REIQ welcomes report into short courses

THE REIQ welcomes a new report into the vocational education and training (VET) sector outlining the impact unduly short courses may have on the industries in which they operate.

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella congratulated the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) on the thoroughness and accuracy of the findings presented in its report.

“The fast-paced real estate profession relies heavily on training organisations delivering quality course so that students are competent, job-ready, and can hit the ground running,” she said.

“The REIQ, as the real estate profession’s peak body and leading training organisation in Queensland, is in a unique position to see the detrimental impact these unduly short courses can potentially have on our profession.

Announcing the report, the Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Karen Andrews said unduly short courses were, in many cases, resulting in learners not gaining the competencies specified in the training packages for certain industries.

“This has the potential to lead to a loss of confidence in VET and long-term costs to industry, individuals, the community and governments,” she said.

“While the Government has undertaken a number of significant reforms to strengthen the VET architecture and enhance ASQA’s powers, it is clear from this report that further work needs to be done.”

Ms Mercorella said the REIQ welcomed the government’s promise to do more.

“Some students who complete these unduly short courses may not be adequately prepared for the demands of the job they have trained for, leaving them frustrated and their employers disappointed and angry.”

Among the reforms to be recommended was greater transparency of the amount of training in product disclosure statements, presented in a consistent way to enable comparisons across courses.