Interview – Matthew Dale – Director, Audit Express and Educonomy

With more than a decade experience working across the VET Sector, Matthew brings a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience to Audit Express & Educonomy. Matthew has had extensive experience in managing the quality & compliance of various state funding contracts and in leading RTOs through the complex process of re-registration. Matthew’s passion is with ensuring that training organisations can adapt to change and ensure the continuing quality of training while also ensuring compliance with the relevant contracts and standards.

Sukh Sandhu: What are the primary challenges and core issues of operating in the VET sector?

Matthew Dale: The VET sector is currently at a real crossroad and is facing numerous challenges and issues. The key challenges being faced by most RTOs is the volume and pace of changes to training packages, which is providing to costly and time consuming for RTOs to adapt to. The relevance and responsiveness of training packages to the needs of industry is also posing a real issue, this is particularly the case as we enter into the post-covid economic recovery. Many industries and sectors are unable to commit to enrolling their workforce into full qualifications to meet the training needs of their organisations, and many are shifting away from traditional accredited training solutions, opting for more innovative and agile non-accredited training solutions, including micro-credentials. For more information on micro-credentials, be sure to check out the educonomy micro-credential and digital badging virtual summit.

Sukh Sandhu: You are one of the very few quality RTO and VET consultants with extensive vocational education and training sector knowledge and skills, according to you, what are the five skills that a significant number of consultants in the VET sector lack and what RTO clients should be careful about?

Matthew Dale: That’s a big call and is very kind of you to say. In my experience, the RTO and VET consultants that I have encountered, each have their area of specialist knowledge and expertise. I’m not sure that I could narrow it down to five skills that RTO clients should be careful about, rather what I would note is that consultants should be clear on what their area of expertise is, and they should work to their strengths, rather than seeking to be a ‘jack of all trades, and master of none’, that they work to their strengths and that RTO clients are really clear when engaging the services of a consultant, that they are really clear on the scope of work they are wanting to be completed and that they recruit suitably qualified and experienced consultants accordingly. It is also a really good idea to always seek professional references before making the decision to engage a consultant.

Sukh Sandhu: You’re involved in a variety of activities in the online and training education space; so perhaps you could discuss a few of them for our subscribers?

Matthew Dale: For a number of years now, we have been supporting our clients to shift their traditional classroom and workplace-based training programs to blended and online delivery modes, which are supported by engaging online content. In 2018 we expanded our work in this space with the launch of Educonomy, a consultancy firm with a big vision of positioning Australia as a global EdTech leader by transforming the current economy of learning and ensuring that every learner is recognised for their skills, regardless of how or where learning takes place. Our team have spent the past 5 years researching global trends in education. We have observed a pattern and trends across the globe as institutions step away from traditional education systems & opt for newer, more innovative options for learning, including micro-learning & micro-credentials. At Educonomy, we drive the future of education by transforming the way we learn. Combining strategy, latest EdTech and expertise, we help education providers to shift into the future and meet the needs of tomorrow. For more information on creating engaging learning content, be sure to check out the educonomy digital learning virtual summit.

Sukh Sandhu: What, in your opinion, are the key distinctions between a quality training provider and a poor quality training provider?

Matthew Dale: Put simply, the key distinctions that set aside quality training providers from the rest are a genuine commitment to the following points:

  • Learner experience
  • Learner support
  • Maintaining a strong connection and links to industry
  • Establishing and maintaining strong governance processes and quality controls, that drive the quality of learning and assessment content
  • Continuously reviewing the products offered, seeking genuine feedback and input from learners, trainers, assessors, management and external stakeholders, including employers

Sukh Sandhu: What, in your opinion, is effective or ineffective in the current regulatory environment?

Matthew Dale: The VET regulators (ASQA, VRQA & TAC) seem to have turned a new page and all seem to be taking a more reasonable and consultative approach to the way in which they have regulated over the past five years, which is great! I tend to look on the positive side and do what I can to effect change where I can, rather than focussing on that which is outside of my control.

Sukh Sandhu: What message would you like to send to training providers who operate in a regulated environment?

Matthew Dale: Focus on what you are good at, know your niche and stick to it. Commit to improving the quality of your learning content and user experience in the areas that you specialise in, and stick to that. Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, just focus on the areas that you want to succeed in and focus on being the best in the market in that! 2022 is the year for refocussing and consolidation, make it a year worth remembering.

Matthew Dale can be contacted through the LinkedIn profile. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-dale

 

October 14, 2021 RTO, VET Sector Comments Off on Interview – Matthew Dale – Director, Audit Express and Educonomy

Interview with Anurag Kanwar – BEc, LLB, LLM, GDLP, AAPRI, FIML, MAICD.

Anurag has over 15 years of experience in higher education all within the private higher education space. She is the executive secretary of the GCA Board of Directors. She is a prolific commentator on LinkedIn with over 6000 followers commenting on international education, technology and continuous experience.

She is a practising lawyer specialising in the area of corporate governance and risk. She is also an experienced lecturer and publishes in the area of international education and business law. She is a board member of the Australian Risk Management Institute, and a member of their Education Committee of the Australian Risk Management Institute. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders, an Associate of the Australian Risk Management Institute and an Associate Director of the Project Management Institute Sydney Chapter.

She is also a member of Law Ninjas online networking group for in-house lawyers and the former deputy convener of the admissions and compliance working group of IEAA. Outside of the international education and law space, Anurag is a member of the Career Progress Network Sydney Chapter a group dedicated to helping young people and immigrants gaining employment.

Anurag is currently the Compliance and Continuous Improvement Director at Group Colleges Australia.

Sukh Sandhu: As a supporter and promoter of vocational education and training in Australia, what roles have you played?

Anurag Kanwar: I worked for a number of dual sector providers, and in private practice, I assisted RTOs in meeting their compliance obligations through internal audits and performing audit rectification work.

Sukh Sandhu: What are your thoughts on the ways ASQA is currently changing its regulatory and legislative practices?

Anurag Kanwar: I don’t work in VET anymore but from my reading, ASQA is now moving towards more self-assurance for institutions with a greater emphasis on evidence.

Sukh Sandhu: Why has working in the vocational education and training sector been rewarding?

Anurag Kanwar: The sector is dynamic and has the means to change people’s lives.

Sukh Sandhu: Why is working in the VET sector challenging?

Anurag Kanwar: Changes to the regulatory environment. There was a time when there were changes every 2 weeks. This then creates a high cost of compliance.

There are also a number of consultants in the sector who are not legally trained which also can be problematic. There is also sometimes a mismatch between the various pieces of legislation. For example, a number of providers found themselves in breach of the ESOS Act because they were delivering short courses such as responsible service of alcohol to international students. The providers were not CRICOS registered.

Sukh Sandhu: What do you believe are the primary threats to the Australian VET system?

Anurag Kanwar: The pandemic with its challenges and the high cost of regulatory compliance.

Sukh Sandhu: What do you wish someone had told you when you first started out in this position?

Anurag Kanwar: A sense of humour is a must. Another tip is to understand risk and what mitigation strategies can be used.

Sukh Sandhu: What would you like to communicate to training providers operating within the regulated environment?

Anurag Kanwar:

– Sign up for ASQA and TEQSA alerts
– Twitter is a good source of information from government agencies.
– Connect with other industry people. We can all share from each other.

Anurag Kanwar can be contacted through the LinkedIn profile. https://www.linkedin.com/in/anurag-k

October 14, 2021 ASQA, VET Sector Comments Off on Interview with Anurag Kanwar – BEc, LLB, LLM, GDLP, AAPRI, FIML, MAICD.

Risk assessment and risk management at your organisation

Risk assessment and risk management at your organisation should be a continuous process. It involves best practices like identifying, assessing and mitigating risks.

Risk assessment is the process of identifying and analysing the hazards, risks, and threats to an organisation. A risk assessment is a process to identify and evaluate the potential risks and threats to an organisation’s people, property, reputation, or mission. It includes vulnerability mapping, which helps identify where an organisation might be vulnerable to future threats or hazards. Many organisations have access to a wide range of risk assessments tools such as issue identification tools for identifying risks in operations or training courses, incident reporting tools for communication between organisations about potential incidents, safety alert systems for communication between organisations about safety issues etc.

Risk management is the process of reducing the impact or probability of a hazardous, risky, or threatening event from occurring by taking protective measures. Risk management is important as it helps the companies to identify the hazards as early as possible and take actions to mitigate those hazards. Risk Management is an ongoing process that should involve risk assessments, mitigation of identified risks, and continuous monitoring of progress towards achieving this goal.

The best way to prevent risks in your organisation is by putting in place risk assessment and risk management strategies. They can identify risks that could potentially lead to negative outcomes and/or damage the reputation of your organisation.

The most common risk assessment strategies are using formal or informal questionnaires to gather data on risky behaviours, incidents, and environmental factors that may present risks to people or property.

Some examples include:

– A questionnaire asking employees about their job satisfaction levels or students for their course satisfaction levels.
– A questionnaire asking employees about their thoughts on compensation plans for long term absences from work
– A questionnaire asking employees about their thoughts on how often they work overtime hours

When should organisations implement these strategies?

Before you start operating, you need to establish all the risks present in your operating environment, the best ways to assess, mitigate and manage them.

The benefits of risk assessment and risk management

Risk assessment and risk management can help to:

– Strengthen organisational resilience by providing the right information to the right people at the right time.
– Improve employee safety, wellbeing, wellbeing and motivation.
– Increase productivity by improving transparency in decision-making processes.

Examples of risk assessment techniques are an audit of student records, evaluating your financial reports, human resource policies, physical security procedures, workplace health and safety practices, the building design process for fire safety. Examples of risk management strategies are assessing work content risks while planning activities or using the job rotation principle while organising work schedules, having more than one trainer and assessor for each course etc.

Call us on 1800 266 160 or email info@caqa.com.au to find out more regarding how we can help you with risk assessments and risk management.

October 14, 2021 Training and Assessment Comments Off on Risk assessment and risk management at your organisation

Quality Student Assessment Resources from CAQA Resources

What are Student Assessments?

An effective assessment tool allows learners to demonstrate their skills and knowledge according to set learning objectives.

It is necessary to assess students’ progress and understanding of concepts. To do this, trainers and assessors rely on both formative and summative assessments.

Formative assessments are used during the learning, whereas summative assessments are used at the end of the learning journey.

Formative assessments provide feedback on students’ progress in their learning process, whereas summative assessment is meant to measure their mastery of the content and also to demonstrate their competency in a training product. They can be given through online portals (learning management systems) or in-person training sessions. The formative assessments can include quizzes, homework, tests and interactive class activities. The summative assessment tools can include knowledge-based questions, projects, practical observations, portfolios and so on.

The need for an assessment tool is to assess all the knowledge and information that students should have learned from the course.

How are we changing our student assessments?

We continuously update our learner and assessment resources to ensure we stay up to date and current with all the changes happening in the VET industry and RTO sector. Therefore, we have recently updated a number of our assessment resources to include the following:

  • A new user-friendly template that is comprehensively redesigned
  • A separate unit requirements tool to capture all training package requirements
  • Detailed benchmarking of projects and skill tests
  • Comprehensive mapping document showing how the training package criteria has been addressed

We have systematically and compressively updated all our assessment and training resources.

CAQA Resources

CAQA Resources delivers high-quality solutions in the form of compliant RTO resources that are comprehensive and totally adaptable to meet your specific requirements as well as the needs and requirements of your students.

When it comes to providing high-quality learning and assessment for your learners, CAQA Resources is your go-to resource for staying compliant. In our RTO resources, training and learning materials, assessment tools, as well as learning kits, we provide a comprehensive selection of resources for a wide range of qualifications.

Visit our website and look through our comprehensive list of qualifications. Please contact us at 03 8103 8000 / 1800 266 160 for more information on how to obtain the best training resources for your RTO. If you can’t find what you are looking for, we can assist with the development of new assessment and learner resources.

Training Packages: CAQA Resources can deliver resources from the following training packages:

  • AHC – Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package
  • AUR – Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package
  • BSB – Business Services Training Package
  • CHC – Community Services Training Package
  • CPC – Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
  • CUA – Creative Arts and Culture Training Package
  • EAL – English as an Additional Language Training Package
  • FBP – Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Training Package
  • FNS – Financial Services Training Package
  • FSK – Foundation Skills Training Package
  • FWP – Forest and Wood Products Training Package
  • HLT – Health Training Package
  • ICP – Printing and Graphic Arts Training Package
  • ICT – Information and Communications Technology Training Package
  • MEM – Manufacturing and Engineering Training Package
  • MSF – Furnishing Training Package
  • MSM – Manufacturing Training Package
  • MSS – Sustainability Training Package
  • NUR – Nursing Training Package
  • PMA – Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Refining Training Package
  • PSP – Public Sector Training Package
  • RII – Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package
  • SHB – Hairdressing and Beauty Services Training Package
  • SIR – Retail Services Training Package
  • SIS – Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package
  • SIT – Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Training Package
  • TAE – Training and Education Training Package
October 14, 2021 CAQA Resources Comments Off on Quality Student Assessment Resources from CAQA Resources

Why organisations should prioritise systematic continuous improvement as a strategic priority

Continuous improvement is one of the most important ways to ensure compliance with regulatory operations and successful organisational performance. By continuously identifying areas for improvement, education and training organisations can ensure compliance to the regulatory requirements and standards, improve their performance and also gain an edge over their competitors.

Continuous improvement requires strategic attention by leaders and a culture that prioritises continuous improvement as a strategic priority.

One of the key benefits of prioritising systematic continuous improvement is that it provides organisations with an opportunity to develop and sustain a competitive advantage in their industry or market.

In order to stay ahead of the competition, organisations should prioritise systematic continuous improvement as a strategic priority. This is because it will lead to more innovation and competitive advantage.

The term “culture of continuous learning” has been coined by Carol Dweck who defined this as “a process of creating conditions that lead to an organisation where learners are operating at their full potential”.

Organisations can achieve this by developing a new mindset that is driven by continuous improvement. This means that they will need to transform their culture into a culture that values continuous improvement. If they cannot do this, then they are in danger of becoming obsolete already in the future when new technologies come into play.

Systematic continuous improvement has many benefits like improved customer satisfaction, improved revenue generation, improved brand value and improved employee engagement.

There is a long list of reasons why organisations should prioritise systematic continuous improvement as a strategic priority. These include:

– It is an approach that celebrates change and challenges the status quo;
– Improving the performance of an organisation through improved customer service and increased revenues
– Continuous innovation and creation of new products/services for future customers
– Improved profitability
– Improved quality of life of employees
– It is a customer-focused strategy: businesses must use an innovative approach to create value for customers;
– it facilitates learning opportunities: through systematic continuous improvement, businesses can learn from mistakes and drive innovation
– Increasing profitability and performance
– Reaching a company’s goals and objectives with greater certainty
– Saving time and effort when implementing new strategies from start to finish
– Reducing the risk of making mistakes
– Making good decisions in uncertain, fast-moving environments

The most compelling reason for prioritising systematic continuous improvement is that it increases the chance of achieving the business goals.

October 14, 2021 Audits Comments Off on Why organisations should prioritise systematic continuous improvement as a strategic priority

The role of online education is evolving due to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

With the rise of Artificial Intelligence, the role of online education is changing. AI-based tools can automatically generate and grade assignments, meaning that students no longer need to spend hours and hours on their essays and tests.

AI has been a breakthrough in the education industry. It has the power to change the world of education by providing relevant information and helping students learn more efficiently. Artificial intelligence is drastically changing the way people learn, work, and live. It is used in every aspect of education, from math to language. With AI assistants, students are no longer limited to their current classroom. They can study with friends online while working on their own skill sets.

Artificial intelligence is being used in many fields, from marketing to healthcare, and now it is becoming a major player in online education. The benefits of AI in online education are so great that this field has been predicted to be worth around $3 trillion by 2026.

Benefits of Artificial Intelligence in education:

  1. Automatic student assessment marking and feedback for student submissions;
  2. Smart suggestions for self-assessment;
  3. Customisability for individual students;
  4. Automated homework, quizzes, projects;
  5. Automatic assessment of knowledge gaps across subjects;
  6. Personalised learning plans and curriculums based on each student’s level of expertise and progress in each subject area
  7. Make e-learning more accessible to students with disabilities and special needs i.e. photos may be described for the visually impaired, video closed captions can be generated automatically, text-to-speech reading can be assisted with, and an on-screen mouse and keyboard can be operated.
  8. The main benefit of AI is that it helps reduce the amount of time that teachers need to spend with students.
  9. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms and models for recommendation systems, personalisation and analytics tools: The solution allows the user to take advantage of predicting trends and patterns without having access to a huge amount of data at once. It also provides personalised recommendations that can help users make better decisions based on their specific needs.
  10. Improved graphics and hands-on learning experiences provided by interactive learning programmes significantly aid in capturing students’ attention and keeping them engaged.
  11. The cloud function of artificial intelligence in virtual learning allows students to go back and review the lectures and study materials even after the day has ended. Teachers can also customise the learning experience for each student because technology makes it possible to track each student’s progress in the classroom.
  12. Students can share anything they deem relevant and interesting to a particular subject taught in the class in virtual classrooms, which is a benefit of collective intelligence.
  13. The use of artificial intelligence opens up numerous creative doors for both students and teachers. Students can be given assignments that are outside the box, demonstrating their abilities and knowledge beyond what is mandated in the textbooks, which in turn helps them feel more confident about their work. In this way, teachers were able to determine the disposition of each pupil from an extremely early age.
  14. In addition, expenses like field trips, guest lectures, and other activities are reduced in the virtual world. Students have the opportunity to explore a variety of environments, which helps them to grow in all directions and build an awareness inside themselves.
October 14, 2021 Education Comments Off on The role of online education is evolving due to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Google will train more than 40 million people in cloud computing skills.

Google has said that it will train more than 40 million individuals in Google Cloud skills as a result of the pandemic’s acceleration of digital transformation for organisations across a wide range of industries that are experiencing a skills shortage.

As part of its efforts to reach this aim, the tech giant introduced Google Cloud Skills Boost, which provides online learning opportunities, skills development, and certifications that are managed and provided by Google Cloud.

Starting today, “Google Cloud Skills Boost” will enable access to more than 700 hands-on labs, role-based courses, skill badges, and certification resources — including 16 new learning paths — that will be available on-demand throughout the world, according to a statement from the firm.

According to the company, Google Cloud Skills Boost would enable learning and professional development on a previously unimaginable scale.

In a recent survey, more than 90 per cent of IT leaders stated that they intend to expand their cloud environments over the next several years, but more than 80 per cent of those same leaders stated that a lack of skills and expertise among their personnel is the primary impediment to this expansion.

“Through this new project, we hope to reduce barriers for businesses while also promoting professional success for individuals,” Google stated in a statement.

At the time of debut, the content is only available in English and Japanese, with support for additional languages to be added in the future.

If you subscribe to GCP before November 6, you will receive your first month of content at no cost, making it easier than ever to earn a Google Cloud certification or learn a new skill. GCP is a free service that makes it easier than ever to obtain a Google Cloud certification or learn a new skill.

For more information, please visit cloud.google.com

October 14, 2021 Education Comments Off on Google will train more than 40 million people in cloud computing skills.

In a recent ruling, the court ordered telecommunication firms to discontinue “assignment help” service.

It is the first time that an Australian higher education regulator has successfully obtained an injunction against a foreign essay mill, as part of the implementation of a 2020 rule that outlaws contract cheating services.

In a recent court victory, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Teqsa) managed to prohibit access to the website “assignmenthelp4you.com” and it’s apparent alter ego, “assignmenthelp2u.com,” by a Federal Court of Australia ruling.

Academic practice is characterised by the promotion of academic integrity and the remedy of breaches of that integrity. Even though practices differ between fields and organisations, academic integrity encourages researchers at all levels, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, to acknowledge the contributions of others to their work in an honest and truthful manner.

The website was taken offline after its operators received an email from a government solicitor in June, with users being diverted to an advertisement suggesting that the domain name was available for purchase. Meanwhile, the assignmenthelp2u.com website appeared, giving services that appeared to be identical to those provided by the original.

In Australia, several dozen internet service providers are bound by a court injunction that lasts for five years and applies to all of their customers. According to the agreement, they must prevent access to the domain names, internet protocol (IP) addresses, or unified resource locators (URLs) of the two websites and direct visitors to a TEQSA web page stating why the service has been suspended.

Service providers have three weeks to comply with the new regulations. Furthermore, the injunction empowers the TEQSA to take action if the website begins to operate under a new domain name, IP address, or URL.

References

T Bretag, S Mahmud, M Wallace, R Walker, C James, M Green, J East, U McGowan and L Partridge, ‘Core elements of exemplary academic integrity policy in Australian higher education, International Journal for Educational Integrity, 7(2), 2011, p.

R John, ‘First blood for Australian contract cheating law’.

October 14, 2021 Education Comments Off on In a recent ruling, the court ordered telecommunication firms to discontinue “assignment help” service.

We are looking for a Senior Compliance and Quality Assurance Manager to join our team at CAQA, Career Calling International.

We are seeking a Senior Compliance and Quality Assurance Manager to join our management team.

To be successful in this position, you need to be well-versed in risk management principles, regulatory and legislative instruments and standards. You need to also be solutions-focused and provide evidence-based advice to organisations involved in training and assessment of students.

Main responsibilities:

  • Oversee all CAQA’s compliance-related operations
  • Provide RTO, CRICOS, ELICOS, TEQSA and ideally ANMAC consultancy services
  • Assist training organisations with compliance, risk management, and quality assurance
  • Create and periodically review organisational policies and through detailed reports, advise organisations on management of compliance with applicable laws and regulations
  • Create and manage effective action plans in the event of non-compliant audit findings.
  • Audit organisational procedures, methods, and records to discover potential weaknesses, risks or vulnerabilities
  • Ascertain that all staff and clients are informed of the most recent legislation and processes.
  • Conduct regular evaluations of the efficiency of control systems and make appropriate recommendations for improvement

To fit with our organisation you must be passionate about improving quality at all levels in the training sector and have excellent presentation and language skills. You must have a solid understanding of the frameworks, guidelines and regulations that govern and regulate the industry. A solution-focused mindset and a good sense of humour will also be beneficial.

Interested in this position? Click on the link below:

https://caqarecruitment.com.au/job/senior-compliance-and-quality-assurance-manager/

October 14, 2021 News, Others Comments Off on We are looking for a Senior Compliance and Quality Assurance Manager to join our team at CAQA, Career Calling International.

Update related to AQF Framework

We’d like to provide an update on the new AQF framework, currently under development.

The Review of the Australian Qualifications Framework was completed at the end of 2019.

AQF Review provided 21 recommendations aimed at ensuring that the AQF continues to serve its intended purpose now and in the years to come. Changes to the current AQF were included in this discussion.

Changing the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) requires the approval of Education and Skills Ministers from the Australian, State and Territory Governments.

A cross-jurisdictional working group has been established to consider and develop advice for Ministers on AQF Review recommendations.

This work is ongoing and is expected to complete by the end of 2022.

October 14, 2021 Education, News Comments Off on Update related to AQF Framework

The VET Sector News II- October 2021

IDP Live transforms international landscape for next generation of students

IDP has recently launched its new student-centred app, IDP Live. IDP Live brings together a suite of tools, including a ground-breaking new service that fast-tracks students through to receiving an offer, prior to submitting their application – ensuring that students can find the right courses and institutions faster and more easily.

For more information, please visit here.

Plan to bring thousands of nurses and doctors into ‘Fortress Australia’

Australia will allow 2000 overseas nurses and doctors to enter the country for work under a plan being finalised by the Commonwealth and states to ease a healthcare staffing crisis.

With Melbourne and Sydney’s hospital beds jammed with COVID-19 patients and the health systems of other states also under strain, the reinforcements will be flown in over the next six months and predominantly dispatched to outer suburban and regional hospitals and GP clinics.

For more information, please visit here.

Child Care subsidy changes to benefit 250,000 Australian families

A quarter of a million Australian families will be more than $2200 a year better off when additional childcare subsidies are introduced early next year.

The additional subsidies for families with two or more children in care were due to start in July 2022, but the federal government has brought the start date forward to March.

Education and Youth Minister Alan Tudge said the $1.7bn boost to the subsidy scheme would ease pressure on working families and encourage more parents into work.

“These changes are good for families and great for the economy, and it’s significant that we are able to deliver them sooner,” Mr Tudge said.

For more information, please visit here.

Students head to Canada as Australia’s borders remain shut

Australia’s privileged position as one of the most highly prized destinations for international students has tumbled as Canada, the United States and Britain race to grab greater market share, a new survey has shown.

Australia’s share of demand from international students has declined from 16.8 per cent to 11.6 per cent over the past two years, according to data from IDP Connect. And with migration opportunities and face-to-face learning the most important factors driving decisions about where to study, Australia needs to quickly and clearly communicate to students that it will be open for business in 2022.

For more information, please visit here.

Amendments to the ESOS Act effective 27 September 2021

Recent amendments to the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) have replaced existing legislation around monitoring, investigation, and enforcement. This brings the ESOS Act and the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011 (NVR Act) into closer alignment.

ASQA’s regulation of training providers will remain the same, with a commitment to best practice regulation to ensure quality outcomes and integrity in VET and ELICOS training.

The regulatory implications for training providers are minor, however some changes include:

  • the ways a penalty amount is calculated for an infringement notice
  • allowances for person(s) to assist an Authorised Officer, and therefore exercise powers and use reasonable force in relation to things as required
  • broadening of the definition of evidential material, aligning it more closely to the definition contained in the NVR Act.

The amendments to the ESOS Act replace the existing monitoring, investigation, and enforcement powers with largely equivalent powers under the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014 (RPSP Act). The RPSP Act contains a standard set of regulatory provisions that exist to provide consistent regulatory powers and promote best practice regulation across Commonwealth regulators.

For more information, please visit here.

ASQA Update – October 2021

ASQA’s risk-based regulatory program in 2021-22 has been informed by the outcomes of our annual environmental scan, which brings together feedback from stakeholder groups and regulatory data – and includes a focus on both provider and systemic risks.

As a best-practice regulator, ASQA implements a risk-based approach to regulation, focusing regulatory attention on areas of greatest risk exposure to manage our resources effectively and minimise regulatory burden on providers. In doing so, we make the best use of a range of regulatory approaches using a variety of regulatory treatments – education, registration and approvals, course accreditation, monitoring and performance assessment (audit), compliance management and internal review of decisions – to apply proportionate and fit-for-purpose responses.

For more information, please visit here.

2021 fee relief now available to VRQA RTOs and non-school providers

Fee relief is available to eligible registered training organisations (RTOs) and non-school senior secondary providers (NSSSPs) to help ease the ongoing economic impact caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Minister for Education and the Minister for Training and Skills have provided fee relief to RTOs and NSSSPs by:

extending the VRQA’s financial powers to issue refunds to eligible providers which paid VRQA annual and re-registration fees between 17 February and 29 September 2021

waiving VRQA annual and re-registration fees that were due to be invoiced between 29 September and 31 December 2021 under Ministerial Order No. 1337.

Fees where invoices had been raised, between 17 February and 29 September 2021, but not yet paid will also be waived.

Schools and public sector bodies are not eligible for fee relief.

We are providing fee relief to eligible organisations, regardless of circumstance. We will notify you by email if you are eligible.

For more information, please visit here.

6 interesting stats from the Voice of VET RTO Industry Australia Report 2021

Australia’s Registered Training Organisations had a lot to say in this year’s Voice of VET Report. Here’s three things RTOs say have changed (and three things that haven’t).

ReadyTech’s Voice of VET RTO Industry Report 2021 contains a lot of interesting insights into the RTO market. Based on a survey of 328 RTOs with a combined footprint across all Australian states and territories, it collates these responses to reveal a range of views, opportunities and challenges.

One of the key themes of this year’s report was the resilience shown by RTOs as they planned for 2021. Embracing new market opportunities as well as digital transformation, there was a clear desire to move forward from the trials of Covid-19 in 2020 into a new era of change and growth this year.

For more information, please visit here.

Homeschool registrations rising in Australia, alternative education advocates say mainstream schools need a shake-up

Homeschooling is understood to be the fastest-growing education sector and alternative school advocates say it shows mainstream schooling needs a shake-up.

For more information, please visit here.

New national food allergy guidelines recommend education instead of bans

New allergy guidelines have recommended removing blanket bans on foods from schools and childcare centres in favour of greater education and awareness around allergies and anaphylaxis. Released on Thursday, the National Allergy Strategy — developed with experts — aims to clarify managing and preventing anaphylaxis in schools, with research suggesting up to 1 in 20 school-aged children in Australia have food allergies.

The strategy has been in development for two years and is underpinned by “best practice guidelines for the prevention and management of anaphylaxis in schools and children’s education and care”.

For more information, please visit here.

Quality higher education in times of crisis

Higher education is still suffering the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. In some parts of the world, the crisis is as acute as ever. In Europe, we hope we are through the worst of it, but we have seen time and again over the past months that coping with the health crisis requires more time and effort than we had originally believed.

At the same time, the COVID pandemic should serve to remind us that we need to prepare for the next crisis. We do not know when it will come or what kind of emergency it will be. We do know, however, that we will need to ensure students’ right to quality education also in times of crisis.

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NSW on the road to reopening

NSW will take its first steps towards reopening as the State passes the 70 per cent double vaccination target.

With the first vaccination milestone being reached, the NSW Government is also easing a number of restrictions as part of the Reopening NSW roadmap, which will allow fully vaccinated adults to enjoy more freedoms from next Monday, October 11.

The changes to the 70 per cent roadmap will allow up to 10 visitors (not counting children 12 and under) to a home (previously five), lift the cap on outdoor gatherings to 30 people (previously 20), and increase the cap for weddings and funerals to 100 people (previously 50).

For more information, please visit here.

Teachers are driving force behind ‘global education recovery’ from COVID-19

World Teachers’ Day, celebrated annually on 5 October, provides an important opportunity to call on Governments and the international community to spotlight teachers and their challenges, and share effective and promising policy responses.

“They are the principal actors of the global education recovery efforts and are key in accelerating progress towards inclusive and equitable quality education for every learner, in every circumstance”, the statement continued.

From using technology creatively to providing socio-emotional support to their students, and reaching those most at risk of falling behind, teachers have been at the heart of the educational response to the COVID-19 crisis.

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Beyond Zoom, Teams and video lectures — what do university students really want from online learning?

As any university student, lecturer or tutor can attest, the pandemic has turned learning and teaching upside down. So it’s important we understand what happens for students when their learning shifts online with little to no warning.

Since 2020, there’s been a growing body of important research into the impact of online learning for educators. But the student voice, which is essential to informing good design and facilitation of online learning, has been largely unexamined.

Our Student Online Learning Experiences (SOLE) research project aims to rectify this and give voice to those who are, arguably, at the heart of the COVID-19 education crisis.

The study uses data from nearly 1000 survey responses from students across all eight New Zealand universities. Through a combination of online questionnaires, individual and focus group interviews, we explored their experiences of online learning during the pandemic in 2020.

For more information, please visit here.

Fiverr Expands Online Education Offering With Acquisition of CreativeLive

Fiverr (NYSE: FVRR), the company that is changing how the world works together, today announced its acquisition of Seattle-based online learning company CreativeLive, a renowned creative and entrepreneurial education platform where people can learn about design, business, photography, video, marketing and more. Instructors include a diverse group of Pulitzer-, Grammy-, and Oscar-winners, New York Times best-selling authors, thought leaders and legendary entrepreneurs.

For more information, please visit here.

India top court rules online education access cannot be denied to underprivileged children

The Supreme Court of India ruled on Friday that if the fundamental right to education under “Article 21A of the Constitution has to become a reality,” then the needs of underprivileged children “to receive adequate access to online education cannot be denied.”

For more information, please visit here.

Online Learning Platforms A Lifeline For Students During The Pandemic

There have been many forced changes in the world over the past 18 months, with every industry seeing some form of impact. Life is slowly but surely becoming recognizable again, but in the education sector there is a new normal, one that makes getting extra help and benefitting from shared resources more convenient than ever before.

Anyone who has been involved in education, from parents to students has seen and experienced the almost overnight switch to a remote style of learning. Schools across the world have been forced to utilize technology, and it may be a while still before traditional classrooms, lecture halls and indeed teaching methods are back in use

Trying circumstances can be difficult, but evolution and innovation can and has thrived in these environments, and instead of simply being the ‘only alternative’ to brick and mortar teaching and tutoring, more students than ever before are discovering the fantastic benefits of online education and online tutoring through platforms such as Studypool.

For more information, please visit here.

Challenges Of Online Education For Teachers And Students

Covid-19 and the consequent lockdown forced schools, colleges and universities to stop all regular face-to-face educational interactions between teachers and students. They had to move literally overnight to the online-only learning-teaching model. This entailed not only the proficiency of both teachers and the students in quite unfamiliar sets of competencies but also focused mitigation of infrastructural limitations like poor connectivity and low-end devices, revealing several inherent inadequacies of the existing education system.

Developments beneficial to the realm of information and communication technology (ICT) – like increased internet penetration, focus on appropriate skilling of the nation’s workforce and strengthening of the country’s digital infrastructure for education – had already sparked off some growth in the Indian educational technology (edtech) sector. The COVID-induced home confinement significantly increased the demand for online education as educational institutions as well as affluent individual families were compelled to provide for the use of information and multimedia education technologies to facilitate quality learning experiences for students.

In India, edtech start-ups emerged in 2020 as the segment with the highest quantum of finances having received – in just the first nine months of the year – venture capital (VC) investments worth US$ 1.5 billion, as compared to US$ 409 million in the whole of 2019. As per authentic research, the ongoing pandemic has triggered off a 3-5 per cent rise in free audiences and 50-100 per cent growth in monthly revenues of several edtech companies. Such growth exhibits that for the global and domestic venture capital and private equity firms, the most preferred segment without a doubt is edtech.

According to reliable reports, Indian K-12 online education is projected to become a US$ 1.7 billion market by 2022 with a growth of 6.3 times. Initially, the sphere of edtech was focused predominantly on the K-12 segment. Now, however, the post-K12 market too – which consists mainly of digital support for college and university courses, prepping for competitive examinations and corporate training in addition to a few other components – is expected to grow 3.7 times to be worth US$ 1.8 billion. The entire Indian edtech market appears all set to reach US$ 3.5 billion by 2022.

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School And Online Learning Evolve Rapidly: Nerdy CEO Discusses Trends

As some students get back to school amid a new wave of variants and ongoing anxiety, the future of school and how students will learn continues to evolve rapidly.

According to research I’ve been involved in during Covid as well as multiple reports I have reviewed from Barkley, Gen HQ & Pew Research, Gen-Z is likely more impacted by Covid than any other cohort. Older generations are certainly affected by Covid but many have completed education, started careers and often started families.

In the case of Gen-Z they had their prom cancelled, their classroom opportunities modified, their social lives disrupted and even their parents are now using Tik Tok. That’s a true disruption.

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A New Normal For Online Education

The headline appeared in the New York Times on February 21, 1994: “Computers and Phones Pave New Path to College Degree.” The article characterized how the future of the college classroom “may be no classroom at all.” It went on to describe rising demand among students for “long-distance study” (the term online education hadn’t yet entered our vernacular). Among many faculty members quoted in the article, however, there was skepticism about teaching over a computer.

Fast forward to today, more than 25 years later. Online education has been the main driver of growth in higher education enrollments in the United States over the last decade, even before the Covid-19 pandemic forced essentially every college course to be delivered remotely.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, one out of every three college students took at least one online class in 2018, representing 6.95 million learners. The share of online students in the U.S. has increased by 30 percent since 2010, even as the number of on-campus students dropped by more than a million.

For more information, please visit here.

Online Learning – The Future of Education?

The coronavirus pandemic that gripped humanity in early 2020 has led to unprecedented educational measures everywhere.

Educational institutions, from schools to universities, have been partially or completely closed in more than 180 countries. In most states, all schools were completely quarantined, while some were closed in the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Vietnam, and Australia. According to UNESCO, these measures affected 91% of the world’s students.

Even though the forced introduction of online education has already revealed not only the advantages but also the disadvantages of the modern academic system, experts and educators themselves are increasingly saying that the future of global education lies in online learning.

For more information, please visit here.

Online Learning Platforms A Lifeline For Students During The Pandemic

There have been many forced changes in the world over the past 18 months, with every industry seeing some form of impact. Life is slowly but surely becoming recognizable again, but in the education sector there is a new normal, one that makes getting extra help and benefitting from shared resources more convenient than ever before.

Anyone who has been involved in education, from parents to students has seen and experienced the almost overnight switch to a remote style of learning. Schools across the world have been forced to utilize technology, and it may be a while still before traditional classrooms, lecture halls and indeed teaching methods are back in use

Trying circumstances can be difficult, but evolution and innovation can and has thrived in these environments, and instead of simply being the ‘only alternative’ to brick and mortar teaching and tutoring, more students than ever before are discovering the fantastic benefits of online education and online tutoring through platforms such as Studypool.

For more information, please visit here.

How online education can give disabled children greater learning opportunities

Globally, about 15 per cent of the population lives with some form of disability. Of this, 80 per cent lives in developing countries. Persons with disabilities (PwDs) are among the most marginalised groups. They encounter a range of barriers and are more likely to experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes. Limited support infrastructure can have a significant debilitating impact on everyday life. WHO now considers disability a human rights issue. It emphasises that people are disabled by society and not by their bodies.

Over the last 65 years, the overall global literacy rate has increased by 4 per cent every five years — from 42 per cent in 1960 to 86 per cent in 2019. However, the global literacy rate for the disabled is as low as 3 per cent with just 1 per cent for females. Ninety per cent of disabled children in developing countries do not attend school, says UNESCO. The school drop-out rate is also high due to the lack of adequate infrastructure, inaccessible reading material and untrained teachers. An insignificant number make it to institutes of higher learning.

Lack of education has a trickle-down effect. Most disabled children are not equipped with foundational skills for employability. According to the UN, in developing countries, 80 to 90 per cent of PwDs are unemployed, whereas in industrialised countries, it is between 50 to 70 per cent. In most countries, the unemployment rate for PwDs is at least twice that of those who have no disability.

For more information, please visit here.

Student sex work is happening, and universities need to respond with health services

As university and college semesters unfold, a small but increasing percentage of students will likely also be taking on a largely under-reported and overlooked form of part-time employment: sex work.

Over the past year, there have been multiple reports of a dramatic increase in content creators on OnlyFans — a platform that allows fans to pay creators directly for content, which has been popular with sex workers. Some new users say they created accounts to navigate financial hardship during COVID-19. OnlyFans platform reported a huge uptick in users during the pandemic: from 7.5 million users in November 2019 to 85 million in December 2020.

For more information, please visit here.

How much will it cost for international students to return to Australia?

New South Wales and Victoria recently announced pilot plans to facilitate international students’ return to Australia. This is welcome news for those who have been locked out of the country for the better part of 18 months but the return to Australia cost could be a problem

According to The Guardian, some students worry that degrees such as medicine and engineering will be prioritised over others. Australia’s strict border measures caused its universities to suffer a 6% — or 2.2 billion Australian dollar — drop in revenue in 2020, said a report from the Mitchell Institute.

For more information, please visit here.

Experts weigh in on Australia’s 10-year strategy at AIEC

The Australian government is hoping to release its anticipated Australian Strategy for International Education 2021-2030 before the year is out, a government representative said at the Australian International Education Conference 2021.

The strategy – which government launched a consultation on earlier this year – has received over 120 written submissions, assistant secretary at the department of Education, Skills and Employment, Simon Moore revealed.

With an additional 1,600+ individuals participating in consultation process webinars and workshops, the government has a “strong foundation” to develop the strategy, he continued.

For more information, please visit here.

Hate crime victim inspires We Are Australia launch

We Are Australia, a dedicated organisation to support international student victims of crime in Australia, was launched on October 1, pledging to be the voice of international student victims.

For more information, please visit here.

Keystone acquires UniQuest in enrolment generation drive

This is another acquisition for Keystone as it evolves its business mission.

Historically, the Norway-based business has been focused on lead generation and the move to acquire UniQuest will provide more value to customers – especially around enrolment generation, the company noted.

Keystone expects the move will help it further evolve into a “complete end-to-end lead-to-enrolment generation platform”.

The acquisition is the latest in a handful of buyouts and mergers in the past year for the company, including EMG and acquisitions of FindAUniversity, College Scholarships USA, and AGM Education.

For more information, please visit here.

Australian far-right terrorism investigations have increased by 750 per cent in 18 months

Two years ago, nationalist and racist violent extremism barely accounted for two per cent of the Australian Federal Police’s counter-terrorism caseload. Now it’s the country’s fastest-growing threat.

For more information, please visit here.

October 14, 2021 VET Industry News Comments Off on The VET Sector News II- October 2021

Australian far-right terrorism investigations have increased by 750 per cent in 18 months

Two years ago, nationalist and racist violent extremism barely accounted for two per cent of the Australian Federal Police’s counter-terrorism caseload. Now it’s the country’s fastest-growing threat.

For more information, please visit here.

October 14, 2021 News Comments Off on Australian far-right terrorism investigations have increased by 750 per cent in 18 months

Keystone acquires UniQuest in enrolment generation drive

This is another acquisition for Keystone as it evolves its business mission.

Historically, the Norway-based business has been focused on lead generation and the move to acquire UniQuest will provide more value to customers – especially around enrolment generation, the company noted.

Keystone expects the move will help it further evolve into a “complete end-to-end lead-to-enrolment generation platform”.

The acquisition is the latest in a handful of buyouts and mergers in the past year for the company, including EMG and acquisitions of FindAUniversity, College Scholarships USA, and AGM Education.

For more information, please visit here.

October 14, 2021 News Comments Off on Keystone acquires UniQuest in enrolment generation drive

Hate crime victim inspires We Are Australia launch

We Are Australia, a dedicated organisation to support international student victims of crime in Australia, was launched on October 1, pledging to be the voice of international student victims.

For more information, please visit here.

October 14, 2021 News Comments Off on Hate crime victim inspires We Are Australia launch

Experts weigh in on Australia’s 10-year strategy at AIEC

The Australian government is hoping to release its anticipated Australian Strategy for International Education 2021-2030 before the year is out, a government representative said at the Australian International Education Conference 2021.

The strategy – which government launched a consultation on earlier this year – has received over 120 written submissions, assistant secretary at the department of Education, Skills and Employment, Simon Moore revealed.

With an additional 1,600+ individuals participating in consultation process webinars and workshops, the government has a “strong foundation” to develop the strategy, he continued.

For more information, please visit here.

October 14, 2021 News Comments Off on Experts weigh in on Australia’s 10-year strategy at AIEC

How much will it cost for international students to return to Australia?

New South Wales and Victoria recently announced pilot plans to facilitate international students’ return to Australia. This is welcome news for those who have been locked out of the country for the better part of 18 months but the return to Australia cost could be a problem

According to The Guardian, some students worry that degrees such as medicine and engineering will be prioritised over others. Australia’s strict border measures caused its universities to suffer a 6% — or 2.2 billion Australian dollar — drop in revenue in 2020, said a report from the Mitchell Institute.

For more information, please visit here.

October 14, 2021 News Comments Off on How much will it cost for international students to return to Australia?

Student sex work is happening, and universities need to respond with health services

As university and college semesters unfold, a small but increasing percentage of students will likely also be taking on a largely under-reported and overlooked form of part-time employment: sex work.

Over the past year, there have been multiple reports of a dramatic increase in content creators on OnlyFans — a platform that allows fans to pay creators directly for content, which has been popular with sex workers. Some new users say they created accounts to navigate financial hardship during COVID-19. OnlyFans platform reported a huge uptick in users during the pandemic: from 7.5 million users in November 2019 to 85 million in December 2020.

For more information, please visit here.

October 14, 2021 News Comments Off on Student sex work is happening, and universities need to respond with health services

How online education can give disabled children greater learning opportunities

Globally, about 15 per cent of the population lives with some form of disability. Of this, 80 per cent lives in developing countries. Persons with disabilities (PwDs) are among the most marginalised groups. They encounter a range of barriers and are more likely to experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes. Limited support infrastructure can have a significant debilitating impact on everyday life. WHO now considers disability a human rights issue. It emphasises that people are disabled by society and not by their bodies.

Over the last 65 years, the overall global literacy rate has increased by 4 per cent every five years — from 42 per cent in 1960 to 86 per cent in 2019. However, the global literacy rate for the disabled is as low as 3 per cent with just 1 per cent for females. Ninety per cent of disabled children in developing countries do not attend school, says UNESCO. The school drop-out rate is also high due to the lack of adequate infrastructure, inaccessible reading material and untrained teachers. An insignificant number make it to institutes of higher learning.

Lack of education has a trickle-down effect. Most disabled children are not equipped with foundational skills for employability. According to the UN, in developing countries, 80 to 90 per cent of PwDs are unemployed, whereas in industrialised countries, it is between 50 to 70 per cent. In most countries, the unemployment rate for PwDs is at least twice that of those who have no disability.

For more information, please visit here.

October 14, 2021 News Comments Off on How online education can give disabled children greater learning opportunities

Online Learning Platforms A Lifeline For Students During The Pandemic

There have been many forced changes in the world over the past 18 months, with every industry seeing some form of impact. Life is slowly but surely becoming recognizable again, but in the education sector there is a new normal, one that makes getting extra help and benefitting from shared resources more convenient than ever before.

Anyone who has been involved in education, from parents to students has seen and experienced the almost overnight switch to a remote style of learning. Schools across the world have been forced to utilize technology, and it may be a while still before traditional classrooms, lecture halls and indeed teaching methods are back in use

Trying circumstances can be difficult, but evolution and innovation can and has thrived in these environments, and instead of simply being the ‘only alternative’ to brick and mortar teaching and tutoring, more students than ever before are discovering the fantastic benefits of online education and online tutoring through platforms such as Studypool.

For more information, please visit here.

October 14, 2021 News Comments Off on Online Learning Platforms A Lifeline For Students During The Pandemic

Online Learning – The Future of Education?

The coronavirus pandemic that gripped humanity in early 2020 has led to unprecedented educational measures everywhere.

Educational institutions, from schools to universities, have been partially or completely closed in more than 180 countries. In most states, all schools were completely quarantined, while some were closed in the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Vietnam, and Australia. According to UNESCO, these measures affected 91% of the world’s students.

Even though the forced introduction of online education has already revealed not only the advantages but also the disadvantages of the modern academic system, experts and educators themselves are increasingly saying that the future of global education lies in online learning.

For more information, please visit here.

October 14, 2021 News Comments Off on Online Learning – The Future of Education?
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