The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) in collaboration with the Stakeholder Liaison Group (SLG) has rolled out a guide aiming to assist Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector stakeholders in engaging consultants. This guide accentuates the value and potential advantages of bringing consultants on board, especially for those new to the sector or those seeking to elevate their quality and compliance standards.
Recognising the Merits of External Expertise
Managing registration obligations whilst running a business can be a daunting task. Here, external advice morphs into a significant asset. For novices in the training sector, consultants can demystify the application process and aid in establishing systems and procedures that uphold compliance and quality commitments. For seasoned providers, consultants are the lens for identifying avenues for improvement, sustained compliance, growth, and quality improvement.
Navigating the Compliance Landscape
A notable highlight of the guide is the emphasis on the enduring responsibility of compliance, regardless of consultant engagement. While consultants can offer a roadmap to compliance, the onus of meeting obligations remains squarely with the provider. This underscores the importance of engaging consultants, particularly when there's a shortage of compliance expertise within an organisation. Regular interactions with compliance-specialised consultants can aid in averting, identifying, and addressing non-compliance, quality issues, and poor practices, thereby conserving time, resources, and expenses.
Risks and Due Diligence
Engaging a consultant is not devoid of risks. The unregulated nature of consultants in the VET and ESOS sectors necessitates thorough due diligence before heeding a consultant’s advice. Over-reliance on templated resources and tools offered by consultants, especially if not tailored to a provider’s unique circumstances, can lead to subpar student outcomes and non-compliant practices.
Tailored Advice and Tools
The importance of customised advice and tools is stressed, urging providers to ensure that the consultancy services are aligned with their business model and reflect their operational realities accurately.
Selecting the Right Consultant
The guide also lays down considerations for choosing a reputable consultant. Recommendations from peers, testimonials, expertise, membership in professional associations, verifiable certifications, pricing, and professional indemnity insurance are among the factors to be pondered upon. A clear written agreement outlining the key services, price, timeline, and deliverables is advocated to ensure both parties have aligned expectations.
Setting the Stage for Success
By adhering to the guidelines and conducting meticulous checks, organisations can position themselves for success in their consultancy engagements. This guide serves as a compass for VET providers in navigating the consultancy landscape, aiming to foster a culture of quality, compliance, and continual improvement in the sector.
For a deeper insight into the guide and to explore the resources available for maintaining ongoing compliance, you can visit ASQA’s official website.
