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STUDENT HANDBOOK
WELCOME TO KRTS
The following information has been compiled to familiarise students with the administration and assessment procedures relating to courses conducted by KRTS. Please read this information, which includes the company’s code of practice and Complaint procedures. If you have any further questions, please contact our help desk by telephone on: (02) 9904 6000 or by email to: krts@bigpond.net.au.
CONTENTS
Course Accreditation and Articulation The Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Contract Relevant Legislation Fees Refund Policy Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Students Undertaking Flexible Work Based Training Assessment Assessment Appeals Procedure Code of Practice and Complaint Policy Privacy Feedback Course Details
Course Accreditation and Articulation All certificate courses provided by KRTS are formally accredited in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and recognised by the NSW Vocational Education Training Advisory Board (VETAB). The AQF is a national policy framework which consists of a structured sequence of vocational education and training. The Framework also includes principles and protocols covering articulation and issuance of qualification and Statements of Attainment. If the student achieves all of the competencies required by the nationally endorsed Training Package or the AQF accredited course, the student will be issued with a qualification. Otherwise, the student will be issued with a Statement of Attainment outlining those components of the training package in which the student is competent. The Statement of Attainment is a record of recognised learning which, while not a complete AQF qualification, may contribute towards a qualification outcome, either as attainment of competencies within a Training Package, partial completion of a course leading to a qualification, or completion of a nationally accredited short course which may accumulate towards a qualification through Recognition of Prior Learning processes. The Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Contract An Apprenticeship/Traineeship Training Contract will be prepared between the Apprentice/Trainee and their employer and registered with the NSW Department of Education and Training. This contract requires the preparation of a training plan, or program of training and assessment to be prepared for the student. KRTS will prepare this training plan in consultation with the Apprentice/Trainee and their employee and will register it with the Department of Education and Training. It is the policy of KRTS to comply fully with relevant Government legislation. Please also ensure that you are aware of the relevant legislative requirements that govern our operations. This includes legislation on: · Occupational Health & Safety; · Workers Compensation; · Industrial Relations; · Anti-Discrimination; · Disability Discrimination; · Racial Discrimination; · Sex Discrimination; · Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace; · Human Rights & Equal Opportunity; · Apprenticeship & Traineeship; · Privacy. · www.autlii.edu.au - site for many of the legislations on this list · www.det.nsw.edu.au - go to Training & industry tab for Traineeship legislation KRTS holds up to date copies of all relevant legislation and policies. All Staff and in particular Trainers/Assessors will ensure that clients are provided with information about legislation that significantly affects their participation in Vocational Education and Training. This will include Regulatory requirements specific to a student’s industry. KRTS is required to charge a fee of $404.00 at enrolment for any Trainee commencing training on or after 1st January 2009 This fee is to be collected on enrolment at the beginning of each year of training. A Trainee may be eligible for exemption from payment of the fee if they fall into the following eligibility categories: 1. The Trainee is in receipt of: · Age Pension · Austudy · Carer Payment · Disability Support Pension · Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment · Family Tax Benefit Part A (Maximum Rate) · Farm Help · Farm Household Support Scheme · Mature Age Allowance · Newstart · Parenting Payment (Single) · Sickness Allowance · Special Benefit · Veteran Affairs Payment · Widow Allowance · Widow B Pension · Wife Pension · Youth Allowance 2. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders are not required to pay the fee. 3. Dependant children/spouses of eligible beneficiaries & students with a disability not eligible under any other category may also be eligible for an exemption from the fee. In cases where an exemption is granted, KRTS will retain an auditable copy of the proof of exemption. A Trainee/Employer may be entitled to a refund of the enrolment fee if KRTS is notified in writing of the withdrawal from the Traineeship prior to commencement of training. Training is considered to have commenced once modules have been assigned & the Training Plan has been signed by the relevant parties. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) means recognition of competencies currently held, regardless of how, when or where the learning occurred. Competencies may be attained through any combination of formal or informal training and education, work experience or general life experience. KRTS recognises recent (i.e. within the last 6 years) learning achieved through formal training or work/life experience. Students should make claims wherever possible prior to the commencement of the course. Students may claim RPL by completing the appended RPL form and handing it to the Trainer/Assessor. Where the student has formal qualifications, copies of the appropriate certification/documentation must be attached and full details of the training institution and attendance provided. To claim RPL based on work/life experience, the students should submit a portfolio addressing the competencies claimed. This would include items such as a full resume, testimonials and references detailing the exact type of duties or work undertaken and describing the context in which this occurred. In order to grant RPL, the Trainer/Assessor must be confident that the candidate is currently competent against the endorsed industry or enterprise competency standards or outcomes specified in the accredited courses. The evidence may take a variety of forms and could include certification, references from past employers, testimonials from clients and work samples. The assessor needs to ensure that the evidence is authentic, valid, reliable, current and sufficient. Students who successfully gain RPL or exemptions will be required to undertake supervised extension learning in order that they increase the benefits obtained from their course. Students unable to completely satisfy the RPL requirements listed above, may negotiate assessment to a maximum of 50% of the total competences claimed. Please read the section on Assessment to ensure you understand your rights as a student. Students Undertaking Flexible Work Based Training Students participating in flexible work based programs will be trained, where practical, fully on the job. Your employer has undertaken to provide training or access to training in order for you to achieve your qualification. Your employer will also provide you with the time and materials to hone your skills in order for you to pass your assessment. Unless otherwise advised, your complete assessment will occur toward the end of the program. However, your Trainer /Assessor may set particular tasks or competencies to be achieved during the duration of the program. These must be complied with and will count toward your final assessment. Your Trainer/Assessor will visit you on a regular basis to ensure you are working toward and gaining the competencies required for the qualification. You will be notified in advance of impending visits. This is your opportunity to relate any problem areas or find out information that is not available at your work site. Your Trainer/Assessor will also liaise with your employer to obtain feedback on your progress. For issues or requests for information that occur prior to the Trainer/Assessor’s visit, you may contact your Trainer/Assessor by telephone. Your communication will be dealt with as a priority. Assessment means the process of collecting evidence and making judgements on whether competency has been achieved to confirm that an individual can perform to the standard expected in the workplace as expressed in the learning outcomes of an accredited course. Assessment will be in accordance with assessment guidelines that set out the industry approach to a valid, reliable, flexible and fair assessment. The assessment process is used to identify areas of skill and knowledge in need of further development. Assessment will be in accordance with assessment guidelines that set out industry standards. There will be regular formative assessment activities throughout each course to monitor progress. Strategies used will include: demonstration, simulation, role playing, observation, questioning, case studies and written testing. All assessment will be equitable for all people, taking into account cultural, language and literary needs. Students will receive regular feedback on outcomes of each assessment including counsel on future options. Reporting of assessment outcomes is governed by privacy and confidentiality requirements. All information relating to a Student’s assessment outcomes will be treated confidentially. Access to this information will be limited to the employer, supervisor, Trainer/Assessor any only those other people approved, in writing by the Student. Assessment will proceed in accordance with Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) guidelines. This entails that the minimum assessment to be reported is against the unit of competence. If a National Competency Standard is partially completed, evidence of partial completion will be recorded in order to avoid the need to retrain unnecessarily. Where the Student is deemed “not yet competent”, the Trainer/Assessor, in collaboration with the employer/supervisor, will provide advice on options and preferred action to reach the required competence. This may include further training or more guided practice in the workplace. The student also has the option to appeal against any determination made about their competency. Where the Student does appeal, reassessment may be arranged in agreement with the Employer and Trainer/Assessor or an alternate Trainer/Assessor within a limited time frame. Language, Literacy & Numeracy KRTS offers professional assessment and follows up learning strategies for those Students experiencing language, literacy and numeracy problems. Trainers/Assessors should to be aware of Students who have such difficulties. Programs must be modified to avoid causing any disadvantage to the Students. Consideration will be given to alternative training and assessment methods to ensure the Student maximises the training opportunity. Students with learning difficulties may require professional assessment. If Trainers/Assessors identify such cases they will counsel the Student and if necessary, with the Student’s agreement, refer them to a relevant agency for assessment. KRTS, in accordance with AQTF guidelines has procedures in place for an appeals process. This process is required as: · a matter of natural justice for a Student, to avoid unfair treatment or a Trainer/Assessor’s error of judgement; · an incentive to quality and consistent performance by Trainers/Assessors; · assurance to employers and Students of the objectivity of the assessment system. Students may appeal an assessment outcome by writing to the Director or his nominee stating the reasons for the appeal. An independent third party Assessor may be appointed to review and determine the outcome. The student will be advised in writing of the final decision. Code of Practice and Complaint Policy All Students have the right to be treated fairly and with proper courtesy. Students cannot be discriminated against on the basis of: race, colour, gender, culture, religious beliefs, age, marital status, physical or mental impairment, pregnancy, transgender or sexual preference (implied or otherwise), political conviction. Students who feel they are discriminated against in the assessment of competencies should follow the Assessment Appeals procedure. Students who have a complaint arising from their training, or concerning the behaviour or activities of a Trainer/Assessor should refer to the company’s Complaint Policy in the attached Code of Conduct. Students will receive a written report from KRTS detailing the outcome of any complaint made. Should students need an external agency to deal with their complaint they should contact the National Training Complaints Hotline – 1800 000 674 or State Registering Authority. KRTS collects personal information from its Students for the purpose of its operations. This information is treated by the Company as strictly confidential and covered by the provisions of the Commonwealth Privacy Act (2001) and the NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (1998/amended 2001) In accordance with the provisions of these Acts, Students have a right of access to, and correction of, their personal information. Students may access their records at any time by contacting the Company’s help desk by telephone on: 02 9904 6000 or by email to: krts@bigpond.net.au. Feedback At KRTS, we consistently strive to improve our performance. We value your feedback on the training programs we conduct, our Trainers/Assessors and/or the course material we provide. Students are encouraged to complete the appended hardcopy Student Feedback Form or go to the website and fill in the electronic version of the form and return it to us. Course details: Details of the certificate and competency standards that make up your training and assessment program can be found at www.ntis.gov.au, or on your pre enrolment information. A full list will be supplied on request to KRTS. Discuss the course with your employer to ensure you will gain maximum benefit from training.
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