Training provider crowds out rivals

A ST Kilda company has become Victoria's dominant training provider in two industries after enrolments soared 9000 per cent.

A ST Kilda company has become Victoria's dominant training provider across two industries, after enrolments skyrocketed 9000 and 5000 per cent respectively in one year.

The growth has raised questions over the cost and viability of reforms designed to encourage competition in the training sector.

Origin HR's financial services enrolments increased from just 42 in 2010 to over 3600 last year -- more than three times its nearest competitor -- while its business administration enrolments soared from 125 to over 6800.

Origin HR is now the top private college in Melbourne's south with more than double the enrolments of its nearest rival. It has more Victorian government-funded enrolments than almost half the state's TAFEs.

In 2009, Victoria opened up its funding of training, allowing private colleges to compete with TAFEs. The other states are considering similar reforms, with South Australia and Queensland already committed.

However, sources have questioned the capacity of regulators to police the growth in subsidised training.

University of Melbourne tertiary education researcher Leesa Wheelahan said big growth challenged providers' capacity to find staff and maintain quality.