1. National VET Regulator Amendment Bill 2024 –
The Bill amends the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 in relation to:

• the automatic lapse of a registered training organisation (RTO);
• preventing an RTO from adding new courses to its scope of registration in the first 2 years of registration;
• increasing the period within which the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator can conduct an internal review of decisions;
• the order of initial applications for registration; suspension of applications for registration;
• offence and civil penalty provisions for false and misleading representations made by RTOs; and
• an increase in penalty units; and National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Transitional Provisions) Act 2011 to provide for transitional arrangements.

A copy of the Bill can be downloaded from the Parliament of Australia website.

2. Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System – The Australian Government is undertaking a review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System. Details can be found on the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) website.

Written submission for the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System can be provided via email by 15 May 2024.

3. Blueprint for the VET Workforce – The VET Workforce Blueprint (the Blueprint) is currently being developed to support, grow and sustain the VET workforce. DEWR is seeking feedback from the current workforce through a public submissions process to test the current understanding of the challenges faced by the VET workforce and identify actions that result in effective change.

Provide your feedback on the VET Blueprint here

-Consultation to support your submission can be found on Consultation Paper

-A survey is also available to gather insights from those who have left the workforce within the last 5 years.

4. Early Changes to the Current Standards for RTOs – DEWR announced in Feb that the Skills Ministers have agreed to progress changes to the current Standards in advance of implementing revised Standards from 1 Jan 2025. These early changes designed to address current VET workforce pressures can be read on the DEWR

The early changes came into effect on 1 March 2024 via the Standards for Registered Training Organisations Amendment (VET Workforce Support) Instrument 2024

Read more about VET sector updates in 2024 the previous posts:

• VET Sector Updates – Jan 2024

The post Updates in VET Sector – Feb 2024 appeared first on Education and Training Compliance Solutions.

In this video (VET Sector & Events – EP2), I talk about the recent updates in the VET sector since Feb 2023.

1.New resources released by ASQA

–ASQA has published new 2023 RTO and ESOS obligations checklists

– ASQA has published a new version of ASQAnet user guide

– ASQA has released the 1^st video of 2023 to their Spotlight On series – Marketing and advertising

2.Training Packages – Updates & Transitions

-A number of training packages have recently been updated.  And ASQA has granted extensions for quite a number of training products. If you are delivering training products that are in transition, it needs to be clearly reflected in your marketing and advertising materials, as ASQA has emphasised on this one in their recent Spotlight On series on Marketing and advertising.

-RTOs delivering infection control training should be aware that there has been a change to implementation date for both infection control units (HLTINF001 and HLTINF003). RTOs will now have the option to deliver either these superseded units OR the new units from 1 March 2023 to 30 June 2023. And to deliver only the new units from 1 July 2023 onwards.

3.Updates from TAC

-TAC has also approved an extended transition period for TAE qualifications (TAE40116 and TAE50216 Diploma of Training Design and Development) to 9 Dec 2024.

-TAC has launched new website.

-TAC has also started organising PD sessions for this year. The published program calendar on TAC website.

4.Austrade has launched a new Speaking English Practice Test. This is an AI-enabled free tool to assist students in testing their spoken English language skills and provides feedback on their English pronunciation. It will help prospective international students to understand their preparedness to sit an English language test.

5.After much anticipation, the bill has been introduced to the parliament to establish Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) permanently, after establishing its permanent functions and governance arrangements. Read more at DEWR website.

6.Foloowing a referral from the Minister for Skills and Training, an inquiry into the perceptions and status of VET has commenced by starting with hearing from the DEWR and JSA. The committee will be seeking further hearings over the coming months. You can read more details about the hearing and can track the updates on department’s website.

7.ASQA regulated RTOs will receive the links for link to Annual Declaration on Compliance next week on 17 April 2023 with a deadline for submission by 17 May 2023.

8.ICEF ANZA 2023 is being held at Perth, WA from April 12- 14. There will be seminars, presentations and panel discussions, featuring experts from across the industry. It is great opportunity to gain up-to-date information and news on the latest market trends and issues currently affecting Australia and New Zealand international education space.

To hear the VET sector updates covered in 1^st video, check out the first episode of Updates  in VET Sector & Events or watch it on YouTube.

The post Updates in VET Sector & Events – Feb to April 2023 appeared first on Education and Training Compliance Solutions.