Self-accreditation for TAFE: crucial for parity – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd

Self-accreditation for TAFE: crucial for parity – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd

Last week I wrote about the TAFE self-accreditation pilots that are about to begin where ASQA will delegate accreditation powers to those TAFEs who are part of the pilot for accreditation of new AQF5 or 6 qualifications. Today I want to reflect on the move by many TAFEs, who are higher education providers, towards TEQSA self-accreditation. The fact TAFEs are achieving self-accreditation in both VET and HE is evidence that we are tackling the challenge of parity between university and TAFE. Self-accreditation is one step toward a more even playing field.

TAFEs are reclaiming their educational entity status. Being self-accrediting, albeit with limited scope in both higher education and vocational education, demonstrates the capability that exists within TAFE as educational entities. It also demonstrates their commitment to quality, governance and leadership, and student-centred learning. Holmesglen Institute is the first to achieve self-accreditation with TEQSA, and others will follow.

The successful TEQSA conference the week before last explored several areas under the theme Navigating tomorrow: Anticipating challenges, embracing change. One panel, which was chaired by Adrienne Nieuwenhuis, the Acting Chief Commissioner of TEQSA and which included Deputy Chair TDA and TAFESA Chief Executive, David Coltman, Deputy CEO, ASQA Christina Bolger, and Executive Director Jobs and Skills Australia, David Turvey discussed harmonisation of VET and higher education. The panel explored the arguments for harmonisation and the reasons why ‘diversity of provision’ (David Coltman) is a strength. However, one of the interesting comments delivered by Adrienne Nieuwenhuis concerned the profile of VET versus HE students. Adrienne suggested that it hasn’t changed and reflects ‘deep intergenerational and structural society pieces’.

Given that is the case, the refocus on TAFE by this government aims to help change that perception problem. To achieve parity of esteem, TDA has argued that TAFEs need to be able to do what universities do and do what TAFEs already do well. TAFEs are the natural home for industry engagement. It was evident at the TEQSA conference that Australia’s higher education research agenda continues to lack the equivalent industry contributions of other OECD countries. TAFE being more at the forefront of higher education might be one place this is addressed.

The TAFE Centres of Excellence, with their industry and university partnerships, are one of the steps to achieving that. However, that will only be effective if TAFE is able to use its demonstrated quality self-accreditation status to be flexible with industry and to lead university partners to the table.

Therefore, it was disappointing to see a comment by a member of the TEQSA audience questioning TAFEs’ self-accreditation status. This seems an entrenched view demonstrating lack of parity of esteem. It is also naive. Any TAFE in Australia would welcome showcasing their commitment to governance, leadership, students, industry engagement, processes, data and systems that have led to strong self-assurance outcomes. This background forms the base for both VET and HE self-accreditation. Time for all to embrace the change that is coming.

TAFEs prominent among finalists for Australian Training Awards

TAFE institutes, teachers, students and industry partners are in the running for top honours at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra next week.

The list of finalists was released earlier this week. TAFE features in the following award categories:

Large Training Provider of the Year Award

  •  Charles Darwin University – Northern Territory
  • TAFE SA – South Australia

Apprentice of the Year Award

  • Leanne Kell – Canberra Institute of Technology
  • Rachael Pearson – TAFE NSW
  • Asinate Bradbury – Charles Darwin University
  • Benjamin Barker – TasTAFE
  • Matthew Tyquin – William Angliss Institute
  • Ellie Wotherspoon – South Metropolitan TAFE

Trainee of the Year Award

  • Almira Dall – South Regional TAFE

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award

  • Rebecca Grace Martin – Canberra Institute of Technology CIT Solutions
  • Baylun Williams-Pinkie – TAFE NSW
  • Vanessa Williams – Charles Darwin University
  • Harley Mansell – TasTAFE
  • Taylor Hampton – Kangan Institute
  • Zane Edwards – Charles Darwin University
  • Chelsea Bostock – CQUniversity
  • Alicia Farr – Chisholm Institute

Vocational Student of the Year Award

  • Courtney Stewart – Charles Darwin University
  • Zander Lee – TAFE SA

Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award

  • Lawson Connor – Canberra Institute of Technology CIT Solutions
  • Dascha Harrison – TAFE NSW

VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award

  • Nadine Morton – Canberra Institute of Technology
  • Maureen Simon – Charles Darwin University
  • Dr Adam Bignold – Federation University
  • Lisa Piller – South Metropolitan TAFE

Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award

  • Gemma Beall -TAFE NSW
  • Miriam Davies – TAFE Queensland
  • Sue James – TAFE SA

Industry Collaboration Award

  • Palm Island Digital Service Centre, a partnership between Advance Queensland – Deadly Innovation, Back to Work, MEGT Australia, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council, Palm Island Community Company, Qld Government Customer and Digital Group, Rainbow Gateway, Telstra Australia and TAFE Queensland.
  • Mobile Skills Lab – Aged Care Collaboration, a partnership between South West TAFE, Calvary Community Care, Eventide Homes, Edgarley Assisted Living, and Mulleraterong Centre.

See all the finalists for the Australian Training Awards

TAFETalks: Delivering the National Skills Passport

 

Join TDA’s TAFETalks session on optimising existing systems to deliver the National Skills Passport.

Tertiary education providers already invest significantly in data systems to track student progress and record alumni qualifications. Building a completely new system introduces additional risks and costs.

In this session, experts from Victoria University and TechnologyOne will explore key factors in developing a National Skills Passport. They’ll discuss how leveraging innovative solutions can enhance workforce mobility, reduce institutional security burdens, and streamline assessment processes.

Register here

Skillaroos celebrated at 'welcome home' reception at Parliament House

Australia’s Skillaroos have been honoured at a reception at Parliament House in Canberra and presented with certificates acknowledging their achievements at the WorldSkills International Championships in France.

The Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said the Skillaroos had been on an incredible journey halfway around the world and should be immensely proud of what they have achieved.

“This year’s competition was the largest ever, with over 1,400 young people from 70 countries attending and 250,000 people visiting the Lyon region.

“To represent your country on the international stage takes passion, dedication, hard work and talent.

“As a nation, Australians are known to be competitive, especially when it comes to international competition. The Skillaroos came 14th this year by total points scored, which is an incredible achievement,” Mr Giles said.

The Skillaroos, along with members of the WorldSkills Australia team met with ministers and MPs at a breakfast reception to commemorate their return home after a spectacular international competition in Lyon.

An extra 5,200 fee-free TAFE places announced for Victoria

The federal and Victorian governments have announced an additional 5,200 fee-free TAFE places for Victorians in housing and construction, commencing in January.

The Commonwealth has injected $22.2 million to fund the new fee-free places, which will include up to 1,300 pre-apprenticeships.

A total of 508,000 people have so far enrolled in fee-free TAFE across Australia.

The Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said the new places will help get more people into the construction industry and provide cost of living relief to those entrants.

“Victoria has embraced the Albanese Government’s Fee-Free TAFE policy, with over 91,200 Victorians enrolling to get the skills they want for free since January last year. That’s over 91,200 Victorians on the pathway to secure, well-paid jobs,” Mr Giles said.

JSA's jobs and skills 2024 report released

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has launched a new report that sets out a roadmap of strategic activities that aim to guide the next chapter of VET sector initiatives.

The report, Better Together – The Jobs and Skills Report 2024, has been released at a series of roadshows across the country.

The report has five strategic pillars:

  • Fostering Inclusive Participation: Striving for a workforce that is inclusive and fully understood, with a focus on optimising pathways and fostering informed discussions.
  • Understanding Today’s Workforce: Providing intelligence that equips Australians to navigate the current labour market, understand present opportunities, and recognize necessary skills.
  • Shaping Australia’s Future Workforce: Highlighting 37 emerging roles across key themes such as Health, Care and Medical, Data and Technologies, Net Zero, and Science and Engineering.
  • Optimising Pathways and System Architecture: Promoting collaboration between sectors to enhance the connectivity and relevance of the workforce supply.
  • Activating Informed Dialogue: Emphasizing the importance of joint efforts with all stakeholders to create a responsive and inclusive national skills system.

Is your family a consumer of the aged care system? Do you want to share your views on an important change? 

The system of Star Ratings for residential aged care is undergoing a review and there is an opportunity to provide feedback on how the ratings are calculated and other proposed improvements.

Star Ratings help older people and their families compare the quality of aged care homes and make more informed choices.

Following the commencement of the new Aged Care Act, the Department of Health and Aged Care is seeking feedback on several elements of Star Ratings, including how both the compliance rating and the staffing rating are calculated

The consultation is open to all, but particularly, older people, their families and carers, aged care providers and workers, experts and other interested stakeholders.

The Department’s Consultation Hub includes a consultation paper and details on providing feedback.

There are also a number of face-to-face consultations between 25 November and 6 December 2024.

The consultation process is being delivered in collaboration with KPMG. Any questions about the consultation can be directed to KPMG at: au-fm-star-ratings@kpmg.com.au, or alternatively to the Star Ratings team at: StarRatings@health.gov.au.

Training provider ratings for international students updated 

The results of training providers’ performance in the international student market, which help determine visa requirements for the coming academic year, have come into effect.

The Department of Home Affairs has provided updates to the Evidence Levels of countries and education providers. The combined country and education provider Evidence Levels are used to guide financial and English evidence requirements for student visa applicants.

The update is based on immigration outcomes from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024.

The Evidence Level update rewards providers that have shown improved performance, while making minor adjustments to support genuine providers to adapt their processes and recruit for semester 1, 2025. Country evidence levels are also be updated.

In the latest update, education providers that have shown an improved Evidence Level rating will move up levels.

Education providers with a worsening Evidence Level will have their rating adjusted. Exceptions are being made for providers in the higher education, schools and public VET sectors. These providers will remain at their current level.

The Department says it will continue to closely monitor outcomes.

“The Department will continue to monitor providers between now and March 2025, and may recommend further interim adjustments to evidence levels should there be signs of inappropriate recruitment behaviour by particular providers,” it says.

How to make best use of the USI VET transcript

Since 2015, students undertaking nationally recognised training have been required to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). They can access an authenticated USI VET transcript through their USI account, which collates their nationally recognised training outcomes into a single record.

A USI VET transcript can be used when:

  • applying for a job
  • seeking a credit transfer and/or
  • demonstrating prerequisites when undertaking further training.

Employers can use USI VET transcripts to:

  • reduce the risk of hiring unqualified staff
  • guarantee candidates have the qualifications listed on their resume
  • ensure staff have the skills and qualifications needed to complete the job.

The Australian Government verifies all the training listed on a USI VET transcript, so you can rest assured that your staff have the necessary qualifications.

Viewing and sharing training outcomes is valuable for students, employees, and employers. Visit the USI website to find out more about the VET transcripts.

Industry to collaborate on defence manufacturing project  

The Manufacturing Alliance wishes to clarify that its ‘Building a Defence Manufacturing Workforce’ project is being undertaken in collaboration with a number of defence industry stakeholders, not solely with BAE Systems Australia, as may have been suggested in last week’s TDA Newsletter. See the media release

Organisations that wish to be involved in the project can use this link.

Diary Dates

TAFETalks: Delivering the National Skills Passport
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 2.00pm – 3.00pm AEDT
Register here

Australian Training Awards
6 December 2024
National Convention Centre, Canberra
More information

Australian Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group (ACDEVEG) 2024 Conference
9-10 December 2024
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
More information

National Apprentice Employment Network 2025 National Conference
11-13 June 2025
Brisbane
Save the date

WorldSkills Australia National Championships and Skills Showcase
12-14 June 2025
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

2026 WFCP World Congress
23-28 November 2026
Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya
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