Making sure your training prepares you to find meaningful employment after you graduate is important to us. The latest survey results from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) show that Practical Outcomes is achieving strong results, with high numbers of learners gaining employment after their training.

What makes VET stand out

There are many things which make vocational education and training (VET) stand out. The main way in which VET courses differ from those at university and TAFE is that vocational training aims to provide you with a work-oriented skills base that you can use to get a job.

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) like Practical Outcomes carefully design their qualifications to prepare you for work: whether this looks like starting a new job, re-joining the workforce, changing careers or enhancing your desirable skillset in your current role.

The facts: how many people get jobs after their studies

The question you’re probably asking is how many people really get jobs after completing vocational training. Our learners can give you the best answer: according to the results of the latest NCVER survey, a majority of learners experience high employability after they graduate.

• 82.3% of Practical Outcomes graduates improved their employment status after training with us. This is a great result considering the sector average is about 56%.
• 86% of learners found a job once qualified. This means that Practical Outcomes continues to provide training that is relevant to the early childhood education sector, and shows a significantly higher rate than the VET sector average of around 70%.
• 63.9% of our learners who were not employed before their training gained a job after training with Practical Outcomes. This is a great result and shows that we’re successfully preparing people for the workplace.

The best type of training

It’s no secret that ECEC currently faces a nationwide skills shortage. We’ve been hearing a lot about the high demand for skilled workers, and the only way to alleviate the pressure on child care services is to ensure more workers are being trained to meet the sector’s needs.

Selmar is working with ECEC sector partners to provide a pipeline of skilled workers to overwhelmed centres by focusing on practical skills and employment pathways. One of the key ways we prepare learners for work is through practical placement and traineeships, giving them hands-on experience of a real workplace to ensure a high level of employability once qualified.

The benefits of VET

Becoming qualified through vocational training can be a rewarding experience on many levels. Here are just a few things you can expect from a VET course:

Flexibility

VET is accessible and suited to many people. With a range of study modes available you can discover a course option which aligns with your particular needs, circumstances and values – whether this looks like balancing life and study via online learning or immersing yourself in the workplace with a traineeship.

A streamlined experience

Unlike university or TAFE courses, which can take many years to complete and may require graduates to undertake further study to become qualified, VET courses are designed so that you can start work right away. Most of our courses at Practical Outcomes take about a year to complete, and you’ll be eligible for employment as soon as you have your qualification.

Opportunities to upskill

Once you’ve got the minimum qualification you can enhance your employability by upskilling. VET provides multiple opportunities to grow your skillset with further qualifications and short courses.

Practical skills

VET’s key advantage is its practical focus, which cannot be underestimated when it comes to working in early childhood edcuation. During your course you’ll be provided with the practical knowledge and hands-on training required to excel in early learning settings.

Support from dedicated trainers

Our dedicated trainers have valuable experience working in the industry and are happy to share it with their learners.

Hands-on experience

Practical placement enables you to experience what it’s like being employed in a real workplace. We also offer traineeships so you can earn money while gaining valuable skills on the job.

Pathway to employment

With practical skills, workplace experience and the support of trainers, VET learners have a clear advantage when it comes to getting a job once qualified.

Is VET right for you?

VET sector training focuses on getting you into the workforce, and for this reason it is the best type of training to undertake if you are interested in enhancing your employability both now and in the future.

Tracking our progress

Early childhood education and care faces continues to face pressing challenges surrounding skills and staff shortages. Vocational training has an important job to do in supporting the sector by providing capable and dedicated workers to satisfy demand.

The results of the NCVER survey are helpful in providing information which allows us to track our progress, strive for success and identify areas for change. It’s good to know that Practical Outcomes is giving learners every opportunity to become employed once qualified. We’re proud to say our learners are satisfied, and feedback like this helps us to keep improving.

Your pathway to employment

Becoming an early childhood educator is rewarding on many levels, and now is a great time to take advantage of everything vocational training has to offer.

Get in touch if you are interested in joining a sector where you’ll enjoy high employability and the opportunity to love the work you do.

Training turned to in tough times

Looking back at the last few years, it goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic created a lot of change. A positive trend which has emerged from the pandemic is that learners, employers and governments are investing more energy and funding into the training sector.

The ITECA report, which uses data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), reveals that in 2021 approximately 4,299,555 learners enrolled in a skills training course. This represents a huge increase in the number of people undertaking training since the previous year, with some 356,180 additional learners entering a training course.

The results show a heartening trend: when times are tough and the economy is under strain, people are more likely to invest time, money, energy and enthusiasm into getting qualified and improving their skills.

Strength of independent providers highlighted in report

The majority of learners who undertook skills training last year turned to independent providers for their courses.

According to the report, the independent sector supported 3,745,295 learners last year – that’s an incredible 87.1% of the total number of people in training and an increase of 423,890 since the previous year.

This result shows a strong preference for independent providers when it comes to skills training. We’re seeing critical proof that learners trust independent RTOs like us to deliver training the economy needs in areas like community services and healthcare.

How we compare to TAFE

It’s not difficult to see why learners are turning to independent providers like Practical Outcomes rather than TAFE. There are a few key differences which can make studying with an independent RTO more accessible, including:

• Flexible study options
• Access to funding
• Smaller classes
• One on one time with dedicated trainers
• Learner support

Another clear advantage is that unlike TAFE courses, which tend to be broader in scope, independent providers can offer niche, highly focused training in key areas including early childhood education and care. The courses at Practical Outcomes are developed by and taught by experienced sector professionals with real life, real work and the needs of the sector in mind.

Considering the results, it’s true to say that learners looking to undertake job-relevant skills training trust independent providers over their equivalents in TAFE.  It makes us proud to see that increasing numbers of learners are relying on the independent sector to provide the training and support they need.

Our learners are satisfied

Learners who train with Practical Outcomes have positive employment outcomes once qualified.

Our recent NCVER results show we’re enhancing employment through quality training, with 86% of learners employed after training with us.

The NCVER results also show that high numbers of learners who were not employed before their training successfully obtained jobs after completing their course, with a majority of learners also reporting that our training improved their employability overall.

We’re happy with these results. More than that – we’ll use them to continue fine tuning our approach to training and to keep improving the quality of our courses.

Experience where it counts

In a skills-based context, teaching is intimately connected to practical experience.

The current preference for independent providers indicates that learners value the experience we bring to our courses, which are designed and implemented by dedicated trainers who have worked in the sectors they train in for many years.

For learners, getting experience means putting their skills to use in an actual workplace – which is why all our courses involve a practical placement component to prepare them for work.

Helping learners to succeed

The success of our learners is our number one priority, which is why we have specific resources designed to help learners achieve their goals, including:

• Literacy and numeracy support
• One on one training
• A dedicated Learner Success Team
• Practical placement coordinators provide assistance and support
• A range of delivery modes to suit different lifestyles and commitments

Access to funding

A key finding from the ITECA report suggests that increased learner numbers is due in large part to a renewed government commitment to skills training.

We provide both learners and employers with access to key funding initiatives. The renewed focus on funding is a positive shift and something we’re pleased to see. It’s important that we continue to pledge our commitment to skills training alongside the government.

Join our commitment to the vital early childhood education sector

The exponential increase in learners training with independent providers highlights the importance of the training we provide.

Like many independent RTOs, Practical Outcomes is committed to strengthening the workforce. In doing so we’re creating a sustained increase in wages and ensuring the survival of essential community sectors such as early childhood education. It’s our hope that this creates benefits for all.

There are many ways to be involved in this commitment, whether you’re a learner or employer. Our team can talk you through it – now’s a great time to get in touch.

When it comes to providing your early childhood team with training opportunities, whether it’s to freshen up their knowledge and ensure best practice, or to support them with upskilling, choosing a training provider is more important than you may realise.

Taking the time to make sure that your chosen training provider is offering the highest quality training for your sector can make all the difference to the outcomes for the individuals in your team, and in turn the outcomes for your organisation.

Highly skilled educators raise industry standards

To maintain, and ideally raise, a high standard of care in the early childhood education sector, quality training is important for all staff members.

In early childhood education, exceptional training produces exceptional educators — vital to nurturing children through their most crucial period of development. Ongoing training for educators ensures services are delivering the highest standard of care for families.

Quality training also contributes to a centre’s ability to meet the requirements set by the National Quality Framework and Early Years Learning Framework, which means a better chance of achieving a high NQS rating when it comes time to be assessed.

High-quality training provider for high-quality educators

When you commit to training from a high-quality provider, you can be confident that you and your team will maximise the outcomes from your training. A high-quality training institution ensures well-trained individuals and skilled workers for employers, achieved through a combination of crucial factors for an approach to training that is second to none.

First and foremost, learners must be supported. Whether it’s the first course they’ve undertaken or they’re experienced with vocational training, it’s important that learners who are undertaking studies feel they can reach out for assistance as needed. Support isn’t one size fits all — tailored support means that there is the right kind of help available for those who require it, from general coursework questions to literacy and numeracy support.

For training to be high quality it should be designed with the real world in mind. Course material that is relevant and up-to-date to reflect current best practices in the sector is vital. Practical placements incorporated into the course ensure that those new to early childhood education are able to gain on-the-job experience through their training journey.

An effective training experience doesn’t just focus on practical skills — it marries them with human qualities and interpersonal skills. These ‘soft skills’ are transferable and valued greatly in early childhood education. Learners should be encouraged to reflect on and develop their ability in areas such as communication, empathy, patience and adaptability.

Ultimately, high-quality training providers strive to develop job-ready graduates who enter or advance employment skilled and with confidence. For employers and organisations, this means a productive workforce that is capable of making sure your business shines.

Recognising high-quality training for your sector

If you’re an employer looking to support your team in professional development, upskilling or any sort of training endeavours, it’s important to know how to tell a quality training provider from the rest.

There are a few elements that will help you identify a high-quality training provider:

Quality providers should offer nationally accredited courses

Any training your team undertakes should be nationally accredited or nationally recognised. This means the courses meet established industry requirements as per the national regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). Ensure your team’s training is delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and that the course is meeting nationally approved quality standards.

Look for specialists in your sector

Some RTOs specialise while others provide courses in just about every sector. If you’re looking for the best of the best, an RTO that is a specialist in courses for your sector is more likely to deliver a higher standard of training. You want a training provider who knows your sector inside and out and can understand your organisation’s unique needs and desired outcomes.

Research their training outcomes

Consider what training outcomes the training provider emphasises. You want your employees to graduate with more than just a piece of paper. Qualifications should entail an individual graduating with practical skills, in-depth industry knowledge, understanding and confidence. Is their training competency-based with sector-relevant outcomes to help your team and business flourish? Your desired outcomes and the training provider’s outcomes should be aligned.

How we help employers and early learning businesses

Practical Outcomes helps individual learners to reach their early childhood career goals. We also support organisations within the early childhood education sector to reach their business goals and shape a productive, highly skilled, confident workforce.

We achieve this by committing to key factors that maximise outcomes and ensure we are a consistently high-quality training provider:

Sector experts in early childhood education

We only provide training for the early childhood education sector. By limiting our course offering to early childhood, we have been able to dedicate all of our time to understanding everything there is to know about the childhood education sector and what it means to thrive as an employee or a business. Our team are sector experts with a wealth of experience committed to this meaningful sector.

Experienced trainers

Our trainers are sector-experienced, with their own career history working within the early childhood education sector they now train in. They have stories to share from their journeys as well as the expertise required to deliver top-tier support to learners.

Practical skills and theoretical learning

The value of training doesn’t only lie with one approach but the way the theory and practical education can be combined and applied. We ensure that our learners get support with both practical and theoretical training, and make the connections between the two to give their best when it comes time to learn on the job.

Strong relationships with employers

When we support organisations with training their team members, we make it a priority to get to know the business and its needs. Our team works with employers to find out what they want to accomplish and we create a training plan to make sure needs are met.

Flexible training delivery modes

Balancing life and work can be tricky, let alone when you throw studying into the mix. With flexibility, support and understanding, Practical Outcomes learners are able to study while they work and gain a fulfilling training experience.

For quality early childhood education training, choose Practical Outcomes

If you’re ready to level up your workforce and see your organisation flourish, get in touch with Practical Outcomes. We can work with you and your team members to help you achieve your goals in the valuable early childhood education sector.

It should be noted that while both TAFE and RTOs are providers of Vocational Education and Training, TAFE is in fact a type of RTO. VET providers offer a range of qualifications across many sectors, early childhood education included. When comparing child care course providers, it is important to understand the differences to ensure you are choosing the provider that best meets your study needs.

Practical skills through Vocational Education and Training

VET is a popular way to train or upskill thanks to the practical nature of VET courses and their focus on practical learning outcomes. In 2018, 4.1 million students were enrolled in either a certificate, a diploma or an advanced diploma course according to the most recent figures from NCVER.

VET appeals to both mature age learners and school leavers alike as NCVER estimates the participation rate of VET students in Australia as a proportion of the Australian population aged 15 to 64 years was 24.1%, with participation highest among those aged 15 to 19 years at 46.1%. Studying through VET can also provide pathways to higher studies, such as university.

Understanding what a registered training organisation is

An RTO (Registered Training Organisation) is a provider of nationally-accredited courses. It may be privately-run (such as here at Practical Outcomes), or government-run (TAFE).

Get to know privately-run RTOs

A privately-run RTO is a training organisation that is owned and operated by a company and often specialises, focusing on particular industry or niche. At Practical Outcomes we specialise in early childhood education, whereas other privately-run RTOs might offer courses in aged care, hospitality, building or business. This specialisation means privately-run RTOs often employ teams of trainers who are experts in their respective fields. They often have years of experience working in the sector themselves and truly care about the industry within which they train. This firsthand experience ensures they can offer learners with guidance throughout their training journey plus hands-on experience with practical placement and developing strong relationships with industry.

Privately-run RTOs are more likely to offer all or a proportion of their training online. Even when you take up the option of studying online, a dedicated trainer should offer a wealth of support and guidance to help learners to achieve their goals.

Learn more about TAFE

Does Technical and Further Education sound familiar? Probably not — it is usually known by its acronym: TAFE. TAFES are government-run RTOs. That is, they are financed, owned and operated by the Australian government. Also called technical or career courses, traditionally when compared to university these courses are said to place an emphasis on occupational skills and cover a wide variety of professions and trades. Similar to private RTOs, certificate and diploma courses delivered at TAFEs are nationally accredited and focus on practical training.

TAFE courses are an option for learners looking for a broad certification, though class sizes tend to be larger.  They also tend to specialise in classroom delivery rather than online.

Comparing private RTOs to TAFE

When comparing TAFE courses with courses run at privately-owned RTOs, it’s worth noting that the quality of all RTOs can vary across the entire VET sector. Assess every VET training provider individually, keeping in mind what it is that you want from your training provider. Let’s examine some of the differences you might come across:

Education and university pathways

Both TAFE and RTOs can provide students with qualifications such as certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas. While these can help create a pathway to university, some private RTOs have direct university pathways that are integrated into courses. For example, Practical Outcomes provides a university pathway that allows our students to fast-track a Bachelor Degree in Education with Swinburne Online by earning academic credits while studying a Diploma of Early Childhood Education.

Funding options

Course costs can vary depending on each individuals’ circumstances and funding eligibility. While TAFE and some private RTOs, receive government funding for courses, Registered Training Organisations tend to have more options for students to access funding support such as payment plans and interest-free student loans.

Delivery modes offered

While TAFE courses have set class dates and requirements including a campus to attend classes, privately-run RTOs are likely to give you access to more flexible study options. This could include online courses, individualised pacing of your learning or workplace training, while still receiving support from a dedicated trainer.

Practical experience

Hands-on learning is vital in most VET courses, and so you will find that TAFE and private RTOs both offer this. As a result of strong industry ties through their niche approach to training, Registered Training Organisations can often provide support for students to access a broader range of practical placement opportunities.

Practical Outcomes as a VET provider

Ultimately, choosing a VET provider should come down to the quality of the training and programs provided, as well as the support you’ll get along the way.

Practical Outcomes RTO delivers high-quality, specialised training in early childhood education and care. We have been training for more than 15 years and are committed to educating students to thrive in early childhood education careers.

Our compassionate and caring trainers and learner success advisors provide support from start to finish and work to ensure that students graduate with the knowledge and capabilities they need to become career-ready.

Whichever VET course provider you choose, ensure their offering is aligned with your study preferences, the level of support you need and your career goals.

Need further guidance on choosing the right provider to achieve your early childhood education career goals? Get in touch.

RTO stands for Registered Training Organisation, and there are many of them to choose from when you’re ready to start studying. When it’s time to choose an RTO you’ll need to think about which one is going to get you the best outcome and suit your needs.

Which RTO should I choose?

There are thousands of RTOs in Australia. Each of these offers varying locations, courses, qualifications, methods of teaching and course durations. It is important for you to determine exactly what you are looking for.

Let’s look at five things you should consider when choosing an RTO.

1. Type of qualification required: It’s a no-brainer, but make sure you choose an RTO that is offering the right qualification that you want.
2. Location (in person or online): Does the RTO have options for studying that suit your life? Are the classes accessible for you?
3. Quality of the course: At Practical Outcomes we pride ourselves on having relevant, up-to-date course material. It’s essential that your course is high quality. Practical placement is a really essential element to look for to gain experience and skills too.
4. Reputation: Do your research. Does the RTO have a good reputation and lots of happy graduates?
5. Your desired outcome and career goal: Is there a focus on real-world skills and support for entering the workforce?

The many benefits of RTOs

No matter which you choose, there are many benefits of choosing to undertake study at an RTO.

RTOs provide high quality and nationally recognised qualifications. You may also apply for assistance from the government to fund your education. In addition, RTOs can offer several levels of qualification ranging from Certificates at various levels to Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas.

If you’re thinking about starting a course with an RTO, call us at Practical Outcomes to chat about your goals and find out how we can help you on your training and career journey.

What is an RTO?

‘RTO’ stands for Registered Training Organisation. Registered Training Organisations provide vocational education and training services, often referred to as VET services. They must be registered with the relevant state regulator. In Victoria, RTOs are registered under and regulated by the Victorian Registration and Qualification Authority. In most other states, RTOs are registered under and regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority.

In order to become an RTO, an organisation must be approved by the relevant government body. There are stringent guidelines in place that must be met before the organisation will be able to gain this approval. The reason for this is to ensure that if an organisation is recognised as an RTO. This is great news for students because you can be confident that an organisation provides quality education that will lead to nationally recognised qualifications.

Some examples of RTOs are TAFES, private colleges, community colleges and higher education institutions. Here at Practical Outcomes, we are an RTO, and we can certainly guarantee that a high-quality RTO can lead to an amazing training journey and career.

Why choose an RTO?

There are many reasons to opt to undertake training with an RTO. Here are five of the best reasons why choosing an RTO is a great idea:

1. Hands-on learning

VET courses with reputable RTOs can offer you a hands-on learning experience, giving you practical real-life skills for real jobs.

2. Get into the workplace sooner

Courses with RTOs are shorter, enabling you to get started or advance in the workforce in a short period of time.

3. Plenty of options

When you train at an RTO like Practical Outcomes you have so many options to get the most of your study. Flexible delivery modes, lots of course options, and so many career outcomes.

4. Support

A quality RTO gives you individual support to ensure that you succeed.

5. Suited to a range of people

Practical Outcomes has students of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Whether you’re fresh out of high school, looking for a career to return to the workplace after children or just after a change, you will fit right in.

For more information about our courses or the sector, get in touch.