Eduworks Edition – August 2024

Table of Contents

August 2024

Hi there,

Our monthly digest of industry insights and practical advice is back in August! The Eduworks Edition delivers the latest news, tools, tips, and product updates to help your RTO thrive. 

In our next issue, we delve into ASQA’s updated regulatory risk strategy, unveil our new eBook offering, and explore the evolution of Eduworks Academy consulting services. Plus, discover upcoming webinars for Academy members and essential updates from the ASQA newsletter. 

Share this valuable resource with your colleagues and ensure you stay ahead of the curve by subscribing. 

RTO ADVICE

Industry News

The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has released its updated regulatory strategy for 2024-2025. This strategy is based on a risk assessment and identifies key areas of concern for the upcoming year. 

While there have been minimal changes to their risk strategy from 2023, ASQA has highlighted a significant increase in threats from non-genuine providers and bad-faith operators. These providers are characterised by a lack of commitment to quality training, assessment, and ethical practices. They also highlight providers participating in fraudulent or illegal activities. 

To address this growing issue, ASQA has replaced two previous priority areas with a singular focus on non-genuine providers and bad-faith operators. 

Other key risk areas for 2024-2025 include: 

Access below for a more detailed overview of ASQA’s risk priorities.

NEWS

eBooks

Exciting News: We’re Switching to Digital eBooks! 

We’ve been listening to your feedback, and we’re thrilled to announce a big change that will enhance your students’ learning experience. This month we have been making the switch to digital eBooks!  

Why the Switch? 

Enhanced Interactivity & Engagement: Through the VitalSource platform our already loved learner guides are now even more interactive. With the ability to highlight text, add notes, create your flashcards and read aloud functionality our Learner Guides are more interactive and engaging than ever before! Making learning more dynamic and enjoyable for your students.

Better Accessibility: With improved accessibility features, our eBooks will be easier to use for everyone.

Available Anywhere, Anytime: Access your eBooks online, on any device, from anywhere in the world. No more hassle with downloads and compatibility issues.

INDUSTRY NEWS

New data from NCVER

Government Funding on the Rise

The latest data from NCVER reveals a 5% increase in government-funded training students in 2023 compared to the previous year. Western Australia led the charge with a substantial 9.4% growth.

While overall government funding has expanded, the report highlights a 0.9% decline in student numbers for private training providers.

These findings are based on NCVER’s analysis of government-funded training undertaken in 2023.

Find out more by reading the report.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT

Eduworks Academy

We’ve enhanced the way we offer consulting and advice services. We find the most successful projects to be those where our clients take an active role from the start. 

We’ve increased our focus on educating clients in addition to our advice and consultancy services. Learn and get feedback along the way as our team guide you through projects and/or ongoing compliance and strategic management of your RTO. Our priority is ensuring our clients are running profitable RTOs while also maintaining a focus on quality learning outcomes for students.  

With access to our online academy with RTO specific courses, weekly live webinars, members lounge, community forums and more in addition to our premium one on one coaching and consultancy we’re supporting our clients to success.  

We want you, our clients, to feel confident and assured in your decisions you make with a safety net just in case you need it.  

eLEARNING RESOURCES

OnDemand

Our eLearning is now available through our new OnDemand model. Get access to our premium eLearning content and only pay per student for what you use. With this new model we’re able to manage learning content to ensure its always up to date with industry and legislation. This means our clients can be sure they always have the latest version of our content at their fingertips.

With a low upfront commitment of only 20 students per unit, our eLearning solutions are now a no brainer!

NEWS FROM EDUWORKS ACADEMY

This Months Live Webinars

This month we’re running the following webinars for our members:

Get access to these weekly webinars and more with an Eduworks Academy Membership!

NEWS

ASQA IQ

Get the latest from ASQA with ASQA IQ. This month they discuss validation, AI and assessments, and the importance of student feedback.

 

Needing tips on conducting effective validation? See our blog ‘Conducting Effective Post Assessment Validation Sessions’.

Kind regards,
The Eduworks Co. team

Our Brand Has Evolved: Same Quality, New Look!

We are thrilled to announce the merging of our two beloved brands, Eduworks Resources and RTO Advice Group, under the unified banner of Eduworks Co. Pty. Ltd. We’ve updated our brand, look and feel to bring all of our products and services under one roof. We’re the same dedicated team offering the high-quality products and services you’ve come to know and love.

Thank you for being part of this exciting chapter in our journey!

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

Shopping Basket

Shashi Hodge

Shashi started her career in the VET sector in 2001 by helping to build an award-winning RTO with multi-jurisdictional presence across Australia, where Shashi was responsible for overseeing the RTO’s operations across three interstate locations.
During her career, Shashi has held roles such as National Operations Manager, Compliance Manager, Training Manager and Industry Based Learning Manager in RTOs before she established RTO Advice Group (now Eduworks Co.) with Jacqui Hodge in 2009.
Since 2009, Shashi has worked with a wide range of RTOs, supporting them in their registration journeys, working with clients to improve systems, designing learning programs, supporting and preparing for audits, supporting growth, as well as conducting numerous audits for RTOs across the country. Shashi was also an auditor for the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) before setting up and running a TAE-focused RTO for a number of years before it was sold.
Shashi’s passion for high quality learning design and industry-focused assessment, led Shashi to design the methods, tools and processes we use at Eduworks Resources to develop our 6 times award-winning learning and assessment resources.
Shashi is the CEO and Director of Eduworks Co and is a hands-on passionate VET leader, constantly pushing the team forward to inspire new innovations and solutions to support the sector.

Shashi Hodge

Shashi started her career in the VET sector in 2001 by helping to build an award-winning RTO with multi-jurisdictional presence across Australia, where Shashi was responsible for overseeing the RTO’s operations across three interstate offices.

During her career, Shashi has held roles such as National Operations Manager, Compliance Manager and Industry Based Learning Manager in RTOs before she established RTO Advice Group with Jacqui Hodge in 2009.

Since 2009, Shashi has worked with a wide range of clients, setting up RTOs, working with RTOs on their operations, quality systems, best practice delivery and staffing requirements, as well as conducting internal audits for RTOs. Shashi has also been an auditor, conducting registration and compliance audits for Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). Shashi is the driving force behind Eduworks Resources, a well-respected resource division of RTO Advice Group, that develops high quality resources for more than 10 different Training Packages, including Business Services and Financial Services. In 2013, Shashi also set up and registered Training Partners Australia, trading as RTO Leadership Institute, an RTO that now focuses on delivering high quality programs for the VET sector.

Shashi is the CEO of Eduworks Resources and RTO Advice Group and oversees the day to day effective running of the company.