- Classes are open to all adults’ 16 years and over.
- We need to be advised if you have a medical condition or disability and need assistance in attending a class.
- A fee (when applicable) must accompany your enrolment. As class placements are limited it is regretted class placements cannot be saved without your deposit payment. Your deposit secures your enrolment and course placement.
- It is your responsibility to note the date, time and location of the course as advertised.
- Courses with low enrolments may be cancelled and refunds will only be given when Skillswest cancels a course. Every effort will be made to contact students so please ensure we have your home and/or work telephone numbers.
- Requests from you to transfer or credit, your course placement before course commencement due to changed personal circumstances, will be considered and every effort will be made to ensure a placement in an alternate course.
- During your course should changed personal circumstances arise and you are unable to complete the course, every effort will be made to ensure a placement can be made in alternate pre-scheduled workshops.
- Students can only join after the course start date if they meet all prerequisites. Late enrolments must meet the full course fee.
- Skillswest reserves the right to decline admission to a course; terminate a student's enrolment in a class at any time; or change a course or tutor at any time without notice to course participants.
- Students participate in courses involving physical activity; field trips, practical demonstrations etc. do so at their own risk. Skillswest does have adequate public liability insurance for classroom activities.
Course Fees, Payments and Refunds
Administration charges are not tuition charges but a partial recovery associated with the enrolment process, and administrative support. All requests for refunds must be in writing.
Refunds can be made in the following circumstances:
- Participants who have overpaid the administration charge
- Participants enrolled in training that has been cancelled
- The participant advises Skillswest prior to class commencement that they are withdrawing from Training
- In Skillswest’s opinion, the participant would be unreasonably disadvantaged if not granted a refund, for example, a participant meets with a serious misadventure and is unable to continue their enrolment.
NB: School Based Trainees are not required to pay an Administration Fee.
Course Fees and Refunds
Course Fees must be paid prior to course commencement
Refunds can be made in the following circumstances:
- Participants have overpaid the course fee
- Participants enrolled in a course that has been cancelled
- Participants advises Skillswest Training Company within 5 working days of the course commencement that they are withdrawing from the course
- In the opinion of Skillswest Training Company, the participant would be unreasonably disadvantaged if not granted a refund, eg. A participant meets with a serious disadvantage and is unable to continue their enrolment.
Skillswest recognises a student’s right to privacy. Skillswest’s Privacy Policy identifies how we handle information we learn about you. We collect and store your enrolment details and your progress reports in a secured cabinet.
Where State or Commonwealth funding supports training we are obliged to submit your enrolment details for statistical purposes.
We do not disclose information you provide to us. The information we collect from you is protected. Personal student files will only contain information pertinent to the student’s training program.
The confidentiality of all personal information in our records will be protected under the NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1988 and Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 No. 155, 2000.
Complaints and grievances
Skillswest recognises that differences and grievances can arise from time to time. The quick settlement of these matters is in the best interest of all parties concerned and the following steps are implemented to ensure this happens.
- Tell us if you are dissatisfied or have any concerns about our products, services, processes or policies.
- Tell us if you think you have been treated unfairly or unjustly.
- We will discuss the matter with you and try to resolve the problem
- If you are not satisfied with the resolution we will refer the matter to an independent mediator.
- If a satisfactory solution cannot be reached by all parties you have the right to seek representation and appeal under the relevant State or Federal Law.
Legislative and Regulatory Requirements
You acknowledge that you must observe your employers OH&S policies and workplace practices as instructed by your employer including Equal Rights and Equal Opportunity and the anti-discrimination acts.
Access and Equity
Skillswest is committed to access and equity principles and processes in the delivery of its services and working environment in accordance with Sex Discrimination act 1984, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act 1986, Racial Discrimination Act 5 1975, NSW Anti-Discrimination Act and Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
In the event of a situation that is considered by clients to be in violation of the Hunter Valley Training Company Access & Equity Policy, students and clients are required to report the situation to the Skillswest Manager.
Harassment, Victimisation and Bullying
Skillswest does not tolerate any harassment, victimisation, bullying or any such conduct that has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or an offensive learning environment. This includes harassment, victimisation, bullying because of sex, race, national origin, religion, disability, sexuality or age.
Harassment is unlawful under Commonwealth and State legislation and all harassment, bullying and victimisation are contrary to the duty of care to provide a safe environment for work and learning.
In the event of a situation that is considered by clients to be in violation of the Hunter Valley Training Company harassment, victimisation and bullying policy, report the situation to the Skillswest Manager.
Pastoral Care
Students requiring support or pastoral care should in the first instance speak to your Trainer or one of our Senior Trainers who will assist them with your problem. This extends to personal issues, health issues and financial problems. Included in the front of this Handbook is a list of contact numbers for services that may be of help to you. Students who appear to be low in self-esteem or confidence will be counselled accordingly.
Any problem that is being experienced by a student, which Trainers feel they cannot handle, should be referred to Centre Administration who will arrange for or refer the student for professional counselling.
Disciplinary Action
Skillswest’s goal is to create a fair and efficient environment for all students. Should any student act with disregard to any of the organisation’s policies and procedures, it may be necessary for management to take the following disciplinary action:
Stage 1: Discussion and Verbal Warning:
This is a verbal conversation where students and management will discuss the events, incidents and/or issues of concern. This discussion will result in recommendations for improvements, together with an appropriate action or training plan with timelines. Details will be recorded and signed by all parties. Where the incident or conduct has been unacceptable and of seriousness nature, immediate training termination will take place.
Stage 2: Written Warning:
If there is no significant improvement in performance as agreed in Stage 1, or another incident takes place, management will issue a written warning.
Stage 3: Third and Final Written Warning:
If the disciplinary review process fails, management and the student will meet for a final meeting. Management will provide evidence that despite the course of action taken the issue persists. Students will be issued with the final Student warning resulting in management’s right to take the necessary disciplinary action required. Documents of reason and action taken will be placed on the student's personal file.
Students with LLN (Language, literacy and Numeracy) Needs
Broadly as a student you must be able to count, check and accurately record, read, interpret, estimate, measure and calculate to ensure you meet the training standards.
There are a number of ways we can make adjustments to your training and assessment that will allow you to achieve the learning outcomes and support you with any Language, literacy and Numeracy needs. These include:
- Providing you with an interpreter
- Providing you with writing material in plain English
- Reading written material to you
- Providing you with a writer for those who cannot write
- Using signs, pictures, and graphics
- Demonstrating your skills on the job
If you require any assistance please speak to your trainer.
Student Induction & Orientation
Student Induction and Orientation Day is conducted for all new students on the first day of your course. It is essential for students to attend this session to understand the academic system and familiarise themselves with the facilities. At Induction and Orientation answers all queries regarding course structure and timetables will be answered collectively with time for individual consultation if required. The Trainer will be available to answer any questions you have regarding subject selection. At the end of the Induction you will be asked to sign a declaration that you have received, understood and agreed to undertake your training according to the policies and procedures of Skillswest. Please complete this form and hand it to the Trainer.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Students who believe that they can satisfy the requirements of any course competency because of prior learning, practical experience or both, and wish to be exempted from re-doing this competency may apply for an exemption.
To apply for the granting of an exemption, students should ask your Trainer for an RPL/RCC Kit.
After the Kit has been completed, giving all relevant details, return it to the office, together with all appropriate documentary evidence and the required fee (if applicable). The request for RPL/RCC will be considered and will be advised of the decision for exemption.
The only Unit of Competency that will not be given RPL consideration is OH&S. The fact that OH&S is not a generic unit of competency and very industry specific, means that it is in everyone’s best interest if that unit of competency is repeated.
The decision to grant an exemption or credit concerning the recognition of prior learning rests with Manager Central Operations.
Recognition of prior learning appeal
Any student who applied to the Manager Central Operations for RPL/RCC in the prescribed way and had their claim for such recognition rejected has the right to appeal, within 14 days, by writing to the Manager Quality Services.
Credit transfer and mutual recognition
Skillswest recognises the Certificates and Statements of Attainment issued by all other Registered Training Organisations.
The applicant must provide:
The original Certificate or Statement of Attainment, or
A duplicate issued by the originating RTO
The centre may choose to verify the Certificate or Statement of Attainment with the originating RTO
When the units of competency are not the same but may be equivalent, the outcomes shall be checked to ensure that they are equivalent.