ACPET National Monday Update – edition 578, 3 November 2014

In Focus Edition 578, 3 Nov

I am told that my first week in ACPET was business as usual. If that is the case I am in for an exciting ride.

I have balanced my attention on the key issues in our sector and of course making certain that ACPET’s house itself is in order.

A big development for our sector this week was the delivery of Report of the Senate Education and Employment Committee on the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014. The report released calls on the Senate to pass the Bill in the interest of student choice and improved quality.

This I obviously applaud and our higher education providers, who are already delivering outstanding results, will be able, if the Bill is passed, to play an even bigger role in producing skilled graduates for the Australian economy.

Interestingly, the principle of student choice is now supported by most governments across the country, as well as students and employers alike. Both Labor and conservative governments have introduced competition to improve the operations of education sectors. Despite this, it was disappointing to note that Labor and the Greens continued a negative attitude towards private education that included blanket statements about an unknown portion of private provider’s rorting the system or providing low quality education.

There is compelling evidence that student choice, supported by high quality standards and a strong regulatory regime, is the best way to ensure the highest quality higher education sector in Australia…. Read more

No, Minister! ACPET reminds NSW Education Minister members are not happyEdition 578, 3 Nov

To follow up the recent meeting ACPET representatives had with NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli (advised to members in last week’s NMU), Board Chairman Martin Cass last week wrote to him. The letter seeks a formal response to a range of member expressed concerns including the insuffici…Read more

Training sector gets tough on unscrupulous operators Edition 578, 3 Nov

On Thursday 30 October the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) called together leaders from Australia’s private higher education and training sector to develop an industry-led response to ensuring the integrity and quality of private teriary education. The extraordinar… Read more

Student choice should motivate Senate to pass higher education reforms Edition 578, 3 Nov

The Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) welcomes the report of the Senate Education and Employment Committee on the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 released earlier this week and has called on the Senate to pass the Bill in the interest of student c…Read more

“Private colleges will hold talks over ratings downturn” Edition 578, 3 Nov

This week The Financial Review pubished the article “Private colleges will hold talks over ratings downturn”, discussing the summit held by ACPET and key reprosentities from the sector to develop an industry-led response to ensuring the integrity and quality private tertiary education. To… Read more

ElNet Masterclass offer for ACPET membersEdition 578, 3 Nov

The eLearning Network of Australia (ElNet) will be running a session Modernising learning – a masterclass in how to future proofing your learning strategy in Melbourne (Wednesday 19 November, 2014) and Sydney (Monday 24 November, 2014). ElNet would like to offer ACPET members ElNet members ra… Read more

Limited places available! RPL – getting it rightEdition 578, 3 Nov

Are you using RPL as a means of engaging new students? Do you understand what makes up quality RPL processes? Are you sure your RPL tools and processes are compliant? Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process for giving students credit for skills, knowledge and experience gained throug…Read more

Collecting evidence that matters – unpacking the rules of evidence Edition 578, 3 Nov

Did you know how seriously RTOs are failing their training and assessment requirements at audit? 85% of RTOs were found non compliant in their assessment requirements when audited by ASQA in 2012-13 Heading the list are: inadequate or inappropriate assessment tools and practices failure to ass… Read more

What are skill sets and how do they work?Edition 578, 3 Nov

Did you know that there are currently 1,125 skill sets defined in national Training Packages? How might you promote and maximise the use of skill sets effectively with your industry partners? A 2013 report by the Resources Industry Training Council Skill suggested that: ‘Skill sets pr… Read more