Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

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Just Turning Up is Not Enough

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

Just showing up is not enough. Students need to actually learn, build knowledge and skills in DOING and absorb quality material to up-skill.

Trainers, Developers and Experts: There is No One Ring That Binds Them All

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

As a trainer and assessor for some 15 years in government and private training organisations and the last 18 months actually training the TAE40116, I have some anecdotal evidence to share that dovetails nicely with Sandy Welton’s research report mentioned in her “Re-thinking the role of trainers and assessors” article.

The Drop in Traineeships and Apprenticeships. Why is It Happening?

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

A recent figure revealed that the federal government over the last five years has underspent close to $1 billion of its budget on TAFE, training and apprenticeships. This is on top of previous cuts. At the same time, that these budgets cuts are happening, Australia is still experiencing critical skills shortages in several industries. A number of experts have warned of serious effects on the Australian economy.

Quality is Meaningless

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

It is a word that is used easily and widely. It is a word that we readily understand, but I do not believe that quality is something that actually exists in VET, but I do believe it should.

Overly Prescriptive Units Of Competency

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

This article is an introduction and invitation to discuss the prescriptive nature of Australia’s units of competencies. It will share some thoughts about how overly prescriptive Units of Competency transpire as a barrier for a progressive national VET system.

Is It Too Radical to Require a Workplace?

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

Does it make sense to have an employer tied to the student's training? What are the barriers to this being possible, and why is it important?

Financial Caps in VET Compared With HECS for University

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

After the travesty that was the VET Fee-Help scheme and the ‘shonky providers’ publicity that went along with that (whereby all RTOs – good and bad – were lumped into one ‘shonky’ basket) – the government introduced the ill-conceived and almost unworkable VET Student Loan scheme (VSL).

Expectations Associated With Assessment

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

There’s probably no surprise that someone would bring up Assessment as a challenge in VET sooner or later. Audit results show it as a number one issue, anecdotal evidence shows it as a number one issue, and the number of forums, webinars and other PD offerings available and dedicated to explaining assessment-related concepts show it as a number one issue.

Entitlement And The Erosion of Standards

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

Erosion of quality training and assessment practices at the front line occurs due to various reasons. Certain trends are developing. These have been observed over a period of time and have also been discussed with a number of colleagues operating in enterprise RTOs.

Could Active Citizenship Be the Missing Piece in Australian VET?

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

The place of VET within the Australian industrial landscape seems fairly robust, but compared to the global landscape, it could be lacking in one key element: active citizenship.

Authorship and Ownership – How Assessment Disempowers Assessors

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

I have recently read Michelle Charlton’s excellent article Expectations associated with Assessment and I wholeheartedly agree with her conclusion that providing professional tools for use by professional tradespeople (trainers/assessors) can only do our sector the world of good.My article will explore how we can still do this but also allow for a little ownership of those tools among our Assessors.

Assessing Knowledge in VET?

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

Assessment faces many challenges; one, in particular, is that Assessment practices are typically designed by individuals without specialist test design skills. Another challenge is that such Assessment practices are then “Validated” by individuals who lack specific skills in test evaluation. The result is an impossibly wide variation in the relative quality of assessments across RTOs – With the consequence that there is wide variation in outcomes.

A Place for Training Products – in Defence of the Standards for RTOs

Challenges Facing Vet in Australia

In his essay on jargon and terminology, Bryan West raises what could be an engaging topic. However, there must be better examples, than the one he raises, of jargon that causes irritation to students in VET. Specifically, Bryan raises concerns about the term: “training product”.

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Hi. I really enjoyed the learning experience offered by fortress learning. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a supportive and well organised online learning experience. A great team.

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So far the best RTO that I have been with. Great support from the admin team, stable online blackboard platform, experienced trainers like Richard Gietman & Deb Thomas, along with efficient student processing services. Thank you Fortress, and 5 stars for the team!

Suresh Suppiah

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I had an excellent experience completing the Diploma of Vocational Education and Training through Fortress Learning. The whole team was incredibly supportive throughout the process—special thanks to Karen, Bheng, Jane, Maniya, and Emma for their professionalism and encouragement at every step. I would particularly like to thank my trainer, Emma, for her outstanding guidance, clear feedback, and responsiveness, which made the RPL journey smooth and achievable. I highly recommend Fortress Learning to any VET professional seeking a structured, supportive, and well-managed qualification pathway.

Yun Qian

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I have completed a few Cert IV and Diploma units with Fortress over the years and have had nothing but positive experiences (even with RPL). The team at Fortress are always helpful and supportive.

Christiana Mergan

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The Fortress Team were extremely professional to deal with all throughout my course. Always helpful, understanding and a pleasure to deal with. I would happily recommend them to anyone.

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I really enjoy my study journey in fortress learning. The teachers and staff really helpful.

Physio Dian Nawir

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Highly recommend. Reasonably priced, easy to use interface, quick marking times and responsive trainers.

Bel Callea

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The TAE cert iv certainly isn’t an easy course to complete. I had to learn a whole new language and although I was expecting to be taught how to teach, it’s nothing like that - more like learning how best to support our students and to present the information to them in a way they can understand. The support provided by Fortress was really good - I chose the middle package as a safety net just in case I needed it. Initially my trainer was Brian, an awesome mentor, huge experience and very helpful. He left last year, and my new mentor was Richard - again fabulous support, almost always available relatively quickly and able to point me in the right direction. Marking turnaround was typically 1-2 days - shorter than the advertised time too which also helped. I have no hesitation in recommending Fortress Learning to anyone looking to further their VET journey. Many thanks Fortress and the team

Andy Graham

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Fortress learning was fantastic in all areas. From the customer support team to the trainers. The support team was always professional at all times and the communication was fantastic. The trainers were knowledgeable, empathetic and supportive during the whole course. I would highly recommend fortress learning. A special mention to Deb who is definitely an asset to the team and any future students.

Clint Parkes

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I have recently completed the TAESS00021 Facilitation Skillset, and the training material and content was not only top quality but also interesting. The admin staff and trainers were extremely punctual and helpful. Big thankyou to trainer Deb. I highly recommend training with Fortress Learning.

Sienna hardie

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I am so glad that I chose Fortress Learning for my course. The team was available and helpful along my entire journey. It was not easy, but my advisor exceled in encouraging me and enabling me to keep going! I highly recommend Fortress Learning to anyone! They are amazing at what they do.

Tim Hildebrand

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Fortress Learning is an outstanding RTO that delivers exceptional training and support. I recently completed my TAE upgrade, and the process was seamless, efficient, and well-structured. A huge thank you to Mel, Jan, and my incredible assessor, Deb, for their guidance and professionalism. Their expertise and dedication truly make them champions of TAE!

Daniela Accary

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