Hi to all,
A belated happy New Year to everyone. It has been a busy start to the year. We have prepared a comprehensive VET News this month. There are lots of agencies making new announcements.
For those interested, I have been informed that the introduction of the Unique Student Identifier is now not likely to occur before the 1st January 2015. That will also coincide with the initial data collection of the Total VET Activity data.
In December I mentioned that we have had a number of clients have their renewal of registration approved without an audit. These were all low risk RTOs. We are seeing that trend continue this year already with another client receiving notification of this in January. I think this is really interesting and something to watch. It could be the Government’s agenda of less regulation coming through to the VET Sector. I am also hearing whispers that the draft standards developed by the NSSC (Australian Vocational Qualification System) could also be watered down as a result of the new Government’s review of regulation. Again, something to watch.
Good training!
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
Updates to advice on transitioning from revised training package components. On 5 December 2013 ASQA published an update to its General Direction on transition and teach-out which took effect on 1 January 2014. It also published a new Fact Sheet on the topic. There are no changes to the regulatory requirements for training package transition (SNR25) but the updated resources from ASQA serve to provide clearer direction in relation to the Standard. Use the link below to see a summary of the general direction changes and to access the resources.
http://asqa.gov.au/news/1840/updates-to-advice-on-transitioning-from-revised-items.html
2013 strategic review outcomes. ASQA has published the findings of the three strategic reviews it undertook during 2013. The reviews examined:
- Training in aged and community care;
- Training for the construction industry white card; and
- Inappropriate marketing and advertising practices of RTOs.
The following link will take you to the ASQA news item where you can read a summary of the findings and access the official reports and media releases.
http://asqa.gov.au/news/1863/asqa-update–special-edition.html
The link below will take you to the Strategic Reviews page of the ASQA website where FAQs have been posted in response to the white card and aged care reviews.
http://asqa.gov.au/about/regulatory-approach/strategic-reviews.html
ASQA announces 2014 strategic reviews. Training in early childhood, security and equine programs will come under the microscope in the next round of ASQA’s strategic review program. Read the media release at the following link.
ASQAnet updates. Significant changes were made to ASQAnet on 17 January 2014 in relation to the payment of application fees and associated payment options. The big news is that when applying for initial registration or renewal of registration, the applicant must pay both the application lodgement fee and the application assessment fee when submitting the application. Click on the link below for more information.
Chris Robinson’s presentation to 2013 National VET Conference. ASQA has posted a link to a video of Chris Robinson’s recent presentation to the 2013 National VET Conference. Access the video at the following link.
http://asqa.gov.au/news/1870/chris-robinson-video-presentation-to-2013-national-vet-conference.html
Statistics on ASQA’s regulatory activity. Courtesy of the TAFE Directors Australia Newsletter dated 16 December 2013, the link below provides access to the ASQA Provider Roundtable report titled Regulatory Activity & Key Issues: 1 July 2011 – 30 September 2013. The report provides a summary of ASQA’s regulatory activity since its inception. It shows that as at 30 September 2013 ASQA regulates 83.1% of RTO providers. During the reporting period ASQA received 15,370 applications from training organisations and conducted 2,406 audits. It refused 19.9% of initial applications and 9.5% of applications to renew registration.
http://www.tda.edu.au/cb_pages/files/ASQA%20Regulatory%20Report.pdf
NSSC Communiqué 15 – December 2013
Following its meeting on 5 December 2013, the NSSC has published its communiqué that includes updates on the review of standards for the regulation of VET, and the implementation of standards for training packages.
In relation to the VET standards, the NSSC agreed to provide the Hon Ian Macfarlane MP with the draft standards along with supplementary materials including a Regulation Impact Statement, a draft Implementation Plan and a draft Evaluation Strategy. Regarding the Training Package standards, the NSSC agreed on further development work in 2014 to enhance the capabilities of Training Packages by allowing greater specification of training and assessment requirements. Click on the link below to read the full publication.
Changes to the Privacy Act
The Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012 (Privacy Amendment Act) was introduced to Parliament on 23 May 2012 and was passed with amendments on 29 November 2012. The Privacy Amendment Act introduces many significant changes to the Privacy Act and these are due to commence on 12 March 2014. For more information follow the link below to the website of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-act/privacy-law-reform
Training Package News
Recent Training Package endorsements/updates
CPP07 Property Services – Release 14.0 – 17 January 2014
CPC08 Construction, Plumbing and Services – Release 9.0 – 17 January 2014
TLI10 Transport and Logistics – Release 4.0 – 24 December 2013
AVI08 Aviation – Release 5.0 – 23 December 2013
AHC10 Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management – Release 8.0 – 18 December 2013
SFI11 Seafood Industry – Release 2.0 – 18 December 2013
RGR08 Racing – Release 2.0 – 17 December 2013
MEM05 Metal and Engineering – Release 11.0 – 15 December 2013
SIS10 Sport, Fitness and Recreation – Release 3.0 – 14 December 2013
MSS11 Sustainability – Release 3.0 – 13 December 2013
PMA08 Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining – Release 5.0 – 13 December 2013
FNS10 Financial Services – Release 5.1 – 11 December 2013
For details of release information go to http://training.gov.au/
Events, Resources & Funding News
Australian apprenticeship & traineeship update
Click on the link below to view the Training Package qualifications recently implemented in States and Territories. Information is current as at 22 January 2014.
http://aatinfo.com.au/getattachment/c7c3874b-6388-4686-bddc-1e33ed806789/file.aspx
NSW Skills List and Quality Framework
As reported in the November issue of VET News, the NSW Government has now released the Skills List and Quality Framework for vocational education and training, as part of the Smart and Skilled reforms. The Skills List defines the qualifications, recommended by the independent NSW Skills Board, that are eligible for NSW Government funding in 2014. According to the Minister for Education, Hon Adrian Piccoli, the list includes qualifications that 95% of government-funded students have chosen to study in the last four years. Click on the link below for more details.
http://www.training.nsw.gov.au/smartandskilled/
Implementing the VET Practitioner Capability Framework
IBSA will be running workshops on implementing the VET Practitioner Capability Framework, which describes the broad capabilities required for a range of job roles in the VET sector. The program will explain the Capability Framework, its structure and its applications. Click on the link below for more information.
http://www.velgtraining.com/events-details?idevm=226
Funding boost in South Australia
The South Australian Government’s Skills for Jobs in Regions program will be boosted by $5 million to $20 million to help an additional 6000 people get a job. Employment Minister Grace Portolesi said 24 new projects will be funded under the regional program in areas including Northern Adelaide, Southern Adelaide, Western Adelaide and the Upper Spencer Gulf. Click on the link below to read the Minister’s media release.
Fee-free training in Queensland for 2013 graduates
Fee-free apprenticeships and traineeships are now available in more than ten industries for Year 12 students in Queensland who graduated in 2013. Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the qualifications in high demand areas were chosen by the Newman Government and industry. Read the media statement at the following link.
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/1/21/feefree-training-for-2013-graduates
Recent VET publications
National Report on Social Equity in VET
National VET Equity Advisory Council (NVEAC)
This report has been developed by NVEAC to provide baseline information on the participation, achievement and transitions from the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) system for six groups in the Australian population:
- Indigenous Australians;
- People with a disability;
- People from a culturally and linguistically diverse background;
- People living in remote areas;
- People from low socioeconomic status backgrounds; and
- Women.
Education in Australia 2012: Five years of performance
COAG Reform Council
This COAG Reform Council publication tracks progress being made on National Partnerships including certificate level training.
Interpreting competencies in Australian vocational education and training: practices and issues
Steven Hodge
How VET practitioners understand and use competency standards is of fundamental importance to the quality and integrity of the Australian VET system. This small study seeks to address this question by gaining insights from 30 VET practitioners. The research found that VET practitioners have little faith in the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and feel somewhat ill-equipped to interpret competency standards when developing curriculum. The author points to a number of potential solutions, including more intensive initial training, followed up with activities such as assessment validation to help build expertise.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2696.html
Vocational education’s variable links to vocations
Gavin Moodie, Nick Fredman, Emmaline Bexley, Leesa Wheelahan
Using NCVER and Australian Bureau of Statistics data as well as findings from four case studies, this report looks at how mid-level qualifications assist entry to and progression in the workforce. Mid-level qualifications currently provide weak links to the labour market, except when they are related to licensing requirements or regulations. Overall, to be successful in introducing mid-level qualifications, educational institutions need to identify a role in the workforce, convince employers of the benefits of the new role, and understand workforce structures and dynamics.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2689.html
Other News of Interest
New training policy for apprentices and trainees in Queensland
Minister John-Paul Langbroek announced the new Queensland Government Building and Construction Training Policy for apprentices and trainees across Queensland which will take effect on 1 July 2014. The Minister said the training policy rolled two existing policies into one and will streamline compliance and reporting requirements. Read the media statement at the following link.
The news articles presented in this edition of VET News have been researched and prepared by Anne Maree Newbery.
Copyright © 2013 Newbery Consulting All rights reserved.