Student Handbook (SOPF 11-001) NECA Training RTO No. 91632 NECA Training Ltd ASQA No: 91632 Lvl 3, 28 Burwood Road Burwood NW 2134 P: 029 744 1099 F: 029 744 1830 Email: skills@neca.asn.au Student Handbook This handbook has between developed to provide general information for those studying through our training organisation. Materials in this handbook have been sourced from a variety of publications providing information on the National Training System. Where direct quotations have been used the source has been identified. This handbook is reviewed by our RTO for currency each year. Information was accurate at the time of publication. Should you have any further questions, please contact the course coordinator or our RTO Management.
Contents Welcome 3 Organisation Chart 4 Contact Details 5 Studying with our RTO 5 Incident Reporting 5 Our expectations 5 Access and Equity 7 Disabilities 7 Language, Literacy and Numeracy 7 Privacy 7 Safety 8 Submitting work 8 Delivery and Assessment information 9 Competency Based Training and Assessment 9 Recognition of Prior Learning 9 Delivery 9 Assessment 10 What happens if you are not making satisfactory progress 10 Complaints and Appeals 11 Cancellations & Refunds 12 Legislations and Acts that affect our RTO operations 12
Welcome NECA Training Ltd is a Nationally Registered Training Organisation (RTO) No. 91632. The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with information that will be useful to you as a course participant with our RTO. The focus of this handbook is on matters specific to the RTO and its business and should be read in conjunction with our policies and procedures. Policies and procedures may be accessed on request to a company representative. NECA Training was established early 2010 as an RTO to provide training to the electrical industry in NSW and the ACT. Currently we offer the following Nationally Recognised units of competency: 1. Designer-Installer of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems Skill Set UEENEEK125A Solve basic problems in photovoltaic energy apparatus and systems UEENEEK135A Design grid connected photovoltaic power supply systems UEENEEK148A Install, configure and commission LV grid connected photovoltaic power systems Our aim at NECA Training is to provide you with quality, fit for purpose, training that can be applied directly and immediately into the work place. NECA Training Ltd
NECA Training ORGANISATIONAL CHART
Contact details Phone: (02) 9744 1099 Fax: (02) 9744 1830 Email: Web: skills@neca.asn.au www.neca.asn.au Post: PO Box 1106 Burwood NSW 2134 RTO No: 91632 Our details are also available on the Training.gov website. Studying with our RTO As a participant in training programs with our RTO you are expected to act responsibly at all times. You, as a learner have to ensure that you meet the timelines and requirements as set out by the course coordinator or trainer. You have a number of rights that are explained briefly in this handbook and in our policies and procedures. Incident Reporting We expect you to report any incidents that may give rise to an insurance claim against us and also any near miss incidents. Please complete an Incident Report form any time an incident of concern happens. This report should then be passed to the course trainer as soon as possible. Please talk to your trainer or the Training Coordinator for more information regarding this.
Our expectations In assisting with the provision of a conducive learning environment for all course students, the following responsibilities and rights should be observed. All students shall: 1. Have a responsibility to arrive on time for any face to face teaching, to return by the stated times after breaks and not to leave early without prior notice and good reason. Course participants are expected to leave rooms clean and tidy. 2. Enrol before the prescribed closing date and pay applicable fees before the commencement of the course. 3. Purchase in a timely manner all necessary books, materials and equipment required to complete the specified course or unit 4. Understand the requirements for the assessment of the course or unit. 5. Check that holidays, business commitments etc. do not clash with examinations/assessments. 6. Notify NECA Training of any change in address or personal details. 7. Maintain a high standard of behaviour whilst undertaking education activities and refrain from any activities that may result in damage to property or unduly interfere with the comfort or convenience of other course participants. 8. Refrain from behaviour that may disrupt or interfere with the teaching or learning of others. 9. Observation at all times of safety, health and hygiene requirements, including appropriate dress, footwear, personal hygiene and personal protective equipment. 10. Take responsibility to identify and tell staff about any individual learning needs they have. 11. Keep the NECA Training trainers and staff informed of any difficulties that may be interfering with your learning or where you may need some extra assistance. 12. Check the assessment requirements for each subject i.e. due dates, number of assignments etc. 13. Be aware of and meet the trainers individual expectations in relation to submitting assignments, attendance, communications, negotiation and problem solving strategies.
14. Be aware of and comply with the RTO s policies that may affect participants. Conduct themselves appropriately at all times while undergoing training with the RTO. NECA Training has a strict No Smoking Policy. Students who wish to smoke are required to do so in the designated area outside of NECA Training premises. Alcohol and Drugs The use or consumption of drugs and alcohol is not permitted on NECA Training premises. Any person affected by either drugs/alcohol will be asked to leave the premises. Access and Equity Our RTO has a strong commitment to the principles of Equal Opportunity and aims to protect both prospective students and students already enrolled at the RTO. The RTO policy states: To eliminate and ensure the absence of discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, sex, sexual preference, marital status, transgender, physical impairment, intellectual impairment, homosexuality, HIV/AIDS, age pregnancy, religion, political opinion, national extraction and social origin. It is the responsibility of NECA Training staff to ensure that our Access and Equity Policy is fully implemented. Disabilities Please inform the RTO staff of any special needs so that we can take all reasonable steps to ensure these needs are met. There is a disability section on the enrolment form; if you complete this section the RTO staff will contact you to discuss your needs. The Disability Discrimination Act aims to ensure people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as all other Australians. We do not discriminate against those with disabilities either as employees or students. Language Literacy and Numeracy NECA Training recognises that not all people are able to read, write and perform calculations to the same standards. If you have any language literacy or numeracy issues please indicate these on the enrolment form. If a language, literacy and numeracy issue is identified we will provide a Language, Literacy and Numeracy test to determine how we are able to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs or refer you to appropriate agencies as required. Refer to our LLN Policy for more information.
Privacy The RTO will not collect personal information unless the information is necessary for one or more of its functions or activities and the RTO s collection of personal information will be fair, lawful and not intrusive. The RTO will only use or disclose information for the purpose for which it was collected. Some information may be used by Federal and State Government for the purpose of statistical analysis. As an RTO we have a duty of care to protect the privacy of records in our care. We are not allowed to disclose any private or personal information to any person without the consent of the person the information is about. This does not include exchanging information within our RTO for the purposes of record keeping, training and assessment. You have to give your permission for us to provide any personal information about you. This includes any reports about results, attendance at classes and general progress in your study. As a participant you may seek access to your own records in accordance with our records management policy. Please contact a NECA Training representative for a copy of our Privacy Policy for further information. Safety We at NECA Training take safety very seriously, the Occupational Health & Safety of all persons employed/engaged with our organisation, those visiting the organisation and those attending training programs provided by NECA Training are of the utmost importance. Resources in line with the importance attached to OH&S will be made available to comply with all relevant Acts and Regulations and to ensure that the workplace is safe and without risk to health. All personnel of NECA Training are required to ensure that the OH&S principles are effectively implemented in their areas of control. It is NECA Training aim to only choose venues that comply with all the relevant OH&S Act and Regulations, however on arrival at each venue a checklist will be completed. The management of the venue will be notified immediately of any/all non compliance identified in the checklist. In the case of an emergency occurring at NECA Trainings training facility, all students and staff must evacuate the premises and assemble in a class group at the designated assembly area until a roll check has been made. No one is to re enter the premises until the person in charge has given the all clear.
On Site training environment An important part of your training is learning how to work safely. Each person is involved in working safely for themselves and the safety of others. The safety instructions and regulations specified by your trainer must be followed. If you have any doubts about the safety of any procedure, raise the matter immediately with your trainer. Course participants are required to wear a long sleeve shirt, long trousers and enclosed footwear when attending courses. The student may also be required to bring with them all their PPE, harness, tools and in some instances hi visibility work wear. You will be notified prior to the course commencement of the course requirements. Submitting work Whenever you submit work for which a cover sheet has been provided, the cover sheet must be used and have all details completed. If no cover sheet has been provided any submitted work should be clearly marked with your name and date. Delivery and Assessment information Competency Base Training and Assessment Our RTO conducts training within a competency based training system. Our trainers are expected to plan, deliver and assess all training using appropriate competency based strategies. As a course participant you will be expected to demonstrate your competence as described in the units of competence included in your qualification or course. Prior to enrolment you will be given information outlining the units of competence and the requirements of each to be assessed as competent.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) If you have completed nationally recognised or accredited training previously you may be eligible for RPL. RPL means we will recognise your prior training and you will not need to repeat training you have already completed. If you have skills and knowledge from prior education, work experiences, family and community experience that relates to your training you may seek recognition of prior learning (RPL). If you believe you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning please discuss this matter with a NECA Training staff member. Assistance will be arranged to support you in completing an RPL application, including the gathering of required evidence. The outcome of your application will be provided and explained to you. Please ask to see our policy for RPL. Delivery Our RTO is organised to provide training and assessment OFF THE JOB only. Our learning strategies are developed to suit our customers needs and to achieve the best training outcomes. The Training Delivery and Assessment Plans document how we are planning to conduct our training and assessment. We deliver training to a range of participants. Some may be enrolled as trainees or apprentices under a contract. Special requirements may be in place depending on your enrolment status. Assessment In industry and in the vocational education and training system, competency based training provides the basis for measuring performance in a way that is valid, reliable, flexible and fair. The rationale is that training standards will improve because students/trainees will reach a level that tests competence. Each unit of competence comprises a number of elements and performance criteria. The unit of competence is a skill or knowledge identified in a Training Package. To achieve competence students must demonstrate their skills and knowledge to Industry Standards in EVERY unit and element. Conducting assessments In each area of study you will be advised of the assessment requirements of the unit or subject. You will be told how the evidence will be gathered and you may provide other means to demonstrate your competence. Some units may be assessed with others. Some may be on the job and some may involve on and off the job components. Assessment may be conducted over a period of time so that the assessor has sufficient evidence of your skills. You should discuss specific evidence requirements with your assessor.
What happens if you are not making satisfactory progress? When your progress is unsatisfactory an informal review of your progress will be held. An informal review involves: Notifying the course participant of the concerns by the trainer Ask the course participant to meet with the trainer to discuss the matter and possible options to improve the situation. This is done using the informal review process. The course participant receives a copy of the informal review, which will be kept in the student s file. If an agreement is not met, then the matter is brought to the attention of the RTO manager, who monitors the implementation of the options agreed on to remedy the situation Within a competency based system all requirements of the qualification or unit of competence must be met. All formal written requests from the course participant addressing areas of concern in their assessment will receive a formal response from NECA Training within seven (7) working days. Special Consideration A course participant whose work or performance has been affected by illness or other serious cause may apply in writing to the RTO Manager for special consideration. The letter must be accompanied by a medical certificate or other evidence, at the earliest convenience. You may ask for assistance if this is the case. Complaints and Appeals Complaints Persons wishing to make a complaint about the conduct of NECA Training, whether a complaint, an appeal or other matter, shall have access to the complaints and appeals procedure. All formal complaints will be heard and decided within fifteen (15) working days of the receipt of the written complaint by NECA Training. NECA Training management will keep a Complaints Register, which documents all formal complaints and their resolution. Any substantiated complaints will be reviewed as part of the continuous improvement procedure. This policy will be reviewed to align with the national guidelines for complaints. The management of NECA Training will be responsible for managing the resolution of the complaint and will be able to supply and assist with the complaint form.
If the candidate is still not satisfied with the resolution of the complaint after following the NECA Training complaints and appeals procedure, an external dispute resolution service is available through the NSW Ombudsman or the Australian Skills Quality Authority: The NSW Ombudsman: www.ombo.nsw.gov.au The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA): www.asqa.gov.au Appeals This process is for appeals by candidates in relation to academic decisions or procedural matters. For appeals against specific assessment decisions, you should first discuss all decisions of assessment with your trainer. If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, you have a right to appeal to the NECA Training management team: The notice of appeal should be in writing addressed to NECA Training for referral to NECA Training management and submitted within seven (7) days of notification of the outcome of the re-evaluation process. If the appeal is not lodged in the specified time, the result will stand. If through emergency circumstances, such as in cases of serious illness or injury, you need to defer an appeal, you must forward a medical certificate in support of this. The notice to defer the appeal must be made within three working days of the concluding date shown on the medical certificate. NECA Training s General Manager is responsible for managing the resolution of the appeal and will be able to supply and assist with the appeal form: (Complaints and Appeals Lodgement Form) All appeals will be reviewed at the RTO Staff meeting and if appropriate, result in a continuous improvements process. If the candidate is still not satisfied with the resolution of the appeal after following the NECA Training complaints and appeals procedure, an external dispute resolution service is available through the NSW Ombudsman or the Australian Skills Quality Authority: The NSW Ombudsman: www.ombo.nsw.gov.au The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA): www.asqa.gov.au FEES & CHARGES It is a mandatory requirement that you as a prospective student indicate clearly to us your understanding and acceptance of the fees you will be charged. As you can purchase your training from us either by application form, or over the phone we are obliged to make sure that you are provided all information possible to allow you to make an informed choice. We also need to ensure that you receive the correct services from us. The NECA Training website contains a listing of each training course that we offer.
FEES IN ADVANCE Course fees are to be paid prior to the commencement of any training program. Payment for fees made in person can be made by credit card or EFTPOS. Payment for fees made online can only be made by credit card. All students paying fees will be issued an official receipt. All course fees paid will be placed onto NECA Training s financial management software against the upcoming course. To enquire about fees for any units contact us by phone or by email and our Training Course Administrator will answer your request. Please note that fees may change from time to time, so please ensure that your understanding of our fees is up to date. We will not charge you GST as we are exempt if we are delivering Nationally Recognised Training, as RTOs are eligible for GST exemption under section 38-85 GSTR 2003/1 Goods and Services Tax. Paying Online Fees To ensure that you are fully aware of our online fees, the following steps are followed during the purchase and enrolment process. Please read and understand the following: 1. Our website will clearly tell you the cost of your selected unit or course by viewing the Training Calendar. For inclusions and any additions or special conditions please refer to the Course Information document on the website for your particular course. 2. It will also clearly tell you any special requirements that you must have to complete the course, such as bringing your own tools (multi-meter, etc.). Do not purchase the course if you cannot meet all of the requirements. 3. For course fees over $1000 a student will be asked to pay the $1000 when the enrolment form is completed and the remainder of the fee upon completion of the course. Statements of attainment will not be issued until all course fees are paid. OTHER FEES There are no other fixed fees or hidden charges. Replacement Statement of Attainment. No fees apply.
Your acceptance of our fees All Students In accordance with the above, as there are a number of steps where you indicate your acceptance of our fees and products, we regard that once we receive payment confirmation that this is a formal record of your acceptance. To protect you and your refund eligibility records, all payment transactions with us are retained by our LMS and routinely backed up. We shall retain your transaction, and therefore acceptance records for a period greater than 2 years. COMPLETION GUARANTEE NECA Training provides every student with the guarantee that once you have paid the training fee in full we shall ensure that you are provided with every opportunity to allow you to complete the training. Where circumstances may change and these may impact upon your ability to complete the training we shall contact you and if required make alternative arrangements on your behalf, only with your prior permission. Refund Policy NECA Training will offer refunds for payment of training courses if a participant withdraws, under the following conditions: Cancellation of attendance by the student Transfer of attendance by the student Cancellation of the course by the RTO Details of cancellation and transfer refunds are shown below, or ask for our Refunds Policy for full details. Cancellation Refunds Cancellation by the RTO: Programs provided by the RTO may be cancelled if the course student numbers fall below the minimum due to student withdrawals. The RTO will strive to give one week notice to the student of a course being cancelled. After discussion with the student, either a total refund of the course fee will be given or the student will be transferred to another course at no cost to the student.
Cancellation by the student: NOTE: All cancellations must be received in writing either by mail or email. Notification to the RTO, seven or more days before the course start date will see a 100% refund being applied. Notifications of less than seven days notice before the course start date will see no refund applied. Course Transfer Costs Should a candidate wish to transfer their scheduled course date: 1. Notice given 8 or more days prior to course start date no charge. 2. Notice given 1 7 days prior to the course start date - 10% of the course fee will be charged 3. A second transfer request of the same course 20% of the course fee will be charged. 4. A maximum of two course transfers of the same course are permitted, before fees are forfeited. Legislation that affects our RTO operations Under the AQF framework all Registered Training Organisations are required to manage training programs in accordance with VET state & territory legislation and regulations. NECA Training encourages all participants and staff to be familiar with the relevant legislations, Acts and Licensing Authorities requirements and how they impact on their workplace and training. Privacy Act 1988 (CTH) Education Act 1990 (NSW) The Anti Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) The Work Health & Safety Act 2011(NSW) The Privacy & Personal Information Act 1998 No 133 (NSW) Vocational and Training Act 2005 and Vocational Education and Training (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2010 Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act 1984 Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act 1975 Commonwealth Age Discrimination Act 2004 Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Copyright Act 1968 Each of these Acts are available on the website noted.
Other useful websites: WorkCover NSW http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au Australian Skills Quality Authority http://www.asqa.gov.au State Training Services http://www.training.nsw.gov.au Office of Fair Trading http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au Training.gov.au http://www.training.gov.au
Tear off and return to NECA Training Acknowledgement Declaration I acknowledge that I,... have read and fully understand the contents of this Student Handbook, which outlines the conditions, my rights and responsibilities as a participant of NECA Training... Signature... Date...... Name of Witness (person over 18) Signature... Date