NECA calls for greater VET scrutiny

Media reports in relation to the management practices of an Australia-wide training provider further reinforce the need for VET sector vigilance and reform, said the CEO of the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), Suresh Manickam.

“Today’s reports claiming that a training provider has potentially breached corporate governance laws in addition to offering free laptops and a study now, pay later campaign to target potential students reinforces the need for vigilance and reform of the Vocational Education and Training sector,” said Manickam.

The ABC reported that Global Intellectual Holdings, the company that owns the Aspire, Keystone and Compass colleges which closed when the parent company went bust in February — leaving around 5000 students in the lurch — had established a Collective Exit Strategy Trust for its assets in 2010 before it had even opened some of its doors.

The federal government has cracked down on taxpayer-funded VET-FEE-HELP loans after claims of widespread rorting.

According to the ABC, colleges and marketing companies were accused of targeting vulnerable people outside places like Centrelink with the offer of free laptops. Many then struggled to complete a diploma-level course and subsequently dropped out, leaving the students with a VET-FEE-HELP debt and no job.

NECA said while it makes no comment in relation to the current scenario in the media, it does assert that more needs to be done in order to “stamp out unscrupulous and unacceptable business and training practices”.

All prospective students are being encouraged to question the costs and educational content of courses on offer, the robustness of the RTO that is offering a course and the worth of a qualification in the marketplace.

“NECA has previously called upon the federal government to ensure that the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) provides strict oversight and monitoring of poorly performing training organisations to ensure beneficial teaching outcomes, that apprentices meet industry needs and standards, and that confidence in vocational education and training remains high,” said Manickam.

“Australia’s electrical contracting sector has one of the highest safety and technical standards in the world. As a lead player in the training of current and future electricians and contractors across Australia, NECA aims to ensure that the safety and technical standards of our industry remain a priority.”

Originally published here.