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ASQA investigation of Evocca continues
Skills authority inquiry follows the ABC’ s televised reports.
By Andrew Bracey
The Australian Skills Quality Authority has confirmed it is looking into the operations and practices of private education provider Evocca in relation to a number of complaints against the company.
Evocca has responded publicly to the latest in a series of reports by the ABC focused on its student numbers, graduation rates and methods of enrolling and retaining students.
In a report aired on current affairs program 7.30, former Evocca staff openly criticised many of the company’ s policies regarding enrolment and retention.
Former Evocca branch manager Michelle Naylor showed the ABC an internal email from the company to staff, which she said advised that“ under no circumstances [ were ] we to mention cancellation or withdrawal from the course, even if a student was struggling”.
Asked directly if the company’ s directive for staff to keep struggling students engaged was motivated by money, Naylor told the ABC:“ Well, I’ d say so.”
Naylor said that, following concerns about the credentials of some of the company’ s tutors in relation to an ASQA audit, she had been asked to sign forms indicating that those working without qualifications were“ working under supervision”.
“ Unfortunately, I had to backdate
a couple of those to the term that the tutors commenced work,” she said.
Meanwhile, a former tutor interviewed for the program told the ABC that inducements such as free iPads and laptops were used to lure prospective Evocca students. Many of those who accepted the offers, he said, went on to demonstrate difficulty with basic reading and writing.
“ Unscrupulous, absolutely unscrupulous,” the tutor told the ABC.“ Zero interest in education and training; it’ s all about getting these people in, keeping the numbers up and churning them through.”
A spokesperson for ASQA confirmed for Campus Review that the agency was investigating a number of complaints against Evocca that were as yet unsubstantiated. The spokesperson said the agency did not comment in relation to ongoing investigations.
In a lengthy statement responding to the latest ABC report, Evocca slammed the national broadcaster, saying the latest report“ contained a number of allegations that are false, inaccurate or misleading, and which the college regards as seriously damaging to its reputation as a credible and trustworthy operator in the sector”.
“ Evocca College advised the ABC in advance that allegations were false, inaccurate or misleading( having been given only a very short timeframe for reply) and is very disappointed that the ABC nonetheless proceeded with the claims despite having the facts conveyed to it,” the statement read. Responding to specific references within the report, the college defended its recruitment program that involved iPads and laptops, saying the devices were offered
“ on loan pursuant to a scheme that has been approved by the federal Department of Education and is in full accordance with current VET FEE-HELP policy”.
“ This is a formal loan agreement that students are made aware of when enrolling in our courses,” Evocca stated.“ Many other reputable universities, RTOs and schools do the same thing.”
The college also rejected the allegation in the ABC report that it had instituted a policy seeking to discourage students from withdrawing from courses and that it had banned staff from using the word‘ cancellation’ when discussing options with struggling students.
“ We have a dedicated team of people who are tasked with reaching out to those who have become disengaged with their studies and where, despite our best efforts to get them back on track [ they do not succeed ] we will cancel their enrolment. And [ we ] have many thousands of documented cases to back this up,” the statement read.
The college also rejected the suggestion that employees had been made to backdate documents relating to staff qualifications, saying that it had, instead, undertaken a“ self-imposed internal regime” to update paperwork.
“ We undertook to update the paperwork relating to those who were required to be supervised while they were in the process of obtaining their Certificate IV in Workplace Training … to ensure some transparency and accountability for those who were undertaking this training, to ensure that it was completed in a timely manner, and [ to ensure ] that those being supervised were of an acceptable standard,” Evocca’ s statement read.
In summarising the college’ s response to the ABC report, Evocca managing director Robert Gordon said it was“ very disappointing that the ABC continues to portray Evocca in this misleading manner, especially as we are one of the leading proponents for reform and improvement in the industry”.
“ The allegations made by it are unfairly misleading and wrong, which is unacceptable to Evocca College. We consider that one of the key platforms of the VET FEE-HELP model is to break down the barriers to education by providing opportunities to those who need it most, particularly those who may come from disadvantaged backgrounds.” n
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