 
Linda Gaunt, CEO of Meetings & Events Australia (MEA), says the organisation has been delivering top-quality professional development for many years, and the registered training organisation (RTO) accreditation is the next logical step in the evolution of the organisation, which has more than 1800 members.
“We believe that employers are now more discerning about how they spend their training dollar and would prefer to see their budget allocated to the building of qualifications,” she says.
“Accreditation as a RTO ensures that MEA remains the training provider of choice for this industry sector.”
Gaining RTO status has involved a stringent government audit of MEA’s physical and human resources as well as an audit of all training materials and assessment tools to be used.
All MEA education and training programs have undergone relevant and updated re-writes to ensure currency and validity.
MEA’s target market for formal training sessions is mature-aged personnel who have worked their way through the ranks, without any formal qualification, and would like to have this type of recognition for their personal and career goals.
“The granting of RTO status is arguably the most important development in the near 30-year history of our organisation,” says national chair of MEA, Annabel Davis.
“Australia is highly regarded around the world for high-quality service delivery for conferences and events. Well-planned and managed international conferences have a ripple effect throughout the economy. They enhance Australia’s status in the global scientific, industrial and business sectors, which often helps develop collaboration, sparking fresh enterprise.
“We have to show decision makers around the world that our service standards match the quality of the venues and infrastructure wherever the event is being held.”
MEA believes that an RTO has a competitive edge in the training market as it can issue nationally recognised qualifications which are highly valued by employers and are sought after by those developing a career. MEA plans to deliver many of the subjects contained in the Diploma of Event Management and Certificate IV in Tourism (Sales & Marketing). MEA will also provide RPL (recognition of prior learning) opportunities for selected units of competence within the national qualifications, to enable those personnel with relevant and substantial industry experience to gain credit for their knowledge without the necessity of training room attendance.
For further information contact the MEA national office on (02) 9929 5400 or visit the MEA website www.meetingsevents.com.au.
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