Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert today announced the Andrews Labor Government’s $9 million quality blitz is already achieving results with significant enforcement actions taken since it commenced in July.
Since the start of the Labor Government’s quality blitz, which was launched in response to the Review of Quality Assurance in Victoria’s VET system, three training providers have had their contracts terminated.
A further four providers have been given notice that the State Government intends to revoke their funding contracts.
The issues identified included:
- Fraudulent claims for training that simply did not occur
- Unauthorised sub-contracting of training delivery
- The offering of incentives or inducements to students to undertake funded training, which is prohibited
As a result of enforcement action, $6 million has already been recovered and will be re-invested into further measures to improve quality.
In cases where there has been serious misconduct, the Department of Education and Training will refer the matters to Victoria police.
Investigations are continuing, with a further 17 RTOs under case management and $14.9 million of State Government funding withheld while these are underway.
Mr Herbert said to boost transparency and accountability in the state’s $1.2 billion training system; DET would identify training providers who have their government contract terminated.
Under the former Liberal Government the public was kept in the dark about poor quality government funded training, adding to uncertainty for students, educators, and industry.
The providers who had their contracts terminated after the start of the blitz were; Management Institute of Australia No 2, Imperial College and MWT Institute.
All training providers who have their contracts terminated will now be published on the Department of Education and Training’s website:
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert
“If you provide training to students that isn’t up to scratch, the Victorian taxpayer shouldn’t be expected to pay for it. The majority of providers do right thing, but there is a group of operators who flout contract conditions.”
“Numbers on paper and the proliferation of certificates is meaningless if they don’t lead to jobs. We’re interested in high quality training for young Victorians that leads to jobs, and means real productivity for industry.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020