Minister Gail Gago Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills Minister for Science and Information Economy Minister for the Status of Women Minister for Business Services and Consumers

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News Release Thursday, 10 April, 2014

Cutting red tape in Vocational Education and Training The State Government has announced moves to cut red tape in the vocational education and training system to help simplify processes for employers and training providers. Speaking at a Training and Skills Commission breakfast in Adelaide this morning, Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills Gail Gago said the Government will commission a review of red tape within the vocational education and training system, including Skills for All and apprenticeship and traineeship arrangements. “Our vocational education and training system is an integral part of our economy – ensuring South Australians have the skills they need to get jobs that meet the needs of business and industry now and into the future,” Ms Gago said. “That’s why it’s important we work with the sector to ensure our system is rigorous enough to meet training needs, yet free from either unnecessary or duplicated reporting requirements and administrative processes.” Ms Gago said the move was in response to feedback from businesses and the training sector about the increasing burden on Registered Training Organisations in meeting Government reporting requirements and the duplication of effort between Federal and State reporting. “We want a rigorous system, but one where Registered Training Organisations can develop and provide their courses and programs without having to deal with cumbersome or duplicated reporting requirements,” she said. “This is why I will commission this review of red tape within the vocational education and training system – to ensure we have a system that minimises the regulatory burden while getting the best possible outcomes for students. “This review will also look at how we can make it simpler and easier for businesses and students to provide and access apprenticeships and traineeships.” Ms Gago said the review’s scope will include:

How to simplify administrative processes under Skills for All and the apprenticeship and traineeship system;

How to simplify or remove duplication and overlap between data collection and reporting at a State and Federal level; and

Potential savings to industry and training providers through the removal of red tape.

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“This review will involve extensive consultation with the Training and Skills Commission, registered training organisations, TAFE SA, industry, unions and other key stakeholders,” Ms Gago said.