Warning about accreditation of advertised training courses

3/2/95

People have been warned to check that advertised training courses are properly accredited before enrolling or paying any fees.

The warning comes after concerns that Perth students could be talked into paying up to $5,000 to enter non-accredited courses such as in the hospitality field.  These claims are currently being investigated.

Employment and Training Minister Norman Moore said today that training courses should be approved by the Skills Standards and Accreditation Board (SSAB).

The board ensured that courses were of high quality, were relevant to industry and the community, and provided nationally recognised qualifications.  It also registered training providers who wanted to deliver accredited courses.

"Accreditation provides the community and industry with an independent assessment of the quality and standard of training," Mr Moore said.

"Prospective students should seek confirmation from training providers that their courses are accredited by SSAB before they pay any fees.  It is also in the interest of training providers to offer accredited courses because this will improve the marketability of their course or program."

Accreditation might also enable course participants to be eligible for training allowances such as AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY and assisted students in gaining credit for their studies when enrolling at other training institutions.

To achieve accreditation, training providers were required to develop courses in consultation with industry or to seek industry input once courses were developed. Courses were then reviewed by an industry-endorsed panel, using procedures established by the SSAB.

"The State Government - in line with the strategy agreed to with the Commonwealth - is committed to a more open and competitive training system which is more responsive to the needs of industry and students. At the same time, however, standards will be maintained."

People who required more information on the accreditation of vocational education and training courses should telephone 235 6127 or 235 6129.

Media contact:  Ross Storey (09) 339 3972 : (09) 321 1444