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  • CASI
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• Contact Training and Tertiary Education

Contents

• CASI Overview
• ACT Priority Areas
• CASI Panel of Approved Providers
• Records Management and Reporting
• Reporting methods

Introduction

The objectives of the ACT Competitive Allocation for Skills Initiatives (CASI) contract and the procedures for applying for a CASI panel contract.

CASI Overview

CASI is the contractual arrangement between the ACT Department of Education and Training (the Department) and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to deliver programs to address the major objectives of the ACT vocational education and training (VET) system. Programs under the CASI agreement may target specific participant groups, egg equity groups or specific skills and qualifications. Specific programs are identified through schedules for the purpose of these arrangements.

Training programs funded under CASI must be from National Training Packages or nationally accredited courses, in whole or partial qualifications or in clusters of competencies (skills sets).

There are specific requirements for each program schedule that comes under the CASI contractual arrangement and these are found in the specific program schedules available at www.det.act.gov.au/vhe/.

ACT Priority Areas

Each year the Department undertakes an analysis of the factors impacting on VET and the ACT labour market. Based on this analysis the Vocational Education and Training Advisory Group (VETAG) endorses a set of VET priorities for a wide range of training programs that becomes the basis for funding. This list is published in The ACT Annual Vocational Education and Training Priorities on www.det.act.gov.au.

CASI Panel of Approved Providers (the Panel)

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) wishing to apply for a CASI Panel contract must attend an Information and Consultation Session, submit an Application for a Panel Agreement online and sign an agreement to be on the Panel. The agreement will be in place from the commencement of RTO CASI contract to 31st December 2012.

CASI Information and Consultation Session:

• Date: Thursday 25 September 2008
• Venue: Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), Stirling
• Time: 2:45pm to 3:30pm
• Cost: Nil
• RSVP: call 6205 5795 by Tuesday 23 September 2008

Once an RTO holds a CASI contract it is eligible to apply for funding. When applying for a CASI panel contract, RTOs must meet the contractual requirements as stated by ACT Procurement Solutions:

• maintain an Active status on the National Training Information Services (NTIS) or its equivalent system
• provide their legal entity, their business trading name and their ABN details that are consistent with RTO details on NTIS
• maintain up to date Certificates of Currency which includes appropriate insurance documentation as legally required by the Territory.

Please note that holding a CASI panel contract does not guarantee funding, as each schedule maintains a competitive allocation of funds process.

Records Management and Reporting

RTOs must systematically manage records and comply with other records management standards for RTOs Essential Standards for Registration defined in the Australian Qualification Training Framework (AQTF) 2007, which is available at www.training.com.au/aqtf2007/. RTOs must provide access to any records relating to the procured training services including:

• statistical data to the Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS);
• evidence validating each enrolment and the outcomes achieved by each participant in each unit of competency, consistent with AVETMISS evidence requirements.

RTOs must ensure that the required records are maintained, properly stored and protected. All records that relate to training under the CASI panel contract must adhere with AQTF 2007 requirements and be made available to the Department on request.

RTOs must systematically collect, and have readily available documentary evidence that each participant has actually undertaken training, achieved the outcomes recorded and/or has been granted RPL/RCC/Credit Transfer in each unit of competency in which they are enrolled. Details of the standard are available on the website of the organisation responsible for maintaining the AVETMISS – www.ncver.edu.au/vetstandard/21055.html

RTOs must comply with each schedule’s requirements relating to participant withdrawal from training.

Reporting methods

All reporting to the Department must be done electronically through
VEERA Online (VOL). VOL is a participant record and financial management system as well as an AVETMISS reporting tool administered by the Department at minimal cost to the RTO. The Department provides training in the use of VOL, ongoing user support and system upgrades. RTOs must ensure that they have an adequate number of staff trained in VOL to provide timely and accurate reporting.

Useful Links

• Priorities Support Program (PSP)
• User Choice
• CASI Contractual Requirements 2009
• Application for a Panel Agreement

Should you require further information or discussion regarding the CASI, please contact Training and Tertiary Education on 02 6205 7034 or email pearl.snaddon@act.gov.au