As per my previous writings with the calendar winding rapidly down to the end of 2011, it’s a good opportunity to pause and reflect for a moment on what’s happened in the last 12 months and what is happening in the next 12 months. in the VET sector around Australia there have been many changes. Some of them are reflected here:

• formal establishment of the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
• gradual roll out of the National VET Regulator (NVR), across Australia, with South Australia and Queensland due to transition in the first quarter of 2012
• ASQA provide a General direction—transition and teach out
• Regulating RTO delivery of elective units—new ASQA fact sheet published
• ASQA new Self-assessment checklist for ‘Application for initial registration’
• New evidence requirements for ‘Change to scope’ applications – the online application on ASQA shows changes.
• A report was released for young people in training: http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2455.html
• Older workers research findings report released http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2422.html
• LLN for the Mining Industry was recently developed by the Mining Industry Skills Centre with funding through the Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) program to assist learners, workers and trainers in the development of core literacy, language and numeracy (LLN) skills for the sector.
• Many training packages were updated – check to see if your was – you will need to make changes to your scope and tools.
• ASTDI commenced
• TLISC was rebranded
• More funding announced for VET e-learning projects 
• There are moves afoot to establish a national VET professional body

As always in the VET sector no doubt 2012 will be exciting, challenging, rewarding and a further opportunity to make a real difference with your RTO and your clients.