Below are FAQs relating to the contract extension issued by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations on 29 June 2009 to Registered Training Organisations (RTO) for the delivery of training places under the Productivity Places Program (PPP) until 30 June 2010.
Does the contract extension allow my RTO to deliver more Australian Government job seeker places?
No. PPP job seeker places funded by the Australian Government ceased to be available as at 30 June 2009. In regard to job seeker places, the Australian Government will only fund completion milestones for enrolments that were approved in Phases I or II of the program (i.e. before 30 June 2009).
Does the contract extension automatically entitle my RTO to deliver state and territory job seeker and existing worker places?
No. Following the establishment of the National Partnership agreement, state and territory governments have undertaken the role of progressively delivering PPP job seeker and existing worker places from 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2012. Currently, states and territories are at various stages of implementing plans to make these places available for Phase III of PPP commencing in 2009. If your RTO is interested in delivering state and territory job seeker or existing worker places, it will be required to apply according to processes determined by each state and territory.
For more information on how to apply to deliver state and territory job seeker and existing worker places contact the relevant state or territory PPP representative. Please see the Contact page for state and territory government contact details.
Does the contract extension mean that my RTO can automatically provide training to individuals who have recently been retrenched or made redundant?
No. Individuals who have recently been retrenched may be entitled to immediate state and territory training assistance following the introduction of the Compact with Retrenched Workers. However, such individuals must go to their Job Services Australia provider to assess their eligibility for a state or territory PPP training place.
For more information about state and territory PPP training options for individuals who have recently been retrenched, contact the relevant state or territory government. Please see the Contact page for state and territory government contact details.
Does the contract extension allow my RTO to deliver Australian Government Structural Adjustment Places (SAP)?
Yes. If your RTO is engaged to do so by an employer or a representative (e.g. union or business association). The SAP stream of PPP delivers Australian Government training places made available for groups of recently retrenched workers. They are only available to an employer or a representative on behalf of a group of recently retrenched workers.
If an employer or representative wishes to access SAP, they must submit an application to the Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations. Go to the Structural Adjustment Places page for further information about how employers and representatives can apply for SAP. Please note that RTOs cannot apply for Structural Adjustment Places and individual workers cannot access them. Recently retrenched individuals should be referred to their Job Services Australia provider.
Can my RTO access a list of employers or representatives that have successfully applied to access Structural Adjustment Places?
No. A list of all employers or representatives that have successfully applied for Structural Adjustment Places will not be published or otherwise made available. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the group of recently retrenched workers involved are informed of the availability of the training and are assisted to select the appropriate qualification and RTO to deliver it. The participants may then approach an RTO contracted to deliver the desired qualification under the PPP.