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Quality Drives Higher Skills Training Completion Rates

Quality Drives Higher Skills Training Completion Rates image
As the Australian, state and territory governments analyse course completion rates, the remarkable track record of independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) stands as a beacon for policymakers, offering invaluable insights and guidance for further deliberation.

Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) has highlighted the sterling reputation of independent RTOs with a commitment to excellence.

Recognising the pressing need for improved comprehension of training completion levels and their profound impact on the skills training system and workforce supply, the establishment of a 'VET Completions Taskforce' signals a decisive step forward.

Led by the South Australian Government and having a national remit, this taskforce aims to identify groundbreaking approaches to enhance course completions.

Extensive research by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), the Productivity Commission, and independent researchers have meticulously explored the myriad reasons behind non-completion. With the impending finalisation of a comprehensive five-year skills funding agreement between the Australian, state and territory governments, this issue assumes strategic significance.

The Australian Government's potential investment of up to $12.8 billion in skills training, further augmented by substantial contributions from the states and territories, underscores the imperative to address completion rates with utmost urgency and efficacy.

The quest for improved completion rates finds solace in the exceptional outcomes delivered by independent RTOs.  Government data, referenced in the ITECA State of The Sector Report, unequivocally illustrates the superiority of private RTOs over their public counterparts in terms of completion rates for government-funded students.

Government Funded Students: Course Completion Rates by Qualification Level


Certificate I
TAFE:  22.4%
Private RTOs:  39.5%
 Certificate II
TAFE:  33.4%
Private RTOs:  56.6% 

Certificate III
TAFE:  50.9%
Private RTOs:  57.1% 

Certificate IV
TAFE:  44.5%
Private RTOs:  53.3% 

Diploma & Above
TAFE:  52.1%
Private RTOs:  52.6% 

All Qualification Levels
TAFE: 42.4%
Private RTOs: 55.2%

While a plethora of government and non-government researchers have meticulously examined the underlying factors behind non-completion, encompassing employment-related challenges predominantly observed among apprentices and trainees, as well as student expectations of their chosen courses, it is crucial to highlight the undeniable significance of training quality. The data presented above elucidates instances where private RTOs have consistently achieved completion rates surpassing those of TAFE institutions for government-funded students.

Furthermore, it is imperative to note that, for government-funded training, private RTOs reign supreme in key measures of student satisfaction, further cementing the argument that training quality and the overall student experience play pivotal roles in augmenting completion rates, as shown in the following government data referenced in the ITECA State of The Sector Report.

Government Funded Students: Key Measures of Student Satisfaction


Satisfied with the support services

TAFE:  77.5%

Private RTOs:  81.5%
 Satisfied with teaching
TAFE:  87.2%
Private RTOs:  88.9% 

Satisfied with the facilities
TAFE:  84.2%
Private RTOs:  85.0% 

Satisfied with the learning resources
TAFE:  81.6%
Private RTOs:  85.4% 

Satisfied with the training overall
TAFE: 88.9%
Private RTOs: 90.7%

It is important to acknowledge that the aforementioned factors may not universally apply to all independent RTOs and higher TAFE colleges. Completion rates can significantly vary within each category, with certain TAFE colleges indeed achieving commendable completion rates and student satisfaction. However, the data undeniably underscores the fact that outcomes achieved by the independent skills training sector serve as a  model for governments seeking to improve completion rates.

Read the full media release here.

Date posted May 18, 2023

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