Training Handbook

WELCOME

Current Training Qld welcomes you to your chosen training program. We hope that you will enjoy working through your competencies and achieving recognition after successful assessment.

Our training programs try to take into account the needs of all participants and their employers, whether city-based, rural or remote, in small or large businesses, on-the-job or off-the-job.

Workplace training and assessment is not new to vocational training, but training now combines on-the-job, practical training with flexible delivery of the structured components.

Please also find attached contact details for Current Training Qld, specific training program information and any fees that may apply. This handbook contains information that you will need to know - please read it carefully.

We like to keep lines of communication open, so during your training, please communicate any concerns or questions to your trainer so that we can assist you in achieving the best possible result.

Enjoy your training!!!


CLIENT SERVICE STANDARDS

Current Training Qld, a Quality Assured organization, strives to maintain and improve quality delivery and systems, and maintain consistency in the development and provision of its services, products and operations. We achieve this through many applied strategies including, consistent application of relevant procedural materials and maintaining a quality, consistent service to our clients.

This standard relates to:

" The supply of information

" Response and reaction time to client inquiries

" The issuance of Qualifications, Awards and Statements

Actions

1. Current Training Qld personnel will respond to written inquiries within one week.

2. Any recorded telephone message shall be responded to within 24hours of receipt of message.

3. Trainees shall be provided with a statement for successful completion of any module/competencies or course/qualification within 10 working days of successful assessment.

RECOGNITION OF QUALIFICATIONS ISSUED

BY OTHER RTOs

We recognise AQF qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by any other RTO within Australian States and Territories.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

There is a need for greater industry involvement in training.

This is because of

" Globalisation and the need for increased productivity and efficiency

" Increased movement between jobs and training

" Changes in work arrangements such as increases in part-time and casual employment

" Growth in small business

" Increased demand for multi-skilled employees

" Increased demand for flexibility to move between jobs, industries and communication technologies

" Increased demand for more relevant workplace training

REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATIONS

To ensure consistency, training organizations become registered under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF), which maintains:

" Consistency of training programs

" Consistency in the quality of delivery of Registered Training Providers

" Portability of individual's competencies across Australia

" Excellent standards of training and assessment and

" The standard of qualification issued by the Registered Training Organisation

As an RTO, we also comply with the following legislation:

" Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act January 2004

" The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995

WORK-BASED LEARNING " Learning is applied in real work based issues

" Learning is directly linked to tasks

" Time and resources are used efficiently to achieve learning outcomes

" Learning is brought into view of all in the workplace

" Participants are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning

" Participants learn directly through doing the work

" Support is always available

" Learning is easily transferred from one situation to a range of other situations.

TRAINEE INFORMATION

Current Training Qld will provide accurate, relevant and up-to-date information to all trainees prior to the commencement of training.

This will include, but will not be limited to:

1. A copy of this Handbook

2. Details relating to any fees payable (where applicable)

3. The award to be issued to the trainee on completion

4. Competencies to be completed

5. Assessment procedures

6. Trainee support services

7. Arrangements for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This will occur through assessment of both tangible evidence and/or demonstrated assessment of skills, application and under-pinning knowledge.

To apply for RPL/RCC you will first need to obtain a copy of the competencies and the Performance Criteria that you wish to receive recognition for. Ask your Trainer or the Program Co-ordinator for a copy.

It is not possible to complete an RPL/RCC assessment within the delivered program. You must contact Current Training prior to commencement or tell the trainer as soon as possible. You will need to satisfy exactly the same criteria as people undertaking the full training program.

TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT STANDARDS

Current Training Qld demonstrates a focus on quality and consistency in the development and provision of its services, products and operations. Current Training Qld will provide personnel at all times with appropriate qualification and experience to deliver training and facilitate assessment.

LANGUAGE, LITERACY AND NUMERACY ASSESSMENT

Students may be required to complete a diagnostic language, literacy and numeracy assessment before commencing a program. The assessment will assist the program trainer to identify any areas in which a student may require assistance or support, and make any necessary changes to the delivery of the program to suit the needs of the student.

ACCESS AND EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE POLICY

GOAL

The goal of the Access and Equity and Social Justice Policy is to maximize opportunities for access, participation and outcomes for all trainees and prospective trainees within the vocational education and training system of the training division of Current Training (Qld) Pty Ltd.

PRINCIPLES

Current Training Qld Pty Ltd base this Access and Equity and Social Justice Policy on the application of the following principles:

" Equity for all people through the fair allocation of resources and involvement in vocational education and training

" The right to equality of opportunity for all people to participate in vocational education and training without discrimination.

" Access for all to appropriate, quality vocational education and training programs and services.

" Increased opportunity for participation in vocational education and training and in relevant decision-making processes within the system.

" To incorporate and equity principles and practices in key processes which affect the outcomes of trainees and clients in the vocational education and training system. e.g. design of programs, their delivery and staff development.

COMPETENCY BASED TRAINING

" Identifies what people need to do in their jobs;

" Identifies what they need to know to do their job;

" Indicates clearly the standard of performance required in the job by the industry or the enterprise; and

" Indicates how, when, where and by whom assessment will occur.

WHAT IS COMPETENCE?

Competence includes:

" Performing at an acceptable level of skill - Task skills

" Managing a number of different tasks - Task Management Skills

" Responding and reacting appropriately when things go wrong - Contingency Management Skills

" Fulfilling the responsibilities and expectations of the workplace - Job/Role Environment Skills

" Transferring skills and knowledge to new situations - Transfer Skills

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

The flexible methods of assessment used by Current Training Queensland will determine if a student is 'competent' in all aspects of performing a task or exhibiting a level of skill (see above definition of Competence).

The assessor will collect evidence to determine the student's progress towards reaching the required performance levels set out in a standard or learning outcome, and consequently make a judgement as to whether competency has been achieved.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Incorporated into every program are key competencies, such as:

" Collecting, analysing and organizing ideas and information;

" Communicating ideas and information;

" Planning and organizing activities;

" Working with teams and with others;

" Using mathematical ideas and techniques

" Solving problems

" Using Technology

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING / RECOGNITION OF CURRENT COMPETENCIES PROCEDURE Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) is the process of identifying and verifying a person's past learning experiences. It does no matter whether you have obtained the knowledge and competencies from life or work experiences, from formal training or from a combination of these areas.

RPL and RCC is about ensuring that unnecessary training is not repeated, but it is also about ensuring that the skills and knowledge that a person have are:

" Up-to-date

" Relevant and match exactly with the competencies / learning outcomes of the course or qualification

" For all present and potential trainees to achieve equitable access to Current Training Qld's vocational education and training services

" To increase trainee participation in relevant decision-making processes in the vocational education and training system.

" To encourage positive outcomes for trainees by developing processes that will enable them to participate successfully in vocational education and training services and programs.

" To develop quality support services that enhance client's and trainee's chances to achieve positive outcomes.

" To establish effective links and networks with relevant agencies to support participation and achieve successful outcomes for all trainees.

" Special learning needs including language, literacy and numeracy difficulties will be identified early in the training and CTQ support will be offered throughout the program and information offered for more long-term assistance to overcome problems.

" Support Services will include:

i. Assistance during classroom delivery

ii. Clear, concise and simple materials

iii. Mentoring support in the workplace

iv. Learning networks and buddying

These can be accessed at any time during your association with Current Training Qld via fax, email, and telephone.

GRIEVANCE / APPEAL PROCEDURE

The Grievance / Appeal Procedure is designed to resolve differences and is based on conciliation mediation rather than arbitration. Confidentiality is paramount to Current Training Qld. The procedure for lodging a grievance is as follows:

" The Trainee communicates the problem verbally and in writing to the site Training Co-ordinator (no other parties are to be involved at this stage)

" The Training Co-ordinator will discuss the details with the trainer or assessor involved and document the discussion

" Where possible a face-to-face discussion between the three parties concerned will be arranged.

Trainees have 1 week from the completion of the training program or the assessment to register their appeal in writing. In the case of an appeal against an assessment, the trainee is requested to follow the above process. Either a solution will be reached or the following options will be considered, with the possibility of a combination of the following:

" Counselling by the Training Co-ordinator or the Trainer with the trainee

" More training or another assessment is arranged

" An alternative venue is arranged

" More time to complete criteria is arranged

" A new Trainer or Assessor will be allocated (this is a last resort)

Then:

" All information will be recorded and filed

" External mediation will be sought if a satisfactory resolution cannot be achieved.

Where the Grievance cannot be resolved through this process, Current Training Qld shall refer the Trainee's claim to the appropriate legal entity.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

The Disciplinary Procedure is designed to ensure that each student receives adequate assistance and support from the program's trainer and/or assessor when completing their program.

" Any student who does not attend a prescribed class will receive the opportunity to attend the class on another occasion.

" Any student who fails to deliver a piece of assessment on time will receive an appropriate time extension from the program assessor or trainer.

In the event that an issue needs to be discussed with a student, the trainer/assessor will organise with the student a mutually suitable time and place to discuss the issue.

The trainer/assessor will obtain the facts relating to the disciplinary event prior to a disciplinary decision being made, and will endeavour to act fairly at all times when making any disciplinary decisions.

REFUND POLICY

This Refund Policy, which Current Training Qld will implement on request, was established to provide a fair and equitable process for trainees. When Current Training Qld personnel train for an organization, there are no charges to the individual trainees. The organization will be invoiced on completion and therefore no up-front fees will be forthcoming, therefore no refund will be necessary.

Where an individual trainee pays course fees in advance, the fees shall be refunded less an administrative charge if the trainee cancels 7 days prior to the course commencement date. Where such a trainee withdraws after commencement, there shall be no refund, as course cost will have been expended in implementing the program.

Student fees shall be safeguarded in a separate account until implementation of the program.

Hypothetical Refund Situation

Mary Jane enrolled in Certificate IV in Training & Assessment to be held on Monday, the 15 February and paid the full fee in advance. Due to personal commitments Mary withdrew from the course on the 5th of February 9 days prior to the course commencement. Current Training Qld would refund Mary Jane the entire enrolment fee less a $20.00 administration charge.

Student fees shall be safeguarded in a separate account until implementation of the program.