Meeting to discuss future of Aerotechnical Skills College

6/4/95

Senior officials from the Department of Training have met with the principal of the Aerotechnical Skills College today to examine the college's situation.

Education, Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore said the meeting was organised following an approach by the department to the college amid speculation about the future of Aerotechnical.

Mr Moore said he was aware of the concerns of the 33 students, but it was incorrect to assume that the State Government should be held accountable for the financial viability of a private company.

"The Government's involvement in private training colleges of this nature is limited to ensuring the quality of the courses isup to specific standards which it does through the Skills Standards and Accreditation Board (SSAB)," Mr Moore said.

SSAB is entrusted with the accreditation of courses to ensure they are of high quality, industry and community-relevant and provide nationally recognised qualifications.

To achieve accreditation, training providers are required to develop courses in consultation with industry.  Courses are rigorously reviewed by an independent industry panel using procedures established by SSAB.

"While accreditation provides the community and industry with an independent assessment of the quality and standard of training, it does not involve financial analysis of private companies," Mr Moore said.

"It would be outside SSAB's legislative charter to undertake financial analysis of private companies."

The Department of Training and Aerotechnical Skills College will meet again next week.

Media contact:  Anabel Gomez 321 1444