policy matters

1. Language, Literacy and Numeracy
Low levels of language, literacy and numeracy skills continue to act as a barrier to job seekers wishing to enter the workforce and for some existing workers seeking to take on new roles - especially those with no recent formal education and training.

ACPET has been invited to attend an Industry Skills Council forum, which will meet in late March 2010 as part of a continuing strategy to address the LLN needs of Australia’s workforce and to reflect on current successful LLN initiatives.

ACPET’s Manger of Policy and Research, Ben Vivekanandan, would like to hear from ACPET Members who are:

• Engaged in effective and innovative approaches to LLN support for PPP, Apprentices, Indigenous learners, and other cohorts or funding programs.; or
• Delivering programs that enable individuals to build LLN skills in anticipation of future learning/workplace demands.

Ben can be contacted ben [dot] vivekanandan [at] acpet [dot] edu [dot] au (via email) or by calling 03 9412 5912
 

2. Strengthening the AQF
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Council has commissioned research that will help validate and fine tune the new structural elements of the strengthened AQF.

An on-line survey will gather data to empirically test the levels criteria, the qualification type descriptors and where Australia’s qualifications should be placed in a strengthened AQF.

ACPET Members who use the AQF to develop, accredit, deliver or assess Australian senior secondary, vocational education and training or higher education qualifications are encouraged to take part in the survey.

The survey looks at a variety of issues including notional duration of student learning; the required complexity and depth of achievement for graduates; and learning outcomes for graduates. To take part in the survey click here.

ACPET lodged a submission with the AQF Council late last year in an earlier round of consultation relating to strengthening the AQF. To read this submission click here.

3. National Vet Regulator
DEEWR has begun National VET Regulator consultation sessions in preparation for the establishment of the National VET Regulator. These sessions are the first in what will be a series of consultations throughout 2010, which RTOs will have the opportunity to attend in order to present their ideas and concerns.

Some points of interest regarding the National VET Regulator that have been presented in the current round of consultations are:

• The national regulator will begin operating in 2011, it is envisaged that this will be 1 January 2011 however this date may be influenced by the electoral cycle.
• Victoria and WA have not signed on to the National VET Regulator but will introduce mirror legislation. ACPET is seeking more information on what this will mean for Victorian and Western Australian Members.
• Under the national regulator, a Standards Council will be formed and will replace the National Quality Council.
• The Standards Council will be at arms length from the regulator to ensure there is separation between the body that develops the standards and the body that carries out regulation.
• Registration standards (AQTF 2010) are not changing only the way they are enforced.
• It is likely that NARA will be subsumed by the National VET Regulator.
• The National VET regulator will have mechanisms in place to overcome inconsistency of audit processes.
• Arrangements for course accreditation processes are in the early stages and no decision has been made on what final arrangements will be.
• There will be transitional arrangements in place as RTOs move from state regulators to a national regulator.
• State funding arrangements will not be linked to the National VET Regulator.
• Drafting of the enabling legislation will begin after the current round of consultations.

DEEWR has advised that drafting of legislation for the National VET Regulator will begin in May 2010 after this time work will begin on the appointment of a CEO and location of staff and offices.

ACPET will continue to keep Members up to date on the establishment of the National VET Regulator as information becomes available. Further information regarding the National VET regulator can be found on the DEEWR website.