round 2 of vetab flying squad audit workshops for nsw

Last week VETAB held its second series of Flying Squad Audit (FSA) workshops for VET CRICOS RTO’s delivering to international students. With the first round of audits nearing completion, the second round is due to commence from the beginning of June.

This is a key NSW initiative and directive by the NSW Minister for Education and Training, Virity Firth to ensure that NSW CRICOS providers are providing a quality experience for overseas students.

Margaret Willis, VETAB Director, gave the welcome address and Shirley Stokes, Project Manager, outlined the sessions and introduced the auditors who offered their insights and guidance as required. Participants generally were happy to have the process, rationale and detail explained to them in an informal manner. The workshops also offered a rare opportunity for members to meet with the VETAB auditing team who offered useful strategies for assuring compliance, what will happen at the audit visit and what the focus of the audits would be. This transparent approach helped to defray many concerns members may have had.

Of significance was the acknowledgement by Shirley Stokes that NSW VET CRICOS RTO’s who are fully compliant would have a smooth re-registration with the National Regulator for 2011. However those with serious non compliance issues, if not addressed, would not proceed to re-registration with the new National Regulator.

The FSA is designed to target a sample of training package qualifications being delivered as well as reviewing management practices related to AQTF (2007) and National Code standards.
 

The primary focus of the audit process is to seek assurance of minimum standards pertaining to:
• Students
- Student learning and progress
- Access to information and support services

• Staff
- Qualifications, experience, supervision and development

• Training
- Meets AQTF requirements
- Training program meeting AQTF requirements

• Resources
- Sufficient to achieve training outcomes

• Assessment
- Enables students to demonstrate that they have required competencies

• Management
- Strategies to ensure all compliance requirements and new ESOS requirements
 

If ACPET members would to provide feedback or have any concerns or issues they would like to discuss, please contact Sarah Rosen, ACPET NSW on (02) 8280 8105 or sarah [dot] rosen [at] acpet [dot] edu [dot] au (by email)
 

More information is available on the VETAB website

Melinda Larkin (Executive Officer, ACPET NSW) and Shirley Stokes (Project Manager, Flying Squad, VETAB)

Auditors and RTO’s exchanging ideas during last week’s NSW Flying Squad Audit workshops