Monday, December 12, 2016

Foundation Skills Assessment Tool (FSAT) Update


Funded by the Department of Education and Training, the Foundation Skills Assessment Tool (FSAT) is an interactive online tool designed to identify and measure an individual’s foundation skill levels (English language, literacy and numeracy skills as well as employability skills). These skills are fundamental to participation in the workforce, the community and in adult education and training.

FSAT will provide valuable information to trainers and educators through RTOs, enabling them to assess their client’s foundation skill levels, and identify skills and knowledge where additional development may be beneficial. This, in turn, will assist students and job seekers, by targeting the areas where individuals may require additional support.

The department is currently working with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to finalise and validate FSAT. By participating in this phase of FSAT development, you will be helping to ensure that a final and free version of FSAT is available to the VET sector as quickly as possible. We invite you to use the tool and provide feedback.

Further information regarding FSAT, including answers to ‘Frequently Asked Questions’, is available on our website.

AITD National Conference


Influential learning experts Connie Malamed (USA) and Sahana Chattopadhyay (India) will be keynote speakers at AITD's Annual National Conference.

Register before 31 December 2016 and save up to 40% off standard registration prices. Visit the AITD website to register and for more information.

Skills@Work December Edition



Links to useful VET related tools or resources



Access Your Copy of the Latest VET eZine




NEW VET Student Loans (VSL) website




VET Student Loans will commence on 1 January 2017, replacing the current VET FEE‑HELP scheme, which will cease on 31 December 2016. Information about the new program is outlined in the fact sheets found on the VSL website.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Spotlight on Standards


Standard One 

RTO’s training and assessment strategies and practices are responsive to industry and learner needs and meet the requirements of training packages and VET accredited courses.

How Standard One benefits Providers

  • Providers delivering quality training have prosperous businesses with an excellent reputation in the domestic and international market.
  • Providers that demonstrate commitment to quality outcomes enjoy low levels of regulatory intervention and can take advantage of emerging opportunities quickly.
  • Providers can access government funding and preferred supplier programs.

Smart and Skilled Update 37


  • Version 1.2 of the 2017 Smart and Skilled Fee Administration policy 
  • An updated fact sheet for ‘Arrangements for processing enrolments for asylum seekers and refugees 
  • eReporting system changes 
  • Updated user guides 
  • Student ‘Notification of enrolment’ modification 
  • 2017 pricing of the Certificates III & IV in Permaculture 
  • Pre-apprenticeship course advertising 

NSW apprenticeship and traineeship reports: November 2016



Training Services NSW maintains a database of information related to training arrangements established between employers and apprentices or trainees in NSW.

Monthly reports on numbers of apprenticeships and traineeships by industry and vocation are prepared and made available.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Smart and Skilled Update 36

  1. HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR SMART AND SKILLED IN 2017
  2. REVISED FACT SHEET - SMART AND SKILLED: ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROCESSING ENROLMENTS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS AND REFUGEES
  3. SMART AND SKILLED PROVIDER CALCULATOR USER GUIDES UPDATED