The University of Wollongong had to suspend a vocational diploma course in child care after the national regulator found problems with its “quality assurance” around assessments.
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The course, a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, is one of 12 dropped by the UOW College for next year after what the College called a “strategic review”.
This followed an audit in August by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), which regulates the vocational education and training (VET) sector.
After the audit identified in August the “quality assurance” problems in the child care assessments, the course was suspended.
A spokesman said the College was now working with ASQA to make assessments comply with quality standards so existing students can complete their courses. No new enrolments will be taken.
UOW College general manager, Julie Renwick said the 2019 course changes reflected a decision to concentrate on the College’s strengths.
Dropped from 2019 will be VET courses in Business, New Small Business, Marketing and Communications, Human Resources, Project Management, Early Childhood Education and Care, Individual Support, Community Services, Ageing Support, Disability and Mental Health. These are Certificate III, IV, or Diploma level.
Higher Education-level diplomas in Business, Information technology, Engineering and Social Sciences will continue unchanged, as will the College’s English language and pathway programs.
“We looked carefully at all the market indicators and weighed this information up in light of UOW College’s core strengths, current performance and long-term strategic objectives,” Ms Renwick said.
“In the increasingly diverse and competitive vocational education sector, UOW College must remain focused on its core strengths.”
Three full-time jobs will be lost under the changes, with a larger amount of casual workers also affected. UOW College was unable to estimate how many casuals would lose work.
