Welcome to VET – Vocational Education and Training. This student VET handbook is designed to provide you with a guide into your training. It aligns with the induction you will receive in class and gives information around your training – it’s extremely important that you understand everything about enrolling with an RTO (registered training organisation) If you have any questions make sure you ask your teacher for further information.

1

You will enrol with the Special Education Training Alliance that is registered through Western Suburbs Special School in order to complete Vocational Education and Training, which is known as VET. VET courses are a great way to achieve a qualification and to start your journey into the world of work. The Special Education Training Alliance or SETA as many of your will come to know it as is a Registered Training Organisation, or RTO and operates out of Western Suburbs Special School. You will notice that any forms or documents that involve your qualification will have SETA and SETA on them due to legal requirements. Your school, or teacher, will provide the training and assessment for your qualification with SETA.

2

As an RTO, SETA are authorised to deliver, assess and award Certificate qualifications that fall within our scope of registration. We operate within the principles and standards that are set by the National VET Regulator. The Australian Skills Quality Authority implements these principles and standards, by registering and monitoring RTOs, like SETA.

3

SETA’s scope of registration includes these qualifications… …Most of these courses are delivered within schools to students in Years 10, 11 or 12 by teachers who are known as ‘trainers/assessors’.

4

5

SETA delivers VET qualifications at AQF level 1 (Australian Qualifications Framework) Level I qualifications…The purpose of a Certificate I is to qualify students with basic functional knowledge and skills to undertake work, further learning and community involvement. Certificate I qualifies students with basic functional knowledge in a narrow area of work and learning and basic skills, including communication skills needed to receive, pass on and recall information. A Certificate I student needs to be able to apply this knowledge and these skills in highly structured and stable contexts within narrow parameters and predictable work–related activities. This is the most basic level of qualification. Students at this level should be able to work with some assistance from others.

6

Teachers can assist students with special needs in all Education Queensland Schools. All trainers are required to adhere to the Education Queensland’s access and equity policies. Appropriately qualified staff may assess the extent to which you likely to achieve the stated competency standards and outcomes of the course and provide support as required.

7

So now you know about qualification levels, but what is a VET qualification? A VET qualification is made up of a specified number of units of competency - some courses are made up of 6 units of competency, while others might have 16. Units of competency are simply units of work which are structured to train you in a particular set of skills and knowledge required by industry. Once you have successfully completed all of the Units of competency you will have achieved the qualification. Let’s have a look at a Unit of competency…

8

This unit is FSKNUM03 Use whole numbers and money up to one thousand for work. The letters and numbers at the beginning are the unit code. A unit is made up of several parts, which set out the outcomes, conditions of performance and benchmarks used for measuring performance. Within a unit are Elements of competency and Performance criteria, a list of required skills and knowledge and an Evidence Guide. You teacher will help you to familiarise yourself with the Units of Competency as you begin training for each Unit or group of Units.

9

Elements of competency define the essential outcomes of the unit of competency. Eg: this unit has three Elements of competency: Identify whole numbers and money up to one thousand; Undertake simple mathematical processes; Check and communicate results Performance criteria explain what you need to do to be able to demonstrate those essential outcomes. Eg: for EoC 1, there are three things you need to be able to demonstrate, including 1.1 Read and name whole numbers and money amounts up to 1000 in highly familiar workplace documents and tasks 1.2 Demonstrate understanding of place value and the role of zero 1.3 Recognise and understand halves

10

In addition to the Units of competency, you will be learning Employability Skills/Skills for Work. Employability Skills and Skills for Work are the non-technical skills and knowledge that you need in order to effectively participate in the workforce. Examples are: Communication, Self-management, Problem-solving, Teamwork, Initiative and Enterprise, Planning and Organising, Learning and Technology The Employability Skills for the qualification you are studying are noted on the Course Outline. During the course of study you will also be required to develop and display these skills.

11

You will be assessed using Competency based assessment. Competency based assessment is the system used in VET for assessing a person’s knowledge and skills. The idea of this type of assessment is to determine what you are able to do by looking at the actual skills and knowledge you can demonstrate in the workplace or in other relevant contexts, such as a simulated work environment. You must demonstrate competency in all of the required assessment tasks in order to be recognised as competent overall for a Unit of competency. There’ll be more about Assessment later in this presentation.

12

Before you can begin your training you must undergo a general induction, of which this handbook makes up is a part. Your trainer/assessor will also give you a Course Outline and go through an induction powerpoint, which will be specific to your course and a USI Privacy Notice (to inform you regarding the information required for enrolment) After your induction you will need to complete and sign the VET Agreement form. This document outlines the information you’ve been given at induction and is a statement by you that you have read and understood this information as well as providing vital information for SETA to record your results and access and/or register your USI. If you’re enrolling in a VET course late, that is after Semester 1 of the first year of study, your trainer/assessor will discuss with you that your late enrolment may mean the training and assessment agreement will be for a negotiated package of units, which will lead to a statement of attainment or create a plan for how you will catch up on work already covered. Your school will submit a training plan to SETA with your enrolment form.

13

SETA with your school, keeps track of your enrolment and assessment information. Units of competency that you achieve are updated on the SETA database and a register of Certificates and Statements of Attainment is maintained. We bank your results with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. You can track your progress in your Learning Account – see your teacher for further information.

14

You will receive a course outline for your SETA VET course: The course outline sets out information about your course, including:

The units of competency you will be completing The assessment items and their due dates The employability skills you will be developing throughout the qualification Pathways for articulation to career progression and further study When you receive your course outline, read it through carefully and make sure you ask questions to make sure you fully understand everything.

15

The way you work through your VET course will depend on your circumstances and/or existing skills and knowledge. Most students will firstly undertake training. Your trainer/assessor will conduct this training so that you can learn and develop the knowledge and skills you need in order to be able to demonstrate competency in the relevant Unit or Units. Training may occur in the classroom, in a simulated or actual work environment. As part of your training you will have plenty of opportunities to practice your new skills and knowledge before you are assessed.

16

If you believe you already have the skills and knowledge required for competency in a particular Unit or Units of competency, and you can provide evidence of this, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning, or RPL. This allows you to be awarded part or all of a qualification by providing evidence of your existing knowledge and skills, rather than working through the training and assessment. The RPL Process for students looks like this: Once you’ve identified the possibility of being able to demonstrate RPL, you and your trainer/assessor will need to research the Unit or Units of competency to determine what is required in terms of evidence. You’ll need to collect and organise this evidence. Evidence might be things like certificates of attendance or completion of courses, documents you have already created, references or third party verification from people who have seen you perform the relevant competencies etc. This evidence will need to be clearly identified and organised and should match the requirements of the Unit/s of competency. You then will need to complete and submit an application form, which you can get from your trainer/assessor or from SETA directly. Submit your evidence along with your RPL application. Once you’ve done that, your trainer/assessor will assess your application and

17

evidence. He/she will give you feedback on whether or not you’ve provided enough evidence to fully demonstrate the Unit/s of competency. If not, don’t panic…you will be given gap training if needed so that you can complete the Unit/s of competency. However, if RPL is granted you will be awarded the relevant Unit/s of competency, or the Certificate, if you have been able to demonstrate all Units of competency in the qualification.

17

Another example of how you can make VET work for you is by using Units of competency you have achieved in other VET courses and gaining credit for the ones that are in common with your current course. This is called Credit Transfer. To obtain credit transfer for Units of Competency you will need: • To complete a Credit Transfer Application Form, which is also accessible from your trainer/assessor who will request directly from SETA. • You’ll also need to provide certified evidence that you have completed the Unit/s of competency. This is done by submitting copies of either the qualification you’ve achieved, along with the transcript showing units of competency, or, if you haven’t completed a full Certificate, a statement of attainment. When I say “certified” copy, I mean that your documents must be certified by a Justice of the Peace, or you can show the original to your trainer/ assessor, who will certify a copy for you. • The application form and copies of your certified documents are submitted to SETA for processing.

18

Regardless of how you complete the course, though, you will need to keep the work that you do by saving it into a digital Folio of Evidence. It is important that you organise and manage your files diligently. You will need to set up a file in which to store your work. Your trainer/assessor will explain how this should look for your specific course. Here’s an example of what a digital folio might look like…This folio should be kept on your school drive and regularly updated.

19

Once your trainer/assessor determines you have completed sufficient training and are ready, you will complete assessment for the Units of Competency. Usually, a number of units of competency will be clustered together for assessment.

Your Course Outline sets out your target assessment dates. Once you complete your assessment, you will submit it, along with the signed Student Declaration, to your trainer/assessor, who will determine whether or not you have demonstrated competency. ALL assessment awarded as competent will be kept by base school on behalf of SETA. Depending on your course this may be in hard or electronic copy. Your trainer/assessor will inform you of the method of submission for your course.

20

There are a number of assessment methods that could be used. Each course will use some of these, but not necessarily all of them. Short answers or workbook questions are questions that you will answer with a single word, a few words, a sentence or a paragraph. Folios are a collection of documents that you will be required to create that are linked to learning outcomes. Oral Responses require you to answer questions verbally, and are similar to written short answers. Third Party Reports may be required if you go on work placement or are able to demonstrate competency to someone other than your assessor. Case Studies are scenarios you are given which require you to use processing and problem-solving skills. Practical exercises are tasks that you need to complete that involve the application of your knowledge and skills. Observations involve being observed by your assessor as you demonstrate your skills and competencies.

21

SETA uses the following grading scale when awarding interim grades for assessment tasks and final grades for Units of competency: For interim grades on Individual Assessment Items/Tasks you will be given a S for Satisfactory Or a U for Unsatisfactory

For the final assessment of Units of Competency you will be give a C if you have been graded as Competent in the unit Or an NYC if you are Not Yet Competent

22

It was mentioned earlier that you are able to revisit assessments if you don’t attain competency on your first attempt. This is called resubmission. You are allowed two further attempts at an assessment item or task. Your trainer/assessor will give you feedback, which you must read carefully before reattempting the task. You may need to undertake further practise before resubmission, or you may need to research information to gain a fuller understanding of what is being asked of you. Don’t rush into your resubmission until you are sure you have completed the task correctly. If you have any questions about your trainer/assessor’s feedback, make sure you ask them for clarification. When you complete a resubmission you need to attach your original marked assessment to it.

23

If you don’t agree with an assessment given to you, you are within your rights to dispute it. If this happens, you need to speak to your trainer/assessor first. His/Her recommendations may resolve the problem for you. However, if you are still not satisfied with the resolution your trainer/assessor recommends, you will need to complete an Appeal form, which you can access from SETA. This Appeal form is then forwarded to SETA for consideration.

24

Once you have successfully completed your VET course, SETA will issue you with a Certificate, together with an academic transcript.

25

If, for any reason, you don’t complete the full qualification, you may still be eligible for a Statement of Attainment for the units of competency you have completed. Certificates and Statements of Attainment will be issued within 21 days, either from the date of marking your final assessment or from when SETA received notification of your withdrawal from the course. Your Certificate or Statement of Attainment will be sent to your base school, who will pass it on to you.

26

If you lose or misplace your Certificate or Statement of Attainment you can contact SETA for a replacement. A replacement fee may apply which will need to be paid by the student prior to re-issue.

27

If a Certificate or Statement of Attainment was issued to you in error, or if it is found that the award was based on false or misleading representation, SETA may cancel the award. If SETA does have cause to cancel the award, the student will be notified in writing and required to return the award to SETA within 21 days of receiving the notification. In the event that a student wishes to appeal or dispute the finding, he/she must direct the objections to the RTO Manager.

28

During your course of study, you will be asked to provide SETA with feedback. Giving feedback is a great opportunity for you to tell us what you liked and what you didn’t. We can then work on improving the things you didn’t like so that we can look at how to fix them or make them better. You will be required to complete a survey each year that you are enrolled with us, and again prior to leaving SETA. These surveys are anonymous, so don’t be afraid to be honest! You may be also contacted after you’ve completed your course and be asked to assist SETA with destination studies. But don’t wait until you are asked if you have some feedback to give along the way. You are always welcome to forward any comments to us any time, through your trainer/assessor.

29

The following legislation can impact upon courses delivered by the Western Suburbs State Special School and are listed in accordance with the requirements of the AQTF 2010: • Anti-discrimination Act 1991 (QLD) • Child Care Act 1991 (QLD) • Child Protection Act 1999 (QLD) • Child Protection Act 1999 (QLD) • Children Services Tribunal Act 2000 (QLD) • Childrens Court Act 1992 (QLD) • Commission for Children, Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000 (QLD) • Commonwealth Powers (Family Law - Children) Act 1990 (QLD) • Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) • Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1978 (QLD) • Education (General Provisions) Act 1989 (QLD) • Education (Queensland Studies Authority) Act 2002 (QLD) • Education (Teacher Registration) Act 1988 (QLD) • Education (Work Experience) Act 1996 (QLD) • Equal Opportunity in Public Employment Act 1992 (QLD) • Freedom of Information Act 1992 (QLD) • Industrial Relations Act 1999 (QLD) • Invasion of Privacy Act 1971 (QLD) • Juvenile Justice Act 1992 (QLD) • Judicial Review Act 1991 (QLD)

30

• Student Identifiers Act 2014, • Standards for NVR Registered Training Organisations (RTO) 2014 • Student Identifiers Regulation 2014 • Training and Employment Act 2000 (QLD) • Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (QLD) • Children and Young Workers Code of Practice 2006 (QLD)

30

SETA is committed to access and equity principles and processes which relate to admissions, delivery methods, assessment and support arrangements for students with literacy and numeracy needs. Student selection is non-discriminatory and equity principles are applied through the fair allocation of resources and the opportunity for all students to participate in VET training without discrimination.

31

In the event of losing the specialist trainer, and the RTO being unable to obtain a suitable replacement, SETA will, if possible, arrange for agreed training and assessment to be completed through another RTO. (Fees may be incurred.) Prior to the transfer to another RTO, affected students will be formally notified of the arrangements, and an agreement to those arrangements, including any refund of fees, will be obtained. If transfer is not possible, the RTO will gain a written agreement for a subject/course transfer from the student and parent.

32

If you are withdrawing from a VET course with SETA, your school trainer/assessor will inform us. This may include the reason why you are withdrawing from the course. If you are changing schools, please advise SETA through your trainer/assessor. As VET courses are national qualifications, your course is recognised wherever you go in Australia. If you need to change schools after you’ve started your course with SETA, you may wish to continue it at your new school. However, you will need to find out if your new school also offers your qualification and if you will be able to continue it there. Your VET course may not be offered, or there may be limitations on whether you can continue your VET course with SETA if your new school falls outside of the geographical scope of the RTO.

33

Not all schools will charge an administration fee for this course. The school will ensure that you are aware of any costs prior to enrolment. Any administration fee is non-refundable.

34

35

On Signing the Student VET agreement you are also agreeing to SETA accessing your USI information and (if indicated) to register on your behalf. If the school is supporting you to self register you may need:

• Date of Birth • Country of Birth • City/Town of Birth • Gender • Email Address

You may also need to the original of one of the following: • Medicare Card • Birth Certificate • Driver’s Licence • Australian Passport • Certificate of Registration by Descent • ImmiCard • Australian Entry Visa

36

That brings us to the end of this induction presentation. You now need to complete and sign the VET Agreement form and give it to your trainer/assessor. If you have any questions about anything, make sure you ask your trainer/assessor. You can also refer to the VET Handbook for further information You will have access to the a hard copy of the VET handbook from your trainer or an electronic version on the Student Network. We hope you enjoy completing your qualification at SETA!

37