Earlier this week, RACCA Australia published an article on Unique Student Identifiers (USIs) needed for anyone commencing or continuing nationally recognised training this year.
Due to the announcement of Vocational Education and Training (VET) Reform last year, USIs will not be the only change to training that will occur this year.
The Industry Skills Fund guidelines have been published. The purpose of the Industry Skills Fund is to assist industries to invest in training and support services, as well as develop innovative training solutions. The Fund is aimed at small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and micro businesses. Under the Fund, skills advice and a training grant will be available for these businesses. The Fund is valued at $476 million and will be delivered to 200,000 training places and support services over four years. Customer Information and Programme guidelines can be found here and application for the Fund are open on January 19.
New regulatory standards came into effect on January 1 for training providers and regulators for organisations applying to become a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for the first time. These regulatory standards ensure that RTOs meet the requirements of training packages and VET accredited courses, are responsible for ensuring quality training and assessment, that certification is consistent in presentation and accept the certification of other RTOs and are responsible for ensuring transparent and accurate information about their services to learners. The regulatory standards also ensure that RTOs provide learners with information of their services prior to the commencement of training, provide a transparent complaints and appeals policy, they have effective governance and administration arrangements in place and that they are legally compliant at all times. A users’ guide to the regulatory standards can be found here.
The Australian Apprenticeship Support Network, which will provide assistance to apprentices and trainees to help find an employer to commence their apprenticeship or traineeship, as well as provide advice to businesses on hiring apprentices and trainees and reduce paperwork, will commence in July.
National face-to-face consultations on VET reform will commence across the country on January 15 in Canberra and will conclude in Brisbane on February 16. There will also be three webinars for those who are unable to attend the face-to-face consultations.