As Victorians continue to exceed double vaccination targets, the state is reopening earlier than expected. While we are excited to begin enjoying eased restrictions and reunite with our family, friends and colleagues, there are still health guidelines and legal obligations to adhere to from a business and administrative perspective. This latest Minerva Holdings blog will explore how RTO businesses can communicate with and support their staff and students through this transition. As always, we hope our community stays safe, and we look forward to seeing #EmpoweredLearning in action again!
On mandatory vaccinations
The current Victorian Chief Health Officer Directions require workers in higher education, TAFE, training and adult education to either have or booked in to receive a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by the 22nd of October. Staff will need to be fully vaccinated by the 26th of November and this also applies to apprentices, trainees, or volunteers working onsite. Under the same directions, students in higher education and training are required to be fully vaccinated by the 29th of October. Medical exemptions may apply in some cases.
Mandatory vaccination has been a highly debated topic, especially within the education sector. While there are many differing opinions, it will help keep our community safe and healthy, allowing students to learn at the best of their ability. As a business, announcing this information as soon as possible will ensure you remain compliant. People who are pro-vaccination will have peace of mind knowing they are attending a COVIDsafe environment and be surrounded by like-minded peers. Your business in turn will also attract like-minded prospects well into the future.
On returning to on-site training
You may have to begin informing your staff on their return to on-site training and what resources and protocols will be available to support this action. RTOs are known to be flexible and innovative by nature, allowing both staff and students to learn on their own terms. Flexible working arrangements have also received positive feedback across all industries, allowing employees to return to physical spaces at their own pace. Depending on the nature of your courses, having an open discussion around returning to work will put your team’s mind at ease and boost morale.
RTOs operating within Minerva Holdings’ portfolio benefit from access to infrastructure and resources to help communicate their obligations to staff and students. By looking after the paperwork and compliancy, our team can act as your HR department and assist your business in mitigating risks. This is a point of difference that smaller operators may not necessarily be able to access.
As a centralised RTO organisation, Minerva Holdings is focused on supporting all members of our community through this transition. We ensure all business owners are informed, and all staff members are empowered with the right resources to assist students through this change. Do not hesitate to contact our team here!
