RTO improvements are a continual thing, yet there are time when we ask “Do we have to?”
Yes is usually the answer.
The world that we RTOs have been working in is changing rapidly.
For many people that means they tend to go over and over what has changed, what was, and what will happen next. Worrying about the past or the future isn’t productive. Repeatedly saying negative thoughts or chastising yourself for past mistakes, isn’t going to help you or the world of VET. It is time to stop and take a breath and ask yourself what you can you do right now to succeed.
Worrying isn’t productive.
Continuous improvement is productive. Recently I have spoken to a number of people who contacted RTO Mentor some years ago when they were considering setting up an RTO. For whatever reason they choose not go ahead with the development at that time. Now however things have changed, and they wish to continue with their journey in setting up the RTO.
Many of them, started the process and then stopped, so they have many tools and resources that they spent many hours working on. Whilst they have all been in different industries, and all have had differing circumstances that have caused them to stopped and then start again. The one thing applies to all them is their RTO Policies and procedures are not current.
Continuous improvement is a word that all RTOs know about. And it also applies to the RTO Standards and how the RTOs are being audited. There is a huge movement of continuous improvement in the business world, and in life. Learning new ways, applying new skills, and working with different mediums. In the world of RTOs, it is all to maintain the student expereince and compliance.
When you are setting up your RTO the Policies are telling the ASQA/TAC auditors what it is you intend to do to meet the RTO Standards. Policies and procedures are the backbone of the RTO and they provide clear guidelines and what is expected of the organisation and its people in the areas of student enrolment, marketing, training and meeting your client needs. They are often called the RTO Systems.
So what do RTO Systems look like?
There isn’t one answer; instead there are many.
They could look like:
- How you enrol your students
- The information you intend to provide your student prior to enrolment
- How you will collect regular, valid and reliable feedback from stakeholders, such as your students, staff and employers.
- Your Validation plans
- When and how Assessment will be regularly monitored, reviewed and improved.
- How you will meet student, USI, complaints and appeals requirements
- How you intend to regularly consult industry
Ready Made Policies and procedures
Sometimes it is way easier to get something that complies, rather than change the old. (especially if they were not often refrred to). So, if you are looking at purchasing the latest version of the required policies and procedures then RTO Mentor has our highly regarded Policy and Procedure manual that is ASQA/TAC Audit tested over many audits (to the 2015 Standards).
If you need to help or to purchase the latest RTO Systems then go here:
So back to worry.
Do You Know What Worry Really Is? Yes it may be called an emotion, a reaction, or a mood. Yet I dont tend to belive that. For me worry is a habit, one we have control over.
Worry is a habit, a habit that you can do something about!
