What exactly is access and equity?
Access generally refers to the ability to enter training. Improving access might involve strategies such as improving physical access to a training venue; ensuring that selection criteria do not discriminate against learners; adapting marketing activities to encourage all learners. Access issues form a sub-set within equity issues.
Equity is a term used to cover issues relating to access to VET, participation in VET, and achievement of outcomes in VET. Equity issues cover a wide range of matters. Examples of equity strategies include providing a supportive learning environment; adjusting assessments to meet individual circumstances; implementing policies on fee reduction; developing and using inclusive training materials. Essentially, equity refers to the capacity for all learners to achieve results in training and to receive training in an inclusive environment with inclusive materials.
