It’s tempting to use AI everywhere. So that got me thinking about using it for RTO quality reviews. Automation is everywhere and it seems to be on everyone’s tongue. Can technology handle all aspects of quality assurance in Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)? It seems however, going on recent discussions in the vocational education and training (VET) sector that the role of human involvement is still key in maintaining high standards. Let’s explore why the human element remains indispensable in RTO quality reviews.
Automated Systems
While automated systems can efficiently process data and flag obvious discrepancies, they lack the nuanced understanding that comes with human expertise. Automated tools can:
- Check for compliance with basic regulatory requirements
- Identify missing documentation
- Flag inconsistencies in record-keeping
However, they fall short in areas that require contextual understanding and professional judgment.
The Irreplaceable Human Element
Quality reviews conducted by humans can ensure that the training remains relevant and aligned with industry requirements. This in itself is a huge advantage to your RTO as it can enhance an RTO’s reputation among employers and industry partners.
So let’s look at what advantages human reviewers bring to the quality assurance process:
- Experienced professionals can interpret findings within the broader context of an RTO’s operations and the VET sector as a whole.
- Humans can evaluate and provide qualitative assessment such as asking questions to establish the quality of training delivery, student engagement, and learning outcomes in ways that automated systems cannot.
- Human reviewers can have more of an adaptive thinking approach. As unique circumstances or emerging issues arise, they can adjust their approach based on the situation. This agile approach may not fit pre-programmed parameters.
- Face-to-face interactions during reviews can reveal valuable information about an RTO’s culture and practices that might not be evident in documentation alone. These interpersonal insights often are some of the best insights for continuing practices, or stopping practices.
- Experienced reviewers can provide actionable feedback and recommendations for improvement, going beyond mere compliance checking.
Striking the Right Balance
It remains though that AI is out there and to maximise the opportunity we should use in some sense. Quality reviews often involve collecting both quantitative and qualitative data about student experiences. This comprehensive information allows RTOs to provide more targeted and effective support to individual students. The ideal approach to quality reviews in RTOs involves a combination of automated tools and human expertise:
- Use automated systems for initial data gathering and basic compliance checks
- Follow up with human review to provide depth, context, and qualitative assessment
- Implement a feedback loop where human insights inform and improve automated processes
By undertaking this approach, the RTO quality reviews can have a significant positive impact on student outcomes in RTOs in several ways:
- Improved learning experiences. Ongoing quality reviews and discussions with all stakeholders help RTOs identify areas for improvement in their training delivery, leading to enhanced learning experiences for students.
- Better student performance and engagement. Quality reviews focus on key aspects of delivery quality, including students’ performance, experience, engagement, and progression towards their goals. RTOs also can identify and address emerging issues or barriers that may be impeding student progress. By monitoring these factors, RTOs can make necessary adjustments to improve student outcomes.
- Alignment with industry needs. Done regularly and with a variety of stakeholders, the RTO quality reviews help ensure that training remains relevant and aligned with industry requirements, improving students’ employability and career prospects.
The new Standards for RTOs, which are part of recent quality reforms, aim to shift the focus more explicitly towards delivering quality learner outcomes rather than just administrative compliance. This change in emphasis is likely to further improve student outcomes in the future.
By consistently conducting RTO quality reviews and acting on the insights gained, RTOs can significantly enhance the overall quality of their training delivery, leading to improved student outcomes in terms of academic achievement, personal development, and career readiness.
Overall, by creating a culture of continuous improvement within your RTO, it can lead to ongoing enhancements in training delivery and help ensure consistency in training delivery across an RTO, which can lead to more equitable outcomes for all students. This can transfer into higher completion rates and improved student satisfaction. And finally, the big bonus is, people start to rave about your RTO. Regular quality reviews show that an RTO is committed to maintaining high standards and continuously improving its services. This can enhance its reputation among students, industry partners, and regulatory bodies. This means people share your RTO with others and that word of mouth bring a sustainable financial result for your RTO.
Win Win really.
