FEDERATION Training staff are positive the organisation will continue after a routine audit was conducted last week.
Members of the Australian Skills Quality Authority visited the TAFE provider’s Yallourn and Morwell campuses to check its risk rating and compliance with industry standards.
It was part of registration renewal processes conducted every five years, where quality training and assessment delivery must be proved before renewal of courses can be granted.
Federation Training executive director of education programs, quality and compliance Karen Bird said staff received encouraging feedback from auditors.
“The auditors were impressed by the enthusiasm and passion of our teachers and the high standard of our facilities,” Ms Bird said.
“And referred to our online course development and provision as well-ahead of other providers.”
ASQA is the national regulator of Australia’s vocational education and training sector.
Where a registered training organisation, such as a TAFE provider, requests re-registration, ASQA will assess whether an audit should be conducted.
Feedback included a high standard of facilities at Yallourn along with progress made in integration over the last year.
Federation Training formed in 2014 following the amalgamation of GippsTAFE and AdvanceTAFE.
It has nine campuses from Lakes Entrance through to Chadstone, including in Leongatha, Morwell, Traralgon and Yallourn.
“Since the merger, we have been focused on developing a robust, quality system,” Ms Bird said.
“The auditors’ comments confirm that we are making good progress.”
Due to loss of TAFE funding through the former Coalition Government, Federation Training’s future remained unclear.
However, a $2.5 million fast-tracked lifeline in February as part of the current State Government’s $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund helped secure the future of several campuses across Gippsland.
A further $2.6 million of state funding through the TAFE Back to Work Fund saw two new initiatives help provide additional jobs, apprenticeships and spaces for students in the area.
Ms Bird said Federation Training “would continue to build” on the auditors’ feedback “for a successful future”.
“For both Federation Training and the Gippsland community as a whole,” she said.
Federation Training expects the audit outcome to be delivered in seven weeks, during which time the ASQA team will complete more research and conduct its audit report.
Federation Training will be given the opportunity to rectify any problems if an area of non-compliance is identified.
Where compliance has been achieved, registration of the organisation’s courses will be renewed.
“Federation Training is on track to provide excellent education for the people of Gippsland,” Ms Bird said.
“That leads to good jobs and successful careers.”
