VET News - 31st March 2020 • Newbery Consulting

Newbery Consulting VET News – 11th March 2020

Compliance & Regulatory News

Further extension to the transition period for NWP50715 Diploma of Water Industry Operations

ASQA has agreed to further extend the transition period of the NWP50715 Diploma of Water Industry Operations until 20 June 2021.

The NWP50715 Diploma of Water Industry Operations will remain on RTOs scope of registration until the end of the extended transition period, unless the RTO chooses to withdraw it from scope prior.

Annual declaration on compliance open until 31 March 2020

Each year, the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 (the Standards) require all ASQA RTOs to submit an annual declaration on compliance. ASQA sent an email with a unique URL to each RTO’s Chief Executive Officer on Friday 21 February 2020. The annual declaration online form is available until midnight on Tuesday 31 March 2020.

For further information, click here.

Update on COVID-19 and student travel

ASQA has advised that providers consider flexible arrangements for students who have been directly impacted by travel restrictions or isolation periods in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak. This may include flexible course delivery, or adopting a flexible approach to student attendance.

ASQA acknowledges that due to circumstances surrounding COVID-19, providers may not be in a position to fully comply with the requirements of Standards under the National Code 2018. Providers should document all flexible arrangements made on a student-by-student basis. This is particularly important for arrangements that would usually be considered non-compliant with the ESOS Act.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Compliance arrangements

ASQA has published a range of frequently asked questions (FAQs), with responses to guide your operations.

Transition periods extended for 51 qualifications

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, ASQA has extended transition periods for 51 qualifications due to expire between 17 March and 15 July until 31 December 2020.

Read the full list here.

Two deadlines extended due to COVID-19

ASQA recognises that this is a difficult time for the sector and that the health of staff and students is a priority. For your information, ASQA has also:

extended the deadline for RTOs to complete the declaration of compliance from 31 March to 30 April 2020
extended transition periods for a range of qualifications

Improvement to timeframe to submit initial accreditation applications

A change in the timeframe for submitting VET course concepts for initial accreditation will apply to all submissions received by ASQA after 31 March 2020. Where a VET course concept is assessed as meeting eligibility requirements, Course Developers are granted 12 months from the date of ASQA’s written notification that the course can proceed to development.

A review of applications for initial course accreditation received and finalised following the submission of a VET course concept and as a result of this review, owners of VET course concept submissions received after 31 March 2020 that meet eligibility requirements will be granted six months from the date of ASQA’s written notification to:

engage with key stakeholders
develop the course against current requirements
submit the application to ASQA for its consideration on whether to grant national recognition of the course.

For further information, click here.

Other VET News

Provider toolkit available to assist with helping international students learn about their workplace rights

The Department of Education has developed a suite of resources to help international students learn about their workplace rights while studying in Australia and an accompanying toolkit for education providers.

AUSkey to be decommissioned on 27 March 2020

AUSkey is being decommissioned tomorrow, Friday 27 March 2020. This will affect all RTOs—if you connect to the Unique Student Identifier (USI) Registry via the Organisation Portal or have a Student Management System (SMS), the current AUSkey will not function after the end of March 2020.

AUSkey will be replaced by a new whole-of-government digital identity service—myGovID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM). There are several steps RTOs need to follow to be prepared for this change.

Energising Tasmania Training Fund

The Department of State Growth, through Skills Tasmania, is releasing a new grant program to support the Energising Tasmania Training Fund. The Fund allows existing workers to access full qualifications and apprenticeships and/or traineeships in the industry sectors that align to the Energising Tasmania initiative. Endorsed Registered Training Organisations (ERTOs) are eligible to submit an application before the grant closes. All ERTOs are eligible to apply for this first iteration of the Fund. The grant opened on March 7th 2020.

Adult Learning Fund

The Adult Learning Fund supports jobseekers and adult learners in Tasmania to gain skills they need to improve their employment opportunities. The Fund aims to support effective pathways to employment by providing subsidies to Endorsed RTO’s who provide training in both full qualifications and skill sets that lead to job outcomes. The Grant is now open and will close 2:00pm on Wednesday, 8 April 2020.

Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships Program

The Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships (RRES) program is now open for applications. RRES supports access to tertiary education for people from regional and remote areas of Australia. There are 1100 scholarships available for eligible students throughout the 2020 academic year. Scholarships are valued at up to $18,000 and are available to students enrolled to study in any discipline, from Certificate IV to PhD level through any mode of study – face-to-face or online/by distance.

Training to support bushfire affected communities

The NSW Government is supporting industries and communities needing more skilled workers whom were impacted by the bushfires through funding various training courses. The support offered will include:

12 months fee free training for apprentices who have lost their jobs as a result of the bushfires
Priorities existing part-qualification funding for training that supports recovery and delivering training in skills that support job seeking skills
Assisting apprentices find new or permanent employment using Continuing Apprentices Placement Service (CAPS)
Free replacements of Trade Certificates lost in fires.

Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers

Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers is a new Australian Government-funded initiative to enable older Australian workers and recently unemployed older Australians to remain in, or re-enter the workforce. Participants must complete the Skills Checkpoint Program and have a Career Plan identifying suitable training needs.

National Careers Institute Partnership Grants program

Applications are now open for the first round of the National Careers Institute Partnership Grants program.

The program is a key part of the Australian Government’s $585m Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow package. This budget measure was announced in the 2019-20 Federal budget to support more Australians to gain the skills employers are looking for.

The program will offer funding opportunities for projects where organisations such as industry bodies, employers, schools, tertiary providers, governments and researchers work together to improve career outcomes and education and training pathways

Articles and Papers

Government-funded students and courses: January to September 2019

This publication provides a summary of data relating to students, programs, subjects and training providers in Australia’s government-funded VET system (defined as Commonwealth and state/territory government-funded training) from January to September 2019. This paper also examines this data against previously submitted data for the January to September 2015 to 2018 periods.

Apprentices and trainees 2019: September quarter – Australia

This infographic provides a snapshot of apprenticeships and traineeships across Australia. It presents statistics on commencements, completions, cancellations and withdrawals and those currently in training.

In-training as at 30 September 2019 – There were 272 580 apprentices and trainees in-training as at 30 September 2019, a decrease of 0.5% from 30 September 2018.

50 per cent cut to TAFE fees driving more students to TAFE

The McGowan Labor Government’s 50 per cent cut to TAFE fees is already having a positive impact, with early data showing a 20 per cent increase in TAFE enrolments. It has provided strong results for courses such as engineering, cyber security and early childhood. The 50 per cent fee reductions have been targeted to align with emerging skills shortages and important sectors of the local economy including aged and disability care, METRONET and civil construction, defence, hospitality and tourism.

Upcoming Events

#NoFrills2020 cancelled

We regret to announce that the 29th National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills’ has been cancelled in accordance with the latest Federal Government advice regarding the COVID-19 outbreak.

VET Policy and Compliance Summit 2020

Transforming VET: supporting quality outcomes for employers and learners
9th March 2020 – 11th March 2020 at Rydges World Square, Sydney, NSW

At the event you will have the opportunity to engage with Policy makers, Regulators, and VET leaders; and participate in a mix of workshops and keynote presentations that will provide you with the skills, knowledge, tools, and solutions to manage your RTO meeting quality and compliance requirements.

2020 VET CEO Conference

Take Charge in 2020
15th May 2020 – Gold Coast, Queensland

The event will encourage, motivate and validate current practices and deliver content that is thought-provoking and relevant to RTO’s.

Training Package Updates

Training Package Updates

The following training packages have been updated on training.gov.au:

BSB: Business Services Training Package
Revised 28th February 2020.
RII: Resources and Infrastructure Industry Package
Revised 2nd March 2020.

Opportunities

RTO Support

Newbery Consulting is pleased to offer one day consulting support. Consulting support is typically provided remotely but can also be provided onsite with Joe Newbery. Travel to the clients site will involve travel costs which will be invoiced at the completion of the visit.

Consulting support can include providing general or specific advice, reviewing a clients documents or other arrangements or advising on assessment or course development.

For further information, click here.

RTO Audit

Newbery Consulting is now taking bookings for compliance audits in 2020. There are a range of audit services to select from including CRICOS, RTO Standards, RTO Visit and Desk Audit. Check out the options and select the service that is best for your RTO. If you are approaching your renewal of registration, please plan in advance.

We recommend completing an internal audit with us at lease 12 month prior to your renewal of registration application being submitted.

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