Here, we have summarised some of the ‘can’t miss’ info that you need now in this quick ASQA ‘HIIT” session.
Stakeholder Liaison Group
The SLG held its fifth meeting last month where members discussed their participation in their environmental scan of provider and sector risk, their draft Performance Framework and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy, and opportunities to be involved in the Spotlight On series.
NCVER was also present to share an update on the VET Student Experience Survey (VETSES), developed in collaboration with ASQA the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE).
You can read the communiqué here.
Quality Indicators Annual Summary
It has been announced that ASQA will not take regulatory action against providers that are unable to submit their 2020 quality indicator data. However, providers can still submit their data for the current reporting period up until 30th June 2021.
You can read more about this here.
Tip of the Month: Industry Currency, Trainers and Assessors
Trainer or Assessor’s industry currency can come from volunteer work as well as paid work.
Volunteer work or paid work experience provides an opportunity to show a current understanding of industry practices, Currency can also come from participating in workshops or seminars, professional development opportunities, and even dedicated reading of literature about current industry trends.
Industry engagement will help you determine what is sufficient and effective in achieving currency.
You can read more about competency and currency here.
New People and Structures
On 1st January 2021, ASQA’s governance structures were refreshed in response to findings from the Rapid Review. This included the appointment of staff to guide the required changes and a series of structural changes to strengthen their strategic oversight and managerial capacity.
Among these changes, the regulatory decisions that were being made by Commissioners has been moved to other senior officers within ASQA. This will make sure that the right people are responsible for making decisions, and improve their internal review function.
In addition to these governance changes was the appointment of Saxon Rice as ASQA’s CEO and Accountable Authority for the next five years. This provides some stability and structure for ASQA during this time of change and will encourage the continuation of reforms that will accomplish a fair, transparent, effective and consistent regulation of the VET sector.
A Statement of Expectations has recently been issued that clarifies Saxon Rice’s role and responsibilities as CEO and outlines the Government’s expectations of ASQA as a best practice regulator.
This Statement emphasises ASQA’s priorities and achievement of their strategic objective which is:
Through our regulation and partnership with the sector, to ensure quality VET so that students, employers, governments and the community have confidence in the integrity of national qualifications issued by providers.
ASQA continues to work with the Stakeholder Liaison Group on the draft ASQA Compliance Policy that was released in November 2020. This policy identifies the concept of Undertakings to Remedy, which is a huge improvement in the way ASQA and providers will work together to achieve and maintain compliance. The Stakeholder Liaison Group will ensure good coverage of the market voice is heard when creating and implementing reform.
New Resources
ASQA have released a 2021 RTO obligations checklist to make it easier for training organisations to keep on top of their main reporting obligations.
The checklist includes general information and key dates for:
- Total VET Activity AVETMISS data – due 28 February
- Annual Declaration on Compliance – due 31 March
- Quality Indicator data – due 30 June
You can find the checklist available for download here.
Strategic Review of Online Learning
In the first half of 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many RTOs turned to distance learning to continue to provide training and assessment services for their students. ASQA was quick to respond to the rapidly changing situation and was supportive of the adaptive measures. They published a new website section outlining compliance guidelines for these arrangements.
In the second half of 2020 following the massive shift online in response to the pandemic, ASQA launched the strategic review of online learning. This is still underway, with sector consultation having commenced in December via a webinar to discuss the new online skill set, the challenges presented by COVID-19, and ideas for building e-learning capability. The webinar welcomed a panel made up of ASQA and industry representatives and great feedback and insight was given.
Continuing Support
ASQA continues to offer support to training providers by way of webinars and forums to assess the complexities of this ‘new normal’. You can view past webinars here, and subscribe to their YouTube channel to be notified when new videos are released. You can also check out their Upcoming Events page to hear about upcoming ASQA events when they are announced.
Their next webinar, part of the Spotlight On series, focuses on Assessment Validation. For more information and to register, click here.
In addition, a number of other consultation opportunities are in the works to give training providers more ways to give input into the strategic review. Make sure to visit the ASQA website for more information on how you can contribute.
Changes to Data Provision Requirements
From 1st March 2021 training providers must inform ASQA of any changes that may influence their ability to comply with the Financial Viability Risk Assessment Requirements or Fit and Proper Person Requirements.
ASQA must also be kept informed about training delivery sites and campus locations.
For more information on ASQA’s legislative changes, click here.
It’s great to see that ASQA is listening to what government and the VET sector have to say and are using this information to reform appropriately.
Stay tuned for more updates and information!
Source:
https://www.vision6.com.au/em/message/email/view.php?id=1595887&a=41710&k=BbW4Pesu1baljQDnxjbU5vt0duJYTY10b9AVwxvEht8
https://www.asqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-12/Statement%20of%20Expectations.pdf
https://www.asqa.gov.au/legislative-changes
https://www.asqa.gov.au/news-events/news/new-approach-student-surveys
https://www.asqa.gov.au/rto/focus-compliance/series-1-trainers-and-assessors/chapter-2
