Update on Victorian VET Funding – Tougher contract compliance and more regulation

Update on Victorian VET Funding – Tougher contract compliance and more regulation

changes-ahead

Registered training organisations (RTOs) with Victorian VET Funding Contracts should brace themselves for the pending changes to the Victorian VET funding model.

Training providers that hold a current Victorian VET Funding Contract, (also referred to Victorian Training Guarantee or VTG) are expected to have new conditions imposed on them tomorrow (21/09/2015). The much tighter restrictions and contractual obligations are expected to be in-line with the recent Victorian VET Funding Review that was led by Bruce Mackenzie. Nineteen recommendations were made, all of which are expected to be fully implemented by the government. Other changes also include: [emaillocker id=6291]

  • Strengthening the department’s ability to conduct face-to-face reviews and investigate students’ complaints.
  • Launching an education campaign to help students make more informed choices about courses.
  • Lifting the quality of trainers and assessors by creating a list of approved providers.
The contract changes come at a significant time, with expressions of interest for RTOs wanting to obtain a Victorian government 2016 VET funding contract opening tomorrow (21/09/2015).
For the RTOs holding current funding contract, the time to comply and demonstrate best practice is now! With the (2015) funding contracts for about 174 RTOs will expire at the end of this year, and more than 400 other RTOs (2014-2016) 3-year funding contracts will expire at the end of 2016. Make no mistake, the Minister Steve Herbert has every intention of not renewing the contracts of sub-standard training providers.
If you require assistance with understanding and implementing changes to your RTOs Victorian VET Funding Contract please contact AuditExpress on 1300735541
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Audit Express director Matthew Dale speaks to ABC Radio about Private RTOs VS TAFE

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This morning Matthew Dale Director of Audit Express spoke with ABC Radio host Joseph Thomsen about the quality of training being delivered by private training organisations (RTOs) across Australia.

In recent days it has been reported that the Corowa TAFE is up for sale – http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-15/tafe-sales/6776590 A number of callers phoned through to ABC Radio complaining about the empty TAFE classrooms and the poor quality of training that is delivered by private training organisations. Matthew was quick to correct such claims, noting that some of the best quality training that Audit Express has seen delivered is that delivered by many RTOs that are members of the Australian Council of Private Education and Training (ACPET).

In a market driven system like the Australian VET sector, the consumer – either the student or employer has a choice. They chose their training provider either a TAFE or Private RTO based on their needs. TAFEs need to engage with industry and the wider community to ensure that their training programs meet the needs of their clients if they are to see their classrooms filled.

As a tax payer it pains me to know that our hard earned tax payer dollars are going towards paying the wages of teachers that are not teaching any students, and towards paying the electricity bills of TAFEs with empty classes. We call on the Victorian and NSW Ministers to consider adopting the QLD Reform Action Plan http://the-scan.com/2013/06/11/qld-opens-tafe-assets-to-private-rtos/
which provides access to public training facilities for private providers as well as the public TAFE institutes.

 

Matthew Dale is the Director of Audit Express and former adviser to the Victorian Minister for Higher Education and Skills.

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The time for a true national VET system is now.

The time for a true national VET system is now.

When ASQA became the (national*) regulatory body for the vocational education and training (VET) sector on the 1st of July 2011, the VET sector was sold the vision of Australia moving towards a true national VET system. Fast forward four years to 2015 and it is pleasing to see that there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel.

The opportunities associated with the Australian VET sector are endless. With the slowing Australian mining industry, the right education policy reform could see education rise to be our largest and most successful industry over the next 10 years.
There are an increasing number of opportunities in the VET sector, including: [emaillocker id=6291]

  • Global international students wanting to experience our reputable, quality education system both here in Australia and offshore in their home countries.
  • The ongoing demand to meet the skilling needs of our own nation
  • The opportunity to compete with NZ, UK and the USA education providers to meet the skilling needs of our neighbours across the wider Asian-Pacific region. This in itself is a multi billion dollar opportunity.

Senator Simon Birmingham has worked hard at this important piece of education reform that will strengthen our current fragmented and disjointed sector. It is also really pleasing to see that the Australian Council of Private Education and Training is also playing an active role in campaigning and lobbying for the much needed reform that our sector is crying out for across the nation.

AuditExpress look forward to continuing our work with ACPET in seeing this much needed reform passed through parliament in this term of government.

You might like to take a look at the following Financial Review article that was recently published about Senator Birmingham’s work on this important reform:
http://www.afr.com/news/policy/education/simon-birmingham-makes-progress-in-reforming-vocational-education-20150908-gjhxxp

We will leave you with this quote:

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new” [/emaillocker]

CHANGE