The Victorian Skills Commission has approved a mechanism for addressing issues where Bendigo TAFE, employer or apprentice have different views of an apprentice’s progress and competence. This issue resolution process allows all parties to present their information and negotiate an agreed outcome. Apprenticeship Field Officers are available to help resolve issues, can be contacted by calling the Skills Victoria service:
Apprenticeship Administration Information Line, Skills Victoria
Tel: 1300 722 603
Who do I contact if there is a dispute about an apprentice’s competence?
What opportunity is there for the employer to present their position on the apprentice’s competence and/or completion?
What is the role of an Apprenticeship Field Officer in an issue resolution process?
How long does the issue resolution process take?
As would have happened prior to competency based completion, if the apprentice is not assessed by Bendigo TAFE as competent then further training or experience in the relevant competencies may be required – either on or off the job – before the apprentice is considered competent.
Similarly, if the employer does not think that the apprentice has demonstrated the competencies necessary to complete their qualification, then Bendigo TAFE and apprentice may agree with the employer on further training or experience in the relevant competencies.
Failing agreement on a way to demonstrate competency to the satisfaction of Bendigo TAFE and employer, the employer or apprentice should contact an Apprenticeship Field Officer by calling the Skills Victoria service:
Apprenticeship Administration Information Line, Skills Victoria
Tel: 1300 722 603
Bendigo TAFE is required to obtain written confirmation of the apprentice’s competence in the workplace before the apprenticeship can be completed.
Employers will be contacted regularly by Bendigo TAFE throughout the apprentice’s training to determine their competence. The final part of this involves the employer writing to Bendigo TAFE confirming the apprentice’s competence.
This process is agreed to by both the employer and Bendigo TAFE when the Training Plan is developed.
Apprentices will have a number of opportunities to discuss their progress and competency development with Bendigo TAFE and employer throughout the apprenticeship. If there is difference of opinion regarding competence, an issue resolution process is available.
If agreement on a way for the apprentice to demonstrate competency to the satisfaction of Bendigo TAFE and employer cannot be reached, any party can contact an Apprenticeship Field Officer to facilitate further discussion and manage options for resolution. Contact the Skills Victoria service:
Apprenticeship Administration Information Line, Skills Victoria
Tel: 1300 722 603
If the issue is not resolved by working with an Apprenticeship Field Officer, the parties will be referred to either an independent third party such as VETASSESS or to a Victorian Skills Commission delegate to conduct a proceeding to resolve the issue.
It depends on the nature of the issue. The issue resolution process can vary from three days to four to six weeks if the issue needs to be resolved by a Proceeding.