SETTING THE BAR FOR HIGH-QUALITY TRAINING RESULTS

The NSW Government will provide even greater protection for students studying with Smart and Skilled training providers while employers can be assured of high quality workforce graduates, with two new initiatives announced today.

Minister for Skills John Barilaro released the NSW Government’s Statement of Expectations for the 450 training providers supported under the Smart and Skilled initiative.

“This document clearly outlines the obligations on these training providers to deliver quality training, practice strong ethics and be responsive and accountable if they are to continue to receive government support,” Mr Barilaro said.

“This includes re-enforcing the message that the NSW Government will cancel a contract where the provider has abused other funding programs in other States.

“We are proud that the Smart and Skilled initiative has delivered quality and meaningful training outcomes in response to skills needs since first being introduced in January 2015 and are keen for this to continue.”

Mr Barilaro and Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Victor Dominello also announced the Department of Industry and NSW Fair Trading have agreed to share information to assist the ongoing integrity of the State’s training sector.

Under this agreement the NSW Department of Industry can request information from NSW Fair Trading to determine the ongoing suitability of training providers.

“This agreement not only promotes information sharing – including complaints data, business licensing and registry information, and market intelligence – but also leverages the combined expertise and analytics capabilities of both agencies to identify issues that will help the government identify unsuitable training providers,” Mr Dominello said.​

“The arrangement with Fair Trading will be invaluable in assisting the NSW Government to manage the quality of Smart and Skilled providers and shows how we are determined to continue to deliver high-quality training and ethical behaviour under our Smart and Skilled initiative.”