Positive audits & the ACPET catalogue

Monday, November 25 2013

Can audit be a positive experience?

ASQA has recently published the results of its latest survey of RTOs that had a site audit finalised between 1 June and 31 August 2013. A total of 139 responses were received, with a significant majority of RTOs indicating that their audit experience was a positive one. It would follow - and has been publicised by ASQA – that the majority of RTOs demonstrate continuing compliance with the standards and auditors find the experience equally positive.

A clear factor in ensuring that your audit experience mirrors that of the majority is to be well-prepared for audit and to be confident in your evidence of compliance within the context of your delivery and assessment environment. ASQA has also published a revised audit fact sheet to ensure RTOs understand the focus and purpose of audits and are well-prepared. The fact sheet refers to the mandatory requirement for prospective RTOs to conduct a self-assessment prior to audit, and states that it is advisable – but not mandatory – for existing providers to conduct a self-assessment prior to a re-registration audit.

All RTOs preparing an application for re-registration - whether they are registered with ASQA, VRQA or TAC – should see a self-assessment review of some kind as a mandatory part of their preparation. RTOs should use the self-assessment template (available on ASQA’s website) as both a starting point and a checklist to confirm they are ready for audit. Involving a critical friend in the review and preparation process can provide a useful perspective, and undergoing an ACPET health check is one way of doing this. Feedback to date from members who have had a health check - followed by a positive audit experience – has confirmed that the health check process provides a valuable opportunity to assess your readiness for audit. If you want to find out more, or book in for a health check, contact your ACPET State or Territory Executive Officer.

Showcasing ACPET members around the globe

The ACPET catalogue was launched last week and will be vital tool in marketing members to students, employers, career practitioners and other tertiary education stakeholders.

I discussed the launch of the catalogue during discussions last week with Austrade’s Regional Education Manager Middle East and Africa, Mr Feras Sallan. Mr Sallan expressed to me that he saw value in using the catalogue as a means to showcase ACPET members with employers in the Gulf Region that are considering engaging Australian providers to train staff – staff that are often trained and recruited from throughout Asia.

I have sent the catalogue to Mr Sallan and a number of other Austrade staff so they can also showcase ACPET members when then opportunity arises.  Members wishing to make the most of their profile in the catalogue can contact Kelly at SkillsOne on 0404 877 982.

The discussion with Mr Sallan primarily focussed on exploring opportunities for ACPET members in the Gulf Region. Investment in the region is focussing on skilling the workforce to coincide with the ongoing promotion of Qatar and the region as a tourist and business destination leading up to the Football World Cup. The growing need to for skilled labour in a range of industries ranging from construction to hospitality and tourism means that there will be significant demand from business to access skilled staff from throughout Asia. The reputation of the Australian training system means that there will be opportunities for ACPET members to help meet this demand for skilled labour.

ACPET will work with Austrade in order to develop a strategy that assists members take advantage of these opportunities. This may include an ACPET member delegation visiting the region (in a similar manner to the ACPET member delegation that is this week in India) and connecting members with business delegations and fact finding missions that visit Australia.  We will keep members up to date as this opportunity progresses.

Ben Vivekanandan
General Manager, Policy and Research