Tomorrow the 1/7/11 our new Regulator beings. There seems to be still a number of questions and issues that RTOs do not yet know, understand or have access to. Maybe it is the case that until the ACT comes into effect these can’t be resolved but i personally feel that the preparation for implementation could have been handled much better.
The two key areas that remain unsolved, from my point of view are:
1) Fees & Charges. We still don’t know the amount and / or the when we are supposed to pay. I find this really annoying. How are we supposed to do a budget for the next financial year (which is also documentation we will be required to present tot he NVR) when a basic figure such as fees is still unknown?
We also do not know how much extension to scope applications will be especially when it for just updating a qualification you already have on scope but is reviewed by ISC.
There has been some ‘rumours’ that our normal registration monitoring audits will also be ‘charged’ on top of the fees (I don’t know if this is true or not) and of course originally the fee schedule was going to be in a one lump sum but now apparently, will comprise an annual fee. But what when and how is all still unknown.
2. Logos: While we do know current logos can’t be used from tomorrow and more information will be provided tomorrow apparently, it is amazing to me that NVR RTOs do not have access to the required logos now. What this means in practicality is that from tomorrow until ‘when?’ NVR RTOs will not be able to issue any Qualifications or Statements of Attainment.
Also given this information was only presented a couple of weeks ago, as of tomorrow any ‘pre-printed’ materials with current logos will be obsolete and need to be replaced by NVR RTOs. If this information had of been made available earlier, NVR RTOs would have had the option to plan accordingly and be ready for implementation tomorrow.
That said, the eve of the new era is upon us and it will be interesting to see exactly what new and more information we will be able to access tomorrow. I’ll continue to post updates as more information comes to hand.
In the meantime, there is a DEEWR presentation which was given earlier this month, and another presentation by Kaye Schofield from back in April 2011.
The ASQA website has a FAQs section which states “This page is updated regularly to answer questions from registered training organisations and other ASQA stakeholders.”
I have also suggested to ASQA that they ‘date’ the bottom of this page (indicating when the page was last updated) as a way for us to be able to see when new information has been posted.
Furthermore, the ASQA also encourages ...
I will be monitoring the information provided on the ASQA website which should contain all directions from the NVR in line with (from the ACT) 28 Condition (2) - compliance with directions given by the National VET Regulator which states:
“2) The National VET Regulator must publish a general direction on its website”
On the 27/6/11 ACPET (Australian Council for Private Education and Training) provided a summary of the changes in their National Monday Update Article from In Focus.
Their CEO Claire Field encourages us to let her “know if you experience any problems in your interactions with ASQA or if you can’t get access to the information you need. We will be pleased to take up issues as they occur and feed advice back through our membership.”
Claire’s email is Claire.Field@acpet.edu.au and while I am not sure if you have to be a member of ACPET in order for Claire to be able to ‘take up’ any issues, I am pretty sure she will be interested in what, if any, issues we may have.
I was also interested to read in this update
“While ASQA has been nine months (or longer depending on how far back you choose to look) in the making – I’m sure many ACPET members will recognise that despite everyone’s best efforts, some teething problems are likely to occur as the new regulator beds down its processes and systems, and works with its staff on developing a new culture in regulation.”
And going back to the beginning of this post, I think we are all understanding of the concept of ‘teething problems’ but I do think there is a difference between that and just not having information provided in a timely and orderly fashion .. especially given this transition has been at least 9 months in the making.
But all of that is for tomorrow.
Today is about getting everything we know to date sorted .. so we can make room for the new .. which begins in less than 12 hours ...
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