WORKFORCE PLANNING GUIDE FOR THE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Choosing the Right Training Provider
RTOs (Registered Training Organisations) vary in size, scope, training approach and expertise. Not all RTO’s
do the same training in the same way. This fact sheet will assist your business to select an RTO that
understands and can respond to the training needs of your business.
You may need to talk to a number of RTOs before you find the right one. Checking that the training
provider is registered to deliver the accredited training your business needs, will help to save time. You can
do this at www.training.gov.au.
Below are some questions you should consider when selecting an RTO.
Industry Knowledge
1.
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Does the RTO have experience working with businesses similar to yours? Can they provide any
testimonials of previous or current work?
Does the RTO employ or use trainers and assessors with current industry knowledge, qualifications and
experience? What will the RTO do to ensure their trainers and assessors have the required
understanding of your business needs?
Can the RTO explain how their services will benefit your business or industry?
Training and Assessment
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Can the RTO deliver tailored training and assessment responding to the specific needs of your business,
e.g. will they base training and assessment on your business’s processes and equipment?
Will the RTO include relevant and experienced staff from your business in the training and assessment,
e.g. as mentors or workplace supervisors?
Will the RTO assess your staff’s prior learning and experiences to determine if they already have
competency in particular skills and knowledge (Recognition of Prior Learning)?
Flexibility
7.
Does the RTO offer flexible training delivery, e.g. at your workplace, offsite, at their premises, face-toface training sessions, web-based training?
8. Will the RTO provide training and assessment when you need it, e.g. during business hours, in the
evenings, on weekends?
9. Can the RTO respond to the individual needs of your staff, e.g. language, literacy and numeracy?
10. Is the RTO able to respond to any ongoing feedback about their training and assessment programs?
11. Will the RTO adapt their resources and programs to meet the specific needs of your business?
Communication
12. Will the RTO have a key contact person for you to work with?
13. Can the RTO communicate with you in a way that suits your business, e.g. email, telephone, face-toface meetings, video conferencing?
WORKFORCE PLANNING GUIDE FOR THE TOURISM & HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Value for money
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What is the total cost of the training, including any additional fees on top of tuition fees?
What is the refund policy?
Is the RTO’s pricing easy to understand?
Can the RTO access or suggest sources of government or other funding for training?
Support
18. Will the RTO provide ongoing support to your business and your staff, e.g. during and/or posttraining?
19. Will the RTO conduct training needs and skills assessments of identified learners?
20. Will the RTO provide mentoring and other workplace support?
Administration
21. Will your staff gain a nationally recognised qualification or skill set at the end of training?
22. Will the RTO provide evidence of your staff’s training participation and assessment, e.g. attendance,
transcript?
23. Will the RTO sign a written agreement for the training and assessment services which includes their
obligations and your obligations, e.g. Purchase Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding?
Quality Assurance
24. Will the RTO work with you to evaluate the training and assessment program for continuous
improvement?
International Students
25. Confirm that the training provider is registered to deliver training to overseas students by searching
Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), the official
Australian Government website listing all approved providers for training and education services to
overseas students - www.cricos.deewr.gov.au.
Be sure to shop around for a course and training provider that
meets the needs of your business
Useful Links
The Right Way Program provides industry recognition of trainers and assessors. This is something you may
look out for when engaging an RTO - www.serviceskills.com.au/rightway