A Comprehensive Breakdown of the Draft Standards for Registered Training Organisations

Welcome to the RTO Superhero Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of education and training. In this episode, we take a comprehensive look at the Draft Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) released in October 2022. These standards serve as a crucial framework for maintaining quality within the training and assessment industry. Join me, Angela Connell-Richards, as we break down the five quality areas outlined in the draft and explore their impact on RTOs.

Throughout the episode, we explore each quality area and discuss the expectations and requirements set forth by the Standards. From training and assessment to learner support, workforce qualifications to engagement with industry and employers, and effective governance, we cover it all. Whether your RTO is already meeting the current standards or needs to make significant changes, this episode provides valuable insights into the draft standards' potential impact on your organisation.

Understanding and complying with the Draft Standards is crucial for RTOs aiming to provide high-quality vocational education and training. The episode highlights the importance of effective governance, educational and support services, fair and reliable assessment practices, and compliance with the Australian Qualifications Framework.

By listening to this episode, RTOs can gain a comprehensive understanding of the Draft Standards and how they might shape the future of education and training in Australia. We encourage all RTOs and industry stakeholders to provide feedback on the next round of draft standards, as your input can help shape the industry's quality standards.

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll explore AI-powered assessment tools and their transformative impact on vocational education and training. If you have any questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes, click on the link in the show notes to record your question.

Looking for expert guidance and support for your RTO? Book an obligation-free Discovery Call with Dave from Vivacity on 1300 729 455 to learn how we can help you navigate the challenges and opportunities in the education and training industry.

Useful links:

1. The Draft Standards for Registered Training Organisations: https://www.education.gov.au/draft-standards-registered-training-organisations-2022

Transcript

Welcome to the RTO Superhero Podcast, where we talk about all things related to the education and training industry. I'm your host and fellow RTO superhero, Angela Connell-Richards, and today we're going to delve into the Draft Standards for Registered Training Organisations, released in October 2022.

[Background information]

The Draft Standards are the backbone of quality in the training and assessment industry. They provide a set of guidelines that all RTOs must adhere to in order to maintain their registration. The purpose of the Standards is to ensure that RTOs are delivering high-quality training and assessment services that meet the needs of learners and industry. The latest draft Standards were released in October 2022, and were open for public consultation, which closed on 31 January 2023. Once the feedback is reviewed, the draft Standards will be reviewed and I believe we will be given another opportunity to provide feedback on the revised draft standards.

[Breakdown of the draft standards]

Let's get into the details of the Draft Standards. The new draft Standards are divided into five quality areas, each with a set of outcome statements that define the expectations for quality training and assessment.

Quality Area 1: Training and assessment

The first quality area, Training and assessment, is the bedrock of the Standards. It enables learners to gain industry-relevant skills and knowledge. This quality area ensures that training is consistent with the training product, reflects industry needs, and supports learners to achieve training outcomes. Learners' skills and knowledge are assessed in a way that is fair and appropriate, and assessment outcomes are reliable. The facilities, equipment, and resources provided are safe, fit-for-purpose, and support the delivery of training outcomes. Learners are supported to progress through the training product where they have existing skills, knowledge, and competencies.

RTOs must ensure that their training and assessment strategies align with industry needs and that the resources provided are appropriate and fit for purpose. It's essential that assessments are fair and reliable and that learners are supported throughout their training journey.

Quality Area 2: Learner support

The second quality area, Learner support, is essential to ensure that learners are treated fairly and are properly informed, protected, and supported. This quality area ensures that learners have access to accurate and comprehensive information to support them in making informed decisions. The support that learners receive to undertake training is appropriate for their individual needs. Learner wellbeing is supported through access to support services, and delivery of training and assessment in an inclusive, equitable, and safe environment. Learners are encouraged to provide feedback and have access to avenues for making complaints and appeals, and appropriate action is taken in response.

RTOs must ensure that learners have access to comprehensive and accurate information, appropriate support services, and an inclusive and safe environment to learn. It's important to listen to learner feedback and take appropriate action to improve the learner experience.

Quality Area 3: Workforce

The third quality area, Workforce, ensures that learners are trained and assessed by people who are qualified, skilled, and committed to continuous learning and development. This quality area emphasizes that trainers and assessors have current industry skills and knowledge, effectively engage learners, and competently deliver training and assessment. Trainers and assessors continuously build both industry-relevant skills and training and assessment skills.

RTOs must ensure that their trainers and assessors are qualified and competent in their fields, engage learners effectively, and are committed to ongoing learning and development.

Quality Area 4: Engagement

The fourth quality area, Engagement, highlights the importance of effective industry, employer, and community engagement in ensuring that learners receive relevant and useful skills and knowledge, and to support lifelong learning. This quality area ensures that industry and employer engagement informs training and assessment. Community linkages facilitate pathways into, through, and from training.

RTOs must ensure that they engage with industry, employers, and communities to ensure that their training is relevant and responsive to industry needs. This engagement can help to provide valuable insights into current and emerging skill needs and can support learners to find relevant employment.

Quality Area 5: Governance

The fifth quality area, Governance, ensures effective governance that supports the integrity of operations, commitment to quality delivery, and continuous improvement. This quality area emphasizes the importance of effective leadership and accountability in ensuring that management is accountable for the effective operation of the organization. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation informs the continuous improvement of services.

RTOs must ensure that their governance structure is effective, and that they are committed to continuous improvement. Effective leadership and accountability are essential to ensure that the organization is operating effectively and efficiently.

The impact of the Draft Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) on RTOs will depend on the extent to which they are currently meeting the requirements set out in the Standards. RTOs that are already providing high-quality vocational education and training (VET) and meeting the requirements of the VET Quality Framework are likely to find that the impact of the Draft Standards is relatively minor, as they are already operating at or above the required standards.

However, for RTOs that are not currently meeting the requirements of the VET Quality Framework, the impact of the Draft Standards is likely to be significant. These RTOs may need to make significant changes to their policies, procedures, and practices to meet the requirements of the Standards and maintain their registration and accreditation with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).

The impact of the Draft Standards on RTOs can be seen in a number of areas:

1.       Governance and accountability: RTOs will need to demonstrate that they have effective governance structures in place and are accountable for their decisions and actions.

2.       Educational and support services: RTOs will need to provide high-quality educational and support services that are responsive to the needs of learners.

3.       Assessment: RTOs will need to ensure that their assessment practices are fair, reliable, valid, and consistent with industry needs.

4.       Qualifications and statements of attainment: RTOs will need to ensure that the qualifications and statements of attainment they issue are nationally recognised and meet the requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

RTOs that are not meeting the requirements of the Standards may face a range of consequences, including sanctions, suspension or cancellation of their registration, or loss of accreditation. These consequences could have a significant impact on their ability to deliver VET and may result in reputational damage and loss of business.

However, for RTOs that are committed to delivering high-quality VET and meeting the requirements of the VET Quality Framework, the impact of the Draft Standards is likely to be positive. By meeting the requirements of the Standards, RTOs can enhance their reputation, improve the quality of their training and assessment, and provide better outcomes for their learners.

[Wrap-up]

That's a summary of the Draft Standards for Registered Training Organisations, released in October 2022, broken down into the five quality areas. The Standards are the bedrock of quality in the training and assessment industry, and we encourage all RTOs and industry stakeholders to provide feedback on the next round of draft standards to help shape the future of education and training in Australia. The new Standards provide a valuable opportunity for RTOs to ensure that they are providing high-quality training and assessment services that meet the needs of learners and industry. Updating policies and procedures to reflect the new Standards will require significant time, resources, and planning, but it presents an opportunity to improve your services and contribute to the overall quality of the industry.

We hope this breakdown of the Draft Standards has been helpful. Tune into our next RTO Superhero Podcast, whereby I will be discussing AI Powered Assessment Tools: The Game-Changer in VET

Want to ask a question on a future episode of RTO Superhero? Click on the link in the show notes to record your question.

Want to know more about how Vivacity can help you? Book an obligation free Discovery Call with Dave today: https://www.vivacity.com.au/discovery-call/