Compliance with the National Standards for Group Training Organisations is mandatory for Group Training Organisations (GTOs) seeking eligibility for government funding.
Background
This policy stems from policy settings endorsed in 2002 by the Vocational Education and Training Ministerial Council following the National Review of Group Training in 2001-02.
The 2002 policy settings aimed to:
• strengthen quality and the reputation of group training organisations;
• provide more consistency for employers across the country;
• increase quality apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities; and
• make government funding of group training organisations more equitable and transparent.
National Reviews of the arrangements underpinning the above policy have taken place since 2002, eg. the 2005 Review of the National Standards for Group Training Organisations (revised Standards effective 1 January 2006) and the Review of the Joint Group Training Program relating to funding in 2007.
Joint Group Training Program Funding in Tasmania
The Joint Group Training Program (JGTP) is administered in Tasmania by Skills Tasmania, on behalf of the Australian and Tasmanian Governments.
The Program provides financial incentives to Group Training Organisations (GTOs) for strategies and initiatives, the objective of which is to encourage and improve the commencement and completion in Australian Apprenticeships in nationally agreed priority areas.
Joint Group Training Program funding is only available to GTOs that meet the National Standards for Group Training Organisations.
The governing principles of the Joint Group Training Program are the National Funding Principles for the Joint Group Training Program which were revised in September 2009.
The key focus of Joint Group Training Program funding arrangements in Tasmania are the priority areas of Skill Development covering occupations in skill shortage, traditional trades and higher level skills and the client groupss Australian School-based Apprenticeships, Out of Trade Apprentices and Adults aged 25 years and over.
How to apply for Joint Group Training Program Funding in Tasmania
Organisations wishing to apply for Joint Group Training Program Funding must be registered as a group training organisation in Tasmania by the Tasmanian Training Agreements Committee.
Eligible GTOs should complete a Bid for Places in the Joint Group Training Program for commencements in qualifications listed on the JGTP Targeted Skills Shortage Qualifications List 2009-10.
Please contact the Project Officer, Purchasing and Contract Management at Skills Tasmania on (03) 6233 7137 for further details.
National Standards for Group Training Organisations
The National Standards are not compulsory unless a GTO:
• wishes to apply for government funding; or
• if operating in Tasmania, wishes to register more than 10 training contracts in Tasmania (see Registering as a GTO/standards and compliance).
The National Standards for Group Training Organisations (accompanied by a Resources Handbook) are a standards-based recognition system that applies consistently across all States and Territories to Group Training Organisations (GTOs) seeking government funding. However, organisations seeking to operate as a group training organisation in any State or Territory should firstly contact that State or Territory Training Authority for advice on any State/Territory-based legislative or regulatory requirements that may apply.
Eight standards make up the National Standards, the key objective of which is to strengthen the capacity of group training organisations in achieving the three goals of group training (refer to About Group Training).
The National Standards and accompanying Resources Handbook are reviewed at regular intervals.
Australian Apprenticeships Centres 
About group training
