STUDENT HANDBOOK

2 PDT Handbook Version 6 09/13

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 2

1. ABOUT OUR REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATION .............................................................................................. 3

2. KEY CONTACT ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

3. QUALITY STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................................... 4

4. ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................................................................... 4

6. STUDENT SELECTION - ACCESS AND EQUITY ............................................................................................................ 5

7. STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................................................ 6

8. STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ............................................................................................................................. 6

9. FEES & REFUNDS ...................................................................................................................................................... 7

10. RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) ........................................................................................................... 8

11. ENROLMENT ......................................................................................................................................................... 8

12. LANUAGE, LITERACY AND NUMERACY (LLN) ....................................................................................................... 9

13. COMPETENCY BASED TRAINING .......................................................................................................................... 9

14. ATTENDANCE ..................................................................................................................................................... 10

15. FLEXIBLE LEARNING STRATEGIES & ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES ....................................................................... 10

16. ASSESSMENT ...................................................................................................................................................... 10

17. ASSESSORS ......................................................................................................................................................... 10

18. APPEALING AN ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 11

19. COMPLAINTS ...................................................................................................................................................... 11

20. CERTIFICATION ................................................................................................................................................... 11

21. RE-ISSUING QUALIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................................. 12

22. FEEDBACK / EVALUATION .................................................................................................................................. 12

23. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT DECLARATION ................................................................................................................ 12

3 PDT Handbook Version 6 09/13

1. ABOUT OUR REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATION Personnel Development & Training Pty Ltd (PDT) has been a registered training organisation since 1994. We are an Adelaide based company providing nationally recognised training throughout Australia. PDT has a highly qualified and committed team to meet each client’s needs. Our core business is to provide customised learning programs that meet the needs of organisations and individuals. Our clients include government and private sector organisations, and we also cater for individual training needs. Our core business is to support individuals and organisations and assisting them to grow. We offer a range of Nationally Recognised Training courses in:

Occupational Health and Safety Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety (BSB41407) Training and Assessment Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110) Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (TAE50111) Diploma of Training Design and Development (TAE50211) Leadership and Management Certificate IV in Frontline Management (BSB41107) Diploma of Management (BSB51107) Government Certificate IV in Government (PSP40104) These courses are offered as both public courses and customised 'in-house' programs for clients

2. KEY CONTACT If you have any queries regarding any aspect of PDT’s operations or training services you can contact the RTO Chief Executive – Peter Stockman:

Email : persdev@bigpond.com Phone: 08 83734853 or 0411581246

Our head office is located at 69 Park Street Hyde Park SA 5061

4 PDT Handbook Version 6 09/13

3. QUALITY STATEMENT When you study at PDT you can be confident that what you learn and how you learn measure up to rigorous national standards and meet all of the legislative requirements. As an RTO, PDT can deliver nationally recognised training qualifications and accredited courses that are supported by quality learning materials and experienced trainers and assessors. As well as meeting The National Vocational Education standards, all improvement suggestions and complaints are identified and appropriately actioned and recorded according to the standards. The prime focus of PDT’s Management System is continuous improvement that ensures learner satisfaction with the marketing, recruitment, induction, delivery, assessment, and evaluation of our services and training courses. The feedback that PDT receives from you and or your employers or supervisors is used to improve our policies and procedures, and overall operations and in particular our learning materials, trainer/assessor performance, facilities and information services.

4. ABBREVIATIONS RTO Registered Training Organisation NVS National Vocational Education Standards RPL Recognition of Prior Learning LLN Language, Literacy and Numeracy AQF Australian Qualifications Framework ASQA Australian Skills Quality Authority

5. LEGISLATION PDT is subject to a variety of legislation related to training and assessment as well as general business practices. This legislation includes:

Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (state legislation)

Racial Vilification Act 1996 (state legislation)

Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act 1986 (state legislation)

Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (state legislation)

National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011

5.1 WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY

PDT takes seriously its responsibility to protect the health and wellbeing of their staff and students. All students are required to promote safety wherever possible. The organisation requests that students report anything that they believe to be in breach of the PDT Work Health and Safety policy.

5 PDT Handbook Version 6 09/13

5.2 ANTI-DISCRIMINATION, HUMAN RIGHTS, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION

PDT is opposed to any form of discrimination. Every effort is made to ensure that diversity is valued and respected in our services by helping to prevent and eliminate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, sexual preference, age, physical or intellectual disability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin. PDT is committed to providing a training environment free of harassment and upholding of State/Territory and Federal laws pertaining to harassment. As in any area of human interaction, the boundaries of what constitutes harassment may vary from person to person. In addition one individual may have different boundaries for different relationships. It is expected that employees and students of PDT will recognise and respect the boundaries set by others.

5.3 PRIVACY ACT 1988 (COMMONWEALTH)

PDT keeps your information private and only collects information that relates to your training success. You may access the personal file held by PDT on your training progress. You may also request that updates be made to information that that you feel is incorrect or out of date. PDT is subject to audits by Government Officials and access to your training file may be given to government officers from such agencies as Department of Education and Training (DET), ASQA or other authorised agencies for the purposes of these audits. Your training file cannot be accessed by anyone else unless you give us written permission. PDT takes all reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure by restricting access to electronic files, secure storage of paper files and secure backup of data.

6. STUDENT SELECTION - ACCESS AND EQUITY At PDT we make sure that you have the opportunity to participate and achieve the same outcomes as other members of the community. This means any person is welcome to participate in PDT training and courses of study, irrespective of their employment status. Some courses may have prerequisite standards and competencies. Students wishing to undertake these courses must ensure that they read and understand any prerequisites required for entry. PDT undertakes to eliminate organisational practices that may contribute to the disadvantages suffered by specific groups in employment, education and training. We do this by: Promoting access to employment and training for all people regardless of gender, socio-economic background, disability, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age or race. Ensuring training services are delivered in a non-discriminatory, open and respectful manner. Providing reasonable access and equity in regard to training and assessment at all levels. All staff members have responsibility for access and equity issues for students.

6 PDT Handbook Version 6 09/13

7. STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES You have the right to:

Be treated fairly with respect from others and without discrimination or harassment, regardless of religious, cultural, racial and sexual difference, age, disability or socio-economic status;

Be free from all forms of intimidation and work in a safe, clean, orderly and cooperative environment;

Have any disputes settled in a fair and rational manner (this is accomplished by the Complaints Procedure);

Learn in an environment that is conducive to success, supportive and recognises existing skills and knowledge;

Have privacy concerning any records containing personal information, (subject to other statutory requirements and other agreed uses);

Be given information about assessment procedures throughout your training in accordance with ASQA;

Appeal any decision made regarding assessment; and

Lodge a complaint and have it investigated effectively without fear of retaliation or victimisation.

You have the responsibility to treat staff and fellow students with respect and fairness.

This includes but is not limited to:

Following reasonable directions from a member of the training staff;

Not behaving in any way that may offend, embarrass or threaten others and not harassing fellow students or staff;

Caring for facilities by not damaging, stealing, modifying or misusing property; and acting in a safe manner that does not place you or others at risk. This includes adhering to smoking rules and following normal safety practices at work and during training; and

Participating in all assessment tasks as scheduled, honestly and to the best of your ability.

8. STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS In line with our Access and Equity practices, students with special needs are offered the same opportunities as any other candidate. Our training and assessment programs will take special needs into consideration from the planning stage onwards and adopt particular learning and assessment methods as appropriate. As special needs extend to more than physical or learning difficulties, trainers and assessors will consider the best approach when dealing with candidates with needs such as out of hours work commitments and work related rostering requirements and individual workplaces and training needs. This is especially so in relation to assessment because one fundamental principle of an assessment system is that each candidate must have access to fair and open assessment. Depending on any specification given in the standards, the assessor may be able to accept alternative evidence from a candidate with different needs and different work places. If there is uncertainty, the assessor will call on other assessors or a verifier for assistance and guidance, as required. In such a case, the situation will be fully documented, with appropriate feedback being provided to the candidate at all stages.

7 PDT Handbook Version 6 09/13

9. FEES & REFUNDS Students are usually charged fees at the commencement of the course. In the unlikely event where PDT cancels a course students are entitled to a full refund or transfer of funds to a future course.

No refund will be available to students who leave before finalising the course/competency or qualification unless they can provide a medical certificate or show extreme personal hardship. In this case, fees will be refunded on a pro-rata basis.

9.1 OUR REFUND POLICY

An initial deposit (which will not exceed $ 1000.00), which is a non-refundable deposit, will apply to all courses, payable before the course commencement (unless prior arrangements are made). This fee will cover administration expenses incurred by PDT. Following course commencement the balance of the remaining fees need to be paid will be paid. The total amount required to be paid in advance which is attributable to costs yet to be incurred on behalf of the student for tuition or other services yet to be delivered to the student will not exceed $1000.00.

No refund is payable to participants who leave before finalising the course / competency unit/ qualification, unless they can provide evidence that they cannot complete the course because of medical reasons, this evidence may take the form of a medical certificate. In that case, fees may be refunded on a pro-rata basis, for example if 50% of the program has been delivered then 50% of the fee paid minus the original deposit will be refunded. However, should participants wish to finalise incomplete modules in a future course, the original fee payment can be used as credit towards that course within 12 months of initial payment.

If a client chooses to withdraw from the course prior to the commencement then the RTO must be notified in writing days prior to commencement of the course. The following refunds will apply:

If notified 28 days prior to commencement of the course a full refund, minus the deposit will be given.

If notified 14 days or less to the commencement of the course a 50% refund, minus the deposit will be given.

9.2 CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH FEES OR PROPORTION OF FEES MAY BE

REFUNDED

In the event that PDT is unable to fulfil its contract with a client, then PDT will refund the client the proportion of fees paid by the client for which services were not received.

Significant illness diagnosed and certified by a qualified medical practitioner.

9.3 CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH TUITION MAY BE TERMINATED:

Non-payment of fees

Serious breaches of PDT policies

8 PDT Handbook Version 6 09/13

9.4 FEES AND CHARGES FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES POST COURSE

To issuance a replacement qualification testamur PDT will charge an administration fee of $65.00.

Options available to students who are deemed not yet competent on completion of training and assessment include:

One to one coaching or tutoring. A fee of $ 85.00 per hour will apply.

Enrol in the next training course at a 25% discounted fee.

Reproduction of parchments - An administration fee of $60.00 will be charged for reproduction of lost parchments - i.e. certificates and statements of results and or attainment.

9.5 APPEALS FOR REFUND

Where a student seeks a refund, they should write to the Executive Officer. Each refund request will be considered on its own merits. Decisions on refunds will always be provided to the applicant in writing.

10. RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) The RPL process allows you to apply for recognition of previous study, work, life and educational experiences that match the learning outcomes of specific modules or units within a course of study. RPL applicants will be required to provide evidence to support their claim and this should be attached to the application form. Examples of evidence can include; documentation such as certificates issued by other training organisations, support letters from employers or course outlines of previously studied courses. We also recognise training certificates issued by other organisations operating under ASQA. To apply for Recognition simply ask for a Recognition of Prior Learning Kit for the course or program you are intending to enrol in. You can organise to meet with the trainer or the assessor of a specific course or program to assist you in completing your application for recognition by contacting the administration desk at PDT head office. All assessments for RPL applications are reviewed by assessors who are qualified to conduct the assessment. From time to time or when deemed necessary, we will have an additional person or subject matter expert be part of the assessment process. You may request a review of the RPL decision through our appeal procedure (outlined in detail later in this handbook).

11. ENROLMENT A comprehensive brochure outlining the structure and time frame of each course has been developed to make choices easier for students If you decide to proceed to enrolment, you are required to complete an enrolment form, including the statistical data required before the commencement of the course. The information on this form is used to report student activity and completion of qualifications to ASQA on an annual basis. All personal information is strictly confidential. Where fees are applicable these must be paid prior to training commencing.

9 PDT Handbook Version 6 09/13

12. LANUAGE, LITERACY AND NUMERACY (LLN) We provide a positive and rewarding learning experience for all students. Our enrolment form asks you to provide information regarding LLN requirements or any other special learning needs. We also implement a quick assessment of your LLN levels prior to your commencement of a course or program of study. We will make every effort to ensure that you are adequately supported to enable completion of your training. Some examples of the type of support that we can offer include: Literacy: Providing you only essential writing tasks. Considering the use of group exercises. Providing examples and models of completed tasks. Ensuring that documents and forms are written and formatted in plain English. Using clear headings, highlighting certain key words or phrases. Providing explanations of all technical terms used. Language: Presenting information in small chunks and speaking clearly, concisely and not too

quickly. Giving clear instructions in a logical sequence. Giving lots of practical examples. Encouraging you to ask questions to ensure you understand. Numeracy: Showing you how to do the calculations through step by step instructions and through

examples of completed calculations. Helping you to work out what maths calculations and measurements are required to

complete the task. Encouraging the use of calculators and demonstrating how to use them.

13. COMPETENCY BASED TRAINING You are participating in a course of competency-based training. So, what exactly does that mean? Qualifications are made up of Units of Competency. These tell us the skills and knowledge recognised as necessary to perform effectively in a particular job role. Each industry area has developed a Training Package that contains National Competency Standards for specific industry areas and job roles. Competency standards are job functions. The National Competency Standards provide a framework for training and assessment and tell us what skills and knowledge an employee at a particular level within a particular industry should be reasonably expected to achieve. So competency is: “The ability to perform a job to the required level of performance expected in the workplace.” Our assessments ensure that you have both the technical and employability skills to perform your specific job role to the required competency standards.

10 PDT Handbook Version 6 09/13

14. ATTENDANCE It is expected that you will attend and participate in all sessions related to your training course. An attendance record will be kept. In the event that you miss a training session, you should ensure that you notify your trainer and arrange to attend another session or undertake self paced learning for that session.

15. FLEXIBLE LEARNING STRATEGIES & ASSESSMENT

PROCEDURES Flexible learning and assessment procedures form part of our learning and assessment strategies and are integral to the concept of competency-based training. Where students are undertaking training within a workplace as part of a structured program PDT will customise our training and assessments to meet your specific workplace needs.

16. ASSESSMENT Assessment is the mechanism for determining whether or not you can perform to the required standards. PDT ensures that you are informed about how assessment will take place and what types of evidence you will need to produce. You will always be provided with documentation explaining what assessments will be required, how they will take place and what the standards for achievement are. Reassessment – The student is entitled to resubmit assessment tasks if deemed not yet competent. There will be no additional charge for this reassessment however if an assessment tasks is resubmitted a third time a re-assessment fee of $ 80 will be charged.

16.1 PLAGIARISM

At times, depending on the assessment and the course, you may be required to complete and submit a declaration stating that all work is your own. This requirement is in the format of a declaration that is attached to your assessment sheet.

17. ASSESSORS The role of an assessor is to objectively assess and judge your evidence against a set of standards. At PDT we ensure that all assessors are provided with ongoing professional development and that they are supported and informed on contemporary assessment practices and the applicable training package and industry standards. An assessor must:

Meet the requirements set out by the ASQA and the National Standards.

Interpret and understand the performance criteria for each standard.

Ensure that your evidence meets the standards.

Use industry expertise to make fair and objective judgements.

Assessment should not be stressful. At PDT we ensure that all assessments are conducted in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where you are supported and encouraged to excel. It is in your long-term interests to ensure that all of the skills necessary are mastered; our aim is to help you to learn those skills in the right way.

11 PDT Handbook Version 6 09/13

18. APPEALING AN ASSESSMENT In rare instances, it is possible that you may wish to challenge an assessment outcome. If this is the case, then: (a) Speak the CE – Mr Peter Stockman in the first instance.

(b) If we are unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction you should present an appeal in writing to us. An appeals form is provided to you each and every time you undertake an assessment.

(c) If the matter is still unable to be resolved within the organisation you can refer the matter to ASQA.

You have the right to represent yourself at all forums where the issue is being discussed and you will have the matter heard within five working days. The outcomes of all appeals and the reasons for any decisions made will be given to you in writing.

19. COMPLAINTS Instances could arise where you may wish to resolve a problem with personalities or the way a course has been delivered and assessed. PDT must be objective and ensure the validity of the training and assessment process. The steps to achieve a resolution of a complaint are:

Step 1: Raise the complaint with us immediately

Step 2: If unresolved we would urge you to lodge a formal complaint to the Independent Body - Training Advocate on 1800 006 488

Step 3: If still unresolved, the Training Advocate may request that the matter be referred to the appropriate training regulator - ASQA.

At each step of the complaints resolution process PDT will allow you to make representation either in person or in writing prior to reaching a decision.

20. CERTIFICATION Your results and course file will be forwarded to Chief Executive by your trainer or assessor. Once all of your documentation has been checked and confirmed we will forward your certification to you. Certification will be either be a certificate for a full qualification, a Statement of Attainment for single units or partial completion of a qualification or a Statement of Attainment for an accredited course or skill set. Your certification will include the date your certificate was issued and the date you completed your training, a transcript of all units achieved and a unique identifying number.

12 PDT Handbook Version 6 09/13

21. RE-ISSUING QUALIFICATIONS PDT keeps records of your course for 30 years. If in the future you need another copy of your certificate you can request a copy by writing to us – this can be a formal letter or an email. Your request must outline: (a) Your name and date of birth;

(b) Your current address (and your address at the time of the course if you remember it);

(c) The course you completed (e.g. Certificate IV in Government); and

(d) When the course started and finished; and any other details you can give to identify yourself.

Please note there will be a cost of $60 for the reissuing of any documents.

22. FEEDBACK / EVALUATION PDT actively seeks your feedback and regularly undertakes evaluations of all courses and activities as part of our ongoing continuous improvement system. Evaluation forms are provided to all PDT students. We monitor our compliance with the National Standards and our policies and procedures through the use of evaluation and feedback documentation at the completion of all courses. All feedback is documented to ensure appropriate follow up action is taken.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT DECLARATION

Please complete the following declaration and forward to the Head Office address as soon as practicable – either via post or email.

NAME:

JOB TITLE:

COURSE YOU ARE

ENROLLED IN

EMPLOYMENT

STATUS: Full-time Part-time Contract Casual

I have received, read and fully understand the contents of this Student Handbook which outlines the conditions and my rights and responsibilities as a student in a PDT training program.

Signature Date