Focus on international education, trainer and assessor capability

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) will continue to target international education and the capability of trainers and assessors as part of its 2018-20 regulatory strategy.

Releasing the strategy today, ASQA Chief Commissioner Mark Paterson said a range of indicators and intelligence were used to identify the areas posing the greatest risk to Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.

“International education, delivered on and offshore, is one of Australia’s top service exports and the Australian Government’s National Strategy for International Education 2025 states that the system will be supported by a robust quality assurance and regulatory environment with a focus on continual improvement,” Mr Paterson said.

“ASQA’s regulatory strategy 2017-18 included a commitment to commence a strategic review of international VET and English language education services delivered by ASQA-regulated providers. The review will be finalised as part of the new regulatory strategy and a report published in 2019.”

Mr Paterson said the recent review of the legislative framework that governs the regulation of VET sector undertaken for the Australian Government by Professor Valerie Braithwaite had noted that a lack of capability in the VET workforce directly affects the quality of delivery and assessment across the sector and outcomes for students and employers.

“ASQA has undertaken a significant program of work to support the implementation of the changes to the Training and Education (TAE) Training Package announced by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) in April 2016,” he said.

“ASQA will maintain the focus on the capability of VET trainers and assessors by continuing to scrutinise registered training organisations (RTOs) who apply to deliver TAE training products and monitoring those already approved to deliver.

“It will also continue to provide communication and education for providers to promote quality assessment practice and will start a conversation with a range of key stakeholders, including RTOs, about strategies that might be considered to support an increased focus on trainer and assessor capability, improved practice and more transparent information about the skills and qualifications of trainers and assessors.”

Mr Paterson said ASQA would, in-line with the findings of the Braithwaite review, also focus its efforts on recognising and supporting quality in the VET sector, increasing scrutiny on Fit and Proper Person requirements and key products of concern in the early childhood education and care, individual support and aged care and heavy vehicle qualifications.

ASQA’s Regulatory strategy 2018-20 is available for download below.