The CEO of the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), Suresh Manickam, says media reports in relation to the practices of an Australia-wide training provider further reinforce the need for VET sector vigilance and reform.

“Today’s reports claiming that a training provider has used door-to-door salespeople, offering free laptops and fake exam results to target potential students reinforces the need for vigilance and reform of the Vocational Education and Training sector.

“NECA has previously called upon the Federal Government to ensure that the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) provides strict oversight and monitoring of poorly performing training organisations to ensure beneficial teaching outcomes, that apprentices meet industry needs and standards, and that confidence in vocational education and training remains high.

“Whilst we understand that the operations of this college are presently being monitored by the NSW Minister for Skills, situations such as these warrant further investigation by ASQA at the direction of the Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Luke Hartsuyker,” Mr. Manickam said.

“Australia’s electrical contracting sector has one of the highest safety and technical standards in the world. As a lead player in the training of current and future electricians and contractors across Australia, NECA wants to ensure that the safety and technical standards of our industry remains a priority.”