State probe into Catholic college training

By Casey Neill

A Dandenong school is under investigation over training it provided to mature-aged students.
The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) confirmed to the Journal that it was looking into training that St John’s Regional College has delivered.
VRQA director Lynn Glover said the Department of Education and Training (DET) and Catholic Education Commission Victoria were involved in the joint investigation, which started earlier this year.
“The investigation is ongoing and it is therefore inappropriate for us to make further comment,” she said.
“However, I can confirm the VRQA investigation into St John’s has not questioned the quality of training delivered to school students which was not intermingled with training provided to mature aged students.
“All school-based qualifications are satisfactory.
“We are investigating training qualifications issued to post-school students.”
Ms Glover encouraged any students with information that could help the investigation to call 9032 1516.
St John’s is a Catholic secondary school plus a registered training organisation, registered with the VRQA.
St John’s has held contracts to deliver State Government funded training since 2011 but was unsuccessful in its application for a 2016 VET Funding Contract.
A DET spokeswoman said the department did not currently contract with the college to deliver vocational education and training through the Victorian Training Guarantee (VTG).
“Whilst the VRQA is investigating the college, it would be inappropriate to comment further,” she said.
A St John’s spokesperson declined the Journal’s request for comment.
“The college is focusing on the Year 12 exams and end of year classes,” they said.