STATE TRAINING SERVICES 1 STATE TRAINING SERVICES SMART AND SKILLED: NSW ACE COMMUNITY SERVICE OBLIGATION PROGRAM

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 2 New program designed as part of Skills Reform in NSW –complements entitlement training under Smart and Skilled –assists members of regional and remote communities to access training Some familiar ground from previous ACE programs but also key differences Certain program features consistent across Smart and Skilled Presentation provides overview of important differences INTRODUCTION

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 3 THE PROGRAM 1.Pathways program for disadvantaged learners provides pathways to entitlement 2.Provides part qualifications to eligible general members of regional and remote communities and Limited full qualification from an STS list (forthcoming) METROPOLITIAN PROVIDERS PATHWAYS TO ENTITLEMENT REGIONAL AND REMOTE PROVIDERS COMMUNITY ACCESS PATHWAYS TO ENTITLEMENT

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 4 WHAT CAN BE DELIVERED Tighter parameters than previous ACE programs Training underpinned by NSW Skills List Foundation Skills - Part qualifications ACE CSO Program ( Full qualifications delivered under S&S entitlement training NOT CSO) CSWE – CSO program only Non Accredited VET allowable capped at 20% of subsidised enrolments

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 5 WHAT CAN BE DELIVERED : CSO CATEGORYDESCRIPTION A.Pathways to entitlement Part qualifications Part-qualifications for eligible individuals as a pathway to entitlement training/full qualifications from the NSW Skills List that may include: module/unit of competency only training; bundles of units of competency; or skill sets. No more than 50% of a qualification can be delivered in this way. B. Pathways to entitlement Non-accredited vocational training Non-accredited vocational training which targets disadvantaged learners which can be combined with unit of competency enrolments or part- qualifications in accredited training. No more than 20% of ACE CSO subsidised activity/module enrolments can be non-accredited. C. Pathways to entitlement Foundation Skills: part- qualifications Module/unit of competency training from Foundation Skills qualifications (language, literacy, numeracy and employability skills) on the Skills List where this training supports students undertake VET qualifications to support pathways to entitlement training or higher level qualifications.

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 6 WHAT CAN BE DELIVERED : CSO CATEGORYDESCRIPTION D. Addressing barriers to entitlement Full qualification Targeted training to meet the needs of disadvantaged learners at any level up to and including Certificate III qualifications on the Skills List where there are barriers to accessing an entitlement. E. Organisation capacity to respond to community need Ensuring organisation capacity to respond to community demand for vocational education and training for disadvantaged learners that cannot be effectively addressed through Smart and Skilled entitlements or purchased training. F. Regional and remote community access Addressing training needs in regional and remote communities through the provision of part qualifications and/or approved full qualifications up to Certificate III. Approved full qualifications are specified by State Training Services

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 7 CONFIRMING LEARNER ELIGIBILITY Additional responsibilities in assessing student eligibility Ensure student is a CSO pathway to entitlement student NOT an entitlement student Disadvantaged student must be assessed to confirm barriers to accessing an entitlement. Barriers to entitlement training include: –Very low literacy, language and/or numeracy skill level which would impinge on successful completion of full qualification entitlement training –Limited employability skills where students require considerable additional supports –Persistent and ongoing personal issues impacting on educational achievement –Financial limitations in accessing childcare, transport and/or respite care which affects a student’s ability to participate in entitlement training

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 8 CONFIRMING LEARNER ELIGIBILITY Where a student is a general member of a regional and remote community ensure Smart and Skilled entitlement cannot be effectively accessed Information on learner eligibility is in Operating Guidelines and Evidence and Fee Guide The ACE and PD Unit is preparing an eligibility checklist to ensure required evidence has been assessed

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 9 STUDENT FEES UNDER THE ACE CSO PROGRAM Government and students will contribute to the cost of training. Students will contribute through fees. Students supported through ACE CSO funding must pay Smart and Skilled fees. –Eligibility for student exemptions and concessions are the same as for other Smart and Skilled programs* * Where CSO training is provided for disadvantaged young people as a result of a collaboration with schools then the school must pay the standard Smart and Skilled fee. This training will not be eligible for a concession or exemption. –Regional and remote students that are not identified as disadvantaged with specific barriers will pay the relevant Smart and Skilled student fee. If they are eligible for a concession they will pay the applicable Smart and Skilled concession for that qualification. –An ACE CSO calculator will provide details of fees for part-qualifications.

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 10 STUDENT FEES OVERVIEW A fee calculator is available to determine fees for part qualifications LEARNERS ON COMMONWEALTH PENSION OR BENEFIT CONCESSION FEE OR EXEMPTION (DEPENDING ON TARGET GROUP) DISAVDANTAGED LEARNERS NOT ON COMMONWEALTH PENSION OR BENEFIT STANDARD SMART AND SKILLED FEE GENERAL MEMEBERS OF REGIONAL AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES STANDARD SMART AND SKILLED FEE

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 11 THE APPLICATION PART AEligibility as an Approved ACE Provider PART BEligibility and Organisation Capacity Complete EITHER Smart and Skilled on-line application OR ACE CSO Application Part B PART CTraining Capacity i.Where will you deliver the training ? ii.How many module/units can you deliver effectively (with appropriate completion rates) to disadvantaged and regional and rural students? iii.Make your case for any increased delivery for target groups compared with previous delivery. PART DSupport Capacity

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 12 ACE CSO APPLICATION TIMELINE Sunday 31 August Applications close June-September - Pre-assessment –provider capacity ( training delivery history) –Approved ACE Provider eligibility (against constitutions etc) –Previous ACE Contract compliance, including financial viability September Application Assessment –Assessment panel including independent/s October/November 2014 –Notification of outcome of application, funding levels and targets.

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 13 TRANSITION ISSUES All enrolments under the ACE CSO Program should commence on or after 1 January Any continuing enrolments from training funded under the 2014 ACE Program are separate to the ACE CSO Program commencing on 1 January 2015.

STATE TRAINING SERVICES 14 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Smart and Skilled: NSW ACE Community Service Obligation Program Guidelines ACE CSO Application Form ACE CSO Fees and Evidence Guide All the documents can be found on the Netfirst site at ace.nsw.gov.au/netfirst ace.nsw.gov.au/netfirst Please send all ACE CSO queries during the application period to Please send all Smart and Skilled Application queries to Refer to this website for more information on Smart and Skilled: