a sunday...but find myself unable due to a series of pqs variation matters. the most recent...

29/08/2019

29/08/2019

02/09/2019

03/09/2019

04/09/2019 Mutually agree to meet at 1 William 10am 13/09/2019

See attached - Email 1

13/09/2019 Met Mathew Cooper. Approximately 10 minutes.

13/09/2019


26/09/2019


I would never hear from Mathew again

01/04/2020

See attached - Email 4.1


Q1/Q4/2Q2Q


Debra Mason of DESBT replied in thanks and advised this would be forwarded to complaints and I would be notified of an outcome once investigated.

Anonymous letter received, implicating and naming training providers, sutdents and other parties involved in the fake job advertising.

A follow up email was sent to Mathew Cooper advising the matter of fake job advertising was still occuring, and escalating

Reply from Mathew Cooper advising Minister Fentiman has asked that he meet with me on her behalf on 12/13 September 2019

Mathew advised he was aware of these things as they have occurred in the past, thanked me and concluded the meeting.

I sent a summary (follow up note) of the conversation sent to Mathew Cooper as I observed no notes were taken

Outlined in brief the Involvement of fake job advertisers and recruiters funnelling applicants into training courses for shared reward with training providers who had been funded by the Qld government.

Follow up email to Mathew Cooper, requesting either a conversation or alternative channel with whom I could communicate

I provided Mat an opportunity to steer me to somone else if this was beyond his remit

Emailed Mathew Cooper outlining concerns about misuse of public funds by VET providers, and offering to discuss

I forwarded this to our Contract Manager in DESBT, Debra Mason for comment and review

Acquired retails of appropriate contact, Mathew Cooper of Minister Fentimans office

15/01/2020

See attached Emails 5 and 6

Following the fruitless efforts, I did not pursue this any further,

23/07/2020

23/07/2020 to 31/07/2020

02/08/2020

03/08/2020

03/08/2020

Conclusion:

Personal Summary:

My understanding is the Public Interest Disclusure Act was put in place to stop those in power from attacking insiders and whistleblowers from attacks such as these.

This was a malicious release of information by DESBT/ Minister Fentiman/Premier that had no relationship to the matter in the report, and was an attempt to discredit the source, and cause harm to One Stop Training, in turn deflecting the Issue of ignoring the reports to target the one company that tried to do anything about it.

I, Jeff Lamb, feel personally attacked as an individual and business owner, by the Old Government, Minister Fentiman, the Premier and DESBT as a result of their own inaction in addressing the matters I attempted to bring to their attention.

Channel 9 was provided with this information without appropriate context and led to running a piece on the fake jobs scam concluding with vision of our One Stop Training branding, named One Stop Training as a party which had to repay $57,000 in an unrelated matter some years prior.

Minister Fentiman and the Premier are questioned at a media conference about the matter and what would be done. Responses provided, on record.

A witnessing a further escalation in the fake jobs advertising, I wrote Minister Fentiman directly outlining the scheme, the presence of an active network and of the meeting and Information provided to Mathew Cooper.

Kelmeny Fraser and I were in communication as she and her team investigated, then Independently reviewed the matter.

I am contacted by Kelmeny Fraser of The Courier Mail, asking If I could assist in her investigation into fake job advertising and training course funnelling, after reading a blog post on our website where I was warning the public of same here

I would never receive a response from this email, other than an autoreply that it was received

Release of this information on a Sunday afternoon would have required high-level intervention from the Labour party. Ministers or representatives.

Investigative piece runs In Courier Mail, with me, Jeff Lamb, Director of One Stop Training as not only one of the sources, but also the party that had been trying to have this investigated for over a year with Minister Fentimans office.

Channel 9 News is provided on a Sunday afternoon with Information from DESBT on an historical overpayment from 2017, which we repaid the department the sum of $57,000 due principally to record-keeping administrative errors made under the (then) PQS agreement.

A Sunday afternoon leak of information from the department to the news media to be delivered out of context Is nothing short of malicious. It does not stop the story, but is a direct attack on the source. Is is the Labour Party way to use the mechanism of government to cover its inaction by attacking a small business owner?

Email - Jeff Lamb - Outlook04/08/2020

Re: Matter relating to misuse of public funds by VET providers

Sounds good Jeff.

Please call me when downstairs 1 William street, 0430076622.

Mat

Hi Mathew, and thanks for your email.

I am free the morning of either day.

May I suggest September 13 at 10am, your office?

Regards, Jeff.

1/4https://outlook.office.com/mail/deeplink?version=2020072701.08&popoutv2=1

Sent: Tuesday, 3 September 2019 3:18 PMTo: Mathew Cooper <[email protected]>Subject: Re: Matter relating to misuse of public funds by VET providers

Jeff LambDirectorOne Stop Group Pty Ltd

From: Mathew Cooper <[email protected]> Sent: 04 September 2019 13:28To: Jeff Lamb <[email protected]>Subject: RE: Matter relating to misuse of public funds by VET providers

Wed 04/09/2019 15:27 '

To: Mathew Cooper <Mathew.Cooper(a)ministerial.qld.gov.au>

Thanks Mat. I appreciate the opportunity.


Hi Jeff,

Regards,

P 07 371 97500 | Email: [email protected]

Good morning Mathew,

May I ask if you had an opportunity to review my previous email?

I appreciate you and Minister have complex schedules, so perhaps you could suggest an alternative channel If you feel that appropriate.

Regards, Jeff.


From: Mathew Cooper <Mathew.Cooper(5)ministerial.qld.gov.au>Sent: Tuesday, September 3, 2019 12:09:03 PM

Subject: RE: Matter relating to misuse of public funds by VET providers

One Stop Training RTO 31737T: 1300 556 387M: 0417 022 140

Sent: Monday, 2 September 2019 10:40 AMTo: Mathew Cooper <Mathew.Cooper(5)ministerial.qld.gov.au>Subject: Re: Matter relating to misuse of public funds by VET providers

MATHEW COOPERPolicy AdvisorOffice of Shannon Fentiman MPMinister for Employment and Small Business Minister for Training and Skills Development

The Minister has asked that I meet with you on her behalf, would you be available on 12 or 13^*^ September to meet and discuss?

04/08/2020 Email - Jeff Lamb - Outlook

07 3399 2285

Dear Mathew,

Regards,

https://outlook.office.com/mail/deeplink?version=2020072701.08&popoutv2=1 3/4

As a Director of One Stop Group Pty Ltd (RTO 31737), a training provider, my concern also regards the imbalance where providers who have invested long term in quality training and education facilities and resources are being placed at a commercial disadvantage by the actions of training providers working with brokers recruiting students via various methods for monetary reward. I include TAPE as another party being placed at a commercial disadvantage by such actions.

If this matter Is one which you feel should be brought to the attention of the Minister, please let me know and I will happily attend an appointment orsimilar to discuss the information I have in more detail.

I write you in your capacity of Advisor for Minister Fentiman, with the intention of having a conversation regarding training providers misusingQueensland Government VET funding schemes.

Critically, these actions seek to inhibit a student's ability to make an informed and appropriate choice about their education, and which trainingprovider they choose.

Jeff Lamb DirectorOne Stop Group Pty Ltd

Sent: 29 August 2019 11:23To: Mathew.Cooperfg)ministerial.ald.gov.au <Mathew.CooDer(5)ministerial.qld.gov.au> Subject: Matter relating to misuse of public funds by VET providers

Jeff Lamb DirectorOne Stop Group Pty LtdOne Stop Training RTO 31737 Tel:Free: 1300 556 387

Email - Jeff Lamb - Outlook

Unless Stated otherwise, this email represents only the views of the sender and not the views of the Queensland Government.

Unless stated otherwise, this email represents only the views of the sender and not the views of the Queensland Government.

Please consider the environment before printing this email.


07 3399 2285 1300 556 387 0417 022 140

If not an intended recipient of this email, you must not copy, distribute or take any action(s) that relies on it; any form of disclosure, modification, distribution and /or publication of this email is also prohibited.

If not an intended recipient of this email, you must not copy, distribute or take any action(s) that relies on it; any form of disclosure, modification, distribution and /or publication of this email is also prohibited.

Please consider the environment before printing this email.This email, together with any attachments, is intended for the named recipient(s) only; and may contain privileged and confidential information. If received in error, you are asked to inform the sender as quickly as possible and delete this email and any copies of this from your computer system network.

04/08/2020

One Stop Training RTO 31737Tel:Free:M:This email, together with any attachments, is intended for the named recipient(s) only; and may contain privileged and confidential information. If received in error, you are asked to inform the sender as quickly as possible and delete this email and any copies of this from your computer system network.

IV


Follow-up note

:>

Thanks for your time this morning; that was quite a lot of information to process In a brief period.

I am buoyed by the prospect of an improved relationship with VET Investment and open communication channels.

Regards,

https;//outlook.office.com/mail/deeplink?version=2020072701.08&popoutv2=1 1/2

Should the Department wish, I am happy to provide the data I have researched and compiled on the network. I would suggest this Is best-explainedface to face should the Department deem necessary, as it is complex.

One matter I feel I did not highlight, is that the principal stakeholder in the network professes to have high-level connections within, and the 'blessing' of DESBT and other areas of Government. This may be no more than bluster but gives me reason for pause when having this conversation, and Iappreciate your assurance of confidentiality.

In disclosing such information, the Department may seek to review the PQS status of the provider with whom we hold the above mentioned 2nd party delivery arrangement. For reasons of business and training continuity, working through the variation matter and providing the data I have compiled, may be linked. I would ask that this is taken into consideration.

As we discussed, I have been trying to eliminate our only connection {2nd party delivery) with one organization who has been involved in that network but find myself unable due to a series of PQS variation matters. The most recent variation request which has faltered is #14875.

I trust I was able to demonstrate the model presently being employed by the growing network of advertisers, labor-hire companies and PQS agreement holders - and how It is funding itself using the Certificate 3 Guarantee program.

Jeff Lamb <jeff(<Fri 13/09/2019 15:20

To: Mathew Cooper < [email protected]>

Hi Mat,

Jeff Lamb DirectorOne Stop Group Pty LtdOne Stop Training RTO 31737 Tel: 07 3399 2285

*

r



Free:Mob:

1300 556 387 0417 022 140


Communication pathway

This is eroding the good work of many training providers and I hope you can point me in the right direction.

Cheers, Jeff.

https;//outlook.office.com/mail/deeplink?version=2020072701.08&popoutv2=1 1/1

07 3399 2285 1300 556 387 0417 022 140

Not wishing to take any more of your time, could you suggest a suitable channel I can take my concerns regarding the misleading job advertisement mechanism being employed by a small group of networked PQS/RTO's and their non-regulated partners?

VET in Queensland and the C3G program intent is being undermined intentionally; genuine job seekers are being misled and drawn Into unsolicited training on false promises and It shows no signs of abating Mat. In fact, the opposite, and is becoming increasingly brazen.

Thu 26/09/2019 1427 '

To: Mathew Cooper < [email protected]>Cc: Craig Butler <[email protected]>

Hi Mat,

Jeff Lamb DirectorOne Stop Group Pty LtdOne Stop Training RTO 31737Tel:Free:Mob:

Sent: 18 September 2019 15:49To: Mathew Cooper <[email protected]>Cc: Craig Butler <craig@onifS«^^TQ!^5g^^i>


BYC Recuitment complaint letter

Hi Debra,

I am forwarding the attached letter we received anonymously today, for your, and your department/colleagues reference.

Obviously one anonymous letter is just hearsay, but the pattern is very familiar.

If you or anyone in the department would like to discuss this, please get in touch at any time.

Regards,

1/2

The company noted in this letter, BYC Recruitment, is not a company we have any type of arrangement or relationship with. The students noted are not known to us. I do not know why we would have received it.

I provided a brief to Minister Fentimans' office and met with advisor Mathew Cooper some time ago to discuss this matter - he advised the department was aware of the activities and the actions of these parties. There are a great many job-advertisers and several training providers to my knowledge who are complicit in these activities.

For some time I have been shining some light on recruitment companies and some RTO's with PQS status being complicit in posting fake job advertisements. by way of guiding job applicants into training courses under the premise of pre-employment training. The training is then conducted, claim made, funds shared, and paid and the cycle continues.

Over the past fortnight, the actions of the fake job advertisers have become increasingly brazen as they attempt to take advantage of the current climate - which is abhorrent.

I know, as do many, who some of the providers are, as well as the advertisers. They are prolifically advertising in the Food Processing and Hospitality space, and are very easy to locate in searching the conventional job platforms, such as Seek.

Il 1 attachments (2 MB)

BYC complaint letter - JL01042020.jpg;

Jeff Lamb <jeff@( ii iWIT^l.ii iiw.iunumtiif^Wed 01/04/2020 17:13

To: Debra MASON <Debra.MASON(a)desbt.qld.gov.au>Cc: Craig Butler <craig@OAaU«i|i^«BM(^jHigKa9'

Jeff Lamb | Directorhttps://outlook.office.com/mail/deeplink?version=2020072701.08&popoutv2=1



07 3399 22851300 556 3870417 022 140[www.onestopgroup.com.aujwww.onestoptraining.com.au

One Stop Group Pty LtdOne Stop Training RTO 31737Tel:Free:Mob:Web:


To The manager

1 am writing to inform you of my intent to let ASQA, PQS Funding authority and the Department of Education and the Queensland Police know atx>ut the fraudulent and unethical practices that have been going on with BYC and your training company and other RTOs involved with BYC and Arron. I have decided to let the authorities know exactly how you have been claiming government funding when they have not done any training , work experience ect,.

I know first hand and can give e>ridence that the following has been done;

Seek jcrios are fake and people who apply have no idea and only those thatare eligible for funding get called and lied to and if they do the course, theyare guaranteed a job. I have kept job adds and internal emails to prove this.Student signatures in assessment books have been fraudulently signed bytrainers or office staffAdmin staff regularly white out and change start and finish dates in thestudents assessment txjoksLog books have been faked to make it look like students have done all their36 work shifts . I have 9 student statements to say they never did anyplacement.Student assessment s have been signed of by trainers who were not qualifiedor held a TAE I know of three trainers that have been doing this and havecopies and dates of student files that I will send to ASQA.I have copies of student files where they wrere given all the answers to theunits and did no assessment themselves and I also have statement from them

https://outlook.office.com/mail/search/id/AAMkAGNiZWI\/lxYjEyLTY2MzUtNGEONC05NDI2LTIwO\/VI\/l3M2FIYTczNwBGAAAAAAB25RpEOD8GSqK5kl%2B9WJiZBwAAvHO%2FN4tGRr1ulOaE45EaAAAC86xMAAAAv ... 1/2

4

4


confirming this.

I have over 27 copies of different students files and log books I am going to hand over, BYC are dodgy and a frude. They are claiming money for training that has never been done or the students have just been ticked of and given the answers. Documents are always changed and made up. You are the RTO you should have stopped this..

If you don’t think I have evidence I have the files that were changed for these guys and girls and more Cherrie Richards, Aldara Lizarde, Ann moses, Shania Linda are just some people..

https;//outlook.office.com/mail/search/id/AAMkAGNiZWMxYjEyLTY2MzUtNGEONC05NDI2LTIwOWM3M2FIYTczNwBGAAAAAAB25RpEOD8GSqK5kl%2B9WJiZBwAAvHO%2FN4tGRr1ulOaE45EaAAAC86xMAAAAv... 2/2

I hate been involved with BYC and wont be anymore but you al! with be held accxjuntable for the fraudulent things you have been doing to these students and the money you have been getting from the government.

SYS and the owners are criminals


RE: BYC Recuitment complaint letter

Thank you for your email. I have passed this information on to our complaints area and they will notify you once this issue is investigated.

Hi Debra,

I am forwarding the attached letter we received anonymously today, for your, and your department/colleagues reference.

For some time I have been shining some light on recruitment companies and some RTO's with PQS status being complicit in posting fake job advertisements. by way of guiding job applicants into training courses under the premise of pre-employment training. The training is then conducted, claim made, funds shared, and paid and the cycle continues.

Debra MasonProgram Officer/Contract ManagementInvestment DivisionDepartment of Employment, Small Business and Training

From: Jeff Lamb <jeff.CTiWiuu■Sent: Wednesday, 1 April 2020 5:13 PMTo: Debra MASON <Debra.MASON(5)desbt.qld.gov.au>

Subject: BYC Recuitment complaint letter

P 07 3025 6277E Contractmanaeement/Sdesbt.qld.eov.au W desbt.qld.gov.auLevel 11, 85 George Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000

Debra MASON <[email protected]>on behalf ofDESBT Contract Management <[email protected]>Wed 01/04/2020 17; 18

Hi Jeff

https://outlook.office.eom/mail/search/id/AAIVlkAGNiZWMxYjEyLTY2MzUtNGEONC05NDI2LTIwOWM3M2FIYTczNwBGAAAAAAB25RpEOD8GSqK5kl%2B9VVJiZBwAAvHO%2FN4tGRr1ulOaE45EaAAAC86xMAAAAv ... 1/2

QueenslandGovernment

Obviously one anonymous letter is just hearsay, but the pattern is very familiar.

If you or anyone in the department would like to discuss this, please get in touch at any time.

Regards,

Over the past fortnight, the actions of the fake job advertisers have become increasingly brazen as they attempt to take advantage of the current climate - which is abhorrent.

I know, as do many, who some of the providers are, as well as the advertisers. They are prolifically advertising in the Food Processing and Hospitality space, and are very easy to locate in searching the conventional job platforms, such as Seek.

The company noted in this letter, BYC Recruitment, is not a company we have any type of arrangement or relationship with. The students noted are not known to us. I do not know why we would have received it.

07 3399 22851300 556 3870417 022 140[www.onestopgroup.com.aujwww.onestoptraining.com.au

https;//outlook.office.com/mail/search/id/AAMkAGNiZWMxYjEyLTY2MzUtNGEONC05NDI2LTIwOWM3M2FIYTczNwBGAAAAAAB25RpEOD8GSqK5kl%2B9WJiZBwAAvHO%2FN4tGRr1ulOaE45EaAAAC86xMAAAAv... 2/2


I provided a brief to Minister Fentimans' office and met with advisor Mathew Cooper some time ago to discuss this matter - he advised the department was aware of the activities and the actions of these parties. There are a great many job-advertisers and several training providers to my knowledge who are complicit in these activities.

Jeff Lamb | DirectorOne Stop Group Pty LtdOne Stop Training RTO 31737Tel:Free:Mob:Web:This E-Mail is intended only for the addressee. Its use is limited to that intended by the author at the time and it is not to be distributed without the author's consent. Unless otherwise stated, the State of Queensland accepts no liability for the contents of this E-Mail except where subsequently confirmed in writing. The opinions expressed in this E-Mail are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the State of Queensland. This E-Mail is confidential and may be subject to a claim of legal privilege. If you have received this E-Mail in error, please notify the author and delete this message immediately.

one st^

January 15, 2020

CC: [email protected]; [email protected]

Matter relating to the misuse of public funds by a group of VET providersRE;

Dear Minister Fentiman,

A network of registered training providers who hold Queensland Government Pre-Qualified Supplier Status are working with fake job advertisers to actively coerce job seekers into attending "free, government funded training" courses to qualify for a job to which they have applied.

Our office is contacted weekly by people wishing to undertake training programs who have been caught by this network. They are distressed, broke and looking for help. Steering them to the training ombudsman is not successful, as they often do not feel able to communicate in the manner required. We have noted these people often just give up.

These training providers are misusing Queensland Government VET funding, for shared reward - paying the fake job advertiser for each enrolment.

The applicants/trainees are left with no promised job, a qualification they didn't want, delivered in a compliance shadow and in a worse position to that in which they started.

The applicants, active job-seekers, believing they have secured work at the end, are walked through the application, enrolment and training process, at which point they are discarded by the advertiser and the training provider, who have already recruited the next group.

You may be aware these parties used to purport to work as "brokers", most of whom were purged when the federal VET FEE HELP scheme ceased. There have been some who persisted, however and their scope is increasing and actions becoming increasingly brazen.

I write you in your Ministerial capacity, seeking assistance in having the actions and activities of a group of registered training providers operating in Queensland, reviewed.

Hon, Shannon FentimanMinister for Employment, Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development1 William Street BRISBANE QLD 4000

The conduct of these parties is unjust, unconscionable, and causes undue distress, pressure and financial pain on people who are often disadvantaged, marginalised or in genuine need to begin with.

one st^r

I look forward to an opportunity to constructively discuss this matter further with your office.

There are many elements to this, and I appreciate not all are under your purview; the enrolment of students under a misleading premise, the advertising of fake jobs, the trading of personal applicant information to other parties for reward, the delivery of insufficient or improper training - however none of this could be done without training providers who hold a Pre-Qualified Supplier (PQS) agreement with the Queensland Government.

In August of 2019 I wrote your office and met very briefly with Mathew Cooper in September, explaining in short detail the actions of these training providers and advertisers.

I offered to provide evidence of this activity to the department, including the names of the registered training providers and the advertisers. I was not able to make further contact with Mathew.

There are many social implications which I am sure need no explanation, but critically, removing a person's ability to make an informed and appropriate choice about their education and career for reward, is unconscionable.

Jeff Lamb DirectorOne Stop Group Pty Ltd One Stop Training RTO 31737

ONE STOP TRAINING ONE STOP GROUP PTY LTD

7/231 Holt Street Eagle Farm

Po Box 8147 Wynnum North

Brisbane OLD 4178

Phone: 07 3399 2285 Fax: 07 3399 5706

Freecall: 1300 556 387 [email protected]

www.onestoptraining.com.au

Kind regards,


Matter relating to the misuse of public funding by VET providers

;>

Dear Minister,

Please see the attached letter.

Regards,

07 3399 2285


1 attachments (89 KB)

JL15012020 - Minister Fentiman.pdf;

Jeff Lamb <jeff@iWed 15/01/2020 16:14

To: [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>Cc: Craig Butler <craig@««i^^^^aiii|gg^3ite*i>~

Jeff Lamb DirectorOne Stop Group Pty LtdOne Stop Training RTO 31737 Tel:Free: 1300 556 387