Building Collaborative Links Between Employers And Training Providers

The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) has embarked on a crucial initiative over the last eighteen months, this being to build stronger connections with industry associations. This strategic alignment is designed to make the skills training sector highly responsive to employer needs and geared towards delivering high-quality outcomes for students.

?With thirty industry associations having become ITECA members, ITECA is building a robust network of employer representatives, aiming to bridge the gap between Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and businesses across different industries. ?This partnership has proven instrumental in allowing member RTOs to collaborate closely with employers, directly addressing a range of business needs and providing expert guidance through the complex skills training system. This interaction enhances the relevance of training programs and tailors them to meet the industry's specific demands.

One of the core strengths of ITECA’s approach is its ability to foster open communication and trust between member RTOs and industry associations. Frequent interactions between member RTOs and employers, often at events convened by ITECA, allow for the development of strong personal collaborative relationships. These connections are vital for establishing trust, a fundamental component of any successful partnership focussed on the quality delivery of skills training.

It’s been great to see how ITECA members that engage with industry associations work, within regulatory constraints, to modify delivery methods and customise content to align with employer-specific needs. This customisation is supported by an ongoing commitment from RTO staff to understand industry-specific challenges and opportunities. Such engagements are pivotal as they ensure that the training provided is comprehensive and highly relevant.

The significance of the partnerships between independent RTOs and employers is underscored by data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) .? This shows that in 2023, over half of the employers utilised the skills training system to fulfil their training requirements.? In terms of satisfaction, private quality RTOs can be proud of their support for employers. The NCVER data shows that of the employers who provided nationally recognised training (other than through apprenticeships and traineeships), 51.4% used private quality RTOs as their main provider to conduct the training. Of these, 85.9% were satisfied overall with the training delivered, according to the NCVER data.

The importance of building strong relationships can be identified in the NCVER data on training package enrolments and the work of the ten new Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs). For example, in the training packages managed by the Future Skills Organisation , some 311,360 program enrolments (72.8% of student training package enrolments) are with independent providers. Across the training packages managed by Industry Skills Australia , covering the transport and logistics sector, 77,700 program enrolments (92.5% of student training package enrolments) are with independent providers. Indeed, independent providers support the majority of student enrolments in training packages covering sectors such as mining and automotive, health and human services, building, construction and property, plus public safety and government.

The ongoing partnership between ITECA and industry associations is designed to foster strategic alliances that enhance the capacity of member RTOs to deliver targeted, effective training that meets current and future workforce demands. The investment of time and resources in building and maintaining these relationships is crucial. It ensures that the training delivery is not only fit for purpose but also exceeds employer expectations, thereby contributing significantly to the overall productivity and competitiveness of the Australian workforce.

I'm looking forward to seeing industry associations and independent quality RTOs come together at the ITEC24 Conference over 5-7 June 2024 on the Gold Coast, I hope to meet you there.

Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive

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