For Training Providers
The Victorian training system
Victoria's training system leads the nation against national benchmarks, and our public TAFE system is the most devolved and autonomous in Australia. Victoria's system is highly efficient, fosters entrepreneurship and is capable of great flexibility, innovation and specialisation.
The system is well placed to respond to the need to deliver in more competitive, innovative and responsive ways.
The skills challenge
The challenge of ensuring a supply of well trained, adaptable, competent people to meet the demands of industry and its capacity to expand, change and innovate is very significant.
This challenge is affecting industry right across Australia, not just in Victoria. The need for change in the training system is well understood by governments and the economic importance of skills development has been the focus of discussion and debate across Australia.
It is clear that change must be far-reaching and it must begin now.
A demand-driven system
In the new skills system training provision will be driven by demand from individuals and businesses. The government will invest $139 million in Skills for Life - the Victorian Training Guarantee will make government subsidised training places available to all eligible Victorians at all levels of skills development, subject to eligibility requirements that encourage enrolments at higher skill levels.
A further $10 million will ensure that in areas of critical skill shortages and in the case of significant labour market disadvantage there will be access to a limited number of additional places where the normal eligibility requirements cannot be met.
Funding will be based on demand, so employers and industry groups who can stimulate more demand will see that met by the system.
Users of the training system - individual learners and employers - will have access to better information on the training products available to them and how they can be accessed.
Contestable funding
Access to the right to offer government subsidised training will no longer be restricted to a limited number of private providers competing for a specified allocation of funds.
The quality of training provision will be safeguarded.
Providers new to the government subsidised training market will have to demonstrate they are quality providers and will be subject to an enhanced training audit regime.
Funding to ACFE providers will increase to match that of private providers. Government will continue to support our public TAFE institutes to provide the full range of training services to meet the needs of their local communities.
Competitive pricing
The package includes a fairer fee structure with the Government continuing to be responsible for a large share of the cost. Providers will collect fees that more accurately reflect the value of training to individuals and to the businesses that employ them. Fees will vary depending on the level of the training with providers receiving reimbursement for concessions.
Strengthened capability for TAFE and ACFE
A TAFE Broadband Fund of $20 million has been established to provide a common technology platform enabling TAFE institutions to operate with 21st century connectivity and to deliver advanced learning services.
As well as investment in physical and technical infrastructure, the package provides support for expanding and developing the TAFE teaching workforce through direct recruitment of industry experts and skilling of existing teachers to reach new markets. There are also initiatives to grow the business management and teaching capacity of ACFE providers.
Listening to industry
Industry has always worked in partnership with government and training providers on skills development and the Victorian Government has well developed training advisory and policy development structures in place through the Victorian Skills Commission and Industry Training Advisory Bodies (ITABs).
Their role will be expanded in the new system with additional funding for promoting training, stimulating new demand for training in their industry areas and developing information for individuals and businesses.
Direct service to small and medium-sized business
The Government is providing $52 million for Skills for Growth - the Workforce Development Program, to help small and medium sized businesses identify the development needs of their workforces and find training solutions.
Skills for Growth will offer a customised and independent service that includes access to government subsidised training places for eligible employees. Training providers offering effective tailored training and recognition solutions will play an essential part in the success of this program.
More information
Details about becoming a provider of government subsidised training and rates of funding will be available prior to implementation.
For more information on the reform package visit the Skills Victoria website where you can download a copy of the full statement Securing Jobs for Your Future - Skills for Victoria, SMS 'skills' to 13 46 88 or call the Hotline on 13 18 23.
