How Bendigo Kangan Institute Streamlines Digital Credentials and Boosts Student Satisfaction with My eQuals
Overview
Bendigo Kangan Institute (BKI) is one of Victoria’s largest providers of apprenticeship and traineeship training, with over 30,000 enrolments annually across diverse sectors, including automotive, health, nursing, fashion, business, and legal education. The institute offers programs ranging from basic certificates to advanced diplomas, providing pathways to over 25 university degrees.
Its Skills Recognition program assesses prior knowledge and experience, ensuring students receive credits that match their existing skills. To meet the demand for secure and efficient credentialing, BKI has adopted digital credentials through My eQuals, allowing students to easily access and share their qualifications.
The Challenge
In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, BKI sought a solution to enhance its document management processes. The challenge included streamlining the issuance of completion documents, such as Statements of Results, Statements of Attainment, and Award Qualifications. These documents needed to be widely accepted by both domestic and international employers, ensuring students' qualifications maintained their integrity and were easily verifiable.
Solution: Implementing My eQuals
BKI chose to implement My eQuals for its advanced digital credentialing capabilities. The platform was integrated using a light model with its existing Student Management System, allowing for the seamless production of metadata and PDFs. The implementation process took just six weeks, going live on March 1, 2022.
To ensure successful adoption, BKI partnered with My eQuals to customise marketing materials and training collateral tailored to BKI’s needs. Change management strategies were implemented early in the process to prepare staff and students for the transition.
Key Benefits Realised
Improved Security:
My eQuals provides cryptographically certified documents that ensure authenticity and prevent tampering. This feature not only protects students’ qualifications but also allows BKI to control access and share documents securely, enhancing its reputation as a credible training provider.Enhanced Reputation:
By improving the quality assurance of its academic offerings, BKI can easily validate students' educational claims to third parties. This capability supports the institution in meeting its regulatory obligations, such as the 30-day rule for issuing completion documents.Increased Efficiency:
Transitioning to digital qualifications has significantly streamlined document management, reducing the slow, manual processes associated with printing paper artefacts. The result is a more efficient system that lowers staff workload and improves operational effectiveness.Elevated Student Experience:
Students can now receive their completion documentation promptly and store all their qualifications in one central location. The ability to share these documents instantly with third parties facilitates opportunities for university entry, employment, licensing, and promotions.
Implementation Success
Since the launch of My eQuals, BKI has experienced remarkable benefits:
Over 80% of students have adopted the system, quickly retrieving their qualifications.
A 50% reduction in time taken to issue completion documents has been achieved.
The institute has seen a 73% decrease in paper reprints and qualification verification requests compared to the average from 2017 to 2022.
Significant cost savings have been achieved in postage, printing, and other consumables.
Staff satisfaction has improved due to reduced workloads and the ability to work remotely or on campus.
Student complaints regarding the timeliness of receiving qualifications have notably decreased.
Alignment with Strategic Goals
BKI’s implementation of My eQuals aligns seamlessly with its strategic vision of placing students at the centre of its operations. Students can now access their qualifications as soon as they are published—eliminating the previously cumbersome wait times for manual printing and posting. The estimated cost savings associated with digital credentialing have already outweighed the initial implementation and licensing expenses, supporting BKI’s goal of becoming a financially sustainable TAFE.
Conclusion
BKI’s partnership with My eQuals illustrates how innovative technology can enhance educational experiences and operational efficiency. By embracing digital credentialing, BKI not only streamlines its document management processes but also enhances the overall student journey, preparing graduates for success in a competitive job market.
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