Compliance does not equal quality and is the minimum benchmark as far as your RTO achieving quality outcomes for students. Compliance is what RTOs have to do for legal and ethical reasons, it does not guarantee that the training and assessment you provide is of high quality. Quality refers to the degree to which your VET courses meet or exceed the expectations of students and meet the requirements of the relevant industry or communities. As an RTO it is important to ensure that you are providing high-quality training and assessment to your students. While compliance with regulatory requirements, legislative obligations and standards is mandatory and a business requirement, it is not a substitute for quality. RTOs can still provide poor-quality training and assessment due to a lack of capable trainers and assessors and outdated or inadequate resources. The following examples suggest ways RTOs can ensure quality outcomes for students and industry in delivery of VET courses.
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Employ current trainers and assessors with appropriate credentials and experience:
RTO trainers and assessors are dual professionals in both VET and their specific industry sector. Ensuring that your VET practitioners are knowledgeable and skilled in their field is crucial for delivering high-quality training and assessment. Make sure to recruit educators who have relevant industry experience and qualifications and can provide the records to evidence competency and currency the meet the requirements of the SRTOs 2015.
Use current and relevant resources:
To ensure that students are receiving training and assessment that is up-to-date and relevant to their industry or occupation, it is important to use learning and assessment materials that are current, and your RTOs simulated environments reflect realistic workplaces and industry settings. Your RTO should obtain industry feedback from employers and other stakeholders that confirms your resources are sufficient and relevant. This feedback should inform your training and assessment strategies and practices as well as your academic planning processes.
Monitor and evaluate student progress:
To deliver high-quality training and assessment, it is important to provide students with the support they need to succeed. This includes things like access to technology, learning materials, and support services. RTOs should have mechanisms in place to effectively monitor and evaluate student progress. By regularly monitoring and evaluating student progress you can help identify areas where students may be struggling and allow your trainers to adjust their teaching approach or provide additional support as needed.
Other feature articles:
How to use systems to manage your RTOs self-assurance effectively
Top 5 quality priorities for RTOs in 2023
How to implement an effective internal audit programme in your RTO
Five important self-assurance focus areas for RTOs to implement in 2023
How to prepare for an ASQA performance assessment (regulatory audit)
Guide to working with RTO consultants
References:
https://www.asqa.gov.au/how-we-regulate/self-assurance/building-shared-understanding-self-assurance
https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/skills-reform-overview/quality-reforms