 |
|
|
Hello and welcome to VET News,
Firstly, to all of our loyal subscribers I would like to apologise for our absence over the last few months. A number of factors including staffing issues and work tempo led to the newsletter taking a back seat to other priorities. I can assure you that we are back on track and are returning to a normal schedule on a monthly news update aiming for the second week of the month. I am very luck to be assisted by the amazing Kate Waldron who coordinates our marketing. With Kate’s help we will keep you updated in our usual style.
Ok, lots happening as usual. Too many things to mention really. We have just posted our third and final (maybe) instalment of ASQAneese. I say maybe because as I point out in the article it is such a rapidly changing space and I am leaving the door open to the add update. Anyway, thank you to all those that have been sending me emails asking about this next instalment. I hope it is useful:
Speaking ASQAneese – Part 3
The long awaited report from the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Perceptions and Status of Vocational Education and Training has release their report titled “Shared vision, equal pathways”. There is a link below where you can access a copy of the report. As many of you know, we made a submission to the inquiry. The recommendations are significant and are potentially quite detrimental for the private training sector. I will unpack these and provide a summary in the next VET News.
The other item of significance is the passing of the Governments legislation to amend National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act. The impact of this legislation is significant. The more notable outcome announced by ASQA today include:
- automatically lapsing the registration of registered training organisations (RTOs) that have not delivered training and assessment for 12 months
- preventing new RTOs from expanding their scope of registration within the first 24 months of their registration
- providing the Minister for Skills and Training with the power to direct ASQA to not accept or process initial applications for RTO registration for a period of up to 12 months
- clarifying provisions relating to false and misleading advertising of an RTO’s operations
- increasing maximum penalties by five times
- extending the period for ASQA to conduct internal reviews to 120 days
- allowing ASQA to consider the order in which to process initial applications for registration.
This will have a significant impact on many training providers and will no doubt create some turmoil over the next 12-24 months. Overall, it feels like the entire private training provider market is under attack at the moment. The Government may get satisfaction from an ideological perspective but the long term effects are likely to be reduced training quality, flexibility and choice, not to mention the damage to productivity in the economy. We seem to be at a turning point for the VET sector that is for sure. We will watch with interest.
Good training,
Joe Newbery
|
|
Compliance & Regulatory News
|
|
|
Standards for RTOs 2015 update
The users guide to the Standards for RTOs 2015 has been updated on ASQA’s website.
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VET Delivery in Secondary Schools (VETDSS)
ASQA’s regulatory focus is to identify risks to the quality and reputation of the VET sector by providers delivering VET for secondary students. RTO’s must ensure the students are informed, supported, and protected. As well as maintaining any third-party arrangements and relevant trainer and assessor currency.
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International Students
In the recent ASQA newsletter the progression of international students was highlighted. ASQA said “The risk of overseas students not progressing and completing their course increases when their attendance is low, and they are not provided with appropriate training facilities and resources for undertaking the qualification in which they are enrolled.”
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other VET News
|
|
|
Bill to amend National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act passes parliament
Legislation has passed parliament that grants ASQA greater powers to protect vulnerable students, take action against non-genuine providers, and ensure improvements in quality vocational education and training. The amendments to the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act include:
- automatically lapsing the registration of registered training organisations (RTOs) that have not delivered training and assessment for 12 months
- preventing new RTOs from expanding their scope of registration within the first 24 months of their registration
- providing the Minister for Skills and Training with the power to direct ASQA to not accept or process initial applications for RTO registration for a period of up to 12 months
- clarifying provisions relating to false and misleading advertising of an RTO’s operations
- increasing maximum penalties by five times
- extending the period for ASQA to conduct internal reviews to 120 days
- allowing ASQA to consider the order in which to process initial applications for registration.
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VET Data streamlining
The Vocational Education and Training (VET) Data Streamlining program aims to introduce a new VET information standard that will replace the current AVETMISS 8.0. NCVER report that “As part of the National Skills Agreement, which was ratified in late 2023, a commitment was made to take the new VET Information Standard forward for approval by Ministers by June 30, 2024. This work with the Commonwealth, all state and territory governments, and regulators is tracking on schedule.
Approval of the new standard by Ministers is one of a number of steps required in the VET Data Streamlining program before the new standard is publicly released. Public release of the VET Information Standard is the point at which RTOs and SMS vendors can begin their preparation to transition from AVETMISS 8.0 to the new standard. The timeline for the release of the VET Information Standard has yet to be agreed and will be communicated once known.”
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working together for a stronger Early Childhood workforce
In collaboration with HumanAbility, Jobs and Skills Australia is embarking on a capacity study concerning the workforce requirements within Australia’s Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector. This study aims to furnish crucial evidence and insights to bolster both current and future workforce planning endeavours. It seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present state and future demands of the sector’s workforce, aiding in the formulation of governmental strategies and visions pertaining to early years education and care for Australian children.
During the week of March 18, 2024, Jobs and Skills Australia, in conjunction with HumanAbility, convened three productive roundtable discussions. These sessions were designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders. With the participation of 70 external stakeholders alongside representatives from state and territory governments, the roundtables served as a platform for practitioners and experts to delve into the themes outlined during the consultation paper phase of the study.
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Skills shortage Drivers
This months, Jobs and Skills Australia released the Skills Shortage Driver (SSD) into the Skills Priority List (SPL).
The SSD categorizes skills shortages into four primary drivers, each based on the most probable cause of the shortage, acknowledging the potential influence of other factors to a lesser extent.
These four categories include:
- Long Training Gap
- Short Training Gap
- Suitability Gap
- Retention Gap
The Skills Priority List (SPL) offers an intricate overview of occupations experiencing shortages across Australia, delineating them by each state and territory. It also outlines the anticipated future demand for occupations nationwide. Released on an annual basis, the SPL serves as a snapshot assessment of the current state of the labour market.
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reports, Articles, Papers and Research
|
|
|
Inquiry into the Perceptions and Status of Vocational Education and Training – Shared vision, equal pathways
The long awaited report from the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Perceptions and Status of Vocational Education and Training has release their report titled “Shared vision, equal pathways”. The report makes some significant recommendations which if acted upon will change the structure of vocational education and training in Australia. The government is yet to respond to the report recommendations. You can access the full report below.
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Apprentices & Trainees
NCVER has reported the Apprentices and Trainees 2023: September quarter report, marking an 22.2% increase compared to the previous year. With NCVER reporting that “95.6% of apprentices and trainees who completed their training in a trade occupation were employed after training, similar to 2022.”
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government-funded students and courses
In their January to September 2023 statistical report, NCVER reported that “In the nine months ending 30 September 2023, 1,0740,05 students were enrolled in government-funded vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. They included:
1,039,065 students enrolled in nationally recognised training
55,995 students enrolled in non-nationally recognised training.
There were 1,245,855 government-funded program enrolments in Australia comprised of:
91.6% in nationally recognised programs
86.5% were in qualifications: 78.9% in training package qualifications and 7.7% in accredited qualifications
5.0% were in training package skillsets and accredited courses
5.8% in locally developed programs
2.7% in non-nationally recognised programs.”
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Understanding the potential in VET: an introduction to the VNDA
The report titled ‘VET Student Outcomes, Top 100 Courses’, published on November 16, 2023, monitors the outcomes of VET students enrolled in the top 100 courses (based on completion rates). This innovative methodology in data collection is the outcome of a collaborative effort involving Jobs and Skills Australia, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), and the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).
This report was made feasible through the development of a new data set known as the VET National Data Asset (VNDA). It will enable Jobs and Skills Australia to furnish recommendations regarding the efficacy of the Australian VET system, unlocking fresh insights and analytical possibilities.
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EET Committee Report
The Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training has released its report.
The Committee has put forth 34 recommendations aimed at improving perceptions of the VET sector and facilitating greater accessibility to VET pathways. These recommendations encompass:
- Substantially reforming the operations of the National Careers Institute.
- Formulating a national strategy for careers education in secondary schools.
- Enhancing the delivery of VET to secondary school students through collaborative partnerships and increased funding.
- Streamlining the development and implementation of VET qualifications.
- Addressing systemic obstacles to women’s involvement in VET, focusing on eradicating gender-based violence and workplace discrimination while challenging gender stereotypes.
- Improving apprenticeships, including through the trial of a network of industry-led apprenticeship support providers, enhancing pay and conditions, and exploring new apprenticeship pathways.
- Establishing a comprehensive framework for the creation, implementation, and funding of micro-credentials.
- Implementing measures to attract and retain a VET workforce possessing industry expertise and a wider range of teaching skills.
- Charting a clear pathway toward a fully integrated tertiary education system.
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
|
|
|
The 33rd National VET research Conference
10th – 12th July 2024
‘No Frills’ is being held in Perth from the 10th till the 12th of July 2024. The annual national conference and a key part of NCVER’s engagement with the VET sector, ‘No Frills’ provides an opportunity to showcase research to VET practitioners and build the capacity of researchers.
It provides participants with a forum for the exchange of ideas and knowledge, as well as a chance to be a part of an event that encourages thought-provoking presentations and networking opportunities in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virtual VET Summit: Artificial Intelligence
3rd September 2024
This online via Zoom webinar is being held on Tuesday 3rd September 2024 from 9am till 4.15pm (AEST QLD). This event has been tailor-made for professionals in the VET sector, offering a deep dive into the current and future impacts of AI within Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).
This virtual event is designed for CEOs/GMs, Senior Managers/Leaders, Operational staff, Curriculum Developers/L&D personnel, Training Coordinators, and Trainers/Assessors.
Click here to find out more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
