Student Information

WELCOME TO ENCOMPASS COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Education and Training, a division of Encompass Community Services Inc., is a Registered Training Organisation. It has been offering training programs designed to be adapted to individual learning needs and expectations using proven training methods, motivation and encouragement in the Geelong Region since 1999. Vocational education and training is a great way to gain a nationally recognised qualification that will improve your ability to enter the workforce or enhance your career or job prospects. We offer smaller class sizes (maximum of 10 for foundation courses) within a supportive environment. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Our training programs are interactive and engaging. Course handouts, power point presentations and guest speakers from respective industries will form part of your course. If required we also provide literacy and numeracy support to assist you in the successful completion of your course or qualification.

LEARNING AND TRAINING PRINCIPLES

Students and staff of Encompass College of Education and Training share an enjoyable and productive learning and working environment in a climate of mutual respect and understanding.

STUDENTS AT ENCOMPASS COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Take responsibility for their own learning and contribute to the learning of others;
• Are happy and motivated;
• Are inquiring, organised, cooperative and enthusiastic;
• Understand how they learn;
• Employ problem solving and critical thinking skills, are collaborative and technologically competent;
• Are unafraid to seek assistance, are able to deal with setbacks and learn from their mistakes;
• Have effective communication skills and
• Test the limits of their ability and achieve their potential
• Ensure that there is no less than an 80% attendance rate unless prior arrangements are made

TRAINERS AND STAFF AT ENCOMPASS COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

• Create a learning environment which is safe, enjoyable, unthreatening, stimulating and motivating;
• Are enthusiastic about client learning and welfare;
• Aspire to best practice;
• Train to individual learning needs and learning styles;
• Have high expectations of their students;
• Are facilitative. They provide a core of knowledge and a suite of skills and model lifelong learning;
• Reflect on their practice and seek ongoing professional growth and
• Assist students to identify goals, develop organisation and maintain motivation

SKILLS FIRST PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The Skills First Program will subsidise the cost of a training place in a course, if you meet the required eligibility criteria
as outlined below:

a) In 2020 you are eligible for a government-subsidised training place if you are:

• an Australian citizen
• a holder of a permanent Visa; or
• a New Zealand citizen; AND

b) Enrolling and commencing training in a course or qualification provided by Encompass College of Education
and Training between the commencement date and 31 December 2020 inclusive; AND

c) Either:

• i) Under 20 years of age (as of 1 January 2020) and seeking to enrol in nationally recognised training; or
• ii) Over 20 years of age (as of 1 January 2020) and seeking to enrol in nationally recognised training in a
  Foundation Skills List course; or
• iii) Over 20 years of age (as of 1 January 2020) and seeking to enrol in nationally recognised training as an
  Apprentice (not Trainee); or
• iv) Over 20 years of age (as of 1 January 2020) and seeking to enrol in training in the Victorian Certificate of
  Education or the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (Intermediate or Senior); or
• v) Over 20 years of age (as of 1 January 2020) and seeking to enrol in nationally recognised training in a
  course that is at a higher qualification level than the highest qualification held at the time of the scheduled
  commencement of training, AND in addition to meeting the above requirements and individual is only eligible
  to:

d) Commence a maximum of two courses subsidised through the Skills First Program in a calendar year.
Where an individual is enrolled in a course(s) that is scheduled to commence at a later date in that calendar
year, this course(s) must be counted toward this requirement.

e) Undertake a maximum of two courses subsidised through the Skills First Program at any one time

f) Commence a maximum of two Government subsidised courses at the same level within the
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) in their lifetime; and

g) Commence a maximum of two Government subsidised accredited courses with the title ‘Course
in….’ in their lifetime.
Encompass College of Education is required to sight an original and retain a copy of one of the following
identification documents:

• Australian Birth Certificate (not Birth Extract)
• Current New Zealand Passport
• Current green Medicare Card
• Current Australian Passport
• Naturalisation certificate
• Formal documentation issued by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection
  confirming permanent residence
• A proxy declaration for individuals in exceptional circumstances as per Skills First Program guidelines

You can also check what you may be eligible for using the interactive Victorian Skills Gateway Eligibility Indicator.
Please be aware that accessing the Skills First Program may impact access to further government-subsidised
training.

EXEMPTIONS: BACK TO WORK SCHEME

Individuals seeking to undertake training as part of the Back to Work Scheme, may be exempt from eligibility criteria for ‘upskilling’’, two at level in a lifetime’ and two courses in a lifetime where Encompass College of Education and Training has sighted and retained a copy of the standard email issued by the State Revenue Office to the individual’s employer that confirms the individual’s status as a ‘Back to Work’ participant.

EXEMPTIONS: ASYLUM SEEKERS VET PROGRAM

Asylum Seekers VET Program – Individuals seeking to undertake training as part of the Asylum Seeker VET Program are exempt from the citizenship eligibility criterion once Encompass College of Education and Training has sighted and retained a referral letter from either the Asylum seeker Resource Centre or the
Australian Red Cross Victims of Human trafficking program. As Encompass College of Education and Training is a Learn Local Organisation, confirmation of an individual’s eligibility for the Asylum Seeker VET Program can be completed by using the Commonwealth Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) confirming the individual holds a valid Bridging Visa Class E (BE); Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV); or Temporary Protection Visa (TPV). A fee concession must also be granted to the student.

EXEMPTIONS: LATROBE VALLEY INITIATIVE

Encompass College of Education and Training, as a learn Local Provider, may exempt individual/s, from eligibility criteria for ‘upskilling’’, two at level in a lifetime’ and two courses if seeking to undertake training and is referred to training by the Latrobe Valley Authority or the Morwell Skills and Jobs Centre.

EXEMPTIONS: SKILLS FIRST YOUTH ACCESS INITIATIVE

Encompass College of Education and Training, as a learn Local Provider, must apply a fee waiver/exemption for an Eligible individual if it sights and retains a validly endorsed referral form from either the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department, the Department of Justice and Regulation, or a referring agency. Skills First Youth Access Initiative is to support young people on Youth Justice Orders or Child Protection Orders, or have been on Youth Justice Orders or Child Protection Orders and are not more than 22 years of age, to participate in education and training.

EXEMPTIONS: TAFE AND LEARN LOCAL EXEMPTIONS FOR UP TO 20% OF COMMENCEMENTS

Exemption to individuals from ‘upskilling, ‘two at level in a lifetime’, ‘two “courses in…” in a lifetime can be granted for up to 10% of our commencements for the calendar year given that Encompass College of Education is a Learn Local provider. Preference of these exemptions will be considered to individuals seeking to enroll in training that meets identified skills shortages and localised labour market needs. Encompass College of Education must offer exemptions
to individuals from the following cohorts who present specific evidence as outlined in the 2020 Guidelines about Determining Student Eligibility and Supporting Evidence – Skills First program:

• Retrenched workers;
• Automotive supply chain workers;
• Jobs Victoria Employment Network Clients

WHAT WILL IT COST TO ENROL?

Students that are up-skilling will not have to pay any fees through our 2020 promotion. Should you already hold a qualification at the same level or above of the qualification you intend to enrol in you would be required to pay Fee for Service fees*

Should you not be upskilling, you will be required to pay an Enrolment Fee of $100 that will secure your place in the course of your choice. This fee must be paid prior to or at enrolment. Your enrolment is not valid until this enrolment fee has been paid. The Enrolment Fee covers the following:

Material Fee of $64.00 – this fee relates to goods or materials that becomes the property of the student and is retained by them in the event of withdrawal from the course. This fee includes cost of handouts and other relevant material supplied by the service. Workbooks remain the property of Encompass College of Education and Training.

Administration Support Fee of $36.00 – this fee is charged to cover the use of computers and the provision of student and administration support.

*subject to change with promotion

FEE FOR SERVICE

All courses/programs offered by Encompass College of Education and Training are offered on a Fee for Service basis for those students who are not eligible for a Government Funded Training Place, in the qualification of their choice. Fees are calculated on the hours of training to be undertaken within a calendar year. The maximum hourly rate varies according to the category.

FEE REFUNDS

The following will provide you with the information required should you request a refund of fees:

• 100 percent refund if the Organisation closes
• 100 percent refund if the Organisation cancels your course.
• If you lodge a withdrawal/refund application within four weeks of the commencement of your course for any
  other reason, you are entitled to the refund of your tuition fees.
• You are not entitled to any refund if you withdraw later than 30 days after the commencement of your course.
• Enrolment fees are non-refundable.

CONFIRMATION OF ENROLMENT

A Confirmation of Enrolment Form will only be provided to you once you have attended class for 4 weeks.

PRACTICAL PLACEMENT

Please do not enrol in any course if you believe you may not have a clear National Police Check and/or a clear Working with Children’s Check before first speaking to our Practical Placement Officer.

A current National Police Check and/or Working with Children’s Check is required before placement can begin. Any fees involved to obtain these checks will be the responsibility of the student. If you do not have a clear Police Check and/or a clear Working with Children’s Check you may not be able to participate in placement therefore you may be deemed Not Yet Competent and may not achieve your full qualification.

PRACTICAL LEARNING OFF SITE REQUIREMENTS

To enrol in qualifications that are delivered off site, e.g. at The Paddock you will be required to produce a current police check before enrolment.

COMPETENCY BASED TRAINING

Competency Based Training focuses on what the participant is expected to be able to do in the workplace as opposed to just having theoretical knowledge.

An important characteristic of Competency Based Training is that it is focused not only on the actual jobs that are required in the workplace, but also the ability to transfer and apply skills, knowledge and attitudes to new situations and environments.

The assessment of competencies is not about passing or failing someone. Your Trainer/assessor is not an examiner. Your Trainer/Assessor’s role is to work with you to ensure that sufficient evidence is collected to establish competence, and that the evidence meets the required standard.

A competency is defined in terms of what a person is required to do (performance), under what conditions it is to be done (conditions) and how well it is to be done (standards).

Students in our courses play an active role in the assessment process and should generally know when they themselves are ready for an assessment of competence. Evidence of competence will not just be “exercises” but a collection of assessment tasks that must be completed as a part of a class activity or from a variety of situations. The emphasis in competency-based training is on “performing” rather than just “knowing”. As well as being a description of a work task or activity, a competency addresses the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for a person to perform a job to a required standard.

The definition of competency in the Australian context of competency-based training includes four aspects of work performance. These are:

• Task Skills – Being able to perform individual tasks.
• Task Management Skills – Being able to manage a number of different tasks within the job.
• Contingency Management Skills – Being able to respond to irregularities and breakdowns in routine.
• Environment Skills – Being able to deal with the responsibilities and expectations of the work environment.

Our programs offer opportunities to assist you in the development of your skills and knowledge in your chosen career pathway which will increase your ability to access employment. Encompass College of Education and Training is committed to continually improving the quality of training and assessment that it delivers. Thereby further strengthening ties with local industries, clients, other RTO’s and training industry bodies. Within our Training Courses is an allowance for client support. We ask that you take advantage of this as we measure our success by your success.

CHILDREN/INFANTS

Please note that no children and infants are to be brought to class.

ATTENDANCE

All students who are enroled at the College are accessing adult education, therefore it is necessary to maintain a satisfactory attendance rate of no less than 80% to ensure competency can be achieved in units being studied. If you are unable to attend class, you are required to contact the College on 5222 3377 before the commencement of your class to explain your absence. Should you miss the first delivery of a unit, it will be at the discretion of the College whether you will be able to commence this unit the following week/s, or wait until the unit is delivered again in the rolling timetable. Please be aware that this will affect your course end date.

DELIVERY AND ASSESSMENT STRATEGY

Encompass College of Education and Training in order to demonstrate the rules of evidence, reliability, flexibility, validity and fairness have developed standardised assessment instruments. The delivery and assessment strategy which identifies the requirements for the course is reflective in the unit assessment tool, for a particular unit of competency.

Prior to the beginning of training in a particular unit of competency, each student will be given the unit assessment tool for a particular unit or cluster of units and have the process of assessment explained to them.

In order to meet the requirements of the ASQA guidelines for VET Registration information given to students must include:

• the course schedule and the delivery modes for that unit or cluster of units; and
• a copy of assessments

ASSESSMENT

It is an expectation that ALL unit assessments are submitted on or before it’s due date. If you are experiencing difficulties with your course, or a particular unit/assessment, please advise our Administration staff to discuss further assistance or if you need an extension. Only students who have been granted an extension will be permitted to proceed to their next unit delivery.

EXTENSION OF ASSESSMENT

If you believe you will be unable to complete an assessment by or on the required date, you may, in some cases negotiate with your trainer/assessor and our Administration staff for an extension. Extensions must be clearly documented between you, the Trainer/Assessor and also with the Administration Staff. The agreed extension date must indicate when assessment/s must be completed as well as fitting within the unit enrolment start and end date.

All Students are to take either a hard copy or electronic copy of all work before submitting for assessment.

Photocopying is available from Administration for $5.00 an assessment.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

If you are unable to submit an assessment by its due date and could not request an extension as you had no prior warning of this inability, please arrange a time to speak with our Administration Staff to discuss further options.

MUTUAL RECOGNITION

Credit Transfer is an automatic process where individuals are credited with units completed. Encompass College of Education and Training will recognise AQF Certificates and Statements of Attainment issued by another RTO or TAFE in order to be awarded a Credit Transfer, the Certificate and/or Statement of Attainment must relate to the same Training Package and have exactly the same unit code/s. You will be required to sign an Authority to Release Information form so that the Certificates and/or Statement of Attainments can be authenticated through the RTO or TAFE that issued them.

You will need to produce an original copy of your Qualification and /or Statement of Attainment and providing the unit codes match exactly you will be awarded a Credit Transfer for this unit of competency.

SELECTION OF COURSE PARTICIPANTS

In common with all Registered Training Organisations, we currently use a variety of sources of evidence to support us in making informed judgements on potential candidates for our courses. All courses have an entry requirement based upon a Pre-Training Review. This will be explained in more detail before enrolment. All entry requirements and/or pre-requisite pathways are listed under the courses that have those requirements.

• Above all, in addition to those requirements, throughout the whole selection and enrolment process our trainers will be looking for evidence of the following:
• Enthusiasm for the subject and for the idea of learning in an environment that encourages not only theory
  based learning but practical learning as well;
• Genuine interest in the course content and the field of study;
• Some ideas about what makes an effective worker in the field of your choice;
• Ability to accept and act upon advice, and
• Ability to reflect on your own professional development and maturity.

SUPPORT SERVICES

All students are entitled to receive support services that will help in the process of their learning and training. Wherever possible, modified facilities and resources will be provided to assist students with specific needs and/or disabilities.

Where required, additional support and assistance can be obtained by appointment with our Student Support Officer or outsourced to appropriate local welfare and guidance support service. Please note that no children and infants are to be brought to class.

ACCESS AND EQUITY

Encompass College of Education and Training applies access and equity principles through all its policies and procedures to promote full and equal participation of all students in its courses, to foster an environment free of discrimination and harassment, and to assist students to identify and achieve their desired outcomes.

COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

Encompass College of Education and Training is committed to facilitating a learning environment that is fair and equitable. Students can raise any matters of concern relating to their course, assessment, the quality of the training, client amenities, discrimination, sexual harassment and any other issues which may arise. Encompass Community Services Inc. will act upon any complaint raised, dispute and/or grievance found to be substantiated.

Right of Appeal:
All students have the Right of Appeal regarding any decision made affecting them, including their course results.
Prior to lodging a formal appeal, the matter should first be discussed with the Trainer/Assessor and if you are not satisfied with the outcome you are then advised to follow the appeals process.

The Appeals Process:

• The following is the Encompass Community Services Inc. appeals process. In the first instance, approach the
• Trainer or discuss it with the person concerned.
• If unresolved approach the Encompass College of Education and Training Manager.
• The Encompass College of Education and Training Manager will give you a Complaint Form to complete and register.
• If the complaint is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction then it is recommended that a formal complaint be lodged (following Encompass Inc. Policies and Procedures) and forwarded to the Encompass Community Services Inc. Operations Manager.

All appeals will be handled professionally and confidentially in order to achieve a speedy resolution. Any appeals will be managed fairly, equitably and as efficiently as possible. If required, alternative measures may need to be explored
such as the involvement of an independent mediator.

Documentation:
All complaints, grievances, appeals and their outcomes will be recorded in writing. Students are advised to fill out a Complaint Form ensuring the following information is provided.

• Description of the complaint.
• What action was taken to try and resolve that complaint?
• Suggested remedy to the problem.
• Agreed action.
• Suggested outcome and
• Must be dated and signed

CERTIFICATES AND STATEMENTS OF ATTAINMENT

Encompass College of Education and Training will issue AQTF Qualifications/Statement of Attainment for Vocational programs after the successful completion of the course/qualification or units/modules. Please note that should there be any outstanding fees at this time, your Certificate or Statement of Attainment will be retained by Encompass College of Education and Training until fees are paid in full. Should you require a re-printed Statement of Attainment or Certificate, a fee of $45.00 will be incurred.