ASQA reports compliance concerns in latest Annual Report
Almost three-quarters of registered training organisations (RTOs) are failing to meet a key training and assessment standard, according to the latest annual report of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
The 2013-14 annual report says that even after these RTOs had sought to rectify the situation, there were 21 per cent who were still non-compliant.
“The high level of non-compliance with Standard 15 is a concern for ASQA, as Standard 15 governs training and assessment—the core business of a registered training organisation, and the most critical Standard for ensuring the delivery of quality outcomes,” the report says.
Despite ASQA’s criticism of segments of registered providers, and ongoing concern about high-risk providers, the annual report revealed ASQA made just 297 decisions to apply sanctions, cancel or suspend registration, or notify a provider of intention to cancel/suspend registration.
See the ASQA 2013-14 Annual Report.
Mick Young Scholarships awarded at Western Sydney Institute – Pascal Press support
Ten students from TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute’s Mt Druitt campus have been awarded Mick Young Scholarships.
The students from a range of disciplines received $1000 each to help with the cost of completing their studies. The awards were sponsored by Pascal Press.
The awards were attended by the Executive Director of the TDA National Scholarships Foundation Theresa Collignon, the Executive Chairman of Pascal Press, Matthew Sandblom and the first Mick Young Scholarship recipient, Wendy Beckett.
“It was wonderful to have Wendy and Matthew attend as two of our best supporters,” Ms Collignon said.
“I am also very pleased to announce that Pascal Press has committed to sponsoring the Mick Young scholarships for another three years. I would like to thank Wendy and Matthew for their most generous support, which is helping to make an enormous difference.”
Back row from left to right: Colin Stewart, Wendy Beckett, Matthew Sandblom, Haydn Payne, Theresa Collignon, Victoria Wojtowicz and Warren Creek. Front row, left to right: Reya Mossarat, Flora Yugu, Louise Garcia and Kirralea Kennedy.
Australia in skills partnership with South Korea
The federal government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korea that will promote greater collaboration in vocational skills and training.
The MOU for cooperation in technical vocational education and training (VET) will open up opportunities for Australia and Korea to work together, particularly on technical aspects of standards and qualifications.
“Korea is already the third largest source of international VET students coming to Australia, and we want to see the numbers of Korean students keep growing,” said Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane.
He said it would also benefit employers by making it easier to identify the skills of Korean workers migrating to Australia, or skills available for Australian companies looking to establish operations in Korea.
There were over 9,600 enrolments from Korean students in VET courses in the past year, an increase of 17 per cent on the previous year.
See more.
South Australia announces skills policy review
The South Australian government has commissioned an external review of the state’s skills initiative, ‘Skills for All’, to be completed by the end of the year.
Employment, Higher Education and Skills Minister Hon. Gail Gago MP, said the review will examine existing initiative and assess progress on Skills for All objectives, the overall cost and efficiency, and the vocational education and training impacts.
“Two years on, with a changing State economy, it is time to evaluate the program so far and consider the next phase of policy development for training, skills and employment,” Ms Gago said.
The review will be undertaken by ACIL Allen Consulting.
See more.
WFCP World Congress papers now online
In October, China’s Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) hosted the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics 2014 World Congress.
The Congress was attended by a TDA-led delegation, comprising members from TAFE QLD, TAFE NSW: the Northern Sydney Institute & TAFE Western, William Angliss, TAFE SA, The LH Martin Institute, the Commonwealth Department of Industry and Austrade.
As part of the Congress, TDA hosted a session focussing on Partnerships with Industry. The session included expert speakers from China and Australia. The session provided an overview of TAFE partnerships with colleges and industries in China and explored new models of cooperation.
The session also considered multilateral approaches to meeting the skill needs of industry.
The presentations are now available from the International Events page on the TDA website.
Input wanted into agrifoods skills outlook
AgriFood Skills Australia is in the process of developing its 2015 Environmental Scan on the industry’s skill and workforce development needs.
It is keen to get opinions from registered training organisations (RTOs) that deliver AgriFood’s training packages.
AgriFood Skills Australia is the key body on skills and workforce development for the Australian agrifood industry and regional Australia, and encompasses agriculture, horticulture, conservation and land management, animal care and management, food, beverage and pharmaceutical processing, meat, seafood, and racing.
See more about the AgriFood Environmental Scan.
Diary Dates
Group Training Australia
2014 National Conference
DATE: 12-14 November 2014
LOCATION: Grand Chancellor Hotel, Hobart
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
Government Skills Australia
2014 National Conference
DATE: 17-18 November 2014
LOCATION: Adelaide Oval
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
2014 B/HERT Awards
Business Higher Education Round Table
DATE: 20 November 2014
LOCATION: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
Australian Training Awards
DATE: 21 November 2014
LOCATION: Adelaide convention Centre
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
Victoria University
Financial Sustainability in VET
DATE: 25-26 February 2015
LOCATION: Victoria University City Convention Centre, Melbourne
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
EduTECH
National Congress & Expo
DATE: 2 & 3 June 2015
LOCATION: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
DETAILS: Click here for more information.