Qualifications
Are you seeking Qualifications?
At St George and Sutherland Community College we are committed to providing the most cost effective training available. We can tailor any of our courses to suit your business either at our premises or at your workplace. Individuals can also enhance their employment opportunities by completing one of our business, vocational or computer courses.
Many of our courses are accredited through the NSW Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB). This means that when you complete one of these courses, you not only receive professional recognition for the subject you have completed, you can also receive credit towards further related study anywhere in Australia.
Vocational courses at the College include, amongst others, Certificate courses in medical reception, medical terminology, nursing assistant, youth work, workplace training, information technology, child studies and floristry.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
You may be eligible to RPL on courses offered by the College if you have already achieved the outcomes of a unit competency through prior learning/experience.
What is Recognition of Prior Learning?
* Formal Training (St George & Sutherland Community College recognises AQF qualifications/Statements of Attainment issued by other RTO's)
* Work experience
* Life experience
* Or other means
How do you apply for RPL?
1. Find out about the course that you want to study.
2. Identify whether you feel that you already have the skills, knowledge and attitude relevant to the content of that course, but you have never had the opportunity to have them formally recognised.
3. Speak to St George and Sutherland Community College staff and ask for an RCC/RPL Information Package for the relevant course you are interested in.
4. The Information Package will explain all steps that you must follow to complete an RCC/RPL application.
How much does it cost?
The first stage of evaluation of the preliminary self-assessment tool completed by the student will incur a fee of 10% of the advertised course fee regardless of the outcome.
The total RCC/RPL fee is 50% of the advertised course fee. This fee is payable regardless of the result (that is if the application is successful or unsuccessful).
What is the next step?
* You will make an appointment to see the Manager - Business & Vocational Training or the assigned Assessor (no less than two weeks before the commencement of the course for which you are planning to apply for RCC/RPL for) who will explain the process to you.
* If you agree to continue you will pay the initial 10% of the advertised course fee.
* You will complete a preliminary self-assessment to be assessed by the Manager - Business & Vocational Training or the assigned Assessor.
When do I apply for RCC/RPL?
Once you have received feedback on your preliminary self-assessment you can make the decision of applying for the complete process or not.
If you do decide to follow the RCC/RPL process, you will need to arrange for a meeting with the Manager - Business & Vocational Training or the assigned Assessor. The complete RCC/RPL process will be explained to you in more detail and if you decide to continue you will then need to enrol and pay the 50% fee.
How long will it take?
* At the above meeting with the Manager - Business & Vocational training or the assigned Assessor you will agree on a suitable timeframe to complete the RCC/RPL Kit.
* Any further time requirement will depend on the outcome of the first submission and if required you will be allowed to re-submit once. Time frames for the re-submission will depend on your agreement with the Manager - Business & vocational Training or the assigned Assessor.
* Time frames will greatly depend on your ability to manage your time and work.
How will I be notified if my application is successful?
* The Manager - Business & Vocational Training or the assigned Assessor will contact you to provide you with the relevant feedback.
* Should your application be successful, a Certificate or Statement of Attainment will then be issued.
Can I appeal if I do not agree with the result of my application?
* You may appeal an assessment decision by forwarding a letter requesting a review of the RCC/RPL decision to the Manager - Business & Vocational Training.
* Staff will follow the SGSCC appeals procedure by reviewing the decision and advising you in writing.
RCC/RPL Process
Step 1 - Ring College for an information sheet and/or an initial telephone interview with RCC/RPL Assessor to clarify requirements for RPL and obtain information pack.
Step 2 - Complete RCC/RPL preliminary self-assessment documentation and forward to the College for assessment. A follow-up interview may be necessary.
Step 3 - Applicant decides whether to complete the entire process or not.
If NO
Step 3.1 - RCC/RPL process stops; choose another course of action.
If YES
Step 4 - Applicant meets with the assessor to discuss the process.
Step 4.1 - Applicant completes the protfolio and submits it for assessment.
Step 4.2 - Portfolio is assessed and applicant is informed of the outcome.
If SUCCESSFUL go to
Step 4.3 - Application is successful. Assessed as competent. Go to 6.2
If UNSUCCESSFUL go to 5.1
Step 5 - Insufficient evidence provided. Assessed as Not Yet Competent.
Step 5.1 - Application is not successful - Needs to be re-submitted.
Step 6 - End of process; choose another course of action.
Step 6.1 - Sufficient evidence provided. Assessed as Competent.
Step 6.2 - Competencies recorded and VETAB Certificate/Statement of Attainment issued.
RCC/RPL Evidence May Include:
* Certificates/Credentials attained from previous courses
* Course outlines from previously studied courses and relevant assessment tasks completed
* Support letters from employer/supervisor
* Work samples
* Formal tests designed as per course outlines
* On the job demonstrations
* Video of performance
* Producing completed items/photographs
* Examining and evaluating items of work
* Oral presentation to assessor or assessing panel
* Case studies undertaken
* Life experience relevant to learning outcomes/competencies
Your Evidence Must Be:
* Authentic: You have actually completed the unit of competency/learning outcome you are claiming
* Current: The unit of competency/learning outcome you have claimed is still valid and performable
* Of Required Quality: The unit of competency/learning outcome claimed has reached the level for which RPL is sought
* Relevant: The unit of competency/learning outcome is relevant to the area you are claiming RPL for
* Transferable: The unit of competency/learning outcome can be applied to situations outside the context in which it is learnt
* Valid: There is a strong connection between the learning and vocational outcomes
Mutual Recognition/Credit Transfer
As an RTO, SGSCC recognises the AQF qualifications and Statement of Attainment issued by other RTO’s, through the process of credit transfer.
Credit Transfer
Credit Transfer assesses a Statement of Attainment or Certificate of a Qualification to determine whether it is equivalent to the Units of Competency and the Learning Outcomes which are part of another program/course in which the individual is seeking to participate in. Credit Transfer can be an alternative pathway to access a course or qualification or to award credit in a course or qualification, leading to the partial or full completion of a course or qualification.
SGSCC recognises the AQF qualifications and Statement of Attainment issued by any other RTOs, as long as the Training Package guidelines allow it and the qualification the participant is seeking to be recognised is on the College's scope of registration.
Participants can apply within one week of the commencement of an accredited course. Please contact the College for an application form.
Supporting evidence must be submitted with the application. Original documentation (or certified copies signed by a JP) must also be provided. Please contact the College for further information.
Assessments
To successfully complete an accredited course and receive a "Statement of Attainment" for each unit of competency or a Qualification, participants will need to satisfactorily complete a number of assessment tasks which are based on the units of competency of the chosen course. Should a participant choose not to be assessed, a Certificate of Attendance can be issued if the participant has attended at least 80% of the course.
Assessment Approaches
Assessment events may take place either during training and/or upon the completion of training. An assessment event may use one or more of the following methods:
* Workplace projects * Oral Presentation
* Simulations * Demonstrations
* Questions and Answers * Role-Play
* Group presentation
All assessments are planned and conducted following the four Principles of Assessment; valid, fair, flexible and reliable.
Courses include a combination of In-Class Assessment Tasks (conducted predominantly during face-to-face training) and written Assignments (completed on an individual basis outside class time). Specific information related to each assessment task will be provided in class. Once assessment tasks are marked, the participant may be deemed competent (C) or not yet competent (NYC). Should the participant be deemed NYC the first time, an opportunity to be re-assessed will be offered.
If the participant has any special learning needs it is advised to inform the College at enrolment so that appropriate measures can be taken. The participant may also discuss the learning needs with the trainer at the beginning of the course so that, where possible, these may be attended to where practicable.
St George & Sutherland Community College has a strong commitment to assisting course participants achieve a successful learning experience. There are a number of strategies and actions that participants need to be aware of and take responsibility for, including:
* Attendance must be on a regular basis.
* If participants are going to be late please contact your Tutor or the College and advise prior to training day commencing.
* To satisfactorily complete a course, participants will be required to perform self-directed learning bases on the content of the learner resources provided and classroom delivery.
* Participants will be required to liaise internally in their workplace to complete any workplace based assignments where necessary.
* All assessments must be submitted at a satisfactory standard to competently complete the course.
* Late submissions may not be considered acceptable. Please contact the VET & Business Manager prior to the assignment due date.
* All assessment/assignments must be the Participant's own work and any written assessments must also have a "declaration of authenticity" attached (included in cover sheet).
* Participants have the right of appeal if they feel they have been assessed unfairly or disagree with the assessment result. A written appeal must be lodged within 14 days of receiving the assessment result.
* Participants need to read the information relevant to Credit Transfer and RPL/RCC contained in the VET Participant Handbook and apply if appropriate.
* Participants and prospective participants can request a copy of the VET STudent Handbook for their information at any time. Please contact the College to request a copy or view it on the College's website.
Contact Our Business and Vocational Training Manager on 9528 3344 or email enquiries@sgscc.nsw.edu.au