Have you heard of NARA?There is something of a quiet revolution going on in the training industry, what with new standards and a move towards continuous improvement. Yet another dimension is the creation of the National Audit and Registration Agency (NARA).
Never heard of it? Most people haven't, yet it is set to be an integral part of the training industry when it commences operations in October 2007.
RTOs that are able to prove that they deliver 'multi-jurisdictional' - this means in more than one state - can apply to be registered with NARA, rather than with their local State registering body. The rationale is that this will reduce the 'audit burden' on RTOs that sometimes get caught in the cross-fire generated by different state interpretations of AQTF requirements.
They are also proposing to use a specific model for engaging with RTO clients. They will have a list of NARA approved Quality Consultants. A new applicant for RTO status works with one of these consultants to prepare for audit and 'once the consultant is confident that the applicant is ready for audit, they will provide formal confirmation to the NARA Client Relationship Manager, who will then assign an independent auditor to undertake the applicant's initial audit'. Another interesting dimension is the intention to assign the same lead auditor to an RTO for the period of their registration 'in the interests of building a comprehensive picture of their continuous improvement and development as a training organisation'.
If you would like to know more about NARA, visit http://www.nara.tvetaustralia.com.au/
