As the vocational education landscape evolves, RTOs should continuously explore innovative strategies for attracting and retaining students. One effective approach is offering standalone, single-unit courses. This strategy enables you to fully leverage your existing scope and diversify your offerings—all without the need for scope expansion. In this blog, we teach you how to do just that.
Understanding the Benefits of Promoting Single-Unit Courses
According to ASQA, RTOs “can deliver any combination of individual units…provided the units appear explicitly or implicitly on their scope of registration”. This means that you can promote any unit from any qualification within your scope as a standalone course. By promoting highly enrolled units as standalone courses, you can:
- Expand Student Reach: Standalone courses focused on high-demand topics can appeal to a diverse student base, even those who are not interested in pursuing full qualifications. These courses can attract professionals seeking specific skills, individuals aiming to reskill or upskill, and employers looking for targeted workforce training.
- Address Industry Demands: Your organisation can swiftly respond to industry trends and skill shortages by offering high-demand units. These courses can be marketed as a quick way for individuals to gain relevant skills that boost employability, enhancing the organisation’s reputation as an industry-aligned education provider.
- Offer Flexible Learning Paths: Single-unit courses offer flexibility for students who cannot commit to full qualifications. These shorter, more affordable courses easily fit into busy schedules, making them appealing for those in a fast-paced job market seeking new skills.
- Create Pathways to Full Qualifications: Single-unit courses can be entry points to full qualifications. After experiencing their value, students may be more inclined to pursue further education with your RTO, fostering long-term relationships and encouraging further enrolments.
- Diversify Revenue Sources: Standalone courses are typically offered at lower prices and shorter durations, which can attract more students and generate additional revenue streams. By offering a variety of single-unit courses, your organisation can even maximise the use of resources and facilities, increasing overall profitability.
- Lower Barriers to Enrolment: Standalone courses provide a low-risk option for students hesitant about committing to full vocational qualifications. These courses help students build confidence in a learning environment, enabling RTOs to reach new demographics that might not otherwise consider vocational education.
- Align with Micro-Credentialing Trends: The trend toward micro-credentialing, where individuals focus on specific skills, aligns well with offering standalone courses. Employers value these credentials as proof of specific competencies. Offering single-unit courses will position your organisation at the forefront of this trend.
- Enhance Course Flexibility: Standalone courses enable RTOs to be agile and quickly market single-unit courses in response to emerging trends, new technologies, or changes in industry standards. This agility helps RTOs remain competitive and responsive to the evolving needs of students and employers.
- Boost Reputation and Brand Awareness: High-demand standalone courses can significantly enhance an RTO’s reputation for delivering relevant education. Successful single-unit courses increase brand visibility, attract media attention, and generate positive word-of-mouth, leading to higher enrolments across all offerings.
Considerations for Standalone Course Success
Offering standalone courses can help cater to specific skills needed across various industries while ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards. To ensure the success of your standalone courses, consider the following strategies:
- Industry Requirements: Focus on courses that are mandated by industry standards or regulations, as these are likely to have steady demand.
- Broad Appeal and Utility: Courses applicable to multiple industries or roles can attract a broader audience.
- Skill Longevity: Opt for skills that won’t be obsolete soon, ensuring your course remains relevant longer.
- Digital Delivery Potential: Especially post-pandemic, the ability to deliver courses online can expand your market significantly.
Examples of High-Demand Standalone Courses*
Here are some examples of high-enrolment standalone courses that can be highly effective for RTOs:
52,840
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals
Critical for workers in agriculture, pest control, and any industry that handles hazardous chemicals, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
13,310
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
BSBESB402 Establish legal and risk management requirements of new business ventures
Useful for entrepreneurs and small business owners, helping them navigate the complexities of legal and risk aspects of business setup.
8,175
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
BSBWHS332X Apply infection prevention and control procedures to own work activities
Especially relevant in the context of global health concerns, this unit is vital across healthcare, hospitality, and public service sectors.
6,680
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
CPPSEC3101 Manage conflict and security risks using negotiation
Useful for security personnel, customer service roles, and any profession that requires conflict resolution skills.
1,802,400
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Critical for almost any individual, ensuring they have the life-saving skills to perform CPR in emergency situations.
748,990
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
HLTAID010 Provide basic emergency life support
Provides essential skills for responding to life-threatening emergencies, beneficial across all sectors and communities.
1,203,020
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid
Fundamental for workplace and community safety, equipping individuals with the skills to handle a wide range of first aid situations.
156,840
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an education and care setting
Specifically tailored for those working with children, mandatory for meeting safety requirements in educational and childcare environments.
7,305
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
HLTAID013 Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site
Essential for workers in remote areas, where medical help is not readily available, ensuring they can provide first aid in challenging environments.
20,680
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
HLTAID014 Provide Advanced First Aid
Suitable for workplaces and situations requiring more comprehensive first aid knowledge and skills, going beyond basic first aid training.
38,795
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
HLTAID015 Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy
Important for environments where advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy might be needed, such as sports facilities, large workplaces, and community centers.
4,060
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
HLTAID016 Manage first aid services and resources
Crucial for individuals responsible for overseeing first aid practices and resources within organisations, ensuring a structured and compliant first aid response capability.
105,210
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
MSMWHS217 Gas test atmospheres
Essential for mining, construction, and any industrial environment where atmospheric hazards need to be assessed regularly.
297,575
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
RIIWHS204E Work safely at heights
Crucial for workers in construction, maintenance, and utilities, where safety training for height-related activities is mandated to prevent workplace accidents.
516,005
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
SITHFAB021 Provide responsible service of alcohol
Essential for anyone working in environments where alcohol is served, as it’s legally required in many regions to ensure safe and responsible alcohol service.
78,540
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
SITHGAM022 Provide responsible gambling services
Mandatory for employees in gaming venues to promote responsible gambling practices and comply with gambling regulations.
228,665
Total Enrolees
Total Enrolees
TLILIC0003 Licence to operate a forklift truck
Necessary for operating a forklift in various industrial environments, often required for logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing jobs.
*Enrolment data above is for 2022.
Take Your RTO to New Heights With High-Demand Standalone Courses
By integrating standalone, single-unit courses into your RTO’s offerings, you can diversify your portfolio, attract a broader audience, and maximise the potential of your explicit or implicit scope. Explore the high-enrolment courses mentioned above and watch your RTO thrive in this competitive educational landscape.
