Introduction
In an ever-evolving vocational education and training (VET) sector in Australia, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are critical in assisting students in attaining skills and knowledge for entry into the workforce. Work-based learning experiences are major components of this training because students need to demonstrate their learned knowledge and skills in practice. For RTOs, work placement can be burdensome to coordinate and administer for many reasons, including compliance, logistics, and employer engagement.
SkilTrak is a platform to manage student placements as well as streamline the placement process, maintain compliance with regulatory processes, and build relationships to connect students, RTOs, and industry. With all the functionality SkilTrak provides, RTOs can enhance their training delivery, improve student outcomes and remain compliant with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) standards.
Understanding the significance of work-based learning and experience
Work-based learning is fundamental to VET, and meaningful experience gives students practical experience alongside their theoretical learning in the classroom. The placements reinforce their theoretical learning while allowing students to develop workplace skills, behaviours, and soft skills, including communication, problem-solving, and flexibility. Additionally, they provide students with opportunities to see the industry, develop opportunities for networking, and an awareness of expectations in the industry.
For RTOs, ensuring quality work placements is vital for three key reasons:
• Compliance: ASQA requires RTOs to demonstrate to students sufficient practical training opportunities to ensure they meet the required competencies.
• Quality Assurance: Successful placements demonstrate that RTOs deliver a complete education and training plan.
• Student Experience: Successful placements result in greater student pride and satisfaction, leading to improved student engagement and retention and enhanced completion rates.
Key Changes in the 2025 Compliance Standards
1. Strengthened engagement with industry
Under the new standards, there is an increased focus on active engagement with industry. The RTO will need to demonstrate that their training and assessment strategies incorporate current industry engagement and take into account the changing needs of employers, through consultation with key industry stakeholders, including vocational and non-vocational stakeholders, and using the feedback provided to inform and map the course design and delivery.
2. Enhanced student support services
Reworded standards require a shift towards a more comprehensive approach to student support. RTOs must provide personalised assistance to learners, particularly disadvantaged learners, to ensure a fair opportunity to participate in training and assessment. This includes advice on training pathways, how students will be assessed, and advice about support services.
3. Simplified compliance processes
To alleviate compliance administration, the 2025 standards will lessen reporting requirements proportionate to risk and will support RTOs to use online tools, where applicable, to complete compliance audits. RTOs can self-assess and engage in continuous improvement so that compliance gaps can be identified early.
5. Technology in education
Technology has become increasingly woven into the education space. The new standards require RTOs to use different delivery options, which include the use of e-learning platforms, simulation technology, and digital assessment to support learning delivery and access.
Obstacles to Placement Management for RTOs
Even though work-based learning is acknowledged for its significance, placement management is often a challenge to RTOs for a variety of reasons, including:
1. Finding Suitable Host Employers: Finding placements that meet course requirements and that students are interested in is a time-consuming and resource-intensive process.
2. Complying with Regulations: RTOs need to keep accurate records up to date, track student progress, assess that the placements are ASQA compliant, and do this with some accuracy.
3. Communication gaps: Students, employers, and trainers/assessors need to coordinate logistically, which can create disjointed lines of communication that could detract from the placement experience.
4. An administrative burden: Placement management issues can take away from time dedicated to the core educational activities, through paperwork, scheduling, and reporting.
SkilTrak: A holistic approach to placement management
SkilTrak provides a centralised location for placement processing, making management of placements much simpler for all involved stakeholders. Users can easily and efficiently comply with regulations, meaningfully connect students with industry.
Key Features of SkilTrak Student Placement Service
1. Placement Management Portal: A simple management interface that allows RTOs to manage all elements of student placement, including sourcing placements and tracking progress.
2. Automated Compliance Tracking: SkilTrak's Platform will allow RTOs to automate the process of ensuring placements are compliant with ASQA standards by automating documentation, tracking student hours, and generating reports for compliance.
3. Connected Industry Partnership Network: SkilTrak offers an extensive industry partnership, together with a large pool of suitable host employers to connect students with placements that suit their career goals.
4. Real Time Communication Tools: Messaging and notification that allows students, VET trainers, and employers to remain informed and connected throughout the placement process.
5. Mobile accessibility: SkilTrak offers a mobile app available for students to access their placement information, submit their documentation, and communicate with scope stakeholders.
6. Customisable Packages: SkilTrak understands RTOs will have different needs and offer options from self-managed portals all the way through to fully managed placement services.
Compliance Issues with ASQA Standards
For all RTOs, compliance with ASQA standards cannot be compromised. SkilTrak's platform is designed primarily for compliance, so RTOs can utilise our tools to become compliant with all regulatory requirements:
• Document Management: RTOs can centralise all documents related to placement, so they are easily evidenced when conducting the audit process.
• Progress Tracking: RTOs can monitor student activity and hours in real time to ensure they meet placement progress on placement requirements.
• Reporting: The SkilTrak reporting mechanism can produce automated compliance reports to simplify compliance.
• Quality Assurance: Feedback allows RTOs to access and review placements regularly, so they can evaluate whether or not student placements can be improved.
Our Role in Connecting Students, RTOs, and Industry
SkilTrak can play an important role in connecting students, RTOs, and industry. Providing students, RTOs, and industries/organisations with a mutually beneficial method of relating to and helping each other:
• Students can receive free access to placements and opportunities, facilitating their professional development and employability.
• RTOs save time with administrative tasks, and educators can spend more time training students.
• Industry can connect with students, provide workforce development, and recognise possible future employees.
Real-Life Benefits
Many RTOs have enjoyed positive impacts from using SkilTrak during placement processes:
• Improved Compliance: RTOs have used automatic tracking and reporting so effectively that they have had peace of mind and confidence in navigating through ASQA audits.
• Improved Student Experience: Many students, during the interviews with SkilTrak developers, expressed higher satisfaction because of having a smoother placement experience and more support.
