The review of the state’s vocational education and training system announced by the New South Wales Government needs to be student centric and focus on student outcomes. That’s the call of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.
“To ensure that New South Wales has the vocational education and training system that’s needed support a growing economy, we need to put students at the heart of skills training,” said Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive.
Across New South Wales, around 1,150 independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) support 80.8% of the 1,139,955 students in skills training. Independent RTOs do the heavy lifting in helping students undertake higher level and complex qualifications as they support the majority of students studying Diploma (and higher), Certificate IV and Certificate III qualifications.
“When it comes to helping students across New South Wales get the qualifications needed to enter the workforce or to get a better job, it’s independent skills training providers that are the go-to source for both students and employers,” Mr Williams said.
As the review of the New South Wales state training system gets underway, it’s critical that the State Government recognise and support the work of independent RTOs that deliver training to critical student cohorts. Independent RTOs support 80.6% of students in skills training across remote, rural and regional parts of New South Wales, as well as 66.2% of indigenous students.
“Students must be at the heart of the skills training system. They need to be empowered with the material to make informed decisions concerning the skills training provider that will best assist them to achieve their life and career goals,” Mr Williams said.
According to ITECA, the reputation for excellence enjoyed by independent RTOs should guide the state’s review of the skills training system.
“Government data show that independent RTOs achieve some of the best outcomes on key student and employer satisfaction metrics. The accomplishments and reputation for quality that ITECA members have serves as a model for other providers to emulate.
In making comments, Mr Williams reflected on government data that shows private RTOs across the state also achieve the best outcomes of student satisfaction on key measures including: Students satisfied with assessment ( 91.1%); Students satisfied with support services (84.1%); Students satisfied with teaching (89.1%); Students satisfied with the facilities (85.1%); Students satisfied with the learning resources (86.2%); and Students satisfied with the training overall (90.6%).
“The reputation for quality that independent RTOs have is attributed to the fact that they put students at the heart of their operations. This is something that should be reflected in the review of the system, that’s why we’re looking forward to working with the State Government on a set of recommendations that put students at the heart of the skills training system,” Mr Williams said.
