Education and Training International (ETI)ETI is responsible for coordinating the

international activities for WA Department of Education and Training across schools, senior colleges and TAFEWA.

ETI Capability

ETI has privileged access to over 20,000 education professionals and more than 5000 technical and vocational trainers and assessor.

ETI provides a single point of access for international clients seeking Western Australia’s world-class education, training and assessment services.

•Product development and CRICOS registration•Worldwide marketing•Course/Career Counselling•Enrolments and Administration

ETI Services – Student Recruitment

ETI Services – Offshore Projects•Offshore skills assessments•Offshore gap training to Australian standards•Training program design and delivery

•International auspice coordination for TAFEWA•Education and training consultancy•Professional development study tours•International teacher and TAFEWA staff recruitment

Offshore projectsTAFEWA and ETI are currently managing over 50 education and training projects across:•The Gulf region

•Asia•The Indian Ocean rim•Africa•Pacific Ocean countries

Fiji

Philippines

Hong Kong

Mauritius

Sri Lanka

China

Mauritania

Ghana

Botswana

England

Scotland

IndonesiaSingapore

NepalBangladesh

IndiaQatar

UAE

South Africa

In response to the critical skills and labour shortages in Western Australia, agencies sourcing skilled international labour have engaged ETI to conduct practical offshore skills assessment to:

Commercial Projects – Offshore Skills Assessments •Assess skills and knowledge against Australian standards•Deliver gap training where necessary•Issue Australian qualifications where applicable

ETI ensures the quality and integrity of Australian qualifications by:

•Using qualified, experienced Australian assessors•Using AQTF compliant tools and procedures•Ensuring assessment venues and equipment are AQTF compliant

Offshore Skills Assessment Quality

AssuranceThrough ETI’s offshore skills assessment service employers can be confident the skills and abilities of these overseas applicants meet Australian workplace standards.

With Moves International, ETI using the capacity of TAFEWA, has conducted a number of offshore skills assessments for 457 long stay business visa candidates:

•20 welders in Bangladesh•70 chefs in Bangladesh and Nepal

These workers are currently in the process of migrating to Australia

Offshore Skills Assessment

ExampleFuture assessments for our international clients in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Russia include:•Automotive Mechanics•Construction workers•Nurses•Additional welder and chefs

Offshore Skills AssessmentConsortium (VETASSESS)The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to assist States and Territories to address skills shortages. A process was developed to make it easier for migrants applying in the general skilled migration scheme to work as soon as they reach Australia.

In May 2007 five Australian colleges and institutes including ETI representing TAFEWA formed a consortium with VETASSESS as the lead member.

The consortium members are:•Education and Training International representing Swan, South West and Great Southern TAFEs•Kangan Batman Institute•Victoria University•Box Hill Institute•Gipps TAFE

Offshore Skills Assessment ConsortiumStructure

Council of Australian Governments(COAG)

Department of Employment and WorkplaceRelations (DEEWR)

Education & TrainingInternational (DET)

Offshore Skills Assessment ConsortiumVETASSESS Lead Party

Southwest RegionalCollege of TAFE

Swan TAFEGreat SouthernTAFE

Great Southern TAFEAssessors

Southwest RegionalCollege of TAFE

Assessors

Swan TAFEAssessors

Box Hill TAFEGippsTAFEKangan Batman

TAFEVictoria University

Box Hill TAFEAssessors

GippsTAFEAssessors

Kangan Batman TAFEAssessors

Victoria UniversityAssessors

The consortium’s offshore skills assessment service is the only skills recognition pathway available to potential permanent skilled migrants in 5 source countries in 15 trade occupations.

Offshore Skills Assessment Consortium

(VETASSESS)

Countries

•United Kingdom Philippines India Sri Lanka South Africa

Trades

•General electrician•Cable jointer•Electrical power line tradesperson•Refrigeration and Air-conditioning mechanic•Carpenter and Joiner•Bricklayer•General plumber

Trades

•Supervisor, carpentry and joinery tradespersons•Supervisor, electicians•Supervisor electrical distribution tradespersons•Supervisor, tradespersons refrigeration and airconditioning mechanics•Supervisor, motor mechanics•Supervisor, bricklayers•Supervisor, plumbers

Offshore Skills Assessment

Consortium - ProcessStep 4 – Offshore practical skills assessment for recommended applicantsStep 5a – Qualification/Offshore Technical Skills Record(OTSR) issued to successful candidates with a letter for migration purposes.Step 5b – Feedback and Statement of Attainment to unsuccessful candidates with invitation to be reassessed

Step 1 – Online self-assessmentStep 2 – Submit application with supporting evidence of existing skills, experience and qualifications Step 3 – Desktop assessment by VETASSESS to determine applicants likely to succeed in the practical skills assessment

In licensed trades an Australian qualification can not be issued without additional training, therefore an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) will be given to: • General Plumbers• General Electricians• Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanics• Cable jointers and Electrical Powerline tradespeople

Offshore Technical Skills Record

Holders of an OTSR are entitled to a provisional license in their industry, subject to also meeting the non-skill license requirements.

To gain a full license, OTSR holders must undertake gap training in Australia within a defined period.

Practical assessments commenced in December 2007. Assessment venues in each country are set up with the relevant equipment and materials for each trade occupation.

The DEEWR Offshore Skills Assessment Project has just concluded the first year of a 5 year contract.

To date:•More than 1250 applications for assessments have been received by VETASSESS•340 candidates have undertaken a practical skills assessment•284 candidates were successful and have received their qualification/OTSR•The majority of applications have come from the United Kingdom with number increasing in South Africa

Offshore Skills Assessment Consortium

(VETASSESS)

Questions welcome

Phil de GarisManaging Director, Education and Training International

TEL: (08) 9218 2117 | FAX: (08) 9218 2170EMAIL: phil.degaris@det.wa.edu.au

Level 2, 123 Adelaide Terrace, Perth WA 6005

For further information regarding ETI Services, go to www.eti.wa.edu.au

For further information about the DEEWR Offshore Skills Assessment Project, please go to www.tradeassess.com.au