Revised AQTF Standards for Registered Training Organisations - 2007Strengthening our commitment to quality - COAG February 2006

9-10 August 2006

Background

COAG “Commitment to Quality”

• Review the AQTF to focus on quality skills outcomes

• Implement outcomes based auditing

• Improve national consistency in implementing the new arrangements

Drivers for change

• Industry and licensing bodies concerned about the quality of skills outcomes from VET

• AQTF perceived to be too reliant on documentation and processes

• Diversity of RTO operations not adequately catered for in AQTF

• Level of national consistency in regulation of RTOs needs to be improved

Timelines for change

• Review the AQTF Standards for RTOs by October 2006

• Develop an outcomes based auditing model by October 2006

• Introduce the revised AQTF standards and outcomes based auditing model from 1 July 2007

Key tasks for implementation

• Revise AQTF Standards for RTOs

• Identify and agree qualitative and quantitative measures for a system of outcomes based auditing

• Revise standards for registering bodies to support outcomes based standards and auditing and improved national consistency

• Develop criteria and system for recognition of quality committed or outstanding RTOs

Features of the new regulatory approach

• Quality skills outcomes RTO Standards streamlined to focus on RTO operations that

support quality skills outcomes

RTOs are required to focus on evidence of outcomes in the continual improvement of key operations

• Outcomes based standards Measures of RTO performance will be identified to determine

whether the quality skills outcomes sought by industry, community and government are being achieved by each RTO

Performance measures will be published to support consumer choice and continuous improvement

Features of the new regulatory approach

• Reduced regulatory load Evidence requirements for standards less prescriptive to better

accommodate RTO scope and scale.

“Administrative” components of former standards separated from RTO operations that are subject to continual improvement

Level of regulatory activity will be informed by RTO performance measures and risk data

Audits will take more account of RTO outcomes with less emphasis on the detail of RTO processes where these outcomes are satisfactory

Features of the new regulatory approach

•Consumer protection

Consumer protection elements and RTO obligations for effective operation of a national VET system of current AQTF retained

•Improved industry engagementOccupational licensing bodies and other industry bodies to be adequately engaged in regulatory processes to build confidence in VET outcomes

•National consistencyStandards for registering bodies to be revised to facilitate improved national consistency

Outcomes and performance measures• National project being managed by Victoria, conducted by

PhillipsKPA

• Investigate qualitative and quantitative measures for a system of outcomes based auditing

• Measures must be:

relevant to RTO standards for RTOs including maintaining high standards of teaching, learning and assessment

valid and reliable measures of RTO performance

stable over time

practical to implement

• Examining availability and relevance of existing data

Revised standards for registering bodies

To facilitate national consistency in:• Industry engagement

• Risk management

• Cross jurisdiction protocols

• Auditor competencies to focus on quality of teaching and assessment systems

•Audit tools and methods

•Sanctions and conditions

•National moderation mechanisms

Features of the new regulatory approach

Discuss the new regulatory approach outlined, in particular:Are the relevant issues being addressed? If not what is missing?

What are the key outcomes for RTOs? What are the benefits and risks of publicly reporting these outcomes?

What are the key issues to improve quality and consistency of registration processes?

How can industry be better engaged in VET regulatory processes?

Quality committed or outstanding RTOs• Criteria being developed and trialled through a working group of

RTOs and quality experts

• Supports RTOs that wish to develop their systems in accordance with established quality system approaches

• Optional level of recognition for RTOs that is likely to be assessed by contracted agency – not registering body

• “Articulation” chart to show progression from registration to quality committed is being developed

• Quality committed and outstanding RTOs will need to provide evidence of ongoing compliance with AQTF Standards for RTOs and also report against same performance outcomes as RTOs

Revised AQTF Standards for RTOs

Standards • learning and assessment to industry standards • services to meet needs of each learner and

client• responsive management systems

Essential elements • the underpinning systems and expected results

RTOs must continually improve during their registration period

RTO Declaration • compliance requirements not generally subject

to continuous improvement • obligations necessary for effective operation of

the national VET system

Outcomes measures• valid and reliable measures of RTO

performance

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The RTO Standards in detail

Given the COAG requirements explained in the Background section in the RTO Guide are the draft standards, essential elements and RTO Declaration:

•Appropriate?

•Easily understood?

•Relevant from your organisations’ perspective?

The RTO Standards in detail

Do you think the revised standards will assist to ensure RTOs are providing quality skills outcomes and appropriate training and assessment services? If not, please explain why?

Please comment generally on what you think are the most positive aspect(s)….

Please comment generally on any omissions or problematic aspect(s)….

The RTO Guide• National guide to provide interpretation of the standards for

RTOs

• Assist RTOs to understand the evidence requirements for each Essential element

• “Common sense” approach to be taken to evidentiary requirements dependent on size and complexity of RTO

• Continuous improvement activities required across all Essential elements

• Systems approach to be taken by RTOs

• Appropriate level of documentation and records to support continuous improvement and provide evidence for audit

The RTO Guide - for each Essential element:Expected results• What should be observed if an RTO is meeting the essential

element

Management responsibility• Highlights the items that are the focus for managers

Evidence guide• The key actions an RTO will take to achieve the expected results

To meet this essential element• Explanation of key items in evidence guide• Identifies essential items including records as musts• Resources to assist RTOs to be added

The RTO Guide

Is the overall structure and content of the Draft Guide for RTOs :

•Appropriate?

•Easily understood?

•Helpful from your organisations’ perspective?

•Should any other information be added?

The RTO Guide

Is the evidence described under each Essential Element:

•Appropriate?

•Easily understood?

•Relevant from your organisations’ perspective?

•Sufficient to guide an RTO on the evidence required?

•Identify changes that are required

The process from here

• Consultation on Standards and Guide during August

• Visit this website www. to give your feedback or contact the registering body in your state or territory

• Standards and Outcomes based auditing model to Ministerial Council for Vocational and Technical Education in November