CAQA Recruitment – The current job vacancies

Resource writers

CAQA Resources is looking for qualified instructional writers and subject matter experts to develop training materials for the community services and health services industries. If you are interested, email your resume and cover letter to info@caqarecruitment.com.au

Marketing Manager

This role is responsible for setting and applying the strategic direction and for the day to day management of our organisation’s marketing, communications, digital innovation, and community activities. Reporting to the CEO, this position will also play a pivotal role as a member of the management team of CAQA. The position will suit a person who wants to work from home.

Duties

  • Oversee the development, implementation and ongoing evaluation of CAQA’s strategic marketing and communications strategies covering brand, products, services and sales promotions;
  • Assess and provide recommendations on potential digital projects, including but not limited to the evolution of CAQA’s websites, lead generation platforms, customer communication opportunities;
  • Manage social media profiles, create ongoing content and encourage engagement;
  • Oversight of all communication activities to achieve communications objectives, maintaining consistency in message and presentation;
  • Manage relationships with external agencies and suppliers in relation to marketing, communication and business development initiatives;
  • Management and control of the marketing budget;
  • Create and monitor insightful reporting across marketing activities, including campaigns and website.

Preferred Experience

  • Experience in marketing, and/or product management roles required
  • Interest in the Vocational Education and Training environment
  • Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite
  • Experience using a website CMS
  • Experience using marketing software
  • Experience with Pipedrive CRM, or similar

For more information, contact info@caqarecruitment.com.au

Customer Service/Administrator

CAQA Resources is growing and we are now looking for a Customer Service/Administrator person to join our team. To be successful in this role you will need exceptional attention to detail and great English language skills. You will need to know your way around Microsoft Office and you must be able to work both as part of a team and manage your own workload. Location is irrelevant as the position will suit a person who wants to work from home.

Our customers are High Schools, RTOs and TAFEs. They mainly approach us by email, but we also receive a number of calls and requests for additional information. You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

We are looking for someone who will stay with us long term, has the ability to grow with the role, and who is interested in learning about compliance and the VET sector. Previous VET experience will be helpful but is not essential.

For more information, contact info@caqarecruitment.com.au

The VET Sector News (July 2022)

Leadership and personal finance are the focus of TROY’s two free online classes this summer

Whether you’re interested in building valuable leadership skills to propel your career or are interested in learning principles to protect and grow your wealth, Troy University is ready to help those who want to make a commitment to their future by offering two free courses this summer.

TROY’s online courses have been ranked among the country’s best by U.S. News and World Report. The University is known for emphasizing the importance of developing strong leaders and its leadership program is one of the best in the nation. Beginning July 11, TROY will offer a free online, four-week course entitled an Introduction to Leadership. This course presents a rare opportunity for participants to learn how to lead from a global perspective while incorporating self-evaluation in order to gain a better understanding of how to lead effectively.

“We believe that universities are responsible for building the leaders of tomorrow and that is a commitment we do not take lightly,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “Our mission is to develop leaders who are well equipped to meet the challenges of today’s world. These two free courses are an excellent introduction to all we offer at Troy University while giving participants the chance to learn valuable life skills.”

New for 2022, TROY is offering a free personal finance course entitled Your Life, Your Success — Money Management and Financial Wellness which is designed to give students an overview of financial principles that will help them succeed. Students will learn about budgeting, filing taxes, different types of loans and insurance products, and an overview of investment options. This course will be offered in two tracks beginning July 11; one for a general audience and one for young adults.

The courses are open to anyone and do not require enrollment in TROY to participate. Participants who enroll at Troy University can earn three credit hours for each course as a general elective or minor course. The courses run for four weeks and end on Aug. 8. To earn academic credit, students must pass a challenge exam at the end of the courses. Current TROY students who participate must have less than 15 hours of university credit to receive academic credit for passing the challenge exam. Register at: troy.edu/freeclass.

For more information, please click here.

Reminder about superseded HLT First Aid units

An important reminder regarding first aid training:

HLTAID001-HLTAID008 should no longer be delivered by any provider after July 1, 2022.

For more information, please click here.

Skilled migration and visa backlog in focus at Anthony Albanese’s first National Cabinet meeting

The visa backlog must be addressed to allow migration to be harnessed to combat skill shortages plaguing the country, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Mr Albanese hosted his first National Cabinet meeting on Friday, where state and territory leaders directly raised the issue of fast-tracking targeted migration with him.

The migration program is still suffering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with visa backlogs placing immense pressure on the Department of Home Affairs.

For more information, please click here.

Students shun unis in favour of trades, vocational courses

Australian students have turned away from university degrees in favour of trades and vocational courses, the latest census data has revealed.

In 2021, 177,032 more students were completing vocational studies, which included courses offered by TAFE and private training providers, compared to 2016. In that same time period, there were just 24,824 more people studying at university.

Vocational students made up 7.8 per cent of all Australian students in 2021, up from 5.9 per cent in 2016 and 7.3 per cent in 2011.

Meanwhile, universities enrolled 15.4 per cent of students in 2021, compared to 16 per cent in 2016 and 14 per cent in 2011.

The census data also showed that vocational students are getting older, with 63 per cent aged 25 and older in 2021 compared to 57 per cent in 2016.

Women were far more likely to be enrolled at university than men, making up 58 per cent of students, compared to 56 per cent in 2016.

For more information, please click here.

Productivity, Migration and Skills

At a national level, the question is: what is the link between education and growth?

That is a question the Productivity Commission is grappling with in the context of our 5-year Productivity Review. It’s not simple and to show why I want to start two claims: one bland and one more controversial.

The bland one is that education is fundamental to equipping people for the high skill jobs of a modern economy. (Among its many other benefits.) The controversial one centres on our prospects for future growth and it is this: it is not clear that high levels of education are making us any more innovative. Because the glaring paradox of our age is that we have never been more highly educated and we have the lowest productivity growth in 50 years.

How can this be, and what should we do about it? I think the challenge that it poses is that education and research, like most good things, have a tendency towards diminishing returns. The policy question is how we might break out of that tendency.

For more information, please click here.

Message from the CEO (27 June 2022)

Message from the CEO


The VET Sector is an online magazine and newsletter that is dedicated to providing information, resources, and articles for all stakeholders of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). In each edition, we cover topics that are relevant and important to RTOs, such as compliance, resources, and best practices. Our goal is to provide valuable information that will help RTOs improve their operations and better serve their students. 

In this edition of The VET Sector, we have covered a number of compliance and resources-related articles. We have included as always invaluable information and articles for all our RTO stakeholders, from trainers, marketing team, operations, governance, and administration to compliance, there is something for everyone in these articles. You will also find a privacy policy template that our team has created for you to use and customise your privacy policy for your training organisation. 

If you participate, share your ideas, feedback, and thoughts, and discuss how we can improve The VET Sector, we would love to hear from you!

Sukh Sandhu

CEO

Why does the regulatory legislation change frequently?

As a training organisation in Australia, it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest changes in regulatory legislation. This is because the regulatory environment in Australia is constantly changing, and new legislative requirements are introduced on a regular basis.

The rapidly changing regulatory landscape for training organisations in Australia can be attributed to a number of factors.

The Australian skills and vocational education sector is highly dynamic, with new courses, training providers and delivery models constantly emerging. This means that the legislation governing the sector must be regularly updated to reflect these changes.

The sector is highly competitive, which means that training providers must continually adapt their offerings to meet the needs of students and employers.

The ever-changing nature of the global economy means that new technologies and approaches to training are constantly being developed, which necessitates changes to the existing regulatory framework.

As the needs of businesses and industries change, so too do their training requirements, necessitating further changes to the legislation.

Finally, the sector is also subject to regular review by government bodies, which often results in changes to the legislation. The Australian government is constantly reviewing and updating its policies and regulations in order to ensure that the country’s training organisations are providing quality education and training services.

All of these factors contribute to the need for training organisations to keep up-to-date with the latest regulatory changes.

In order to ensure that training organisations are able to provide quality training and development services, they must comply with the latest legislative requirements.

These include requirements relating to the provision of quality training, the development and delivery of training programs, the assessment of students’ progress, and the reporting of results. In addition, training organisations are also required to meet a number of financial and operational requirements, such as those relating to the payment of fees, the maintenance of financial records, and the provision of insurance. While complying with all of these obligations can be challenging, it is important for training organisations to remember that they play an important role in ensuring that the country’s workforce is properly educated and trained.

However, compliance with regulatory legislation can be a challenge for training organisations. This is because the legislation is often complex and ever-changing. As a result, training organisations need to be constantly adaptable and flexible in order to meet the needs of their clients.

In order to stay up-to-date with the latest changes in regulatory legislation, training organisations should regularly consult with industry experts and keep abreast of the latest news and developments. Additionally, they should also consider utilising online resources, such as the Australian Training Directory, which provides information on the latest changes in regulatory legislation.

By staying up-to-date with the latest changes in regulatory legislation, training organisations can ensure that they are able to provide quality training and development services to their clients. This, in turn, will help to improve the productivity and competitiveness of businesses in Australia.

If you are a training organisation that is looking to stay up-to-date with the latest changes in regulatory legislation, it is important to consult with industry experts and utilise online resources.

Additionally, you should also keep abreast of the latest news and developments. By doing so, you can ensure that you are able to provide quality training and development services to your clients.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself.

When it comes to compliance, it’s always better to be proactive than reactive. That’s why training organisations need to conduct regular internal audits in order to ensure that their practices are up to par. By doing so, they can avoid the potential consequences of non-compliance, which can include hefty fines and damage to their reputation. Internal audits also help to ensure that the organisation is providing quality training services.

Internal audits give training organisations a chance to identify any areas where they may be falling short and make necessary corrections. They also provide an opportunity to assess whether new procedures or processes are working as intended. Ultimately, internal audits help training organisations stay compliant with the relevant regulations and standards.

It’s important for training organisations to regularly audit their practices to ensure compliance with standards. By conducting these audits, organisations can identify potential areas of non-compliance before they cause problems.

While conducting regular internal audits may seem like extra work, it’s really a necessity in today’s highly regulated environment. By taking the time to audit their own practices, training organisations can avoid the costly and time-consuming process of dealing with compliance issues down the road.

Regular auditing also helps organisations to improve their overall performance by identifying areas where improvements can be made. By conducting audits on a regular basis, training organisations can ensure that they are providing the best possible service to their clients and customers.

As it’s critical that you maintain control over your training organisation and its operations. One way to do this is through regular internal audits. Internal audits help ensure that your employees are adhering to internal policies and procedures, and external regulatory guidelines and help identify any areas where improvements can be made.

While you can certainly conduct your own internal audits, it may be beneficial to hire an independent, ISO-qualified auditor like CAQA. As experts in the field of auditing, CAQA can provide an objective perspective on your organisation’s operations and make recommendations for improvement.

There are many benefits to working with CAQA, including:

1. Expertise: As experts in auditing, CAQA has the knowledge and experience to identify any areas of concern within your organisation. Most of CAQA auditors have over 25 years of experience of auditing experience in vocational education and training and higher education industries.

2. Independence: As an independent auditor, CAQA is not biased towards your organisation or its operations. This allows us to provide an objective perspective on your organisation’s strengths and weaknesses.

3. Recommendations: After conducting an audit, CAQA will provide you with a report detailing our findings and recommendations for improvement. This report can be used to make changes within your organisation to help improve efficiency and compliance.

4. Cost-effective: Hiring CAQA to conduct your internal audits can save you time and money in the long run. By identifying areas of concern early on, you can avoid costly mistakes down the road.

If you’re looking for an expert, independent auditor to conduct internal audits at your organisation, look no further than CAQA. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you improve your organisation’s operations.

Set boundaries, establish guidelines, and work within them.

Organisations providing training services have a responsibility to ensure that their activities are carried out in a manner that is compliant with the expectations of the relevant regulatory bodies. This includes setting boundaries and establishing guidelines for staff and clients.

As a training organisation, it’s important to set boundaries and establish guidelines. This will help you stay within the parameters of your organisation, and ensure that you’re providing the best possible training service to your clients and staying compliant with the regulatory requirements according to the expectations of the regulatory bodies such as ASQA.

Some boundary setting may be required in order to:

  • Maintain a comprehensive policies and procedures framework
  • Maintain high-quality training services
  • Ensure legal and ethical compliance with organisational policies and external regulation
  • Facilitate positive working relationships between trainers, trainees and clients.
  • Organisational boundaries may include:
    • Physical space: Where is training allowed to take place? Are there any dangerous areas off-limits?
    • Time: What are the start and finish times for training sessions? Is there an allotted time for breaks?
    • Materials: What materials or equipment can be used during training? Are there any dangerous materials that should be avoided?
    • Behaviour: What behaviour is expected of trainers and trainees during training sessions? Are there any rules about speaking or interacting with others?

It’s important to communicate these boundaries to all involved in the training process so that everyone is clear on what is expected of them. By setting and enforcing these boundaries, you can help to ensure a safe, positive and productive learning environment for all.

There are a few things to keep in mind when setting boundaries and establishing guidelines:

The type of organisation you are running: What are the specific requirements of the regulatory body that you need to comply with? Are there any industry-specific standards that you need to adhere to?

Your clients: What are their expectations and needs? How can you best meet those needs within the confines of your organisation’s boundaries and guidelines?

Your staff: What do they need to know in order to carry out their roles effectively? What are their capabilities and limitations?

Your resources: What do you have available to you in terms of time, money and manpower? How can you make the most of what you have available?

Define the scope of your services. What kind of training do you offer? What are your areas of expertise? Make sure that you’re clear about what you can and cannot offer so that you can set the appropriate expectations with your clients.

Make sure your boundaries are realistic. If you set too many restrictions, you’ll likely find yourself unable to provide the training that your clients need. Likewise, if you set too few boundaries, you may find yourself overstepping your bounds and causing problems for your organisation.

Be clear about what your boundaries are. Your clients should know exactly what they can and cannot do during their training sessions. This will help them stay within the bounds of your organisation, and avoid any potential misunderstandings.

Enforce your boundaries. If you find that your clients are constantly pushing the limits of your boundaries, it’s important to take action. This may mean terminating their contract or providing them with a warning.

Communicate with your clients. Throughout the training process, it’s important to keep your clients updated on your boundaries and guidelines. This will help them stay informed, and avoid any potential surprises. Make sure that all your RTO stakeholders understand what your policies are and how they will be enforced. This will help them know what to expect from your service and avoid any surprises.

Be clear about your pricing. Make sure that your clients know how much your services cost so that there are no surprises down the road.

Follow up with your clients after they’ve attended a training session. Make sure that they’re satisfied with the service that they received and address any concerns that they may have.

By following these strategies, you can ensure that you’re setting appropriate boundaries and establishing clear guidelines for your training organisation. This will help you provide the best possible service to your clients, and avoid any potential problems.

If you have any questions about setting boundaries in your training organisation, please get in touch with us today. We’d be happy to help!

The students deserve to be treated as more than just a revenue stream

It is no secret that the cost of living in Australia is high. This is especially true for students, who often have to take on part-time jobs in addition to their studies just to make ends meet. Unfortunately, this means that they are often treated as nothing more than a revenue stream by both the government and training organisations.

The high cost of tuition fees is one of the biggest financial burdens facing students today. In some cases, these fees can be so high that it takes students years to pay them off – if they ever do. This puts a huge amount of financial pressure on students, which can impact their studies.

This situation is compounded by the fact that many students in vocational education and training are from low-income backgrounds and do not have the same access to resources as their wealthier counterparts. This means that they are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to finding jobs and supporting themselves financially.

What’s more, the quality of education in Australia has been declining in recent years. This is due to the fact that training organisations are underfunded, which has led to large class sizes and a decline in the quality of teaching. This is yet another way in which students are being treated as nothing more than a source of revenue. From exorbitant fee hikes to cuts in essential services, it’s clear that the needs of students are often being neglected in favour of financial gain.

It’s time for the government and training organisations to start treating students fairly. They deserve to be given access to affordable education and be treated with respect. Only then will they be able to reach their full potential.

We need to see a shift in priorities, with an emphasis on providing quality education that meets the needs of students and prepares them for the workforce. This means investing in experienced and qualified staff, supporting them to deliver high-quality teaching, and ensuring adequate resources are available to students.

It is also critical that we move away from the one-size-fits-all approach to education, which does not meet the needs of all learners. We need to create programs that are tailored to the individual needs of each student, and that provide the flexibility to allow them to progress at their own pace.

It is vital that the government takes action to address this issue and ensure that all students in vocational education and training are treated fairly and given the opportunity to succeed. This includes providing adequate funding to providers, ensuring that courses are of a high quality, and making sure that students from all backgrounds have access to the resources they need.

Only by taking these steps will the vocational education and training sector be able to provide students with the skills and qualifications they need to find good jobs and build prosperous futures.

Australia has the world’s second-worst skills crisis.

According to a new analysis, businesses in Australia are in the midst of a skills crisis, and the country ranks second-worst among industrialised and developed nations for its lack of trained skilled workers. This places Australia in the middle of a skills crisis.

As of the end of the March quarter, roughly three per cent of all jobs in Australia were unfilled, making it the developed world’s second-most severe labour shortage. This is a problem for Australian firms, which are suffering through the second-most severe labour shortage in the developed world.

According to the most recent economic forecast published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which stated that we are only second to Canada in the labour crisis, we have reached this conclusion.

The current skills shortage is costing Australian companies billions of dollars.

Australian businesses are losing out on billions of dollars each year due to a skills crisis that is leaving them short-staffed and unable to find qualified workers.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) disclosed on Wednesday, August 6, 2022, that out of more than 15 million total positions in Australia, there are approximately 420,000 jobs that are currently vacant. This represents a vacancy rate of 2.8 per cent of the labour market, which is equivalent to one job out of every 35.

According to the ABS, the number of job openings climbed by 4.6 per cent between the beginning of January and the end of March. This increase significantly surpassed both the growth rate (which was up 0.6 per cent) and the number of jobs filled (up 0.4 per cent).

Mining, banking and insurance services, administrative assistance, and wholesale commerce are the industries that are suffering the most severely as a result of the shortages.

Yesterday, the Minister of Agriculture, Murray Watt, acknowledged the dilemma and made a commitment that addressing the labour and skills shortfall will be a high priority for his new portfolio. He also stated that he was “open to any ideas” about how to address the problem.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed that 1.3 million people, or one in ten employed people, changed occupations in 2021-22. This has generated an additional difficulty for businesses. Perhaps a more fair term would be “the Great Resignation.”

The rate of employment mobility is at its greatest level in ten years.

According to Kris Grant, CEO of the management consulting firm ASPL Group, staff retention should be one of the top concerns for businesses right now, and there are five things that companies should act on right away.

First, Grant says, management must create a work environment where there can be an open dialogue with staff. This allows grievances to be aired (and solutions to be sought), but it also ensures a staff member feels valued in the business.

“When employees feel like their bosses are listening to them and value their opinion, everyone benefits,” he said.

“If employees feel valued, they are likely to work harder for the bosses and contribute to an organisation.

“But if managers don’t listen to them or value their opinion, the risk is they will start looking elsewhere for better employment conditions.”

Grant continues that fostering an inclusive workplace culture where activities, awards, and events cater to all staff — including the remote or hybrid ones — will make a happier, more productive environment nearly inevitable.

“If your workplace only rewards a person of a particular type, and excludes others, then those who aren’t included will soon walk away from their jobs, leaving the top dog without key support.”

To that end, Grant continues, to offer flexible working arrangements works, and it should be on offer at least part of the time.

“Workers who feel their employers offer enough flexible options are 2.6 times more likely to be happy in their jobs, according to LinkedIn,” he said.

“Allowing flexibility encourages goodwill, which works both ways, encouraging your employees to stay in your organisation.”

Significantly, Grant says businesses should give a lot of thought to their onboarding experience to wow new recruits to make them feel ingratiated — fast.

“The battle to retain staff begins on day one with effective onboarding,” he said.

“Integrating workers into their positions, their team and the company’s culture is critical [so] make new hires feel welcome and understand why they are there. Done well, onboarding enhances retention.”

And finally, investing in the learning and development of existing staff not only makes them more valuable to the business but helps foster loyalty and goodwill.

“LinkedIn research shows that 94% of employees said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered more learning opportunities,” Grant said.

“Investing in your staff has real payback for your organisation, and is another key strategy to retaining your staff.”

So what can be done to solve the skills crisis?

Investing in education and training is essential to solving the skills crisis. We need to ensure that our schools, training providers and universities are producing graduates with the skills that businesses need and that workers have the opportunity to upskill and reskill throughout their careers.

The government also needs to do more to attract skilled workers from overseas. Australia has long been a destination for highly-skilled migrants, but our current visa system is preventing many of them from coming here.

Reforming our visa system to make it easier for skilled workers to come to Australia would help alleviate the skills shortage, while also boosting our economy.

The skills crisis is a major problem for businesses across Australia, but it is one that can be solved. By investing in education and training, and reforming our visa system, we can ensure that businesses have the skilled workers they need to thrive.

 

Working in a toxic workplace can lead to serious health problems.

It’s no secret that working in a toxic work environment can have serious consequences for your health. From anxiety and depression to physical health problems, the effects of a toxic workplace can be far-reaching and devastating.

When talking about a “toxic work environment”, what comes to mind for most people are things like office politics, backstabbing colleagues, and maybe even a tyrannical boss.

If you’re currently working in a toxic environment, it’s important to take steps to protect your health. Here are some critical health issues to be aware of:

Stress, anxiety and depression

Working in a toxic environment can cause or exacerbate anxiety and depression. If you’re already struggling with mental health issues, a toxic workplace can make them worse. Symptoms of anxiety and depression include:

  • Feeling overwhelmed or hopeless
  • Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Cardiovascular disease. Exposure to workplace stress has been linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This includes conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.

Respiratory problems. Stress can also lead to or worsen respiratory problems such as asthma or bronchitis.

Gastrointestinal issues. Stress can cause or contribute to gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and acid reflux.

Skin problems. Stress can also cause skin problems such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema. One study found that people who experience high levels of job stress are more likely to have skin problems than those with low levels of stress.

Headaches and migraines. Stress can trigger headaches and migraines in some people.

Immunity problems. Prolonged exposure to stress can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness and infection. Stress can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. One study found that people who experience high levels of job stress are more likely to get colds and other upper respiratory infections.

Sleep problems: A toxic work environment can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. One study found that people who had high levels of job stress were more likely to experience insomnia and other sleep problems.

Memory problems: Stress can lead to memory problems and difficulty concentrating. One study found that people who experience high levels of job stress are more likely to have trouble with short-term memory and executive functioning (the ability to plan and organise).

Weight gain: Stress can lead to weight gain by triggering the release of cortisol, a hormone that leads to increased appetite and cravings for high-calorie foods.

Career damage: A toxic work environment can damage your career in many ways. For example, you may be passed over for promotions or not receive the recognition you deserve. You may also find it difficult to build positive relationships with colleagues. This can all lead to job dissatisfaction and eventually, job loss.

Relationship problems: The stress of a toxic work environment can spill over into your personal life, causing problems in your relationships. You may find yourself withdrawn and irritable with loved ones. You may also have difficulty sleeping, which can lead to arguments and further strain on your relationships.

Toxic work environments can have serious consequences for your health. If you’re struggling to cope, it’s important to seek help. Talk to your doctor about the effects of stress on your health and develop a plan to manage the stress of your job. You may also want to consider talking to a therapist or counsellor who can help you deal with the emotional toll of a toxic workplace.

 

Customer complaints are your opportunity to drive continuous improvement

There is no organisation that isn’t subject to complaints from time to time. In the case of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), complaints are governed by the Standards for RTOs 2015. Standard 6 requires RTOs to have a system in place for managing complaints.

While it’s obviously important to deal with complaints in a timely and effective manner, it’s also important to see them as an opportunity for continuous improvement. After all, if someone has taken the time to make a complaint, they obviously feel strongly about something that your RTO is doing (or not doing). By taking a proactive approach to complaints management, you can turn a negative experience into a positive one for both your organisation and your clients.

By working to resolve complaints quickly and effectively, you can not only improve the learner experience but also use complaints as a way to identify systemic issues and areas for improvement within your organisation.

So what can you do to turn a complaint into an opportunity for positive change?

Here are three suggestions:

1. Use complaints as a trigger for review

Complaints can be a valuable source of information about where your RTO’s processes or procedures may be falling short. They can also highlight areas where staff may need more training or support.

Whenever a complaint is received, take the time to review the situation and see if there are any changes that could be made to prevent similar problems from happening in the future.

2. Communicate with complainants

It’s important to keep complainants updated on the progress of their complaints and what actions are being taken as a result. This will help to build trust and confidence in your RTO’s complaint-handling process.

3. Use feedback to improve your processes

Once a complaint has been resolved, take the time to follow up with the complainant to get their feedback on how the process was handled. This feedback can be used to improve your procedures for dealing with complaints in the future.

There are a few key things to keep in mind when managing complaints:

  • Complaints should be managed in a confidential and respectful manner.
  • All complaints should be investigated thoroughly and promptly.
  • Corrective action should be taken where necessary.
  • Feedback should be provided to the complainant on the outcome of their complaint.

Here are some tips on how to use complaints for continuous improvement:

  • Make sure you have a clear and accessible complaints policy and procedure. This will help ensure that all complaints are dealt with in a consistent and fair manner.
  • Encourage clients to give feedback, both positive and negative. Feedback is essential for continuous improvement, but it can be hard to get if you don’t ask for it.

Use complaints as an opportunity to review your policies and procedures. Are they working as intended? Do they need to be updated or improved?

Be open to suggestions from clients on how you could improve your services. They are the ones who use your services on a day-to-day basis, so their feedback is invaluable.

Take action on the feedback you receive. This shows clients that you are serious about making improvements based on their input.

By taking a proactive approach to complaints management, you can turn a negative experience into a positive one for both your organisation and your clients. By using complaints as an opportunity for continuous improvement, you can ensure that your organisation is providing the best possible service to its clients.

An effective complaints management system will help you to resolve issues quickly and efficiently, while also providing valuable insights into areas of improvement within your organisation. By using complaints as a way to drive continuous improvement, you can ensure that your organisation is providing the best possible experience for all learners.

Interview with Shiv Jaidka, CA, RTO Accounts

Profile:

With 14+ years of experience, specialising in providing accounting and taxation services to RTOs and VET industry, we can help you with RTO’s financial reporting and tax compliance to eliminate the stress and confusion of meeting your ATO compliance. We can help you with the cash flow budgets and forecasts to avoid nasty surprises. We can also assist you with the completion of FVRA Tool for your initial registration, change of scope/ownership and monitoring review. We provide easy-to-access and understand real-time reports using cloud technology like Xero, ensuring that your RTO is always financially healthy, protected and ready for growth.


Q: What inspired you to become an accountant and help training organisations?

A: I love watching my clients grow and helping them during all stages of their business life cycle. Deciding to specialise in only one industry RTOs, allow us not to recreate the wheel. We have a deeper understanding of tools like the FVRA, which most accountants have never completed. We attend RTO conferences to ensure we are always kept abreast of the challenges and opportunities RTOs are facing.

Q: What challenges have you encountered while working with training organisations?

A: Development of our back-end systems like work papers to ensure we can get RTOs submissions of their FVRA Tool on a timely basis with supporting calculations if requested by ASQA.

Q: What do you think are the key financial considerations for training organisations?

A: Cash Flow Management is very important. Training Organisations are facing the rising payroll costs and overheads. More recently, securing finance is getting harder. You need to have a good understanding of the required working capital and the possible sources of funding to ensure adequate working capital.

Q: What advice would you give to new or existing training organisations about financial management?

A: Maintain a Budget to quantify the business strategy for your training organisation. The start of the financial year is a perfect time to prepare the budget by estimating the income and expenses for the next 12 months. Then review the Budget vs Actuals monthly to manage your progress against the goals and decide on strategies for the next month. Xero has great features to upload your budget and track your performance. The key is to stay disciplined in the process.

Q: What do you think are the biggest financial mistakes that training organisations make?

A: Not looking at the bigger picture, concentrating more on the short-term Profits rather than building a solid Balance Sheet for the RTO that includes the tangible and intangible assets like goodwill.

Q: Do you have any other advice or tips that you would like to share with training organisations when it comes to financial management?

A: The golden tip is always to run your RTO as if you are going to sell it. Always keep your books accurate and up to date. Then you will get the most value for yourself and show this value to a potential buyer at any time.

Privacy policy for your training organisation

There are strict privacy laws in Australia that cover how businesses can collect, use and disclose personal information. It is important for any training organisation to have a robust privacy policy in order to protect the personal information of their students and staff. This means having a privacy policy that sets out how you collect, use and disclose personal information. Your privacy policy must meet the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). The APPs are contained in the Privacy Act 1988.

You don’t have to register your privacy policy with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), but it must be available to anyone who asks for it.

Here are some things to consider when creating a privacy policy for your training organisation:

What personal information do you collect and hold?

Why do you collect, hold, use and disclose personal information?

How do you collect, store and use this information?

Who has access to this information?

Who do you disclose personal information to?

How do you ensure the security of this information?

What are your procedures for dealing with data breaches?

What rights do individuals have in relation to their personal information?

How individuals can access the personal information you hold about them and seek correction of that information?

How will you communicate your privacy policy to individuals?

How individuals can complain about a breach of the APPs, and how you will deal with such a complaint?

Whether you are likely to disclose personal information to overseas recipients; and

The types of third parties (if any) located in countries outside Australia to which you usually disclose personal information.

What is personal information?

Personal information is information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable:

whether the information or opinion is true or not; and

whether the information or opinion is recorded in a material form or not.

Examples of personal information include (but are not limited to) an individual’s name, date of birth, address, email address, phone number and occupation.

Sensitive information is a type of personal information that is given a higher level of protection under the APPs. Sensitive information includes (but is not limited to) information or opinion about an individual’s:

  • racial or ethnic origin;
  • political opinions;
  • membership in a political association;
  • religious beliefs or affiliations;
  • philosophical beliefs;
  • membership in a professional or trade association;
  • membership of a trade union;
  • sexual orientation or practices; and
  • criminal record.

What are the Australian Privacy Principles?

The Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) are contained in schedule 1 of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and regulate how organisations, including training organisations, collect, use, disclose, store and provide access to personal information.

The APPs came into effect on 12 March 2014 and replace the National Privacy Principles and the Information Privacy Principles that were contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Your privacy policy should be reviewed and updated regularly in order to keep up with changes in technology, law and business practices.

You may use our template privacy policy below as a starting point for developing your own policy. For more information, always seek legal advice as we can only provide general advice through our newsletters.

Privacy policy template

This privacy policy sets out how YOUR ORGANISATION NAME collects, uses, discloses and manages personal information.

YOUR ORGANISATION NAME is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information and complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

What personal information does YOUR ORGANISATION NAME collect and hold?

YOUR ORGANISATION NAME may collect a range of personal information including an individual’s name, contact details, date of birth, gender, employment history, educational qualifications and criminal history.

YOUR ORGANISATION NAME collects personal information for the following purposes:

  • to provide training and education services;
  • to assess individuals for entry into training courses;
  • to administer and manage training courses;
  • to comply with legislative and funding requirements; and
  • for any other purpose an individual would reasonably expect.

If YOUR ORGANISATION NAME collects personal information that it does not need, it will take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify the information.

How does YOUR ORGANISATION NAME collect personal information?

YOUR ORGANISATION NAME collects personal information in a number of ways, including:

  • when individuals complete enrolment forms or other application forms;
  • when individuals participate in interviews, assessments or other evaluation processes;
  • when individuals provide information to YOUR ORGANISATION NAME over the phone, in person or via email or other correspondence;
  • when individuals use YOUR ORGANISATION NAME’s website or social media pages; and
  • when YOUR ORGANISATION NAME collects personal information from third parties, such as other training organisations, employers, education institutions, criminal history checking services or government agencies.

YOUR ORGANISATION NAME may also collect personal information from cookies that are downloaded onto an individual’s computer when he or she visits YOUR ORGANISATION NAME’s website. For more information about cookies and how they are used, please see our Cookie Policy.

In some cases, YOUR ORGANISATION NAME may collect personal information about an individual from a third party without the individual’s knowledge or consent. This will only occur where:

  • it is unreasonable or impracticable to obtain the individual’s consent;
  • YOUR ORGANISATION NAME suspects that the individual has committed a serious offence and disclosure is necessary to prevent a threat to life or health;
  • disclosure is required or authorised by law;
  • disclosure will prevent or lessen a serious threat to public safety; or
  • it is necessary for a law enforcement activity.

How does YOUR ORGANISATION NAME hold personal information?

YOUR ORGANISATION NAME holds personal information in both paper and electronic form. YOUR ORGANISATION NAME takes reasonable steps to protect the personal information it holds from misuse, interference and loss, as well as unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

YOUR ORGANISATION NAME will destroy or de-identify personal information once it is no longer needed for any purpose for which it may be used or disclosed under the APPs.

Who does YOUR ORGANISATION NAME disclose personal information to?

YOUR ORGANISATION NAME may disclose an individual’s personal information to:

  • other training organisations;
  • employers;
  • education institutions;
  • criminal history checking services;
  • government agencies; and
  • contractors and service providers who assist YOUR ORGANISATION NAME in providing its services.

YOUR ORGANISATION NAME will only disclose an individual’s personal information to a third party if:

  • the individual has consented to the disclosure;
  • disclosure is necessary for the provision of training or education services;
  • disclosure is required or authorised by law; or
  • it is otherwise permitted by the APPs.

An individual has a right to access his or her personal information that is held by YOUR ORGANISATION NAME, subject to some exceptions provided by law. If an individual would like to access his or her personal information, he or she should contact YOUR ORGANISATION NAME’s Privacy Officer.

If an individual believes that his or her personal information that is held by YOUR ORGANISATION NAME is inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date, he or she may request that YOUR ORGANISATION NAME amend the information. If YOUR ORGANISATION NAME refuses to make the requested amendments, the individual will be notified of the reasons for the refusal and given the opportunity to have a statement of correction attached to the record.

An individual may also lodge a complaint with YOUR ORGANISATION NAME if he or she believes that his or her privacy has been breached. If an individual has a concern about the way in which YOUR ORGANISATION NAME has handled his or her personal information, he or she should contact YOUR ORGANISATION NAME’s Privacy Officer.

YOUR ORGANISATION NAME will investigate all complaints and aim to resolve them in a timely and efficient manner. If an individual is not satisfied with the outcome of his or her complaint, he or she may lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

This Privacy Policy was last updated on DATE.

YOUR ORGANISATION NAME
ACN 000 000 000
ABN 11 111 111 111
Address: 1 Street Name, Suburb VIC 3999
Telephone: (03) 1234 5678
Email: info@yourorganisationname.com.au
Website: www.yourorganisationname.com.au
Privacy Officer: Mr John Smith
Telephone: (03) 1234 5678
Email: privacyofficer@yourorganisationname.com.au

Edu Learning – Your door to professional development opportunities

We would love to have you join our professional development retainer agreement services or individual professional development opportunities through Edu Learning. Our organisation works with the aim to help you grow your skills in a fun and interactive way. The benefits of joining our organisation are numerous, from getting tips from VET experts and industry leaders to building a network of peers, who can help you move forward in your career.

Intellectually stimulating and engaging content is what we excel at. We offer training programs that will provide your staff with the practical skills and strategies that they need to be successful in their careers in this competitive market – whether it’s in marketing, finance or RTO operations.

The benefits of being part of our professional development group include:

– Developing a better understanding of the role of a VET professional
– Getting in-depth training in different RTO sector skill sets that meet your and your organisation’s needs and requirements.


In partnership with Edu Learning and CAQA Skills, CAQA provides a variety of professional and personal development opportunities. We may also tailor the training to meet your specific requirements and skill level as well. For additional details, please contact us right away at info@caqa.com.au.

CAQA Systems Services

CAQA Systems provides technology services and support, and works in partnership with its customers.

We collaborate with innovative organisations and service providers, assisting them in maximising the efficiency and effectiveness of their technology investments.

We specialise in network administration, software systems and development, hardware and software support, software system and development, cybersecurity, information technology-related issues and matters.

We provide support to the education, medical, government, marketing, retail, hospitality, food, non-profit organisations, financial, and transportation industries.

Get in touch with us to discuss how we can assist you with your requirements.


For additional details, please contact us right away at info@caqa.com.au.


 

CAQA Recruitment

Are you looking for staff?

At CAQA Recruitment we help employers find talent for their organisation. We understand that hiring is a complex and sometimes costly process. However, it can be simplified and made easy on a budget by opting for our services. Our recruitment platform receives a huge number of interest from applicants who are seeking new opportunities in the VET sector. Best of all your first ad is FREE

For more information, please click here.

Looking for a new opportunity?

Whether you are a jobseeker, seeking additional hours, or not satisfied with your current job, you can find a new opportunity that suits your skills and experience through CAQA Recruitment. New vacancies are posted regularly. The process is simple! Register with us, upload your resume and begin your search.You decide how much or how little information you want to display. So what are you waiting for? Register today and let employers find you.

For more information, please click here.

Online Media Solutions (OMS) Services

Over the past two decades, Online Media Solutions (OMS) has provided assistance to clients worldwide. OMS merged into the CAQA and Career Calling brands in 2013.

Services offered by Online Media Solutions include: website design and development; website security; web hosting; domains marketplace; development of iOS and Android applications; software development; graphics design including logos, website graphics; social media graphics; marketing graphics; brand identity; stationery design; SEO; marketing services; website support; data entry; database management; and data entry and database management services

We have been working on hundreds of SCORM-compliant files and are making investments in virtual reality, gamification, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies in order to meet new and developing training and assessment needs.


Call us on 1800 961 980 or email info@careercalling.com.au to find out more on how we can assist.

 

CAQA Recruitment – The current job vacancies

Resource writers

CAQA Resources is looking for qualified instructional writers and subject matter experts to develop training materials for the community services and health services industries. If you are interested, email your resume and cover letter to info@caqarecruitment.com.au

Marketing Manager

This role is responsible for setting and applying the strategic direction and for the day to day management of our organisation’s marketing, communications, digital innovation, and community activities. Reporting to the CEO, this position will also play a pivotal role as a member of the management team of CAQA. The position will suit a person who wants to work from home.

Duties

  • Oversee the development, implementation and ongoing evaluation of CAQA’s strategic marketing and communications strategies covering brand, products, services and sales promotions;
  • Assess and provide recommendations on potential digital projects, including but not limited to the evolution of CAQA’s websites, lead generation platforms, customer communication opportunities;
  • Manage social media profiles, create ongoing content and encourage engagement;
  • Oversight of all communication activities to achieve communications objectives, maintaining consistency in message and presentation;
  • Manage relationships with external agencies and suppliers in relation to marketing, communication and business development initiatives;
  • Management and control of the marketing budget;
  • Create and monitor insightful reporting across marketing activities, including campaigns and website.

Preferred Experience

  • Experience in marketing, and/or product management roles required
  • Interest in the Vocational Education and Training environment
  • Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite
  • Experience using a website CMS
  • Experience using marketing software
  • Experience with Pipedrive CRM, or similar

For more information, contact info@caqarecruitment.com.au


Customer Service/Administrator

CAQA Resources is growing and we are now looking for a Customer Service/Administrator person to join our team. To be successful in this role you will need exceptional attention to detail and great English language skills. You will need to know your way around Microsoft Office and you must be able to work both as part of a team and manage your own workload. Location is irrelevant as the position will suit a person who wants to work from home.

Our customers are High Schools, RTOs and TAFEs. They mainly approach us by email, but we also receive a number of calls and requests for additional information. You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

We are looking for someone who will stay with us long term, has the ability to grow with the role, and who is interested in learning about compliance and the VET sector. Previous VET experience will be helpful but is not essential.

For more information, contact info@caqarecruitment.com.au

The VET Sector News (June 2022)

World University Rankings 2022

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 include more than 1,600 universities across 99 countries and territories, making them the largest and most diverse university rankings to date.

The table is based on 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across four areas: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

For more information, please click here.

What new gov’t in Australia means for int’l education

Industry leaders and experts are looking forward to working with the new government in Australia to usher in a recovery for the international education sectors in the country. Last week, Universities Australia, Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia and Independent Higher Education Australia welcomed Jason Clare on his appointment as minister for education.

Along with addressing the skills shortages for degree-educated workers, conducting Australia’s research and helping to tackle the challenge of climate and energy transition, universities can “find ways to navigate through a challenging geopolitical landscape and the sensitivities in our region”, chief executive Catriona Jackson reminded.

ITECA added that new minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor can “look to the nation’s independent skills training sector with confidence as it leads on several key measures of employer and student satisfaction”.

“We look forward to working with Ministers O’Connor and Clare as we look towards a more integrated tertiary education system, one in which the skills training and higher education sector operate as one yet retain their separate strengths and identities,” Troy Williams, ITECA chief executive, noted.

For more information, please click here.

What new gov’t in Australia means for int’l education

Industry leaders and experts are looking forward to working with the new government in Australia to usher in a recovery for the international education sectors in the country. Last week, Universities Australia, Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia and Independent Higher Education Australia welcomed Jason Clare on his appointment as minister for education.

Along with addressing the skills shortages for degree-educated workers, conducting Australia’s research and helping to tackle the challenge of climate and energy transition, universities can “find ways to navigate through a challenging geopolitical landscape and the sensitivities in our region”, chief executive Catriona Jackson reminded.

ITECA added that new minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor can “look to the nation’s independent skills training sector with confidence as it leads on several key measures of employer and student satisfaction”.

“We look forward to working with Ministers O’Connor and Clare as we look towards a more integrated tertiary education system, one in which the skills training and higher education sector operate as one yet retain their separate strengths and identities,” Troy Williams, ITECA chief executive, noted.

For more information, please click here.

World University Rankings 2022

World University Rankings 2022

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 include more than 1,600 universities across 99 countries and territories, making them the largest and most diverse university rankings to date.

The table is based on 13 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across four areas: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

For more information, please click here.