There’s no doubt 2025 is going to be a year of change:
New Standards for RTOs and everything that entails (effective 1 July 2025)
Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) can start using new qualifications templates from 1 July 2025 (ready for delivery of reformed qualifications from 2026)
More acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in our ‘everyday’
Possible change in federal government
In order to hit the ground running, here are our five top tips to start 2025 prepared for change
#1 Read
8.1.25
At the moment, the VET sector is awaiting the finalisation of the draft revised Standards. DEWR had previously communicated that they would be enacted 1.1.25 but as yet, there is nothing on the Federal Register of Legislation.
So what to do to prepare for something that we know is coming in, but is yet to be finalised? Our suggestion: read.
Read all that you can about the incoming changes. DEWR, ASQA and Skills Education have released a number of guidance materials and updates. We recommend paying particular attention to the reflective questions ASQA have included in their materials as they give some pretty big hints as to what might be needed in your RTO. See our Ready Reckoner for all of the available guidance information to date, in one place.
Remember, nothing is legislation yet, so nothing is finalised yet. While it’s tempting to try and get ahead while the year is still quiet, consider the return on effort if policy/procedure docs, plans and other templates are updated based on unfinalised information and need to be changed in the near future. In terms of transitioning across to the new Standards, it might be more beneficial to plan the plan rather than implement it at this stage.
When the new Standards are confirmed, continue to read as much as you can to build a full understanding of the requirements. Listening to what others have to say can be helpful too remembering that the specific context of your RTO is unique so will require an individualised approach to self-assurance of operations.
In a much broader sense, we recommend ‘read’ as a sound strategy for ongoing professional development in any area. If you haven’t yet, consider joining the LinkedIn Community of Practice to read regular updates and discussions on VET issues.
#2 Enhance Digital Literacy and Skills
Let’s face it. Most work in an RTO these days involves use of digital technology. Ensure all trainers and staff have the right level of digital skills to be able to effectively and safely use company systems. Assess what is required and what gaps – if any – exist.
Consider:
Use of software systems e.g. LMS
Use of software apps e.g. Microsoft Office suite, Microsoft365, Google Workspace tools etc
Use of digital communication tools e.g. Zoom, Teams etc
Cybersecurity best practices e.g. multi-factor authentication, strong passwords / pass phrases
Also consider if and how, use of generative AI will occur within the business.
The digital literacy and skills of students is also a critical consideration. Ensure adequate systems are in place to:
Address gaps where required
Support student skills development where required
Support trainers to support students
Skills Education has a number of PD offerings about digital literacy and the CyberWardens self-paced course offers free cyber security training and snappy 30-minute free webinars to help you identify the seven cyber security red flags
#3 Prioritise Wellbeing
The revised Standards have made an explicit focus on the wellbeing support of students, plus with a big year of change ahead, it’s the ideal time to ensure the right culture and attitudes toward work-life balance, physical and emotional health exist within the organisation.
If you’re not sure whether the culture is right to create the required healthy environment for optimal engagement and performance, consider asking your stakeholders (staff and students) for their opinions on the current state and take it from there.
See last year’s Top 5 for tips on survey development and the Training Tools Guide to Getting Useful Data.
#4 Invest in PD
Prioritise ongoing professional development for staff, including administration and compliance teams, trainers, assessors, and management.
Not only will this secure development in relevant areas, but it will help to bolster feelings of wellbeing as staff feel recognised and supported. Further, providing opportunities for PD leads to an increase in morale and motivation. Even the smallest improvements from upskilling initiatives can lead to increased productivity and improved service delivery to students and stakeholders.
Ongoing PD will also ensure everyone in the organisation is abreast of changes impacting the RTO’s operating environment (think Standards for RTOs, artificial intelligence, use of technology, design of instructional materials etc.)
#5 Take a Strategic Viewpoint
View the upcoming year of change with a strategic lens. Plan to address the necessary changes with the critical thinking skills and proactivity required to navigate 2025 successfully.
When the final revised Standards are released there will be significant amounts of work required to analyse current operations, shift across to the new requirements and ensure a system of self-assurance is in place.
This will include:
Confirming policies and procedures reflect the intent of the new Quality Areas and their underlying Focus Areas, Standards and Performance Indicators
Ensuring all training and/or assessing staff have the correct credentials as requisites to deliver and assess VET AND that they have the required currency status for both their vocational and TAE knowledge and skill
Articulating your rationale for how and why you’ve approached the various requirements in the Standards the way you have
Transitioning existing systems and processes to align with the parameters laid out in the Compliance Requirements as well as the Outcome Standards
Ongoing communications with teams to ensure they fully understand any new terminology, new approaches and new requirements
If you’re not sure how to operationalise ‘taking a strategic viewpoint’ consider reverting to #4 and investing in opportunities to upskill in strategic thinking, problem solving and critical thinking. These are all skills that can be learned and will bring benefits such as:
Improved decision making, including being able to focus on long-term implications of decisions rather than simply any immediate gains
Better resource allocation
Increased competitiveness in the market
Openness to innovation and the development of new approaches, products and services
Better alignment to goals and focus on how to get there
Improved communications
Continuous improvement, which is also a key area of focus in the revised Standards
Finally, embrace flexibility. With a big year of change ahead, it’s likely that we’ll see a switch from one thing to another more than once. Remember to maintain a mindset that embraces the flexibility required for adaption to changing circumstances and continuous learning and improvement along the way.