchable table where you can filter the information by decision type or by provider name. Access the new page at the link below.http://www.asqa.gov.au/about-asqa/regulatory-decisions/asqa-decisions.html

Implementing national registration on CRICOS. Recent amendments to the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 include national registration on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) for providers operating in more than one state or territory. To find out about ASQA’s plan for the implementation of this change, click on the link below.http://asqa.gov.au/news/1659/national-registration-on-cricos.html

Data Verification Project. In May and June 2013, ASQA will be asking all VET and CRICOS providers to assist with the verification of data which ASQA holds about them. Click on the link below for more information.http://asqa.gov.au/news/1677/coming-soon-asqa-data-verification-project.html

NSSC Communiqué 11 – April 2013

The NSSC has published Communiqué 11 which summarises the outcomes of its meeting held in Melbourne on 17 April 2013. Highlights are:
The NSSC acknowledged the consultation activity that had been completed for its Position Paper, Improving vocational education and training – the case for a new system. This included over 30 face-to-face consultations with an estimated 450 people in attendance, plus 192 written submissions. The submissions are currently being analysed, with the outcomes to inform the NSSC’s position on reforms to the current standards for the regulation of VET. A special meeting of the NSSC is scheduled to be held in Melbourne on 8 May 2013 to consider this analysis and finalise the NSSC’s position that will be proposed to the Standing Council on Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment at its meeting on 7 June 2013.
The NSSC is continuing to monitor the implementation of the Standards for Training Packages. A current focus is the process for Training Package qualifications meeting the Australian Qualifications Framework specifications for qualification type (Standard 8 of the Standards for Training Packages), and the ongoing dialogue with key stakeholders in relation to equivalency status for qualifications and units and coding requirements during transition.
The NSSC received an update from the Commonwealth on the progress of the total VET activity and Unique Student Identifier initiatives, particularly the outcomes of recent consultations with stakeholders. No further information was provided in the Communiqué.Access the Communiqué at the link below. http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/news

New fees for VRQA regulatory activity

The new fees for VRQA regulatory activities were approved by Ministerial Order 615 and took effect on 1 January 2013. VET fees and charges have generally increased in recognition of the VRQA costs of regulation and will progressively increase until 1 January 2016 consistent with the Victorian government’s policy guidelines on cost recovery. Click on link below to go to the Fees page on the VRQA website. http://www.vrqa.vic.gov.au/registration/Pages/feesdefault.aspx

Victorian government statement of expectations of RTOs

The Victorian government has published a “statement of expectations” of private RTOs contracted to deliver government-subsidised training under the Victorian Training Guarantee. The government says the statement explains what is expected of contracted providers in service provision and business practice in terms of responsibilities and ethical behaviours. Click on link below to go to read more. http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/news/archive/Pages/statement.aspx

Training Package News

Recent Training Package endorsements/ updates

• PUA12 Public Safety, version 2.1, released on 2/05/2013
• TLI10 Transport and Logistics, version 3.0, released on 21/04/2013
• MTM11 Australian Meat Industry, version 4.0, released on 20/04/2013
• ICP10 Printing and Graphic Arts    , version 2.1, released on 13/04/2013
• BSB07 Business Services, version 8.1, released on 13/04/2013
• MSA07 Manufacturing, version      8.2, released on 5/04/2013
• SFI11 Seafood Industry, version   1.1, released on 29/03/2013
• MEM05 Metal and Engineering, version   9.1, released on 20/03/2013

For details of release information go to http://training.gov.au/

Events, Resources & Funding News

Expressions of interest for skills assessment services – Closing 24 May 2013

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) of the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education is seeking RTOs with established quality offshore operations to conduct Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) skills assessments for a range of occupations and countries for persons applying for permanent skilled migration. Find out more at the following link: http://www.innovation.gov.au/Skills/SkillsAssessment/TradesRecognitionAustralia/TRANotices/Pages/EOISkillsAssessment.aspx

Australian apprenticeship & traineeship updates

Click on the links below to view the Australian Apprenticeship Updates, showing qualifications recently implemented in WA, QLD, NT, ACT, SA, TAS and NSW. http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/341c8dfa-ef39-4969-b920-489dba881290/file.aspx http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/6ac60c9e-0b99-4f30-b38f-e090c5716622/file.aspx

Australian Training Awards – Closing 31 May 2013

The Australian Training Awards are the peak, national awards for the VET sector, recognising organisations, training providers and individuals for their contribution to skilling Australia. Direct entries for a range of award categories close on 31 May 2013. To find out more, visit the Australian Training Awards website at the following link: http://www.innovation.gov.au/Skills/Awards/AustralianTrainingAwards/Pages/default.aspx

DFEEST releases Funded Training List 5.0

Following consultation with key stakeholders, the South Australian State Government is making changes to courses funded under Skills for All, to ensure training continues to meet industry needs, links to jobs, and supports the State’s strategic priorities. Click on the link below to access the Funded Training List Release 5.0: http://www.skills.sa.gov.au/for-training-providers/funding/skills-for-all-funded-training

MSA resources for foundation skills

A couple of new downloadable resources on the Manufacturing Skills Australia website may be of interest. A resource titled Putting the Jigsaw Together provides a series of tool kits to support VET trainers with practical strategies to assist apprentices to develop their numeracy skills. A resource titled Making the Connections is focussed on using the Foundation Skills Training Package to integrate language, literacy and numeracy into training. The resource is presented as a professional development workshop for delivery within an RTO. Click on the link below to access the resources. http://www.mskills.com.au/online-products/fs

SIT12 V1 implementation workshops

Click on the link below to find out about the upcoming implementation workshops for SIT12 Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Training Package. http://www.serviceskills.com.au/event

NCVER 2013 Webinar Series

NCVER will host a series of webinars throughout 2013. These one-hour presentations are free to attend and will showcase recent research on a variety of topics. Click on the link below to find out more. http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/events.html#2013%20Webinar%20Series

NCVER ‘No Frills’ Conference

Registrations are now open for the 22nd National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference ‘No Frills’ in Mooloolaba, Queensland from 10-12 July 2013. Click on the link below to find out more. http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/trconf/trconf22.html

ACPET National Conference

The 2013 Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) national conference theme is VET and Higher Education: the future is in the private sector. The conference will be reflecting the increasing importance of private providers and the challenges they face. The conference will be held in Adelaide, South Australia on 29 and 30 August 2013. Click on the link below to find out more. http://www.acpet2013.com.au/

SkillsDMC 2013 Annual Conference

Online registration is now open for the SkillsDMC 2013 Annual Conference, which will be held at The Westin Hotel, Sydney on Wednesday, 7th August, 2013. Click on the link below to find out more. http://www.skillsdmcconference.com.au/

WA Training Providers Forum 2013

The Training Providers Forum is a two day conference and exhibition aimed at all those involved in workforce development and the delivery of training. The forum will include the latest news and updates on training and workforce development, and showcase examples of innovation and good practice. The forum will be held at Crown Perth on 17 and 18 June 2013. Click on the link below to find out more. http://www.vetinfonet.dtwd.wa.gov.au/tpf/Pages/Home.aspx

Recent VET publications

Future focus: 2013 National Workforce Development Strategy Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency.

Future focus, 2013 National Workforce Development Strategy is the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency’s second National Workforce Development Strategy. The 2013 strategy details how Australia can position itself for growth in the Asian century, in a competitive global environment, where technology and patterns of work are rapidly changing. http://www.awpa.gov.au/our-work/national-workforce-development-strategy/2013-workforce-development-strategy/Documents/FutureFocus2013NWDS.pdf

VET Quality Report Industry Skills Councils

Industry Skills Councils (ISCs) have recently undertaken a project with support from the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) and the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE). The project aimed to identify whether greater specification of training delivery and assessment requirements within individual qualifications and/or units of competency would improve the quality of Training Package outcomes. The project report identifies a series of measures that could be applied to qualifications or units of competency where there is a high risk of poor quality delivery and assessment. http://www.isc.org.au/vet-quality.php

E-scan 2013 Innovation and Business Industry Skills Council

Launched on 20 March 2013, IBSA’s Escan 2013 presents analysis of the prevailing factors influencing workforce development and skills demand. http://www.ibsa.org.au/Portals/ibsa.org.au/docs/Research%20&%20Discussion%20Papers/Escan/EScan2013/IBSA%20Environment%20Scan%202013.pdf

E-scan 2013 Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council

The E-Scan presents the most up-to-date advice on the workforce planning and development needs for the Transport and Logistics Industry. http://tlisc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2013-TLISC-Environmental-Scan.pdf

Automotive Environmental Scan 2013 Auto Skills Australia

Auto Skills Australia has released the 2013 Automotive Environmental Scan (E-scan). The E-scan is a report on the current state of the automotive industry in Australia. http://www.autoskillsaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/E-scan-2013.pdf

Vocational education, Indigenous students and the choice of pathways NCVER – Susan Bandias, Don Fuller, Steven Larkin

This report looks at the pathways Indigenous students in the Northern Territory take between VET and higher education. The study explores the perspectives of students studying at higher-level VET and higher education qualifications, and aims to gain an understanding of the pathways adopted by Indigenous students, as well as their motivations to study, and their experiences while studying. http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2603.html

Barriers and facilitators affecting course completions by apprentices and trainees with disabilities NCVER – Errol Cocks, Stian H Thoresen

Apprenticeships and traineeships are useful pathways for people with a disability to obtain a qualification and gain employment. Based on a three-year program of research, this report explores the barriers and facilitators of course completion reported by students with a disability who have completed an apprenticeship or traineeship. http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2597.html

Other News of Interest

Ministerial appointments following the resignation of Chris Bowen

It’s fairly old news now, but just in case you missed it, Craig Emerson has added Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research to his ministerial responsibilities for trade, competitiveness and Asian Century policy. He will be supported by Sharon Bird as Minister for Higher Education and Skills.

Call for RTOs to update information on My Skills

The Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIICCSRTE) is inviting registered training organisations to submit or update their information on the My Skills website. The My Skills website has now been updated to display customised information including campus locations, currently offered courses and campus facilities and services. An RTO can update information at any time, through its My Skills Data Collection Portal. Access the My Skills website at the following link: http://www.myskills.gov.au/Home.aspx

TAFE Queensland Inc

As recommended in the Roche report on Queensland TAFE, the Newman government has introduced legislation to create a new TAFE Queensland as an independent statutory body. Minister for Education, Training and Employment, John-Paul Langbroek, said the new parent entity will come into being on 1 July 2013 to manage Queensland’s 13 TAFE institutes. Read more at the following link: http://the-scan.com/2013/04/18/tafe-queensland-inc/

New TAFE board chairs for Victorian TAFEs

Victorian minister for skills Peter Hall has announced the chairs of Victoria’s 14 TAFE institute boards. Click below for a list of the new chairs and a link to their profiles. http://the-scan.com/2013/04/16/vic-govt-announces-new-tafe-board-chairs/

IBSA launches VET Community site

The 19^th April saw the official launch of the IBSA VET Community. This site has been designed specifically for VET professionals to provide a space to connect and share with others in the industry. In addition to specialised groups, IBSA will be hosting regular featured discussions, covering a range topics. You’ll find the new site at the link below. http://vetcommunity.ibsa.org.au/Home/

Strengthened security for accessing State Training Services (STS)

From the end of June 2013, STS is introducing a new login method for RTOs to access its secure websites. RTOs wishing to conduct business with STS will be required to obtain an AUSkey in order to access the relevant secure pages. Find out more at the link below. http://www.training.nsw.gov.au/forms_documents/training_matters/index.html

Commonwealth funding for dual sector university

The Commonwealth government has announced that it has approved funding of $73.8 million towards the proposed merger of Central Queensland University (CQU) and Central Queensland Institute of TAFE (CQIT) to create Queensland’s first (and Australia’s sixth) dual sector university. Find out more at the link below. http://the-scan.com/2013/05/03/feds-unlock-cqucqit-dual-sector-funding/

Hope you are all well.

It’s hard to know where to start. In the last couple of weeks we have seen the release of some significant documents which stand to have far reaching impact on the VET sector as we know it. These are all included in the News and I strongly encourage you all to download and read these so you are informed and in front of the change curve. Of significance is the duel release of ASQA’s proposed fee schedule and the NSSC position paper on the proposed regulatory changes for the VET Sector. I have read both documents carefully and have given the proposed changes lots of thought.

The increase in ASQA fees has been long expected. I thought their released impact statement was quite generous in information. Whilst I think the increase in some fees will hurt the sector (particularly for smaller providers), I can understand the basis for how it has been determined. I do think we will see further increases in fees in 2014 (on top of those currently proposed). The impact statement assumes the same level of regulatory activity in the future as experienced by ASQA since 2011. This assumption does not take into account the quite sweeping changes proposed by the NSSC which will absolutely increase the regulatory activities of ASQA. The most significant effect of the fee increase is to further raise the barrier to entry into the VET Sector with the fee for initial registration rising to almost $11,000.00 (only four qualifications). Combine this with the proposed NSSC changes and we will definitely start to see a reduction in new providers entering the VET sector.

The changes proposed by the NSSC are significant (see article on The NSSC’s Position Paper). I have been monitoring the Standards Review closely and am blown away by many of the proposed changes which seem to have materialised at the last moment. Do yourself a favour and go back through the consultation record on the NSSC site and try and join the dots to identify how they have possibly arrived at their current position! This is an ambush by the NSSC who has issued a position paper with the most agenda driven analysis of options I have ever seen. The options presented include, Option 1 – do nothing, Option 2 – minor changes or Option 3 – complete regulatory system overhaul! Option 3 obviously gets the recommendation. This is a summary:

• Name change from RTOs to Licensed Training Organisations (LTOs). Really! Why?
• Initial period of 18 month provisional licencing for new LTOs with limitations on their operation.
• A complete new set of standards called the AVQS Quality Framework.
• All LTO partnership arrangements to be registered with the AVQS regulator (let’s see ASQA fit that into their proposed operating budget).
• Those delivering TAE40110 required to hold a Diploma of Vocational Education and Training.
• Each LTO to appoint an “Accountable Education Officer” who is responsible (legally responsible) for all training and assessment delivered by an LTO. Required to hold a diploma or higher level qualification in education and training.
• Requirement for annual self-assessment introduced.
• All LTO will be required to be an incorporated entity (no Sole Traders)

You have three weeks to make a submission (16 April 2013). I can’t help but feel any submission would be a waste of time. It’s clear to me the NSSC have an agenda and short of their proposal being knocked down in parliament, it will happen. If it is to progress it would need to go to the Spring sitting of parliament which is likely to be complicated by the Federal election. The combined effect of the proposed fee increase and the regulatory changes will impact most heavily on the small private providers both currently registered and those planning registration. It concerns me that the NSSC do not value the contribution by our many small providers who often deliver highly specialised and customised training services in support of industry. The agenda appears to favour the concentration of the training market into the large private providers and public institutes. It’s almost as if regulation is being used as a counter balance to the roll-out of COAGs reform agenda which allows for greater competition and choice in the training market. The proposed changes will certainly lessen the competition from small and specialist providers who have the flexibility to adapt and customise their delivery to industry needs.

Anyway,, we can only soldier on and keep an eye on the future. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders.

Good training!

As always we invite new subscribers at: Subscribe to VET News

If you have some news, send it to us at: news@newberyconsulting.com.au

Kind regards,

Joe Newbery

Compliance and Regulatory News

ASQA update

New fact sheet: Using third-party evidence to assess competency. ASQA has published a new fact sheet to provide RTOs with guidance on the use of third-party evidence in assessment processes. It provides useful tips regarding the engagement of third parties and appropriate evidence collection tools. In particular it notes the importance of ‘interpreting’ training package information for third parties, i.e. a cut and paste directly from the training package is not appropriate. Access the fact sheet from the Publications page of the ASQA website at the link below.

http://www.asqa.gov.au/media-and-publications/publications.html

Updated general direction: Retention requirements for completed student assessment items. ASQA has simplified its general direction regarding the retention of assessment evidence. Previously there were three possible compliance options and the RTO was required to choose the one that represented the longest time period. Now there is just one requirement for all RTOs to securely retain records (as defined in the general direction) “for a period of six months from the date on which the judgement of competence for the student was made.” You can access the amended general direction at the link below.

http://asqa.gov.au/about-asqa/general-directions.html

Regulatory reminders. ASQA posted a few reminders for RTOs in February regarding their regulatory obligations.

1. The first was a reminder about renewal of registration. The National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (the Act) requires that providers submit a renewal application at least 90 days prior to their registration expiry date. It is the responsibility of providers to ensure they meet this requirement.

2. The second reminder was about digital student records that must be provided to ASQA in certain circumstances. Click on the link below for details.

http://www.asqa.gov.au/news/1629/digital-student-records.html

3. The third reminder was for VET and ELICOS providers registered on CRICOS and related to the process for renewing CRICOS registration. Click on the link below for details.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1636/vet-and-elicos-providers-registered-on-cricos.html

Appointment of Deputy Chief Commissioner. Commissioner Dianne Orr has been appointed Deputy Chief Commissioner of ASQA and would act as the Chief Commissioner during any vacancy or period of absence. There is no change as a result of this appointment to Commissioner Orr’s executive role at ASQA.

Amendments to Standards for NVR RTOs, Data Provisions Requirements and Standards for VET Accredited Courses. Amended versions of these three legislative instruments were made by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research on 29 January 2013. There are no substantive changes with amendments being technical in nature to allow for the instruments to reference subordinate documents. Click on the links below to go to the news items on the ASQA website.

http://www.asqa.gov.au/news/1615/standards-for-nvr-rtos-and-data-provisions-requirements-amended.html

http://www.asqa.gov.au/news/1618/technical-amendments-to-the-standards-for-vet-accredited-courses.html

Consultation on a revised schedule of fees and charges. ASQA has recently undertaken a review of its fees and charges and a revised schedule has been developed for implementation from 1 July 2013. ASQA is inviting written submission in response to the proposed fees and charges. Click on the link below for more information.

http://www.asqa.gov.au/about-asqa/consultation/consultation.html

NSSC update

Communiqué 10 – March 2013. NSSC has published Communiqué 10 which summarises the outcomes of its meeting held in Melbourne on Thursday 28 February 2013. Highlights are:

1. The NSSC’s Position Paper, Improving vocational education and training – the case for a new system, will be released on Tuesday 12 March 2013 (see Special Bulletin news item below). The paper will put forward the NSSC’s position on the reforms required to the current standards for the regulation of vocational education and training.

2. The NSSC considered an updated policy for the application of the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy within the VET sector and agreed to its publication, now available at http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/policies/qualifications_issuance.

3. The NSSC agreed to the development of new Standards for VET Accredited Courses and to commence consultations with key stakeholders shortly.

Access the Communiqué at the link below:

http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/news

Special Bulletin No. 4 – Launch of Position Paper. The NSSC has issued this special bulletin to accompany the launch of its Position Paper following the review of standards for the regulation of vocational education and training. To read about the NSSC’s vision for a new Australian Vocational Qualifications System, click on the link below to the access NSSC Special Bulletin No. 4. You’ll find a link to the Position Paper in the bulletin.

http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/standards_review

Training Package News

Training Package Version Release Date

• CPP07 Property Services, version 13.0, released 27/01/2013
• MSS11 Sustainability, version 2.1, released 6/02/2013
• CPC08 Construction, Plumbing and Services, version 8.0, released 7/02/2013
• RII09 Resources and Infrastructure Industry, version 3.1, released 15/02/2013
• AHC10 Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management, version 5.0, released 1/03/2013
• SIS10 Sport, Fitness and Recreation, version 2.0, released 6/03/2013
• UEE11 Electrotechnology, version 1.1, released 6/03/2013
• MSL09 Laboratory Operations, version 2.3, released 11/03/2013
• UEP12 Electricity Supply Industry Generation Sector, released 2.0 14/03/2013
• UET12 Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector, released 2.0 14/03/2013
• PUA12 Public Safety, version 2.0, released 13/03/2013
• UEG11 Gas Industry, version 1.1, released 18/03/2013
• BSB07 Business Services, version 8.0, released 18/03/2013

For details of release information go to http://training.gov.au/

TGA reporting functions

Some new reporting functions have been added to the training.gov.au website, including a taxonomy report and an updated RTO report. Click on the link below for more details.

http://training.gov.au/Home/News

Language Literacy and Numeracy in the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

IBSA indicated in 2011 that a staged approach would be implemented to respond to the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (formerly Skills Australia) advice relating to raising LLN skills of the VET workforce. IBSA indicated that from July 2014 the current LLN elective in the Certificate IV would move into the core of the qualification. This will have implications for RTOs in delivering the Certificate IV and also for assessors in meeting the skill requirements to assess this qualification. IBSA have prepared information leaflets to assist RTOs and the VET workforce in understanding the implications of this change, and provide support and guidance in meeting its requirements. Click on the link below to access the resources.

http://www.ibsa.org.au/news-and-projects/news/tabid/112/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/666/Changes-Ahead-for-VET-Trainers-and-Assessors.aspx

Events, Resources & Funding News

Australian apprenticeship & traineeship updates

Click on the links below to view the Australian Apprenticeship Updates, showing qualifications recently implemented in WA, TAS, NT, ACT, VIC, SA and NSW.

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/61ec9251-6342-4eb2-9425-ada6aec3b719/file.aspx

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/5b11f86b-2d7c-494a-a544-b42789d2d129/file.aspx

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/740aa6f7-da21-4df6-88e4-47833aebeb4b/file.aspx

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/7d586ab2-0d06-491a-8764-4ef9c73144e5/file.aspx

Queensland VET Development Centre (QVDC) 2013 webinar series

QVDC’s 2013 Webinar Series Program begins on 11 March 2013 and will be run twice a month, from 12.00pm-1.00pm (QLD time). The kick-off session is free and thereafter the cost is $22 (incl. GST) per session. Further details can be found at the following link:

http://www.vetpd.qld.gov.au/whats-happening/

BSB07 Business Services Training Package workshops

Innovation & Business Skills Australia (IBSA) is delivering new workshops across Australia on ‘Changes to the Business Services Training Package’ presented by Tony Cusack from February to May 2013 and ‘The new WHS qualifications – leaner, focused and up to date’ presented by Ross Armstrong from April to May 2013. Go to the Velg Training website to find out more.

http://www.velgtraining.com/events

Recent VET publications

Australian vocational education and training statistics: apprentices and trainees 2012 – September quarter

NCVER

This publication presents estimates of apprentice and trainee activity in Australia for the September quarter 2012.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/statistic/publications/2604.html

Research messages 2012

NCVER

This publication is a collection of summaries of research projects published by NCVER in 2012. The publication also has an overview essay that captures the themes and highlights from the research for the year.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2594.html

Cultural dimensions of Indigenous participation in vocational education and training: New perspectives

Alfred Michael Dockery

This study provides new evidence on the inter-relationships between Indigenous Australians’ association with their traditional culture and their engagement with vocational education and training.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2573.html

SkillsDMC 2013 Environmental Scan

SkillsDMC

The SkillsDMC 2013 E-Scan provides an overview of the Australian Resources and Infrastructure Industry’s current and future skilling needs, outlines challenges and highlights opportunities. Its intention is to act as an early warning system for the Industry, governments and the Australian National Training System.

http://www.skillsdmc.com.au/skillsdmc_reports/environmental_scans

Report on Indigenous Mentoring Programs in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry

SkillsDMC

The Minerals Council of Australia commissioned SkillsDMC to research and report on Indigenous mentoring programs and practices. The purpose of the report is to provide valuable information back to Industry so that mentoring practices can be improved – which will ultimately lead to an increase in Indigenous Australian worker participation in the Australian drilling, mining, quarrying and civil infrastructure sectors.

http://www.skillsdmc.com.au/skillsdmc_reports/environmental_scans

Educating oneself out of social exclusion

Hielke Buddelmeyer, Felix Leung, Rosanna Scutella

Increasing education and training is considered one means by which to reduce the extent of social exclusion and as such has been a key focus in recent public policies. This study investigates the impact of education and training on the extent of social exclusion.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2528.html

Other News of Interest

New Ministers

Following the resignation of Senator Chris Evans, Julia Gillard has appointed the former Immigration Minister, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, as Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research as well as Minister for Small Business. Wait!!

He has resigned as well! At this time there is currently no Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research. See more on this sad and sorry story here:

http://www.news.com.au/national-news/chris-bowen-resigns-for-backing-kevin-rudd-in-yesterdays-failed-leadership-showdown/story-fncynjr2-1226603131639

The South Australian State Government recently appointed Grace Portelesi MP to the role of Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, and Minister for Science and Information Technology.

Rebound predicted for international market

A report by the International Education Advisory Council noted that the international sector will rebound with an additional 117,000 international students by 2020 – a 30% increase on current numbers. In releasing the report, Chris Bowen pointed to a recent upturn in interest in studying in Australia, with a 27% growth in higher education visas granted to offshore applicants in the six months to December 2012, compared to the same period in 2011. Read more at the following link:

http://the-scan.com/2013/02/28/new-blueprint-for-international-sector/

ACPET lobbies for broader access to public resources

In its 2013–14 Pre-Budget Submission, ACPET has called for a functional separation between infrastructure and service provision, to promote equal access to infrastructure and infrastructure funding. ACPET suggests that this functional separation “be accompanied by greater sharing of public resources and infrastructure with the private sector through public-private arrangements.” It argues that the objectives of a demand driven training system will be impeded, especially for education and training with high infrastructure costs, if private providers cannot benefit from the significant tax-payer funded infrastructure investment enjoyed by TAFEs. Read the ACPET submission at the following link:

http://www.acpet.edu.au/uploads/files/Reports_Submissions/2013/ACPET-Pre-Budget-Submission-2013-14.pdf

Government blocks second University-TAFE deal

As reported in The Australian on 20 February 2013, the Commonwealth government has stepped in again to block a degree-franchising deal involving Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Holmesglen TAFE. Under the agreement, Holmesglen was to have taught the first two years of a CSU bachelor degree in oral health in Melbourne, with students to then complete their final year at the university’s Wagga Wagga campus in regional NSW. This follows the recent block of a deal between the University of Canberra and Holmesglen. The link below provides a transcript of the news article, courtesy of the TAFE Directors Australia website.

http://www.tda.edu.au/cb_pages/files/Charles%20Sturt%20University-Holmesglen.pdf

$200 million for Victorian TAFEs

According to The Australian (13 March 2013), unions, academics and the federal government have slammed the Victorian government’s latest TAFE changes as an inadequate attempt to save face. The reforms include an extra $200 million over four years “to support innovation and structural reform”. Read more at the following link:

http://the-scan.com/2013/03/13/tafe-changes-a-face-saving-measure/

The news articles presented in this edition of VET News have been researched and prepared by Anne Maree Newbery.

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Hope you are all well and returned from Christmas ready for a big year. Lots in this month of VET News.

We are pleased to welcome Cathy Fisher as new member to the Newbery Consulting team. Cathy commenced in late January and has been appointed as the Applications Manager. Cathy will be managing the preparation and progress of our many application related projects and is based in Brisbane. Cathy has a long work history in the health care sector as a respected Intensive Care Registered Nurse. Over the last few years, Cathy has worked remotely in the training industry performing admissions and completions administration. We welcome Cathy and are excited to have a person with such organisation and communication skills join our team on a permanent basis.

Good training!

As always we invite new subscribers at: Subscribe to VET News

If you have some news, send it to us at: news@newberyconsulting.com.au

Kind regards,

Joe Newbery

Compliance and Regulatory News

ASQA update

Self-assessment checklist for continuing registration. A new form is available that can be used as part of an internal audit process to monitor compliance with the NVR essential standards for continuing registration. The link below will take you to the Forms page on the ASQA website. You’ll find the new form under the section headed RTO registration forms.

http://asqa.gov.au/forms.html

A third strategic review is underway. ASQA has launched a strategic review of inappropriate marketing practices within the VET sector. This adds to the previously announced strategic reviews of aged and community care training and the construction industry white card training. Click on the link below to find out more about ASQA’s current strategic reviews.

http://asqa.gov.au/about-asqa/regulatory-approach/strategic-reviews.html

Site audit survey results. ASQA has reported the results from its survey of RTOs who underwent a site audit between 1 June and 31 August 2012. Click on the link below to find out more.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1593/asqa-audit-survey-round-2.html

NSSC update

Training package standards implementation update. In a news item posted on its website on 16 January 2013, the NSSC advised that communication and engagement with stakeholders regarding the implementation of the Standards for Training Packages will begin in February. Industry Skills Councils, state and territory governments and VET regulators will be first, followed by training providers and peak bodies throughout the year. You can keep up to date with progress at the following link:

http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/training_packages

NSSC Meeting – 5 December 2012. The following topics were the main focus for the NSSC meeting:

• The development of the ‘Position Paper – Review of the Standards for the Regulation of VET’. This document will put forward the changes the NSSC considers to be necessary to the standards for the regulation of VET. It is anticipated that the Position Paper will be released in March 2013 for public comment.
• Discussion regarding supplementing the AQF Qualification Issuance Policy with information specific to the VET sector.
• Training package cases for endorsement.

Click on the link below to read the December Communiqué.

http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/news

Expansion of the VRQA’s functions and area of responsibility

The Education Legislation Amendment (VET Sector, Universities and Other Matters) Act 2012 has amended the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 transferring the regulation of apprenticeships and traineeships in Victoria from the Victorian Skills Commission to the VRQA. From 1 January 2013 the VRQA website will have information for employers and apprentices about training contracts, Apprenticeship Field Officers and advice about how to deal with disputes.

AQF Second Edition January 2013

The Australian Qualifications Framework Second Edition January 2013 incorporates the changes approved by the AQF Council to the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma and the changed regulatory arrangements for the AQF. It also includes changes to the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy and the AQF Qualifications Pathways Policy and corrections to minor editorial errors or omissions. The first link below will take you to the new edition of the AQF. The second link will provide further information on what has changed.

http://aqf.edu.au/Portals/0/Documents/2013 docs/AQF 2nd Edition January 2013.pdf

http://aqf.edu.au/Portals/0/Documents/2013 docs/Summary of changes to the AQF 2013.pdf

Training Package News

Recent Training Package endorsements/ updates

• ACM10 Animal Care and Management, version 3.0, released 7/12/2012
• FNS10 Financial Services, version 4.0, released 18/12/2012
• BSB07 Business Services, version 7.0, released 18/12/2012
• MSL09 Laboratory Operations, version 2.2, released 19/12/2012
• MEM05 Metal and Engineering, version 9.0, released 20/12/2012
• MTM11 Australian Meat Industry, version 3.1, released 21/12/2012
• FDF10 Food Processing, version 4.1, released 4/01/2013
• AUR12 Automotive Industry Retail, Service and Repair, version 1.0, released 17/01/2013
• SIT12 Tourism, Travel and Hospitality, version 1.0, released 18/01/2013
• SIR07 Retail Services, version 3.2, released 21/01/2013
• DEF12 Defence, version 2.0, released 24/01/2013
• SIS10 Sport, Fitness and Recreation, version 2.0, released TBA
• UEP12 Electricity Supply Industry Generation Sector, version 2.0, released TBA
• UET12 Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) – Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector, version 2.0, released TBA
• CPP07 Property Services, version 13.0, released TBA
• CPC08 Construction, Plumbing and Services, version 8.0, released TBA

For details of release information go to http://training.gov.au/

Events, Resources & Funding News

AQF implementation workshops

The Office of the AQF Council is hosting a series of workshops during February and March 2013 in each capital city. The focus of the workshops will be the implementation of the AQF and an interactive structure will provide opportunities for participants to seek clarification on all aspects of the AQF. Find out more at the following link.

http://www.aqf.edu.au/Portals/0/Documents/Newsletters/AQF Newsletter 25 January 2013.pdf

Australian apprenticeship & traineeship updates

Click on the links below to view the Australian Apprenticeship Updates for December & January, showing qualifications recently implemented in QLD, WA, NSW, VIC and TAS:

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/a4d13827-a08a-49a7-bb6c-3dd3d397a675/file.aspx

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/0324817a-0d75-4e67-aded-cf14a50f1265/file.aspx

Federal government renews funding for group training scheme

The Federal Government has announced it will maintain funding for the Joint Group Training Program (JGTP) for 2012-13. Federal Skills Minister, Senator the Hon Chris Evans, said the government would invest $14 million to continue the JGTP, despite the NSW government pulling its share of funding from the scheme in July. Click the link below to read Group Training Australia’s media release in response to the announcement.

http://www.tda.edu.au/cb_pages/files/GTA JGTP.pdf

Revised NSW Training Plan Applies From 1 January 2013

The NSW Training Plan has been revised to encourage greater communication between RTOs, employers and trainees/apprentices, and to promote the improved reporting of completions. The new Training Plan template is now available on the STS website (see link below) and will be implemented from 1 January 2013.

http://www.training.nsw.gov.au/training_providers/apprenticeships_traineeships/training_plans/index.html

DFEEST funded training list

Release 4.1 of the Funded Training List was published on 19 December 2012 and comprises a change to the list of qualifications approved for the Training Guarantee for SACE Students (TGSS), changes to Skill Sets coding and adding a condition on each Skill Set regarding the Subsidy for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) result codes. Visit the Skills for All website at the following link for more details.

http://www.skills.sa.gov.au/for-training-providers/funding/skills-for-all-funded-training

Recent VET publications

Australian vocational education and training statistics: young people in education and training 2011

This publication provides a summary of statistics relating to young people aged 15 to 19 years who participated in an education and training activity during 2011.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2580.html

Continuing education and training models and strategies: an initial appraisal

Stephen Billett et al.

This report comes out of a three-year program of research that aims to investigate how best the tertiary education and training system might be organised to maintain the employability of Australian workers across their working lives.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2571.html

Entry to vocations: the efficacy of VET in School

Kira Clarke

This report explores the relationship between vocational education and training in (VET) in schools and the labour market.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2567.html

Does 1 = 1? Mapping measures of adult literacy and numeracy

Michelle Circelli, Shelley Gillis, Mark Dulhunty, Margaret Wu, Leanne Calvitto

This report explores the Adult Literacy and Life Skills (ALLS) survey and Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) and finds that while it is broadly possible to translate the five ACSF performance levels to the ALLS scales there is not an exact match between the two, especially at the higher levels.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2581.html

Skills development for inclusive and sustainable growth in developing Asia-Pacific

Asia Development Bank

This publication examines trends and prospects in technical and vocational education and training in the Asia-Pacific region, with particular focus on achieving inclusive growth and the greening of economies.

http://www.adb.org/publications/skills-development-inclusive-and-sustainable-growth-developing-asia-pacific

Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations 2012

A new version of the Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations has been released. There are no substantial changes as this was more of a technical update. References to the National Quality Council have been replaced with the National Skills Standards Council. Also notes for users that references to the NRT logo conditions have been removed. You can obtain a copy of the revised standards here:

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013L00167

Other News of Interest

Launch of the Victorian Skills Gateway

The Victorian Skills Gateway is the one-stop-shop for information about jobs, courses and vocational training providers in Victoria. Access the site at the following link:

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/victorianskillsgateway/Pages/home.aspx

Pow Wow wins reprieve

As reported in The Australian on 25 January 2013 Pow Wow Training, a Melbourne RTO which was deregistered by ASQA after being found to be “critically non-compliant” with national standards, has won a reprieve in the Federal Court. Read more at the following link:

http://the-scan.com/2013/01/25/pow-wow-wins-reprieve/

Victoria culls eligible private providers

As reported in The Australian on 21 January 2013 Victoria has slashed the number of private training colleges eligible for government funds by more than half, in a renewed effort to drive out shonky providers. Read more at the following link:

http://www.tda.edu.au/cb_pages/files/Victorian colleges lose approval.pdf

Central Queensland merger in doubt

As reported in The Australian on 19 January 2013 the planned merger between the Central Queensland Institute of TAFE and the Central Queensland University is in doubt due to the government allegedly pulling funding from the scheme. Read more at the following link:

http://www.tda.edu.au/cb_pages/files/Central Queensland merger.pdf

This news letter was researched and prepared by Anne Maree Newbery

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Hope you are all well. No long blurb from me this month. We have discovered that there are new levels of busy that we never thought existed!

We did have a glitch with our news subscription registration last month. I received many (many!) emails from frustrated VET practitioners informing me that they were unable to subscribe. Anyway,, we have now fixed that and designed a new portal where new subscribers can register at: http://newberyconsulting.com.au/subscribe-to-vet-news.

Wow! What a year! I cannot believe it is December already. We have had another great year and have continued to support our many clients and have established some new and exciting relationships. I am most please about our new staff and the ongoing development of our system. I think 2013 is going to be a great year.

Newbery Consulting will be closed for business over the period 22 Dec 2012 – 13 Jan 2013. I hope you all have a merry Christmas and a restful time with family.

All the best for the New Year,

Joe Newbery

As always we invite new subscribers at: Subscribe to VET News

If you have some news, send it to us at: news@newberyconsulting.com.au

Compliance and Regulatory News

ASQA update

Aged and community care and construction white card training under the microscope. During the month of November ASQA signalled strategic reviews of vocational education and training in the aged and community care sector as well as entry-level occupational health and safety training. Click on the links below to find out more and access the relevant media releases.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1557/aged-and-community-care-training-under-the-microscope.html

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1551/vet-regulator-launches-blitz-of-white-card-training.html

Changes to AQF qualification types. ASQA has added some information to its website regarding the changes to high level VET qualifications that take effect on 1 January 2013. Click on the link below to access the relevant website page.

http://asqa.gov.au/course-accreditation/whats-new.html

Submission of quality indicator data in 2013. ASQA has updated information on its website relating to the provision of quality indicator data in 2013, with a reminder to enterprise RTOs that they must be gathering employer satisfaction data for reporting next year. Click on the link below to access the relevant website page.

http://www.asqa.gov.au/for-training-organisations/rto-obligations/data-provision.html

ASQA Annual Report 2011-12. ASQA has published its Annual Report 2011-12. If you’re interested in ASQA’s corporate and financial performance in its first year of operation, then click on the link below to access the report.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1566/publication-of-asqa–annual-report-2011-12.html

NSSC Communiqué – November 2012

Discussion with ISCs and VET Regulators. The NSSC invited the Chairs and CEOs from all Industry Skills Councils (ISCs) and VET regulators to its meeting to discuss key issues relating to the application of the standards for the regulation of VET. As well as covering the key issues for the review of standards, they explored potential industry endorsed mechanisms to ensure high quality delivery and assessment of Training Package qualifications.

Review of standards for the regulation of VET. The next step in the review of standards, following the release of the Issues Paper in October, will be to develop the NSSC Position Paper. The Position Paper will be informed and guided by the Issues Paper and should be released for public comment in early 2013. This Position Paper will identify what the NSSC considers to be the changes required to the standards for the regulation of VET and will be the key reference material for the subsequent drafting of new standards. Click on the link below to read the Communiqué.

http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/news

SCOTESE Communiqué – 16 November 2012

Transparency. Ministers discussed transparency reforms under the National Partnership on Skills Reform, in relation to national data collection and the implementation of a Unique Student Identifier (USI). The Standing Council agreed to the mandatory collection and reporting of total VET activity data from 1 January 2014.

Standards for Training Packages. Ministers endorsed the new Standards for Training Packages at the meeting.

VET Reform. The Standing Council heard an update on progress against national harmonisation of Australian Apprenticeships, which remains a key priority for all Australian Governments.

Click on the link below to access the Communiqué.

http://www.scotese.natese.gov.au/communiques

News from training.gov.au

Some recent improvements and updates have been made to the training.gov.au website, including a new Compare Text tool, and improvements to Notification emails. Click on the link below for more details.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1563/news-from-training.gov.au.html

Training Package News

Recent Training Package endorsements/ updates

PSP12 Public Sector 1.0, released 24/10/2012

CPP07 Property Services 12.0, released 24/10/2012

MTM11 Australian Meat Industry 3.0, released 24/10/2012

TAE10 Training and Education 3.0, released 24/10/2012

CSC12 Correctional Services 1.1, released 31/10/2012

CHC08 Community Services 4.1, released 05/11/2012

FPI11 Forest and Forest Products 1.1, released 27/11/2012

For details of release information go to http://training.gov.au/

Events, Resources & Funding News

Australian Training Awards 2012

The winners, runners up and finalists in the 2012 Australian Training Awards were announced in Melbourne on 16 November. Click on the links below to read more:

http://www.innovation.gov.au/Skills/Awards/AustralianTrainingAwards/Pages/default.aspx

Australian apprenticeship & traineeships updates

Click on the links below to view the Australian Apprenticeship Updates for November, showing qualifications recently implemented in QLD, VIC, NSW, ACT, SA and TAS:

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/4dd705ce-27e1-475e-acf2-c46d54507aec/file.aspx

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/30f70873-cfdc-4946-b71f-4da515f3414d/file.aspx

Skills Tasmania has moved and has a shiny new website

Skills Tasmania’s Hobart office has been relocated to 26 Bathurst Street. Its email addresses, phone numbers and post office contact details have not changed. Along with the move, the State Training Authority has a brand new website with a great new feature that allows you to subscribe to an RSS feed that will keep you up to the minute with Tasmanian news and events. You’ll find the RSS feed link at the address below.

http://www.skills.tas.gov.au/skillstas/skillstasfacts

Other News of Interest

Queensland skills reform

Following the release of the final report of the Queensland Skills and Training Taskforce early in November, the Queensland government released its response to the report on 30 November 2012. It has accepted 35 of the 40 recommendations in full, with the remaining 5 recommendations accepted in principle. There will be a rationalisation of TAFE Queensland with the number of campus closures yet to be determined. Contestability of funding will be phased in from 1 July 2013, with full contestability to be introduced on 1 July 2014.To read the government response, click on the following link:

http://training.qld.gov.au/resources/industry/pdf/government-response.pdf

To access the Queensland Skills and Training Taskforce report, click on the link below:

http://training.qld.gov.au/industry/skills-training-taskforce/index.html

Unique Student Identifier for VET

DIISRTE has released some new information on the Unique Student Identifier development. This is definitely worth a read as it now provides specific guidance for training organisations. To view this information, click on the link below:

http://www.innovation.gov.au/Skills/National/UniqueStudentIdentifierForVET/Pages/InformationForTrainingOrganisations.aspx

States ‘on notice’ over TAFE cuts

As reported in The Australian on 26 November 2012, Chris Evans has told the Senate that the states are “on notice” that they could miss out on $1.75 billion in reward funding negotiated in April. Evans says three states are “ripping money out of training systems”, citing current events in Victoria, Qld and NSW. He stated “Funding under agreements we’ve signed with them will not be forthcoming unless they honour their commitments that they’ll maintain their investment. We’re not going to put up with it and the states are on notice.” Read more at the following link:

http://the-scan.com/2012/11/26/states-on-notice-over-tafe-cuts/

Victorian students to get right to sue dodgy providers

As reported in The Age on 13 November 2012, disgruntled students will be able to sue their training colleges for shoddy education under new laws to be introduced in Victoria. The state government hopes the new rules will prevent dodgy training providers from delivering substandard education. The rules will apply to students whose vocational training was subsidised in part or full by the state government. Read more at the following link:

http://the-scan.com/2012/11/14/students-to-get-right-to-sue-dodgy-providers/

NCVER research says skills sets helpful to VET sector

The report, Workforce skills development and engagement in training through skill sets, found skill sets provide opportunities for workers to top up their skills, attract and engage more people into VET and can act as a pathway to further study or a full qualification. Read more at the following link:

http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/mediareleases/mr_150.html

Australia on track to double diplomas by 2020

In a media release on 14 November 2012, Chris Evans reported that the Gillard Government is on track to deliver its commitment to double the number of diploma and advanced diploma completions by 2020. Read the media release at the following link:

http://minister.innovation.gov.au/chrisevans/MediaReleases/Pages/Australiaontracktodoublediplomasby2020.aspx

This news letter was researched and prepared by Anne Maree Newbery.

If you do not automatically receive this newsletter and would like to, Click Here to subscribe via our website.

Hope you are all well.

Firstly, thank you to all who have downloaded a copy of Satisfaction Data and for the positive feedback. It is a simple but effective system that will improve over time based on your feedback.

Before we present everyone else’s news, we have some news of our own! We are very pleased to welcome to the Newbery Consulting team, Sarah Funke. Sarah has been appointed as our Client Support Manager and will be providing support direct to our many clients and users of our RTO System. Sarah brings a wealth of talent and energy to this role from her experience in other sectors and we are most pleased that she has joined Newbery Consulting. Welcome Sarah!

Now,, to the news. There are some significant items in this month’s VET News. Of particular interest is the launch of the My Skills website. It is obviously at an early stage of development but the information available on there is simply amazing. I am not convinced that prospective students will really use this site to inform their enrolment decisions. The site is intended to connect students and employers with training organisations that best suit their needs. We will have to wait and see if this is achieved. But for now, it provides great information for competitor analysis within the VET sector. Combine the information on My Skills with that on Job Outlook and we are beginning to have access to quite deep and accurate data to inform market analysis. I love it!

This month we have finally received some information on the planned changes to VET funding in NSW. The new program “Smart and Skilled” is due for release in 2014. The current 2011-2012 APL Contract will be extended into 2013. It is clear to me that NSW have taken the good and bad from other State funding arrangements and have put together a very clever and balanced model. The literature on the site is very general at the moment. It does reinforce that “TAFE NSW will continue to be the leading provider of vocational education and training in New South Wales”. Time will tell if we see a competitive training market in NSW! What is certain is funding will only be directed into skill priority areas. The power of choice is also central to the new program as eligible individuals will be able to choose subsidised training through TAFE NSW or an approved training organisation.

Good training!

As always we invite new subscribers at: Subscribe to VET News

If you have some news, send it to us at: news@newberyconsulting.com.au

Kind regards,

Joe Newbery

Compliance and Regulatory News

ASQA update

More registration renewal rejections. ASQA issued two media releases on 3 October 2012 confirming it had rejected the renewal of registration applications for two organisations. In both cases ASQA’s decision will apply to their RTO and CRICOS registrations. Click on the link below to access the media releases.

http://asqa.gov.au/media-and-publications/media-releases.html

Joint ELICOS briefings with TEQSA. ASQA and the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) are holding joint briefing sessions for providers of English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS). At the time of publication, The Melbourne and Brisbane sessions had taken place, with Sydney scheduled for 9 November. Click on the link below to find out more.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1529/asqa-and-teqsa-to-host-elicos-briefing-sessions.html

ASQA audit survey. ASQA invited providers that underwent an ASQA site audit between 7 March and 30 May 2012 to participate in a survey about their experience of the audit process. Keep your eye out on the ASQA website in early November when the survey outcomes should be published. Going forward, all RTOs that are subject to an application-related ASQA site audit will be invited to participate in this online survey. This will exclude unannounced or complaint audits.

New release of ASQAnet. ASQAnet has recently been updated with some small changes and bug fixes. Click on the link below to find out what has changed.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1534/latest-asqanet-release.html

ASQA opens its doors in Darwin. ASQA has published a media release relating to the appointment Jane Holt as the Darwin-based Compliance Manager for the Northern Territory. Click on the link below to access the media release dated 25 October 2012.

http://asqa.gov.au/media-and-publications/media-releases.html

FAQs. Three new FAQs have been added this month.

1. Under the Trainers and assessors heading there is a response to a question regarding different jurisdictional requirements when undertaking assessments for high risk work licenses.

2. The Risk assessment section provides information on how an authorised contact person from an RTO can find out about the current risk rating that ASQA has assigned to the RTO.

3. Under the heading of Jurisdiction, ASQA confirms that it has enacted a delegation with the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) to regulate the RTO component of relevant Queensland schools.

Click on the link below to view all ASQA FAQs.

http://www.asqa.gov.au/faqs/frequently-asked-questions.html

NSSC update

Review of standards for the regulation of VET. The NSSC has just released an Issues Paper that has been developed based on stakeholder feedback and research undertaken to date and identifies the issues that the NSSC considers to be the focus of its review. In its paper, the NSSC has posed possible approaches to addressing the issues through regulatory standards.

Just to give you a taster, one such approach involves provisional initial registration for RTOs, subject to a probationary period. During probation there would be restrictions placed on the RTO that may include limitations on scope and scale of activity, external assessment of students prior to issuance of full qualifications, and monitoring of teaching and assessment services.

Click on the link below to access the publication.

http://natese.gov.au/?a=72318

Training Package Development Handbook (TPDH). The NSSC had advised that the TPDH plus the content of the TPDH website formerly hosted by DEEWR, has now been migrated to the NSSC website. The migration is to ensure that all policies and standards related to the regulation of VET are located on the NSSC website. The link below will take you to the Training Package Development Handbook section of the NSSC website.

http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/vet_standards/standards_for_training_packages/tpdh

VRQA update

New Chair of the VRQA Board. Mr Tim Smith has been appointed as the VRQA Chair commencing on 17 October 2012 for a period of three years. Click on the link below for more details.

http://www.vrqa.vic.gov.au/about/board.htm

Future Direction for the VRQA. A new Future Direction Statement outlining the way forward for the VRQA has been developed in consultation with key stakeholders, Board members and staff. View the publication at the following link:

http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/vrqa/FutDrectstatmt.pdf

VRQA Annual Report 2011-12. The VRQA Annual Report 2011-12 was tabled in parliament on 10 October 2012 and an electronic copy is published on the VRQA website. View the publication at the following link:

http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/vrqa/AnnlRport2012.pdf

AVETMISS 7.0 for VET Providers

The NCVER will release AVETMISS 7.0 for VET Providers in December this year. The release will come into effect for training activity from 1 January 2014. NCVER has summarised the changes to the Standard in a two-page flyer, which is available from its website. Click on the link below to access the publication.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/content/AVETMISS_7_0_flyer_2548.pdf

More detailed information about the changes is available at the following link:

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2556.html

Training Package News

Recent Training Package endorsements/ updates

CPP07 Property Services, version 11.0, released on 26/09/2012

AHC10 Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management, version 4.0, released on 15/10/2012

MSA07 Manufacturing, version 8.1, released on 11/10/2012

For details of release information go to http://training.gov.au/

Events, Resources & Funding News

Launch of the My Skills website

Phase 1 of the My Skills website was launched by The Honourable Sharon Bird MP on 9 October 2012. The intent of My Skills is to provide a one-stop-shop for students and employers to find information on the approximately 5000 registered training organisations around Australia. The initial launch of the website imports data from training.gov.au as well as statistical information from NCVER. New functions and data will be added as they become available, with the next phase due for release early next year. Click on the link below to access the website.

http://www.myskills.gov.au/Home

Study Assist: New online tool for students

One week after launching My Skills, the Parliamentary Secretary for Higher Education and Skills, Sharon Bird, launched a new online search tool that makes it easier to find out about eligibility for student payments, including Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY. According to Ms Bird, “The Study Assist website brings together a wide range of information that a student needs to know about financing tertiary study.” Click on the link below to access the website.

http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/StudyAssist/

NSW planned changes to VET funding

On 23 October 2012 the NSW Minister for Education announced the introduction of reforms to be known as Smart and Skilled for the VET system in NSW. In his statement, Minister Piccoli said: “Smart and Skilled will make the training system more responsive to business and industry. A skills list will define which courses are on offer and this will be based on industry consultation and labour market trends.” Click on the link below to find out more about the reforms.

http://www.training.nsw.gov.au/vet/skills_reform/index.html

Resources from the Future of Work conference

If you missed the AWPA’s joint conference with the Industry Skills Councils earlier in October, then you may be interested in some of the conference presentations and other resources that have been posted on the AWPA website. Click on the link below to access the AWPA website page.

http://www.awpa.gov.au/events-and-stakeholder-forums/3-4-oct-2012-skills-councils-joint-conference.html

Australian apprenticeship & traineeship updates

As per usual, the AAT emailed two Training Update e-Newsletters in October (Editions 211 & 212). Unfortunately, the e-Newsletters had not yet been published on the AAT website at the time of preparing this VET News. Here is a link to the relevant page on the AAT website if you need to check for current updates.

http://www.aatinfo.com.au/What-s-New—FAQ/Training-Update-e-Newsletter/2012

Victorian Purchasing Guide for SIR07 V3

This Purchasing Guide is now available at the following link:

http://trainingsupport.skills.vic.gov.au/p_trgpck.cfm

Updated TAE40110 resources from IBSA*

IBSA has updated its range of TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment training and assessment materials to reflect changes in the VET sector. This includes updates related to the transition from AQTF to SNR Standards, DIISRTE, ASQA, AWPA and Work Health and Safety (WHS). Click on the link below to find out more.

http://www.ibsa.org.au/news-and-projects/news/tabid/112/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/430/Updated-TAE10-Learning-and-Assessment-Resources-Available-Now.aspx

Resource to support CHCICS303A Support individual health and emotional wellbeing*

beyondblue has developed training materials that will assist RTOs to deliver content on depression and anxiety in older people as part of Certificate III in Aged Care and Home and Community Care. These materials will be provided at no cost to eligible RTOs. To find out how to access this resource, go to the page link below and click on Free Accredited Training Materials.

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=4.1239#FTM

* As for any ‘off-the-shelf’ training and assessment resources, Newbery Consulting strongly recommends that you undertake a detailed review of resources to determine compliance with the current training package/s and to ensure they can be customised to meet the needs of your clients.

Other News of Interest

A year in the life of VET reform

Dr John Mitchell is a researcher, consultant and columnist who writes a fortnightly column called ‘Inside VET’, in the national tertiary education publication Campus Review. Dr Mitchell has recently posted a document on his organisation’s website titled From unease to alarm: escalating concerns about the model of ‘VET reform’ and cutbacks to TAFE. The document comprises twenty two articles that were published in the Campus Review in the twelve months to October 2012. They are presented chronologically and make interesting reading about the issues and controversies around current ‘VET reform’ and public sector funding. To download the document, click on the following link:

http://www.jma.com.au/upload/pages/home/_jma_vet-reform-document.pdf

Australian Bureau of Statistics Education and Training Newsletter – October 2012

The ABS released its Education and Training Newsletter on 26 October 2012. To access VET-related information, click on the link below, then on the link to Articles on Education and Training. From there you can review the Vocational Education and Training section of the Year Book Australia 2012.

http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4211.0Main+Features1October%202012?OpenDocument

NCVER publication: The value of completing a VET qualification

The blurb for this publication notes “Completion rates are an obvious performance indicator for the VET sector. However, there is a view that low completion rates are not such an issue because students leave when they have learnt the necessary skills. Using data from the 2009 Student Outcomes Survey, the report looks at the pay-off to completion on a range of outcomes, and identifies the groups for whom completion is particularly important.” Click on the link to access the document. (Access will require you to be logged on to the NCVER website.)

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2526.html

Flinders teams up with TAFE

As reported in The Australian on 9 October 2012, Flinders has become the latest university to guarantee entry to TAFE graduates, unveiling 41 dual offer programs available from next year. Click on the link below read more.

http://the-scan.com/2012/10/11/flinders-teams-up-with-tafe/

This news letter was researched and prepared by Anne Maree Newbery.

If you do not automatically receive this newsletter and would like to, Click Here to subscribe via our website.

Hope you are all well. Welcome to all our new subscribers!

Well,, what a tumultuous month it has been in the media for our friend, ASQA. If you didn’t catch this through the month we have provided links to watch both stories. In regards to security training in QLD, to be fair to ASQA, they only assumed a regulatory function over QLD RTOs in July. The media should have been directing their questions to DETE who were happy to remain out of the media spotlight. I think both stories highlight the need for strong and consistent regulation.

My concern is the consistent bad press that private providers are getting in the media in recent times. We all know that there are very bad RTOs out there that need the regulators attention. But,, the vast majority of private RTOs are delivering quality training and assessment services to their students. Private RTOs provide the sector with unique flexible delivery options, highly customised training and often specialising in specific industry requirements. We need a healthy private RTO sector in Australia. The trouble is the private sector need a united voice to respond to media stories like these and provide prospective about the good work being done by many private RTOs. I think ACPET do a good job at this and certainly should be supported by the private RTO sector to represent their interests. The private RTO sector needs to get organised in order to compete and be a strong voice in the Australian VET sector.

Satisfaction Data

On other matters, many of you will know the issues around the collection and reporting of learner and employer satisfaction rates. In short, in 2011 the NSSC has mandated that the learner and employer questionnaires released by ACER must be used to collect survey responses from students. ASQA reinforced this compliance requirement on its website click here. SMART is no longer supported or available (rightly so!) and as a consequence many current and new RTOs are looking for a solution to collate and use the feedback data these survey tools produce. We decided to address this issue and have developed a nice simple database which we are supplying to the VET Sector for free. It’s called Satisfaction Data and will allow you to progressively enter your survey results and produce reports over any date range. It will produce a summary report and a detailed report for both the learner and employer satisfaction trends. There is also a dashboard that gives you a snapshot of your performance. It uses the traffic light system to guide management decisions about how to respond when your satisfaction levels are low. This is just the first addition and we will continue to enhance this over time based on user feedback. You can request a free licenced copy of Satisfaction Data on our website at: Satisfaction Data – It’s free!.

Retention of completed student assessment items

I know we have touched on this before but,, I feel that from a compliance perspective this is a big issue and potentially not on many RTOs radar. If you haven’t previously read (carefully) the ASQA General direction: Retention requirements for completed student assessment items here it is: Click Here. I am going to issue a detailed blog on this in a couple of weeks but here are the main point:

• All assessment items must be kept for each student.
• Notwithstanding other retention requirements such as funding contracts, the retention period for most RTOs will be six months after the students enrolment has completed.
• Assessment items include the actual piece(s) of work completed by a student or evidence of that work.
• The retained evidence must have enough detail to demonstrate the assessor’s judgement of the student’s performance against the standard required.

Every RTO is going to need to carefully look at this and review what assessment evidence is being gathered and recorded. There will be a need for far greater detail to be recorded in assessment instruments that demonstrates the assessor’s judgement. Observation tools will need to provide suitable space for the assessor to record their observations that benchmark what the student was observed doing and their judgement about their performance. This is certainly what I have been reinforcing to my clients for many years so I have confidence in them. I think the wider sector needs to carefully look at this. More to follow.

Good training!

As always we invite new subscribers at: Subscribe to VET News

If you have some news, send it to us at: news@newberyconsulting.com.au

Kind regards,

Joe Newbery

Compliance and Regulatory News

ASQA update

ASQA says claims of a ‘crisis’ in the VET sector are overstated. In response to the ABC’s 7.30 Report coverage, ASQA published a media release on 7 September 2012. Click on the link below to access the media release.

http://asqa.gov.au/media-and-publications/media-releases.html

If you missed the original report, here it is:

7:30 Report, 5th Sep 2012 – Vocational training scheme faces fresh accusations

ASQA confirms regulatory action against Pow Wow Training Pty Ltd. This was one of the RTOs at the centre of the ABC’s 7.30 Report and its application for renewal of registration has been rejected by ASQA. In its media release on 7 September (see above), ASQA indicated that regulatory action was already underway against Pow Wow prior to the airing of the 7.30 Report story. In a further media release dated 18 September, ASQA has confirmed plans to deregister Pow Wow Training with effect from 31 October 2012. Click on the link below to find out more.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1498/asqa-rejects-pow-wow-training-pty-ltd-renewal-of-registration.html

ASQA suspends security courses from RTO’s scope. In a media release on 26 September 2012, ASQA confirmed that it has suspended part of a Queensland RTO’s registration that relates to providing security training courses. This follows a 7.30 Report story on 24 September that made serious allegations about the conduct of the RTO. Click on the link below to access the media release.

http://asqa.gov.au/media-and-publications/media-releases.html

If you missed the original report, here it is:

7:30 Report, 24th Sep 2012 – Security guard training organisations face scrutiny

Amended general direction for assessment records retention. An updated version of the general direction ‘Retention requirements for completed student assessment items’, is now available on the ASQA website. The intent of the general direction has not changed but some clarification has been added. It confirms that records may be kept in hard copy or electronic format and records must be available at audit “for each student”. The previous version noted “for a student”. Click on the link below to go to the General directions page of the ASQA website.

http://asqa.gov.au/about-asqa/general-directions.html

New ‘Notification of change of provider details’ form. ASQA has amended this form to better reflect the data on training.gov.au. It now caters for the nomination of different contact details for ‘registration’ and ‘public enquiries’. If you’re an RTO registered with ASQA and would like to amend your contact details on the national register then this is the form you need. Click on the link below to go to the Forms page on the ASQA website.

http://asqa.gov.au/forms.html

FAQs. All quiet on the FAQ front. We suspect the ASQA communications team has been a little busy this month!

NSSC Communiqué

Update on the review of standards for the regulation of the VET sector. 114 submissions were received in response to the NSSC’s Consultation Paper, which, according to the NSSC, “affirmed strong support for change and the need to have user-friendly standards, in a streamlined structure, and with a clear purpose.” An initial analysis and synthesis of the submissions has been published on the NSSC’s website, along with an outline of the anticipated next steps for the review. Also, on the Submissions page, there is a list of the respondents who consented to have their submission made public. An email link is provided if you wish to view a particular submission. Click on the link below to go to the Standards Review page of the NSSC website.

http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/standards_review

Update on the review of training package standards. At its meeting on 5 September 2012, the NSSC agreed to recommend draft Standards for Training Packages to SCOTESE for endorsement consideration later in 2012. No information has yet been published on the new framework but is expected shortly. Watch this space.

VRQA update

Fees for 2013. The VRQA has released for public comment, a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) on its fees from 2013. A public consultation process is planned and written submissions from affected parties and/or members of the public are also invited by 23 October 2012. Click on the link below for more details.

http://www.vrqa.vic.gov.au/registration/Fees/risfees.htm

New invoicing and payment system. On 3 September 2012 a new invoicing and payment system for all VRQA fees was introduced. Click on the link below to access further information.

http://www.vrqa.vic.gov.au/enews/Edition-20/default.htm

Statistics on VET providers in Victoria. The VRQA has published an Information Sheet with key statistics on Victorian VET providers. View the publication at the following link:

http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/vrqa/infosheetVET.pdf

AQF Communiqué

Vocational Graduate qualifications to be removed from the AQF. After extensive consultation and consideration, the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) Council, has determined that the Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diploma qualifications will be removed from the AQF. Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas will be retained and will be available for accreditation, regulation and issuance in both the higher education and VET sectors. Click on the link below to read the AQF Communiqué

http://www.tda.edu.au/cb_pages/files/AQF%20Council%20Communique%20on%20Graduate%20Certificate%20%20Diploma.pdf

NB. We acknowledge this link is provided by TDA as the link on the AQF website was not operational at the time of publication. Thanks TDA!

Training Package News

Recent Training Package endorsements/ updates

MEM05 Metal and Engineering, version 8.1, release date 29/08/12

FNS10 Financial Services, version 3.1, release date 06/09/12

FDF10 Food Processing, version 4.0, release date 06/09/12

LGA04 Local Government, version 3.0, release date 11/09/12

CPP07 Property Services, version 11.0, release date TBA

AHC10 Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management, version 4.0, release date TBA

For details of release information go to http://training.gov.au/

Events, Resources & Funding News

Registrations open for EYEQ2012: VET ideas worth sharing

This 1-day event will focus on innovative approaches to e-learning and capability building for quality teaching, learning and assessment practices. It is hosted by the Queensland VET Development Centre and will be held on 19 October 2012 at Southbank Institute of Technology. Click on the link below for further information.

https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/eyeq2012/program/?&

Free Workforce Development workshops with CS&HISC

CS&HISC is running free, two-hour breakfast workshops for health and community services organisations to explore the concepts of workforce development and planning. The workshops are appropriate for service providers, with particular focus on small-medium enterprises and will run in each state throughout November and December. To register your interest, email your details to workforcedevelopment@cshisc.com.au

Australian apprenticeship & traineeship updates

Click on the links below to view the latest Australian Apprenticeship Updates, providing dates for upcoming Information Sessions and showing qualifications recently implemented in WA, Qld, NSW, NT, ACT, Vic and Tas.

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/11eb8994-691f-479c-a84e-ac0927cb09c0/file.aspx

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/a12b36d8-7013-4f2e-b163-a1baf2598a33/file.aspx

Other News of Interest

By 2050, more than 1 in 20 Australians will be an aged care worker

This statistic was quoted by the Federal Minister for Ageing Mark Butler in a media statement announcing funding for 16 universities and aged care facilities to set up integrated teaching environments similar to teaching hospitals. Click the link below to read the media release:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr12-mb-mb093.htm

The Queensland Skills and Training Taskforce releases interim report

On 31 August 2012, the Taskforce presented its interim report to the Minister for Education, Training and Employment, John-Paul Langbroek, and to the Assistant Minister for Technical and Further Education, Saxon Rice, including recommendations for significant reform of the Queensland TAFE system. A final report will be delivered by the end of November 2012, with a Government response to follow. Click the link below to read the interim report and there is also a link to TAFE Directors Australia’s Media Releases page where you’ll find its response to the report.

http://training.qld.gov.au/resources/industry/pdf/interim-report-qld-skills-training-taskforce.pdf

http://www.tda.edu.au/cb_pages/media_releases.php

More news on the TAFE crisis in Victoria

A big thanks to one of our subscribers for sending through the link below to a Scoop.it site dedicated to aggregating media articles on Victorian TAFEs. It makes this editor’s life a whole lot easier!

http://www.scoop.it/t/tafe-in-victoria

New chair for FLAG

Simon Walker, Executive Director of Policy, Planning and Innovation for the Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development has been appointed as the new Chair of the Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG). Read more about Simon and his plans for FLAG at the link below.

http://flexenews.flexiblelearning.net.au/pub/pubType/EL/pubID/zzzz505aa1bce9f8a703/nc/zzzz505aa7e85662d636/interface.html

For all those of you still resisting flexible learning, read on…

According to an article in The Australian on 26 September 2012, there were one trillion downloads on YouTube’s dedicated education site last year. The article notes: “The portal, which carries 900 channels and hundreds of thousands of video lessons, is part of a massive wave of free, high-quality offerings forcing a rethink of traditional education.” To view the full article, click on the link below. (NB. May require subscription):

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/seismic-shift-in-learning-as-study-tourists-go-online/story-e6frgcjx-1226481340024

This news letter was researched and prepared by Anne Maree Newbery.

First, a bit of history

In 2008, the NQC (now the NSSC) introduced the compulsory AQTF Learner / Employer Satisfaction Resources along with the SMART database developed by ACER. In most cases, RTOs already had very genuine and meaningful learner and employer feedback arrangements and this new requirement forced them to either discard their current arrangements or continue to apply them parallel to the new mandatory system. The outcome for most RTOs was to cease using locally developed arrangements and adopt the new satisfaction resources as their only source of feedback.

In my opinion, this was a very sad day for the VET sector. In one fell swoop, the NQC purged the system of genuine, locally developed and quality based feedback arrangements and replaced them with an over-engineered, one size fits all, and overly complicated survey system. A system that has very little meaning for RTOs, especially in terms of driving continuous improvement.

After three years of negative feedback, in December 2011, the NSSC informed RTOs that they were no longer required to use the SMART database due to the withdrawal of Commonwealth funding for the program. This was a welcome decision as the SMART database had huge deficiencies, particularly in the way it retained data from year to year and in its reporting structure which was difficult to interpret.

In my audits over this period, I have seen the majority of RTOs collecting the survey data for compliance purposes only. The completed survey forms often pile up in a draw until May each year when they are entered into SMART for the 30 June reporting requirement. It is extremely rare to see an RTO make the connection between the reporting of satisfaction trends and their continuous improvement approach.

So, where are we today?

In response to the NSSC directive in 2011, ASQA informed RTOs that they are no longer required to use the SMART database. ASQA also specified that RTOs must continue to use the Learner & Employer Questionnaires to collect data to enable their reporting of quality indicators. ASQA has issued a general direction on this click here to see and provided a simple form called the Quality Indicator Annual Summary Report which allows an RTO to report the outcomes relating to response rates, trends, feedback and improvements actions, nice! The Learner & Employer Questionnaires are also available for download from the ASQA website.

Finally we are moving to a position where we are linking the collection and analysis of data with our continuous improvement actions. I think this is critically important and would argue that it needs to be occuring continuously throughout the year (not just for the annual report) in order to feed into management team meetings and inform decision making on improvement actions.

Houston, we have a problem

The issue RTOs are still struggling with is where to store all of this data and how to extract information that provides useful indicators of quality. The SMART database is no longer available. We have RTOs contact us regularly looking for a solution to this problem. ACER provides an online service for a fee click here to see but apart from that there is no available stand-alone system which will allow you to enter, collate and analyse your survey data using the Learner & Employer Questionnaires.

We have a solution!

To provide a solution to this problem, Newbery Consulting has developed a nice simple database that will allow you to progressively enter your survey results and produce reports over any date range. It will produce a summary report and a detailed report for both the learner and employer satisfaction trends. It uses the traffic light system to guide management decisions about how to respond when your satisfaction levels are low. We call this new product Satisfaction Data and best of all, it’s free. At Newbery Consulting we are serious about supporting the VET sector with practical, common sense products that support quality and strengthen your compliance. Satisfaction Data will complement the continuous improvement arrangements of those using our RTO System.

System Requirements

Satisfaction Data is a split Microsoft Access database file. Essentially to operate Satisfaction Data you will need a PC (not a Mac) running Microsoft Office Professional 2007 or 2010. Microsoft Office Professional is the version that has Microsoft Access which is a database program. You can purchase Microsoft Access separately for about $200.00. There is more information on system requirements on the request page.

If you meet these requirements and need to improve your use of survey data to identify opportunities for improvement, please proceed to the request page:

Joe Newbery

Request Satisfaction Data

Hope you are all well. The volume of news is a little down this month. All seems very quiet out there. Maybe we are entering into a period of stability in the VET sector!! Sorry,, what was I thinking?

One thing to note are the published responses to frequently asked questions by ASQA. I think this is a good thing and I encourage you to review this information on the ASQA site. As a little request from me to you, I am seeking information on what is happening with the NSW funding reforms. That project seems to have gone very quiet which could mean a number of things. If you know anything, please let me know.

Good training!

As always we invite new subscribers at: Subscribe to VET News

If you have some news, send it to us at: news@newberyconsulting.com.au

Kind regards,

Joe Newbery

Compliance and Regulatory News

ASQA update

New ELICOS information line. ASQA now has a dedicated team to deal with all ELICOS enquiries. Click on the link below for contact details.

http://www.asqa.gov.au/news/1481/new-elicos-information-line.html

ASQA and DIAC sign strategic MoU. The MoU represents a commitment by ASQA and DIAC to work together to conduct joint audits in relation to organisations or individuals who are suspected of perpetrating immigration fraud, or of failing to deliver quality education and training. Click on the link below to access the news article.

http://www.asqa.gov.au/news/1482/asqa-and-diac-sign-strategic-mou.html

New FAQs

Many new FAQ categories and questions were added during August. There were too many to list them all, but here are some of the ones we found interesting:

1. How is ASQA accountable for its performance?

2. What opportunities do providers have to resolve non-compliance identified at audit?

3. How many auditing teams does ASQA employ?

4. How much notice is a provider given prior to an audit for renewal of RTO registration?

5. If a provider has multiple sites, which site will ASQA conduct the audit?

6. Is there a requirement to enter certificates and statements of attainment in a state qualifications register?

7. Of the renewal applications ASQA rejected in the last six months, what percentage was CRICOS?

8. What is the role of the NSSC? Does the NSSC’s role relate to the AQTF at all?

9. Will there be different requirements for external validation of training assessment after the Prime Minister’s announcement of reforms in VET?

Click on the link below to go to the FAQ page.

http://asqa.gov.au/faqs/frequently-asked-questions.html

Training Package News

Recent Training Package endorsements/ updates

PUA12 Public Safety, version 1.0, release date 17/08/12

SIR07 Retail Services, version, release date 3.1, release date 14/08/12

For details of release information go to http://training.gov.au/

Professional Development: SIR07 Version 3

Go to the Service Skills Australia website to find out more about the information sessions and workshops being held for trainers and assessors for both retail services and community pharmacy.

http://www.serviceskills.com.au/professional-development:-sir07-version-3?utm_source=newsletter

Events, Resources & Funding News

Important Note: The inclusion of news items about recently released resources does not constitute an endorsement by Newbery Consulting. A full and detailed review of any ‘off-the-shelf’ resource should be undertaken to determine if it is suitable for your organisation and can be customised to meet your needs.

The 35th ACAL National Conference

The 35th ACAL Annual Conference is being held in Hobart on 19-21 September 2012. The theme: Joining the Pieces: Literacy and Numeracy – one part to the picture. Click on the link below for further information.

http://www.tcal.org.au/12conf/index.htm

3D Articulation Workshops – September & October

The Australian Federal Government and the University of Southern Queensland are running a series of two-day workshops nationally on articulation pathways. The workshops will provide attendees with everything they need to know about pathways, including pathways development and best practice in this area. To register, go to:

http://www.usq.edu.au/iactproject/3d-articulation-workshop

Second round funding for e-learning initiatives through industry-RTO partnerships

The National VET E-learning Strategy has extended opportunities to support industry adoption of e-learning in priority industry sectors and regional communities. Business case applications are due by midday (AEST) Monday 10 September 2012. Click on the link below to download the application guidelines.

http://industry.flexiblelearning.net.au/

AQFs 5 & 6: Debating the future of mid-level qualifications in Australia

The future of diplomas and advanced diplomas is uncertain, while associate degrees are gaining in prominence. This two-day conference will debate and discuss the future of these mid-level qualifications in Australia. It will consider the role they play in preparation for work, as a transition to higher qualifications and in widening access to higher-level qualifications. The conference is to be held on 25-26 October 2012 at RMIT University, Melbourne. Click the link below for more information.

http://www.lhmartininstitute.edu.au/seminars-conferences-and-events/77-conference-aqfs-5-6-debating-the-future-of-mid-level-qualifications-in-australia

DFEEST Leadership Program – Building RTO Business Sustainability

The 2012 Building RTO Business Sustainability Program is professional development program conducted by the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST). This is the third offering of this program that has been developed to encourage new leaders in the commercial aspects of RTO Business Sustainability practices. The program consists of two 1-day workshops and a 1.5 hour one-on-one mentoring session. Find out more at:

http://www.skills.sa.gov.au/for-training-providers/professional-development/events/building-capability-rto-business-sustainability

Other News of Interest

Australia’s top vocational students recognised

Five hundred of the nation’s most skilled students have been recognised for their efforts in vocational education and training in schools. Acting Minister for School Education, Senator Chris Evans, announced the successful recipients of the 2011 Australian Vocational Student Prize and the Prime Minister’s Award for Skills Excellence in School. Click the link below to read the media release:

http://minister.innovation.gov.au/chrisevans/mediareleases/pages/australiastopvocationalstudentsrecognised.aspx

The Victorian training crisis continues to receive coverage in the media

The ABC’s 7.30 Report devoted three nights of programs earlier in the month to record individual claims of profiteering and scams within the private training sector. Federal Tertiary Education Minister, Senator the Hon. Chris Evans, has responded with an interview on ABC TV and he places the blame squarely with the States’ failure to regulate privately run training schemes. Click the link below to read the story as reported on ABC News.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-09/states-failed-to-regulate-skills-training/4188908

Senator Evans also gave a doorstop interview in Melbourne on 7 August regarding the Victorian Government cuts to TAFE. Read the transcript at the link below.

http://minister.innovation.gov.au/chrisevans/Transcripts/Pages/TranscriptDoorstopTreasuryPlace.aspx

You may also like to read the related blog from Martin Riordan, CEO of TAFE Directors Australia, at the following link:

http://tda.edu.au/blog/?p=48

Sue Fergusson joins NCVER as head of research

Ms Sue Fergusson has been appointed to the role of General Manager Research at the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). Ms Fergusson joins NCVER with a wealth of experience in the vocational education and training system across policy development, applied research and data analysis, along with a strong background in public finance. To find out more, click on the link below.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/mediareleases/mr_143.html

International student numbers at a five-year low

As reported by The Australian on 3 August 2012, an 8.5 per cent slump in overseas student enrolments in the year to June sliced $1.34 billion off the sector’s value. It still contributed $14.7bn in export dollars but that was down 18 per cent from $18bn in 2009-10. The problems are attributed to the high Australian dollar, problems over visa processing and competition from the US. To view the full article, click on the link below. (NB. May require subscription):

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/drop-in-overseas-students-costs-1bn/story-e6frgcjx-1226441801202

Apprenticeships – is it time for a competency-based model?

As reported by The Australian on 30 August 2012, a new approach to trade training could drag Australia out of a ‘time served’ model by changing the way apprentices are taught, managed and paid. The federal government has teamed up with the Australian Industry Group on a project to trial a competency-based training approach which rates apprentices on their skills rather than the time they’ve spent learning. To view the full article, click on the link below. (NB. May require subscription):

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/time-served-training-past-use-by-date/story-e6frgcjx-1226461042632

This news letter was researched and prepared by Anne Maree Newbery.

If you do not automatically receive this newsletter and would like to, Click Here to subscribe.

Please enjoy our newsletter this month. We have Anne Maree back on board after a stint away. It’s good to have her keen eye for the news back on deck. Good training!

As always we invite new subscribers at: Subscribe to VET News

If you have some news, send it to us at: news@newberyconsulting.com.au

Kind regards,

Joe Newbery

Compliance and Regulatory News

ASQA update

Consumer checklist for choosing a training or education provider. ASQA has developed a fact sheet for students about the process of choosing a training or education provider. Click on the link below to access the resource.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1412/new-fact-sheet-for-students-choosing-a-training-or-education-provider.html

Registering for revised training packages HLT07 & CHC08. ASQA has developed a fact sheet explaining the process of adding qualifications, skill sets and units of competency from these revised training packages. Click on the link below to access the resource.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1415/new-fact-sheetregistering-for-revised-training-packages-%28chc08-and-hlt07%29.html

Video of Training Provider Information Session now available. If you missed attending a Training Provider Information Session, ASQA has published a video of the session held in Canberra on 23 March 2012. Click on the link below to access the video.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1397/training-provider-information-sessions-video-now-available.html

ASQA’s continuing Aged Care focus. ASQA’s Chief Commissioner, Chris Robinson, delivered a presentation at the Modelling Best Practices in Aged Care Training conference in Sydney on 19 June 2012. The link below provides access to the presentation slides where you’ll find some key statistics, the areas of non-compliance that ASQA are finding and ASQA’s current audit approach for Aged Care qualifications.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1374/working-to-improve-the-quality-of-aged-care-training.html

New FAQs from ASQA

As promised, we have been keeping an eye on ASQA’s FAQs to ensure we can alert you to any new information. Here are some new questions that may be of interest:

1. If providers wish to issue units that relate to licensing outcomes, do they need to inform ASQA?

2. What role do state or territory occupational regulators/licensing bodies have at an ASQA audit?

3. My organisation is based in Victoria or Western Australia and delivers online. Do we fall within ASQA’s jurisdiction?

4. Under what kinds of circumstances would ASQA conduct an unannounced audit, or an audit with minimal notice?

5. One of the criteria that auditors assess is the training provider outcomes. What are the outcomes in ASQA’s view?

Click on the link below to go to the FAQ page.

http://asqa.gov.au/faqs/frequently-asked-questions.html

TDA response to the NSSC consultation paper

TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) has published its feedback in response to the NSSC’s consultation paper on the review of Standards for the Regulation of Vocational Education and Training (VET). Click on the link below to access the TDA submission.

http://www.tda.edu.au/cb_pages/files/TDA%20submission%20to%20NSSC%20130712.pdf

SCOTESE Communiqué

The COAG Standing Council on Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment (SCOTESE) held its first meeting for 2012 on 8 June 2012. Highlights were:

• Ministers reaffirmed COAG’s commitment to the My Skills website with the initial launch date planned for September 2012.
• A roundtable was commissioned between ISCs and the NSSC to report back to the Council at its next meeting.
• Ministers endorsed the NSSC’s approach for its review of the Standards for the Regulation of VET.
• Ministers endorsed an implementation plan for national harmonisation of regulatory requirements for Australian Apprenticeships across jurisdictions.

Read the full meeting communiqué at the following link:

http://www.scotese.natese.gov.au/communiques

Regulation of the Queensland apprenticeship and traineeship system

Skills Queensland has a new role as the agency responsible for the regulation of the Queensland apprenticeship and traineeship system. The change in the regulatory authority will have minimal initial impact, with the Department of Education, Training and Employment continuing to manage the day-to-day administration of most apprenticeship and traineeship regulations under delegation. Click on the link below for more information about the role of Skills Queensland.

http://www.skills.qld.gov.au/Functions/Trade-training.aspx

Training Package News

Recent Training Package endorsements/ updates

AUM12 Automotive Manufacturing, version 1.0, release date 29/06/12

UEP12 Electricity Supply Industry – Generation Sector, version 1.0, release date 25/07/12

ICP10 Printing and Graphic Arts, version 2.0, release date 08/07/12

AVI08 Aviation, version 4.0, release date 12/07/12

PMA08 Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining, version 3.1, release date 26/07/12

LMF02 Furnishing, version 8.0, release date 04/06/12

LMT Textiles, Clothing and Footwear, version 4.1, release date 27/06/12

For details of release information go to http://training.gov.au/

Events, Resources & Funding News

Important Note: The inclusion of news items about recently released resources does not constitute an endorsement by Newbery Consulting. A full and detailed review of any ‘off-the-shelf’ resource should be undertaken to determine if it is suitable for your organisation and can be customised to meet your needs.

VRQA information sessions

The VRQA is offering pre-registration information sessions on 2 August and 1 November and financial management guidance sessions on 9 August and 25 October. Click on the link below for registration information.

http://www.vrqa.vic.gov.au/events/default.htm

Funding announcement: E-learning for Participation and Skills

This joint Australian State and Territory Government initiative is offering co-investment funding for projects which strengthen the Australian training sector’s use of new learning technologies. Individual applications for up to $50,000 of co-investment funding close on 15 August 2012. Find out more at:

http://www.skills.gov.au/content/australian-government-skills-connect-programs

Fully funded PD sessions in Tasmania

Skills Tasmania is delivering the Sustainable Practice Skill Set (two Diploma-level TAE units) over three days in face-to-face workshops. This is a fully funded program by DIISRTE and places will be limited. The sessions are not yet up on the Skills Tasmania website but you can email penny.driessen@bigpond.com to register your interest.

Australian Government Skills Connect

The promo says: “Australian Government Skills Connect is an integrated approach designed to help link Australian employers and industries to workforce development programs and funding. It is the employers’ gateway to information and support that will connect them with Australian Government funding that meets their unique business or industry training and workforce development needs—helping them to build productivity and improve the future of their business.” Find out more at:

http://www.skills.gov.au/content/australian-government-skills-connect-programs

LLN – Online professional development

Service Skills Australia, through its ‘Taking the Lead’ initiative, provides online professional development for trainers and assessors, to help build skills in identifying and addressing LLN issues. Follow the link to the Taking the Lead website.

http://takingthelead.com.au/online-professional-development

Conference: The Future of Work – Developing Australia’s workforce in a global economy

This conference will be held on 3-4 October 2012 in Sydney and is a joint initiative by the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency and the ISCs. You can obtain more information at the AWPA website and also view a short video promotion on You Tube. See the links below.

http://www.awpa.gov.au/events-and-stakeholder-forums/3-4-oct-2012-skills-councils-joint-conference.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb8yWpW1otE&feature=youtu.be

Australian apprenticeship & traineeship updates

Click on the links below to view the Australian Apprenticeship Updates for July, showing qualifications recently implemented in NSW, ACT, WA, TAS, QLD and SA:

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/f9b75ba3-d0e5-44e1-851b-a55d16e44a9c/file.aspx

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/b0dbc441-5d0d-4d60-a3c3-65f2b2138cfe/file.aspx

Professional development – SIR07 V3

Service Skills Australia is holding information sessions and workshops for the recently endorsed SIR07 Retail Services Training Package Version 3. An apology to our Victorian readers as the Melbourne session has already taken place. Follow the link below for more information.

http://www.serviceskills.com.au/professional-development:-sir07-version-3?utm_source=newsletter

IBSA resources for TAE80111

IBSA has released a range of resources to support the Vocational Graduate Diploma of Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Leadership. These are free to download and are available at the following link:

http://www.ibsa.org.au/news-and-projects/news/tabid/112/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/608/TAE80110-Vocational-Graduate-Diploma-of-Adult-LLN-Leadership-free-resources.aspx

Other News of Interest

A third of young Australians in training in 2011

The NCVER’s annual snapshot of student enrolments and training activity showed that 32.1% of young Australians aged 15-19 years participated in vocational education and training in 2011. Click on the link below for a summary of the 2011 trends and to access the full publication.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/mediareleases/mr_136.html

Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA)

On 27 June 2012, the Skills Australia Amendment (Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency) Bill 2012 received Royal Assent. This Bill amends the Skills Australia Act 2008 to implement a new agency, which replaced Skills Australia on 1 July 2012.

The independent Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency is an expansion of the role and functions of Skills Australia. Through its high level expertise, industry and union leadership and collaboration, it will be recognised as an authority on workforce development policy and advice and will direct skills funding to industry needs. Take a tour of the new website at:

http://www.awpa.gov.au/index.html

Join the discussion at the CS&HISC’s online forum on training quality

The CS&HISC is inviting regulators, employers, training providers and learners to share their knowledge and experiences of training quality. The ISC has initiated an online forum on its website to encourage discussion on this critical area. Follow the link below to find out more.

https://www.cshisc.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1023&Itemid=1026

Tuition Protection Service a step closer

As reported in The Australian on 6 July 2012, PricewaterhouseCoopers has been engaged as the administrator of the Tuition Protection Service, the federal government’s new consumer protection arrangements for international students. Some uncertainty however still remains on the fees for the new scheme. To view the full article, click on the link below. (NB. May require subscription):

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/consumer-protection-takes-shape/story-e6frgcjx-1226418270177

Queensland TAFE chief resigns

As reported in The Australian on 29 June 2012, Queensland’s TAFE chief, Deb Daly, has brought her resignation forward six months after the public provider was left off the Skills and Training Taskforce to determine the future of the state’s vocational education and training system. To view the full article, click on the link below. (NB. May require subscription):

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/queensland-tafe-chief-walks/story-e6frgcjx-1226411382783

This news letter was researched and prepared by Anne Maree Newbery

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Hope you are all well.

OK,,,, I would firstly like to open this newsletter by acknowledging that I was wrong about QLD becoming a non-referring State! At one point it was a certainty and then QLD was pulled back from the brink by the Federal Government. Who would have thought! Anyway, I am pleased that we have some consistency in regulation for multi-State providers based in QLD. Some have sent me emails calling on me to run naked around the QLD Parliament building for my error of judgement (sorry about the mental image!). I am still thinking about that as a marketing opportunity and will let you all know!

Now down to some serious stuff. There is (as always) lots in this edition of VET News and I would like to thank my team for all their effort in sorting through the information clutter to present the most relevant news for the month. There are two items that I draw your attention to:

• ASQA Update, Item: New compliance requirement for retaining student assessments. The way I read this is that an RTO will need to retain all assessment evidence on all students for the duration of the students enrolment and for the following six months. Of course there may be other licencing and contractual requirements to keep it longer but this is the minimum retention requirement for all student assessment records. Let me know what you think.
• NSSC launches a review of the VET regulation standards. I would strongly encourage all of you to register your interest and submit your feedback to the NSSC. In my submission I am highlighting that the standards need to be more specific about the expectations on the RTO and minimise the areas in the standards which require the auditor to “interpret” the requirement. RTOs want clearly defined standards that they can understand and comply with without worrying what the auditor will think! Keep in mind it’s not the auditors fault either. They are stuck with a highly stated, generalised collection of qualitative statements which they are expected to audit. An accompanying evidence guide would be nice as well. This is a call to arms! You have until Friday 13 July 2012 to register and provide your feedback. Do not miss this opportunity!

As always we invite new subscribers at: Subscribe to VET News

If you have some news, send it to us at: news@newberyconsulting.com.au

Kind regards,

Joe Newbery

Compliance and Regulatory News

Queensland legislation is passed

On 21 June 2012, the Queensland Parliament passed the Vocational Education and Training (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2012 (QLD) to transfer powers to the NVR for the regulation of RTOs. The effective date for the transfer is 29 June 2012. Read the Queensland Minister’s media statement at the following link.

http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=79608

The Unique Student Identifier (USI) is coming

As flagged in the Government’s skills reform package in April this year, the USI is set to become a reality for the VET sector, with implementation planned for 1 January 2014. A new page has been added to the Department’s website to promote the initiative and an FAQ page gives some insight into the current thinking of how this change will occur. See the links below.

http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Programs/USI/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/Programs/USI/Pages/FAQ.aspx

ASQA update

Here is a snapshot of what the national VET regulator reported in June.

IMPORTANT: New compliance requirement for retaining student assessments. Under a general direction issued by ASQA on 22 June 2012, RTOs regulated by the NVR must now securely retain ‘completed student assessment items’ (this is defined in the general direction) for a specified period. This period is the longer of:

• the duration of the RTO’s assessment appeal period;
• a period of six months from the date on which the judgement of competence for the student was made; or
• the duration of the student’s enrolment.You will need to be able to demonstrate compliance at your next audit. Read the full general direction at the link below.

http://asqa.gov.au/verve/_resources/General_direction_Retaining_student_assessment.pdf

Information sessions for Queensland. ASQA has scheduled a number of information sessions in Queensland following the passing of the Queensland referral legislation. These will be held in July and August. Click on the link below for dates and registration instructions.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1378/queensland-information-sessions-scheduled.html

Checking an application status on ASQAnet. If you have submitted an application using ASQAnet, then you can check its progress in real time. You simply need to log into ASQAnet using the same user account that you used to submit the application. You will see the progress of all your submitted applications on the ASQAnet home screen.

Reminder: Are your details up to date? ASQA has posted another reminder for RTO managers to check that the details on the National Register (training.gov.au) are accurate. Click on the link below for instructions if you find your details are not correct.

http://asqa.gov.au/news/1350/are-your-details-up-to-date-1.html

NSSC launches a review of the VET regulation standards

On 8 June 2012 the NSSC announced that it was commencing a review of the standards for the regulation of VET. The review is broad ranging and encompasses standards for Registered Training Organisations, Data, and VET Regulators. The anticipated outcome of the review is a new set of standards presented to SCOTESE for endorsement in mid to late 2013.

Read the related NSSC Special Bulletin at:

http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/69002/NSSC-SB-02_-_Launch_of_review_of_standards.pdf

You may also like to review the new dedicated section on the NSSC website, where you can find out how to have your say:

http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/standards_review

Standards for Training Packages

The NSSC reported in its meeting on 14 June 2012, that the development of new Standards for Training Packages will be the subject of further stakeholder consultation over the coming months, with a focus on identifying implementation and transition issues. The NSSC also reported that it has been working closely with the Commonwealth to identify potential functionality requirements for training.gov.au to accommodate the new streamlined Training Packages. It is anticipated that the draft standards will be considered at the next meeting of the NSSC, scheduled for 5 September 2012. Read the full meeting communique at the following link:

http://www.nssc.natese.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/69359/NSSC_Communique_6_-_June_2012.pdf

The Office of the AQF Council has moved

As a result of the Commonwealth Government Ministry changes in late 2011, the hosting arrangements of the Office of the AQF Council have changed from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE). If the new location and contact details for the AQF are important to you, then you’ll want to read the AQF Newsletter at the link below.

http://www.aqf.edu.au/Portals/0/Documents/Newsletters/AQF%20Newsletter%2014%20June%202012.pdf

Training Package News

Recent Training Package endorsements/ updates

AUM12 Automotive Manufacturing, version 1.0 Endorsed 14/06/12

UEP12 Electricity Supply Industry – Generation Sector, version 1.0 Endorsed 14/06/12

ICP10 Printing and Graphic Arts, version 2.0 Endorsed 14/06/12

MTM11 Australian Meat Industry, version 2.0 18/06/12

AHC10 Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management, version 3.0 22/06/12

AVI08 Aviation, version 4.0 Endorsed 14/06/12

MEM05 Metal and Engineering, version 8.0 25/06/12

SIR07 Retail Services, version 3.0 29/05/12

For details of release information go to http://training.gov.au/

Enrolled Nursing qualification now starts at Diploma level

Changes to the minimum qualification for registration as an Enrolled Nursing has led to the removal of the Certificate IV in Nursing from the current version of the Health Training Package. Find out more at:

https://www.cshisc.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1002&Itemid=1017

Events, Resources & Funding News

Important Note: The inclusion of news items about recently released resources does not constitute an endorsement by Newbery Consulting. A full and detailed review of any ‘off-the-shelf’ resource should be undertaken to determine if it is suitable for your organisation and can be customised to meet your needs.

E-portfolios for Learner Pathways

E-portfolios for Learner Pathways is a business activity funded by the National VET E-learning Strategy. Its newly launched website notes: The project aims to support individuals’ lifelong learning goals by providing the basis for learners to progress through vocational education and training (VET) and gain recognition of their prior learning and experiences, and by enabling the national portability of learning evidence and verifiability of qualifications. Find out more at:

http://learnerpathways.flexiblelearning.net.au/index.php

Updated resources from WA

The Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development has recently updated its VET publications to 2012 versions. These are available for download at the following link:

http://moodle.westone.wa.gov.au/mod/book/view.php?id=6960&chapterid=383

Free Learning Resource from CS&HISC: Disability Behaviour Support Skill Set

A free learning resource is now available to assist in delivery of the Disability Work – Behaviour Support Skill Set. This skill set is made up of four units and provides workers with the skills and knowledge to manage a service delivery program which supports people with a disability who have behaviours of concern. Access the resource at the following link:

https://www.cshisc.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=106&category_id=4&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=48

Australian apprenticeship & traineeship updates

Click on the links below to view the Australian Apprenticeship Updates for June, showing qualifications recently implemented in QLD, SA, WA, TAS and VIC:

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/b31a5b9e-a433-458d-a06d-9f09851a4ac9/file.aspx

http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/8bc674e0-2d41-4823-adaa-1ec3c66d74bb/file.aspx

Other News of Interest

Single TAFE for Tasmania

As reported in The Australian on 5 June 2012, the Tasmanian Government announced plans to merge the Tasmanian Polytechnic and Tasmanian Skills Institute into a single entity in July next year. The new entity will be known as TasTAFE. To view the full article, click on the link below. (NB. May require subscription)

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/single-tafe-for-tasmania/story-e6frgcjx-1226385217255

VET research for industry

VET research for industry was the title of a paper delivered by Tom Karmel at the at the AVETRA conference in April 2012. Karmel notes that industry is arguably the key stakeholder in the Australian VET sector and discusses six areas of research which raise questions about VET and industry, either in terms of how public training funds are allocated or the educational principles on which VET is based. Access the conference paper on the NCVER website at the link below (login required):

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2497.html

Investing in experience

The Australian Government will invest $20 million over two years in the Investing in Experience (Skills Recognition and Training) program, to assist mature age workers aged 50 years and over to gain formal recognition of their current competencies and receive training to fill any knowledge or skills gaps so that they can obtain a nationally recognised qualification at the Certificate III to Advanced Diploma level. Read more about the initiative at the following g link:

http://www.tpatwork.com/Newsletters/June-2012/Investing-in-Experience-Skills-Recognition-and-Training-.aspx

Training packages an ‘expensive edifice’

As reported in The Australian on 14 June 2012, according to University of Melbourne academic, Leesa Wheelahan, training packages should be scrapped in favour of the model used in private higher education where providers develop their own qualifications. In a study conducted by Dr Wheelahan, she found that about 13 per cent of training package qualifications had no students, and 56 per cent had fewer than 50. Just 14 per cent had more than 500 equivalent full-time students. Millions are spent creating qualifications delivered by thousands of small providers that teach few students, according to Dr Wheelahan.

Critics said Dr Wheelahan’s analysis relied on incomplete data and out-dated assumptions. Service Skills Australia said it ignored the training that businesses gave their staff in the workplace.

To view the full article, click on the link below. (NB. May require subscription):

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/training-packages-an-expensive-edifice/story-e6frgcjx-1226394730863

Aged Care Workforce Compact

On 18 June 2012, the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, announced the appointment of Commissioner Anne Gooley as the Chair of the Aged Care Strategic Workforce Advisory Group. The Compact will result in a commitment between government, unions and aged care providers to tackle the workforce problems confronting the sector. Read the Minister’s media release at the link below.

http://www.ministers.deewr.gov.au/butler/anne-gooley-lead-development-aged-care-workforce-compact