A Question That Reflects The Pain Of So Many Quality Independent Skills Training Providers
Troy Williams
Chief Executive at the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA).
Why do they hate us? This haunting question was asked of me by the owner of a quality independent Registered Training Organisation (RTO), a business on the brink of closure due to Australian Government policy. The simplicity of her question reflects the raw frustration and pain felt by so many in the independent skills training sector. Why does the Australian Government seem so hostile toward them? It’s a fair question from their perspective.
The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It’s wrapped in ideology, not logic.
Consider the Australian Government’s approach to “put TAFE at the heart” of the skills training system. There is no evidence that TAFE is inherently better for students or employers than independent RTOs. In fact, the official data paints a starkly different picture. Independent RTOs consistently outperform TAFE on key metrics like student completion rates , student satisfaction , and employer satisfaction. The outcomes are also disheartening from a taxpayer’s perspective as a government-funded student’s completion at TAFE costs at least three times more than one at an independent RTO. So why, then, does the Australian Government continue to funnel billions into TAFE? The answer is simple: it’s just the ideology of some politicians, one not based on facts or logic.
The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA ) has a strong vision where governments “put students at the heart” of the skills training system. We believe the Australian, state and territory governments should empower students to make informed decisions about where they study, whether it’s with an independent RTO or a public TAFE college. This isn’t an attack on public TAFE colleges. Indeed, we want TAFE to deliver better outcomes for taxpayers, employers, and most importantly, for the students who rely on it. But the reality is that TAFE isn’t always the best option. Nine out of ten students opt to study with independent RTOs for a reason.
What’s especially heartbreaking is that the RTO owner who asked me this question doesn’t even deliver government-funded training that's been reduced, like so many quality RTOs with a government skills funding contract have experienced. Her business was built on providing quality outcomes for fee-for-service students, but she can no longer compete with the billions of dollars poured into offering students free training at TAFE. The outcomes of Australian Government policy have real consequences at a human level. Small businesses like hers, full of hard-working Australians, are shedding jobs. Those becoming unemployed are people who have dedicated their lives to helping students succeed. These people have families, mortgages, and dreams for the future all of which are disrupted.? And too often, it seems those in power don’t care about them.
ITECA members demand more from our political leaders. We want a system where “students are at the heart” of the skills training system, where their choice to study with a quality independent RTO is respected and supported by government policy. We envision a future where independent RTOs, committed to excellence, can survive and thrive. That’s the vision set out in the ITECA Election Manifesto , a blueprint for the next Australian Parliament .
So, does the Australian Government hate independent RTOs? I don’t believe so. But the ideological preferences of Ministers are driving bad policy decisions that show a shocking lack of empathy for the livelihoods of the hard-working Australians in the skills training sector affected by them.
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Troy Williams, ITECA Chief Executive
#SkillsTraining #VocationalEducation #TertiaryEducation #Politics
This article was first published as the ITECA National Monday Update on 30 September 2024
Results-Driven Program Officer | Proven Track Record in Operations and Athlete Development | Proven Track Record in HR Operations and Administration Professional.
3 周Agreed. My experience with independent RTOs aligns with your view that they offer more effective, flexible, and student-centered education. Independent RTOs consistently adapt their learning platforms to suit today’s digital lifestyle, providing convenient online access and accommodating varied schedules, which is essential for adult learners managing work and family. Trainers in independent RTOs show a genuine passion for teaching, understanding individual student needs, and tailoring their approach for better engagement and success. This results in higher completion rates, with students often discovering new career paths. Many return for further courses, reflecting the quality of training provided. Independent RTOs effectively bridge skill gaps, making them valuable for those seeking higher education or tailored courses in specific fields like coding, finance, or software skills. They offer both qualifications and a meaningful learning journey. A student-centered approach like this should be better supported by government policy to enhance outcomes for students and the economy. That's my opinion, anyway.
Chief Executive Officer at Intelligent Training Solutions Pty Ltd
1 个月I've been involved in the VET sector since 1999, and it is truly disheartening to witness how unbalanced the system has become.
Adult Vocational Education and Training Professional
1 个月The Federal Government continues to funnel billions into TAFE because it is legislated in the Australian Constitution, to financially support the State's, and the State's own the TAFEs, so technically it's the State's who are funnelling the money into TAFEs...
Managing Director @ AAMC Training Group | Global Business Solutions
1 个月Troy, you have gone above and beyond in speaking up about the dire situation unfolding for the students, employers and private RTO’s. I was lucky to attend the meetings in Canberra with the front benches which you organised and sadly the RTO profession is being dismantled by those who clearly had little to no understanding of the damage they are forcing upon so many. I was saddened to be in the room and hearing from RTOs’ already rentrenching long and loyal standing employes and even begging landlords for rent relief due to their student approval numbers being cut. Have the decision makers actually bothered to properly investigate the ramifications of the decision’s being made? Speaking out is a must as it lets decision makers know they need to revisit and reevaluate the outcomes of what is being forced through. Isn’t it time all RTO owners stood up and expressed thier concerns as to hide in fear of speaking out solves nothing, for all parties involved. Troy well done on your efforts todate, and proud of you that you continue to overcome the frustrations and no doubt anguish in trying to get the decision makers to understand. It was not broken but is now. It took many years for many to build the Aus Edu brand