The operator of a Maidstone training institute says he will appeal against the forced closure of the campus.
Intaj Khan, founder of the Western Institute of Technology, is seeking legal advice after the national regulator of vocational education and training stripped the institute of its registration as a provider of VET services.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) last week announced it was cancelling the registration of Western Institute of Technology Pty Ltd, founded in 2008.
The institute’s website claims it is one of the state’s largest education institutions, with about 50 staff and more than 750 students, mostly international across campuses in South Melbourne, Dandenong and Maidstone.
It charges up to $10,000 per student for courses in business, leadership, painting and decorating, and building and construction.
In 2015 it was penalised more than $10,000 and banned for three years from bringing over foreign workers after authorities uncovered multiple violations of the 457 working visa scheme.
Mr Khan, a Wyndham councillor, was tight-lipped about the fate of the institute, staff and students when contacted by Star Weekly.
But he confirmed he would be seeking to appeal the cancellation, due to take effect from October 12 following a long period of scrutiny by the regulator.
ASQA contends that the provider has not operated consistently with the requirements of the VET Quality Framework, which is a condition of registration. An investigation found the Western Institute suffered from a shortage of trainers, resources, facilities and equipment, had poor assessment procedures and used trainers without appropriate qualifications, according to Fairfax Media.
Cr Khan recently spent about $50 million on land in Rockbank.
The cancellation of his institute’s registration compounded a troubling week for Cr Khan, who was banned from Wyndham council affairs and duties for four weeks for breaching the councillor code of conduct.
The Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate last month filed nine charges against Cr Khan relating to alleged disclosure failures and failure to submit returns.
An ASQA spokesman said on Tuesday Cr Khan was yet to seek a review of the authority’s decision, leaving a cloud over the immediate future of 755 students.
