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The WA Government has recognised the importance of access and equity. Its Education and Training policy is committed to ensuring that access to employment and training is available regardless of gender, socioeconomic background, disability, ethnic origin, age or race.
Today access and equity are critical elements to the VET system through management policies of diversity; however, there is now an acknowledgement that providing learning opportunities for people in their difference is an effective means of achieving quality VET systems that work well for everyone. Catering for the differences may involve adapting the physical environment, equipment, training and assessment materials for learners.
We aim to achieve "for different groups of people to have choices in their training yet benefit in the same ways".
Access generally refers to the ability to enter training. Improving access might include improving physical access to a training venue, ensuring that selection criteria do not discriminate against clients, adapting marketing activities to encourage all clients and so on. Access issues form a sub-set within equity issues.
Equity is a term used to cover issues relating to access to VET, participation in VET, and achievement of outcomes in VET. Equity issues range from providing a supportive learning environment to adjusting assessments to meet individual circumstances, from policies on fee reduction to development of inclusive training materials. Basically, equity refers to the ability to achieve results in training and to receive training in an inclusive environment with inclusive materials.
An inclusive environment or set of materials is one that acknowledges and values the differences between people and cultures. It recognises and embraces difference and provides the means by which all clients have the best opportunity to achieve their goals.
Western Australia has one of the most diverse populations in Australia and many businesses are recognising the benefits that arise from responding to this diversity. The focus on access and equity is just good business sense.
No. Equity is not treating everyone the same. It is about ensuring that all people and all groups of people participate, have the opportunity to reach their potential, make choices and receive responsive and appropriate products and services. In other words, the destination for all learners is the same but the journey may be different. For example, some learners may gain qualifications through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process; others may complete training before being assessed; and some learners may need more time than others, because of family responsibilities or because they are returning to learning after a long interval.
RTOs can enhance equity by being flexible and responsive, avoiding a 'one size fits all' solution to training and assessment.
The AQTF Standards for Registered Training Organisations do not require evidence that you treat your learners the same; you are however required to show evidence how you identify and respond to individual learning needs.
RTOs must comply with the following Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation:
RTO’s must also comply with the following State legislation:
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission website contains detailed information relating to anti-discrimination legislation. To view the HREOC website click here
In meeting individual needs, past and present barriers to VET entry and success must be recognised and addressed. Some groups within the community have experienced more severe barriers than others and therefore continue to need assistance in accessing VET and achieving their goals.
Two groups who are recognised nationally as particularly under-represented in some areas of VET are:
National strategies have been developed which address inequities experience by these and other disadvantaged groups.
Shaping Our Future
Shaping Our Future: National Strategy for vocational education and training 2004-2010, developed by the Australian National Training Authority, outlines the objectives and strategies for VET until 2010. It states that RTOs are expected to continue to take active measures to reduce barriers to learning and achieving in VET.
To view Shaping Our Future click here
Bridging Pathways
Bridging Pathways is the national strategy for increasing opportunities for people with a disability in vocational education and training (VET), from 2000 until 2005. The Strategy and the accompanying Revised Blueprint for Implementation were developed by the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) Disability Forum with funding from ANTA (ANTA’s responsibilities have now been transferred to the Department of Education, Science and Training).
Its four goals and areas of action are to:
To view Bridging Pathways National Strategy click here
Bridging Pathways - Revised Blueprint for Implementation
The Bridging Pathways Blueprint was released soon after the strategy to provide a national action plan to support its implementation and meet the goals of the strategy. The Blueprint was revised in 2003, and refocusses the reform agenda of the original Blueprint.
To view the Bridging Pathways – Revised Blueprint for Implementation click here
Partners in a Learning Culture
Partners in a Learning Culture and accompanying Blue Print for Implementation is the National Strategy for increasing opportunities for Indigenous Australians in vocational education and training (VET), from 2000 until 2005 in vocational education and training.
The Strategy aims to:
To view Partners in a Learning Culture National Strategy click here
To view Partners in a Learning Culture Blue Print for Implementation click here
A whole-of-life approach to disability and Indigenous issues has been implemented through these national policies to address barriers and apply positive steps to achieve equality of access, participation and achievement. This approach recognises that many aspects of a persons life will affect the experience of learning and access to employment. These polices seek to highlight the need for RTOs to take in to account the whole of life situation of people with disabilities and Indigenous Australians when developing, implementing and reviewing their training programs.
The Building Diversity Framework, developed by the former Department of Training, identifies barriers and issues confronted by identified groups in the community in accessing and succeeding in vocational education and training and employment. It provides a strategic approach to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to successfully gain skills and knowledge through education, training and employment services. The goals of Building Diversity and access and equity are the same: to improve access to and outcomes from VET for all clients and potential clients.
The Building Diversity framework is based on three guiding principles – that training and employment services should:
The framework has three main areas of focus:
To view the Building Diversity Framework click here
The Working with Diversity Guide has been developed to assist RTOs to meet their access and equity obligations. It provides a range of explanations with practical examples and an extensive list of additional useful resources for RTOs and trainers. The resources were developed through funding from the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA).
The Guide consists of a suite of three resources on equity and the AQTF:
If you are an RTO, these resources will help you decide how you can:
To view the Working with Diversity website click here
The Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) is the nationally agreed quality framework for the Australian VET system. The AQTF includes two sets of standards:
The Training Accreditation Council (TAC) is responsible for assuring the quality of VET in Western Australia. Registered Training Organisations are audited by TAC for compliance against the AQTF Standards.
To assist RTOs in meeting their obligations under the AQTF in relation to access and equity, TAC has produced a guide: ‘Building Diversity and the AQTF’. The Guide helps organisations decide how to:
The Guide seeks to assist RTOs in considering the way they currently operate and provide some ideas on how to enhance the range and quality of services offered to clients.
It consists of FAQs where most answers to the FAQs have been answered using examples of good practice, or suggest evidence that could be provided during AQTF validation/monitoring visits. It also provides examples of ways RTOs can meet AQTF standards.
To view the Building Diversity and the AQTF Guide click here
To view the Training Accreditation Council website click here