Who are you listening to? There are many different people saying they are experts. Expert guidance seems to be everywhere. Yet there are pitfalls.  We live in a business world of information-saturation. We’re bombarded with opinions, advice, and “expert” guidance from every direction. Social media, podcasts, blogs, and even well-meaning friends and family all contribute to a cacophony of voices telling us how to live, work, and succeed. But in this sea of opinions, whose voice should you really be listening to? I see and have had opinions from so many people – people who want to share their thoughts onto me and that is OK. Now, I don’t make it an issue. Yet when I wasn’t so wise to see it as “their opinion” I did allow it to become an issue. When I was younger, I fell into the trap of trying to please everyone. I listened intently to every piece of advice: “You need to speak more assertively.” “Your appearance isn’t professional enough.” “You’re too young to be taken seriously.” “You need more qualifications before you can succeed.” I tried to conform to these expectations, moulding myself into what I thought others wanted me to be. The result? I found myself running in circles, exhausted and no closer to my goals than when I started. Then I woke up and became conscious.   The turning point came when I realised that in trying to please everyone, I had lost touch with the most important voice of all – my own. For me this message was the way to my freedom. To be just me and learn from my own experience. Building Meaningful Connections Getting to know the people you work with is so important. Whether they are industry stakeholders, regulatory bodies, students, clients or staff. Try these tips: Understanding Individual Contexts. Take time to learn about each person’s background, goals, and challenges. Tailored Support. Offer guidance that’s relevant to their specific situation and aspirations. Building Trust. Genuine interest and understanding create and encourage trust, making your advice more impactful. Encouraging Self-Reflection. Help others develop their own critical thinking skills rather than just providing answers. Are you listening to people who have no idea as to what it is like to be you? Everyone is unique, we all have different experiences, different ideologies. Therefore others cannot understand what it is like to be uniquely you. They don’t know you ideals, or goals. Other people’s opinions are real, for them. They have not been through your experience. They do not know what your heart says. No one should say that you shouldn’t do whatever it is you want to do. They are judging your life, by their own life. Are we paying attention to people who have no idea what you are about? This is advice you can apply now. Filter the advice. Not all advice is created equal. I learned to consider the source and how it aligned with my values and goals. Trust my instincts. Our gut feelings are often more insightful than we give them credit for. Learn from experience. Instead of relying solely on others’ opinions, I started valuing my own experiences as a source of wisdom. Seek diverse perspectives. While not accepting every opinion, I made an effort to expose myself to diverse viewpoints to broaden my understanding. Seeking Mentors, Not Just Advisors Mentors invest in understanding your unique situation and aspirations. They offer insights based on relevant experience, not just theoretical knowledge. Good mentors recognize and respect your individual journey, offering guidance without imposing their path on you. Unlike advisors who might offer quick fixes, mentors consider your long-term growth and development. For me, the people who I work with, I get to know them. Recognising Limiting Beliefs Have you ever heard someone say: “You don’t have the money” “It’s hard work” “It’s not worth it” “If you earn that much, you’ll be taxed more”   These statements often reflect the speaker’s own limitations rather than your potential. Many successful RTO owners and entrepreneurs have achieved their goals by ignoring such naysayers. Be cautious of taking advice from those with poor track records, especially in specialised fields like setting up RTOs. Their experiences may not align with best practices or current industry standards. When receiving advice: Listen actively Consider the source Reflect on how it resonates with your inner wisdom Evaluate its relevance to your specific situation The Fitness Analogy I wouldn’t seek fitness advice from an overweight personal trainer. Similarly, in business, seek guidance from those who embody the success you aspire to achieve. Surrounding Yourself with Inspiration Choose associates who inspire rather than expire you Seek out those who understand and support your vision Align yourself with individuals who represent your aspirational self For those looking to set up an RTO, the support of an experienced RTO mentor is essential. Look for someone who: Has a proven track record Possesses extensive audit experience Understands the current regulatory landscape Can provide practical, actionable advice   Making decisions can be challenging, but remember, you are the expert on your own life and business.  Seek advice, but trust your instincts Align yourself with those who support your vision Don’t be afraid to seek specialised help when needed   When you’re ready to take your RTO journey to the next level, consider working with a mentor who has been there before. We’re here to support you with the experience and knowledge you need to thrive in the RTO sector. Remember, those who truly support your growth will offer guidance that empowers you to make your own informed decisions, rather than trying to make decisions for you. So let me leave you with this knowledge and consider if you are being true to yourself and listening to the people who truly want to support you and your goals. And whilst you’re in this journey, strive to be that kind of supportive presence for others as well. So if you want to work with me, send me a message

In Vocational education and training (VET), the RTO assessments play a pivotal role in ensuring learners acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for their chosen industry. However, with evolving training packages and regulatory requirements, staying abreast of assessment best practices and transitioning to updated qualifications can be a complex endeavour for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). In this blog post, we’ll explore key considerations for assessments, mapping and additional insights to help RTOs navigate these challenges effectively. RTO assessments serve as the cornerstone of the RTO, providing learners with opportunities to demonstrate their competencies. When designing assessments, it’s crucial to align them with Training Packages (TP) requirements and ensure they accurately measure the underpinning knowledge and skills outlined in the units of competency. Working closely with industry clients provides me with invaluable insights into the challenges they face when implementing training programs within their specific industry. Recently, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a client who expressed frustration over the inability to contextualize the resources they had acquired to meet their learners’ needs effectively. The client’s frustration stemmed from the disconnect between the resources provided by the commercial producer of the training and assessment resources, and the practical demands of their industry. Consideration of workplace activities will provide outcomes for students that aligns them to industry needs. Assessments should reflect real-world scenarios and tasks relevant to the learner’s industry. While RTOs are bound by the units of competency and training packages mandated by regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders operate within the complexities of real-world situations where adaptability and context-specific knowledge are paramount. Therefore, it is important to align to industry as much as possible. Collaborating with these stakeholders provides invaluable insights into industry needs, learner expectations, and emerging skills demands, enabling RTOs to tailor their assessments to meet real-world requirements. By fostering a collaborative approach that involves continuous communication and feedback loops with industry partners, RTOs can better understand the specific challenges and requirements of their clients. Assessing at the correct AQF level: It’s essential to consider the level of competency required for each assessment task and ensure alignment with the AQF framework. This alignment ensures that assessments effectively measure the intended learning outcomes and provide learners with opportunities to demonstrate their skills and knowledge at the appropriate level. Frequently, during validation activities, I see assessment questions that surpass the AQF level designated for the training course, potentially creating over assessing. Therefore, another consideration must be the alignment with the AQF to create fair and accurate assessments that truly reflect the course outcomes. Clear instructions are important for ensuring a smooth and effective assessment process for both learners and trainers alike. When learners receive clear guidance on assessment conditions, expectations, and available support, they are better equipped to approach their assessments with confidence and clarity. Having clear instructions includes details such as assessment tasks, submission deadlines, assessment criteria, and any specific requirements or resources needed. This transparency helps learners understand what is expected of them, reducing confusion and anxiety and enabling them to focus their efforts on meeting the assessment criteria. Assessment tools should be fair and impartial, ensuring that all learners have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. This requires careful consideration of factors such as language, cultural background, prior experience, and learning barriers that may impact learners’ performance. Fair assessment practices involve designing assessment tasks that are free from bias, discriminatory language, or cultural assumptions and providing clear guidance on assessment expectations to all learners. Quality assurance within the RTO are essential components in upholding the reliability and fairness of assessments. Through internal validation and moderation procedures, RTO’s can ensure that assessments accurately reflect the intended learning outcomes and are consistent across different assessors, and contexts. Clear marking guides and observation checklists further enhance assessment reliability by providing transparent criteria for assessment. Additionally, incorporating provisions for reasonable adjustments ensures that assessments remain flexible and accessible to all learners, regardless of their individual needs or circumstances. These quality assurance measures foster a learning environment where every student has the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. Effective assessment design is an important part of successful VET delivery for RTOs. While it may present its challenges and frustrations, it is paramount for RTOs to remain informed, engaged with stakeholders, and committed to prioritising quality outcomes. This requires RTOs to actively monitor changes in training packages, keep abreast of industry trends, and engage in professional development activities to enhance their assessment expertise. By adhering to rigorous assessment principles and employing sound assessment practices, RTOs can uphold the integrity and credibility of their training programs. RTOs play a pivotal role in developing a skilled and competent workforce across various industries in Australia.