It has been a huge concern in vocational education and training (VET) in Australia that training products are being delivered by unqualified trainers and assessors. This means that the quality of VET delivery can vary significantly from one provider to another and that there is potential for poor outcomes for students.
There are a number of reasons why VET providers may choose to use unqualified trainers and assessors. These include cost savings, the need for specialist skills that are not readily available, or the difficulty of recruiting qualified staff.
However, using unqualified staff can lead to a number of problems, including
Poor quality training – Unqualified trainers may not have the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality training. This can lead to students not learning the skills they need or learning incorrect information.
Poor quality assessment – Unqualified assessors may not have the necessary skills and knowledge to accurately assess student work. This can lead to students being assessed unfairly, or not receiving the results they deserve.
Lack of regulation – There is no guarantee that unqualified trainers and assessors will follow the same standards as qualified staff. This means that there is potential for poor practice, or even abuse, to go unchecked.
Non-compliant practice – This is a non-compliant practice and the regulatory bodies treat this issue quite seriously.
There may be a lack of consistency in the delivery of training and assessment across different providers.
Students may not receive the full benefit of the training if it is delivered by an unqualified trainer or assessor.
Unqualified trainers and assessors may not be familiar with the latest industry standards and practices. This could mean that students are not being trained in accordance with industry best practices.
There is a risk that unqualified trainers and assessors may not follow proper assessment procedures. This could lead to students being assessed incorrectly or not according to required standards and guidelines.
Inadequate support for students during their studies
Increased costs associated with providing re-training or additional support to students who have not achieved their expected outcomes.
In order to minimise these risks, it is essential that vocational education and training providers ensure that their trainers and assessors are suitably qualified and experienced. Providers should also have systems in place to support students throughout their studies, including regular feedback and progress reviews. Finally, providers should consider the cost implications of offering qualifications that may not be fully recognised by employers or other institutions.
