Unscrupulous training colleges are targeting people with disabilities and the homeless in order to cash in on government education funding. The ABC has obtained evidence some colleges are recruiting people with intellectual disabilities to costly diploma-level courses funded with expensive VET-FEE-HELP training loans. But the training offered is often unsuited as those targeted have a low level of schooling and high care needs which means they are unlikely to ever finish the course.When students fail some colleges even try to sell them another course. The new revelations follow an ABC report last week highlighting how some college recruiters are going door-to-door in public housing areas and shopping centres in a bid to to attract new enrolments. Teachers and students say marketeers have also been spotted outside Centrelink offices and referral services for the homeless and drug addicted.There are also reports of telephone agents obtaining student details from job websites or disability programs in order to target them for new enrolments. Students can borrow up to $90,000 under VET-FEE-HELP loans which they start to repay once they earn more than $53,000. Once a loan is approved, the Government pays the colleges direct, with the majority of funds transferred before the student enrolment census date which falls early in the semester. Reports suggest the loans are being sold to students under the premise they may never earn the amount of money required to pay the debt back. The Federal Government said it is aware of the unscrupulous behaviour and has revealed plans to arm regulators with new powers from next year. But the teachers union believes it is not enough and more needs to be done to protect those being targetted. When Jacqui Whiteheads son was recruited to a business management course she became suspicious. Her 24-year-old son Lukus has a diagnosed intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. The Adelaide man completed year 10 with a special life skills qualification for people with a disability. He was signed up for a diploma in business management by recruiters for Aspire College after being targeted outside Centrelink.Once it was clear Lukus was struggling Mrs Whitehead rang the school, to inform them he had a disability. Lukus also asked for an extension so he could finish his assignments. He told them he had a disability. They told him it didnt matter [and] it wasnt an excuse, Mrs Whitehead said. The colleges response to Lukus difficulties was to sell him another course. He now has an $18,000 VET-FEE-HELP debt. Lukus said he signed up to the second diploma in Interactive Digital Media because the course came with an expensive laptop. At first I thought I could pay it off if I got the job but then I realised I probably wouldnt get the job because Ive done previous courses and they havent worked out, Lukus said. Lukus is not alone. His brother, who is also autistic has been targeted. Mrs Whitehead said her other son was harassed by telephone sales people from another company after they obtained his details from a job website. They were ringing him and hassling him to sign up for a course, she said. I had to ring them back because they were bullying him saying dont you want a job, dont you want to further your career. Mrs Whitehead said she is disgusted. I want Lukus to be able to train for his ability so that he can work, so that he can have a job for his capacity. I cant believe theyre allowed to stand outside of Centrelink. I cant believe they get money for every student they get to sign up. The Government needs to realise that theyre handing money to these colleges and the kids arent getting anything out of it. And the Governments not getting their money back either because these kids arent going to be able to pay for the debt because theyre not finishing the course. Aspire College did not respond to the ABCs inquiries. Read More.....
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:52:19 +0000
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