Edition 79, June 2010

New User Choice arrangements in Qld

Following an extensive consultation process, from 1 July 2010 the Queensland Government will introduce a range of changes to the User Choice program to better meet the needs of employers, apprentices and trainees.

User Choice provides a contribution of public funding to training providers to deliver quality accredited, entry-level training to apprentices and trainees. The program allows the apprentice or trainee and their employer to select their preferred public or private training provider to deliver the off-the-job training component.

The recent economic downturn highlighted the need for the User Choice program to be highly flexible in responding to the changing needs of employers and industry.

In January to March this year, approximately 800 attendees representing more than 330 organisations attended a state-wide consultation process to obtain feedback and discuss how proposed changes to User Choice would best work. Representatives from RTOs, employers, industry groups, TAFEs, and even apprentices and trainees participated in the process. 

The review and consultation found the need for four key changes:

  • a focus on addressing major skills shortages
  • annual reviews of the government's contribution towards the cost of training and assessment
  • a new online process for training providers to apply for preferred supplier status
  • making it easier for apprentices or trainees and their employers to select their preferred supplier, move between registered suppliers, and negotiate the training that best suits their needs.

These changes were considered important to provide a higher level of effectiveness and greater flexibility to meet the future needs of industry and the training market.

Further information about the User Choice program is available on the Queensland Department of Education and Training website at www.training.qld.gov.au/training-organisations/user-choice or by contacting Skills Queensland on 07 3227 6271.

This page was generated on 30 June, 2010