Quality Assurance
Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF)
The Meaning Of
Quality
In an industry context, quality
may be defined as "a predictable degree of uniformity and dependability at
low cost with a quality suited to the market". More specifically, in the
workplace, quality means achieving and maintaining excellence in products,
processes, people, planning and systems. It is often reflected in the degree to
which products and services meet customer requirements, and may be measured by
comparing products and services to those of competitors. There is constant
pressure on industry organisations to exceed the quality standards of their
competitors and provide customers with new and improved products and services.
Though
the schools sector, it may be argued, has different philosophies and
motivations to the industry sector, the concept of quality is no less
important. The policies and practices for achieving and maintaining quality, as
understood and applied by industry, can be adapted for use in schools,
especially in relation to VET in Schools programs. Quality Assurance for VET in
Schools programs could focus on, but need not be limited to, policies,
processes and practices relating to:
o
producing and implementing a VET Strategic Plan
o
investigation
o
implementation
o
delivery
o
industry workplacement
o
enrolment and exit
o
assessment and record keeping
The Quality Assurance Procedures & Policies Manual
In
terms of schools delivering vocational education and training programs,
addressing issues of quality is vital to ensuring industry confidence in
schools' ability to deliver programs that meet industry standards and
requirements. Moreover, addressing issues of quality would enable schools to
ensure that VET programs meet the same high standards that is expected of and
achieved in the delivery of all other programs within the school.
Where
schools wish to become registered private providers of accredited training in
their own right, they must comply with the AQTF Essential Standards for Registration
and Conditions of Registration, as audited by the State Training Authority, the
VRQA. One of those conditions is that the school "must adopt a quality
assurance and improvement system which includes clearly documented procedures
for managing and monitoring all training operations and reviewing
student/client satisfaction".
The Quality Assurance
Procedures & Policies Manual aims to assist schools in addressing issues of
quality and meeting relevant registered provider requirements. The primary
objective of the Manual is to carry the intent of school management to the
point of activity. At this point the Procedures and Policies serve to direct,
instruct and guide the user through activities that school management wants
conducted in a particular way and sequence, so that agreed quality standards
can be achieved and maintained.
Download contents page
and sample QA Procedure
Please
email us for further information regarding the Quality Assurance Procedures
& Policies Manual or purchasing a copy.
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Vocational Pathways Pty Ltd