LEARNER GUIDE TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY

Transcription

1 LEARNER GUIDE TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY

2 WELCOME FROM THE INSTITUTE DIRECTOR Congratulations on your enrolment at TAFE Western Sydney. We are very pleased that you have chosen to develop your career and gain industry relevant skills and knowledge by studying with us. TAFE Western Sydney has a high level of expertise and is a trusted, government-backed vocational education provider with more than 140,000 annual enrolments and a 96% graduate satisfaction rating. As a TAFE Western Sydney learner you have access to flexible and customised learning, relevant resources, industry experienced teachers who are focused on helping you develop practical skills, links to employers and further training opportunities and pathways to higher education. We believe that each of our learners has a unique set of needs, skills and experience. It is worth talking to your teacher about ways that your study and assessments can be customised to suit your needs. Your teacher will be able to provide advice about options for face-to-face, online and workplace learning and resources that are available to help you along the way. We are also able to provide recognition of skills and prior learning. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to talk to your teachers about your previous studies and experience to find out if you are eligible to reduce your study load. This Learner Guide provides important information about studying with TAFE Western Sydney. It introduces you to the services and facilities which are available to you as well as your rights and responsibilities as a learner. We hope that it will help you find your way as a new learner. I encourage you to read the Guide carefully and keep it to refer to during your learning journey with us. Enjoy your time with us and good luck with your studies. Robin Shreeve Institute Director TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute 2 TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY LEARNER GUIDE 2015

3 Guarantee of Service The goal of WSI is to provide high quality education and training for our learners. We are committed to helping you develop real skills for real careers. A more highly qualified workforce benefits our community, our state and our nation. Our service to you begins with your first enquiry about courses and continues throughout your time with us. This Learner Guide outlines our services and the standard of service you can expect from us, as well as your rights and responsibilities. This will ensure a productive, positive and enjoyable learning experience for you. To ensure we continue to offer the best services, we regularly ask learners how we are performing. We use this feedback to identify what we are doing well or where improvements are needed. If you have feedback, a suggestion or a complaint, please let us know. You can do this by talking to any staff member or by ing us at askwsi@tafensw.edu.au The information in this Learner Guide is correct at the time of printing. However, some changes may occur as information or policies are updated. Check our website at wsi.tafensw.edu.au for the latest information. Tips for success Read this Learner Guide and keep it for reference 1. Be clear about TAFE NSW rules, policies and guidelines 2. Get to know WSI, your college and your section 3. Know your rights 4. Be a responsible learner 5. Make the most of your time and enjoy yourself 6. Want the latest information? Go online. wsi.tafensw.edu.au Contents 02 My Institute calendar 05 VET FEE-HELP 06 Learner guide to assessment 10 Your A-Z of important information 44 College maps and directions TAFE Western Sydney RTO Provider No

4 MY INSTITUTE TAFE NSW WSI prides itself on being an integral part of the community in Western Sydney, delivering and customising high quality education and training to meet the vocational needs of the 2 million people in the region. Colleges are situated throughout Sydney s greater west including the Hawkesbury, the Blue Mountains, the population growth areas of the Hills region in the north west, Penrith, Blacktown and Mount Druitt. Blacktown College is located in the central business district of Blacktown City, close to suburban and regional transport facilities. Blacktown City is the largest retail and commercial centre west of Parramatta. The college programs reflect this, with an emphasis on business services including business management courses delivered in partnership with universities as well as information technology, general education and automotive courses. See map on page 44 Blacktown South See map on page 46 Blacktown North Blue Mountains College is located in the heart of the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park and comprises campuses at Wentworth Falls and Katoomba. The college caters for the region s major economic activities, specialising in tourism and hospitality courses. Other course areas include ecotourism, environmental studies, business administration, information technology, massage therapy, beauty services, community services and outdoor recreation. See map on page 48 Katoomba Campus See map on page 50 Wentworth Falls Campus Mount Druitt College is the Institute s main trade, technology, mechanical, manufacturing, electrical and electronics engineering centre. Other offerings include hospitality, hairdressing, business studies and general education to meet the needs of a community rich in diversity. The Institute s Aboriginal Education and Training Unit is located at Mount Druitt, providing modern facilities to enhance the learning environment and assist Indigenous Australians to gain higher qualifications and improve employment outcomes. See map on page 52 Nepean College includes campuses at Penrith and Kingswood. Courses are geared to areas of significance and growth in the local economy and population such as nursing, graphic and interior design, fine arts, refrigeration and airconditioning, sport and fitness, child studies and hospitality. Kingswood Campus includes Western Sydney s arts hub, the Nepean Arts and Design Centre (NADC). See map on page 54 Penrith Campus See map on page 56 Kingswood Campus Nirimba College is situated within a multi-campus educational precinct at Quakers Hill, where learners can take advantage of the educational pathways developed with the University of Western Sydney, Wyndham and Terra Sancta High Schools. Nirimba College is the Institute s major centre for training for the building and construction industry. The college also offers courses in logistics, green skills, information technology, child studies, community services, business studies, music and entertainment. The Building Industry Skills Centre (BISC), located at Nirimba College provides assessment and training for the building and construction industry. The Centre specialises in delivering and assessing materials handling, Work Health and 2 TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY LEARNER GUIDE

5 Safety programs and the recognition of skills for workers in the building industry for licensing purposes. Short courses are developed in response to industry demand and conducted at a location and time that suits the client. The GreenSkills Hub situated at Nirimba College is a state-of-the-art facility designed to model sustainable practices and provide innovative green skills training in building, electrical, electrical engineering, plumbing, refrigeration, information technology and more. See map on page 58 Richmond College is located in the Hawkesbury Valley and is a major centre for agriculture and horticulture training and education, including nursery production and management, landscaping, floriculture and floristry. Courses are also available in animal care, business administration, business management and information technology. The college houses the EcoSkills Centre for environmental studies and green skills training and the Australian Racing and Equine Academy a partnership between TAFE NSW WSI and Racing NSW that provides training for the racing industry. See map on page 60 Open Training and Education Network (OTEN) provides online and other distance learning services across Australia and internationally. WSI learners are able to co-enrol with OTEN and mix their face-to-face study with distance and online study in many of our programs. The Hills College includes campuses at Baulkham Hills and Castle Hill and is located in the Hills district of north-western Sydney. The focus at Baulkham Hills campus is on business, administration, management, tourism and hospitality, and general education. Castle Hill campus houses purpose built facilities for community and health services, aged care, accounting and finance, and information technology. See map on page 62 Baulkham Hills Campus See map on page 64 Castle Hill Campus 3

6 KEY DATES FOR 2015 CALENDAR Semester February 2015 Semester 1 begins 3-19 April 2015 Autumn vacation 21 June 2015 Semester 1 ends Semester June - 12 July 2015 Winter vacation 13 July 2015 Semester 2 begins 21 September - 5 October 2015 Spring vacation 29 November 2015 Semester 2 ends 14 December 2015 Summer vacation Enrolments, courses and other services are offered continuously throughout the year. Please contact the Service Centre on Planning for your next course of study Do you want to study a high level qualification but can t afford the upfront fees? VET FEE-HELP is a student loan program administered by the Commonwealth Government which is available to eligible learners undertaking our diploma, advanced diploma and graduate certificate commercial programs. VET FEE-HELP is also available to eligible learners in NSW Government subsidised training places to pay their TAFE NSW student fee for Diploma, Advanced Diploma and selected Certificate IV courses. There is no loan fee for VET FEE-HELP loans to learners in NSW Government subsidised training places. To be eligible to apply for VET FEE-HELP, you must: be an Australian citizen OR be the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa who will be resident in Australia for the duration of the unit of study provide a tax file number provide a Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) or be allocated one not exceed your FEE-HELP loan limit. 4 TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY LEARNER GUIDE

7 VET FEE-HELP WSI offers higher level qualifications that are eligible for a VET FEE-HELP student loan through the Commonwealth. VET FEE-HELP allows you to defer payment of some or all of your tuition fees. You commence repaying the loan when your income reaches the minimum threshold for repayment. VET FEE-HELP assistance is available for commercial programs at graduate certificate, graduate diploma, advanced diploma and diploma level. Current learners enrolled in a VET FEE-HELP eligible course If you took out a VET FEE-HELP student loan, you were given VET FEE-HELP information when you enrolled. This includes information you need about a VET FEE-HELP loan, and how and when you repay it. For TAFE NSW policies in regard to VET FEE-HELP, including TAFE NSW Statement of Tuition Assurance, go to the TAFE NSW website Withdrawing from your course All requests to withdraw must be in writing. A Withdrawal/Re-credit Application form for VET FEE-HELP learners is available from the Customer Service Office at your college. If you are enrolled in a course that is eligible for VET FEE-HELP: you may withdraw up to the Census Date with no penalty if you withdraw after the Census Date, your VET FEE-HELP debt is incurred; or if you have paid, no refund is payable. Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) Within 28 days of the Census Date for a unit of study, you will be sent a Commonwealth Assistance Notice (CAN) outlining the VET FEE-HELP debt you have incurred for the unit of study. If you think this is incorrect, you may appeal the debt. Loans for learners in government subsidised training places VET FEE-HELP loans are also available to eligible learners in NSW Government subsidised training places to pay their TAFE NSW Student fee for Diploma, Advanced Diploma and selected Certificate IV courses. There is no loan fee for VET FEE HELP loans to learners in NSW Government subsidised training places. Find more information about these changes at 5

8 STUDENT GUIDE TO ASSESSMENT Every Student s Guide to Assessment in TAFE NSW Every Student s Guide to Assessment provides information about assessment in the form of frequently asked questions and answers on the way students are assessed in TAFE NSW. Every student studying in TAFE NSW receives a copy of Every Student s Guide to Assessment. Will I receive any other documents telling me how I will be assessed? Yes. The most important documents are the Student Assessment Guides for the qualification and units of competency you are studying. Student Assessment Guides Your college/campus will provide you with assessment information in the form of a Student Assessment Guide for your qualification and a Student Assessment Guide for units of competency you are studying. Guides are provided at the start of your study and provide assessment information for your qualification and for each unit of competency. The Student Assessment Guide for your qualification will provide information on: course outcomes whether the qualification is graded or not graded course structure requirements to receive the qualification credit based on previous skills, knowledge and experience. The Student Assessment Guide provided by your teacher for each unit of competency will provide information on: competence that is being assessed how you will be assessed when and where you will be assessed when major assessments will be scheduled how feedback on your progress will be provided how your results will be recorded how to look up your results on the Learner Portal how you can appeal if you think the assessment has been unfair. Student Assessment Guides are available from your teachers As a student it is your responsibility to read the information contained in the guides and to ensure that you understand the information in them. Your teacher will explain the content of the guides and ask for your signature to indicate that you have received the documents. If you don t understand or are unsure about what is required please ask your teacher. Remember your teacher is your most important contact for information about assessment. 6 TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY LEARNER GUIDE

9 Frequently Asked Questions What kinds of assessments are there in TAFE NSW? TAFE NSW uses a range of appropriate assessment methods and tasks to evaluate your competence in a particular unit of competence/ qualification. All assessment tasks are designed in accordance to the relevant training package specifications of a qualification/unit of competence and may include assignments, practical assessments, presentations, project work, oral/written tests or other methods deemed appropriate to assess your competence in carrying out tasks to a required standard. Refer to the Student Assessment Guide Unit of Competency for accurate information related to the applicable assessment activities. There is also skills recognition which means that you will not have to repeat units you have already achieved through formal or informal learning. To have your skills recognised you need to get a formal assessment. You should discuss this with your teacher to find out what evidence you need to show in order to gain recognition. Are there penalties if I cheat? Yes, there are. Whatever the form of assessment, it is essential that the work you are assessed on is your own. All students should be aware that penalties will be imposed for students found to be cheating in an assessment. Cheating can take different forms. For example, it may be copying or using the work, writing, drawings or photographs created by other people and passing them off as your own. You must make it clear if you are quoting or using other people s work. Of course, it is often helpful to discuss your work and ideas with other people. Where you are working in a team with other students on a joint assessment task, your teacher will explain how your own contribution will be assessed. Will I be assessed in the workplace? In some qualifications and units of competency, you may be assessed in the workplace, or your workplace supervisor may be asked to provide a report on your workplace activities. Refer to the Student Assessment Guide Units of Competency for further details. Will I be assessed on-line If all or part of your qualification is provided online; all or part of your assessment may occur online. Refer to the Student Assessment Guide for further details related to your qualification/ unit of competence. What happens if I miss a formal assessment activity or an examination, or if I m late with an assessment task? You should contact your teacher to discuss this as soon as possible, giving reasons for your lateness or absence. Where possible, you should provide evidence to support your reason(s), for example a medical certificate. In some cases, your teacher may accept a late assignment or allow you to sit for a test at a later date. How much notice will I receive about assessment tasks? There will be a range of assessment tasks that you will undertake during your study. Assessment information will be provided to you in the Student Assessment Guide Unit 7

10 STUDENT GUIDE TO ASSESSMENT of Competency on commencement of each unit. Your teacher will give you adequate notice of the assessment event, depending on the duration of unit. If you are unsure always ask your teacher. About Assessment Will my results be reviewed before I receive them? Yes. Your results will be checked before you receive your Transcript of Academic Record. Can I appeal my results? Yes, in the following cases: to request a review of a result to request special consideration to lodge a formal complaint regarding some aspect of the assessment process. You will have three weeks from the date you receive your results in which to make an appeal and request a review. You will receive a response within ten working days after receipt of the request. If you would like to request a review or if you have any concerns about your results, contact your teacher or head teacher. If they are unavailable, contact the student records officer, within three weeks of receiving your results. Contact your head teacher for the assessment appeals procedure at your college/campus. How will my results be reported? Your Transcript of Academic Record lists all of your results in your study to date. On your Transcript of Academic Record both units of competency and modules are referred to as Units. Most units of competency are ungraded and are reported as Competent or Not Yet Competent. On successfully completing these you will receive a result of Competent. Some units of competency are graded. When you have successfully finished these you will receive a result of Competent, Competent with credit, or Competent with distinction. However, you may also get a result of pass or fail if your performance is not adequate for the unit being assessed. TAFE NSW mainly delivers Training Package qualifications. These Training Packages are developed by industry and state the skills and knowledge the industry expects. These skills and knowledge are set out in the form of units of competency. If you enrolled in a qualification and have achieved one or more units of competency from that qualification but are unable to finish the qualification, you will receive a Transcript of Academic Record showing the units you have completed. You will also receive a statement of attainment for those units you have successfully completed. What happens if I want to repeat a unit of competency? If you want to repeat a unit of competency you should discuss this with your head teacher as soon as possible. Your enrolment fee only covers the first attempt on the unit of competency. A separate fee will be charged for any additional attempt to achieve the unit of competency. 8 TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY LEARNER GUIDE

11 I am from a non-english speaking background. Can I use a bilingual dictionary in assessment tasks? In most units of competency you will be able to, however your dictionary must not contain any notes or additional information. There will be some examinations where bilingual dictionaries will not be permitted under any circumstances. Learners will be informed through the relevant Student Assessment Guides if they will not be permitted to take a dictionary into the examination. In case of any difficulty please see your teacher for details. For Multicultural Education Services contact details see page 30. What do I do if I have a disability? If you are a student with a disability it is important for you to indicate this when you enrol and make contact with the Teacher/ Consultant for Students with Disabilities in your Institute for further information. If possible, this should happen before you complete your enrolment. They will provide you with appropriate information about the range of units available. TAFE NSW Customer Services 4 Every Student s Guide to Assessment in TAFE NSW 15 December 2014 Teachers and teacher consultants will arrange for students with a disability to be given reasonable adjustment in assessment on an individual needs basis. For Disabilities Support Services contact details see page 19. What do I do if I have a concern and want to make a complaint? If you have a concern or wish to make a complaint, speak to your teacher or head teacher, or contact the Institute Consumer Protection Officer. If your concerns cannot be resolved at the Institute, you can also contact the Smart & Skilled Customer Support Centre for assistance, advice, or to lodge a complaint or provide feedback. You can contact them on or go in person to a State Training Services Centre. 9

12 YOUR A-Z OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION A Aboriginal Learner Support Specialist support is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people seeking access to education and vocational training within TAFE NSW. Aboriginal learners in western Sydney are supported by a team of Aboriginal staff who can provide pre-enrolment advice on appropriate course selection, provide ongoing support to enrolled learners and refer learners to Aboriginal support services as required. An Aboriginal Education and Training Unit with a dedicated Learning Centre is located at Mount Druitt College. For further information contact: Aboriginal Development Manager Telephone: (02) Institute Aboriginal Coordinators: Telephone: (02) Telephone: (02) Aboriginal Support Officer: Telephone: (02) or the Counselling Unit at your college. Absence see also - Examinations, Participation If you are sick or unable to attend classes, please contact your teacher. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to catch up any missed work, either by seeing your teacher or fellow learners. Access and General Education Our Adult Basic Education sections can assist you with reading, writing and numeracy skills. They may also provide learner support in the course that you are studying. Teachers work with you to develop an individual program to suit your needs. Contact the adult basic education section at your college for information. Blacktown Location: G Block, G1.02 Telephone: (02) Blue Mountains (Wentworth Falls) Location: B Block, BG.13 Telephone: (02) Mount Druitt Location: B Block, B1.36 Telephone: (02) Nepean (Kingswood) Location: K Block, K1.10 Telephone: (02) Nirimba Location: T1, C Block, CG.12 Telephone: (02) Richmond Location: J Block, J1.09 Telephone: (02) The Hills (Baulkham Hills) Location: F Block FG.22 Telephone: (02) Accidents see also - Emergency, Illness, Insurance, First Aid Officer If you have an accident or suffer any kind of injury while you are undertaking your course at one of our colleges, you must let your teacher or head teacher know straight away. They will organise the necessary first aid or medical help and will complete an Incident Report form on your behalf. This should also be done in the case of near accidents. 10 TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY LEARNER GUIDE

13 For further information Phone: SMS (text only): Online at: wsi.tafensw.edu.au Animal use in TAFE NSW courses In most TAFE NSW courses that use animals, you will learn about animal husbandry, care and management of animals. Examples of such courses include those in agriculture, animal care, animal technology, veterinary nursing, zoo keeping, equine courses and courses related to the seafood industry. In other courses you may be taught about ecological and environmental issues and natural resource area management, including native fauna and free living animals and birds. Using animals to support your learning is a privilege that has responsibilities. TAFE NSW expects learners to work using best practice in animal welfare. As a learner you must: ensure that you act in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures at all times treat animals with care and respect ensure that stress is minimised for animals you are using ensure that any signs of stress or distress are brought to the attention of your class teacher as soon as possible treat live animals humanely and avoid any cruel behaviour think about why and how you are using animals ensure you make good use of the opportunity for learning. There are penalties for animal cruelty and unauthorised use of animals. Wherever possible, TAFE NSW: replaces animals used in educational programs with non-animal alternatives reduces the number of animals needed refines animal use to diminish the amount of stress and discomfort animals may experience. The TAFE NSW Animal Welfare Council, which comprises veterinarians, teachers, animal welfare and community representatives, monitors the use of animals in TAFE NSW courses. If you want to know whether animals are used in a particular unit or if you are concerned about using animals in your learning activities, talk to your teacher about the reasons for animal use, the ethical issues of using animals and any alternatives that may be available to you or to the use of animals in that module. If you think that animals have been mistreated or used inappropriately, you should discuss the issue with your teacher or head teacher. Articulation to University see also - International Learners (Diploma-to-Degree) Certificate, diploma and advanced diploma level qualifications completed at TAFE NSW may be used for academic credit and entry into some university courses. This reduces the study time required to complete many university degrees. By successfully following a study pathway, learners may graduate with a TAFE NSW diploma or advanced diploma as well as a university degree. To take full advantage of this unique course structure, you must make the necessary enquiries regarding the possible pathways of study when you enrol. This includes enquiries with your preferred university as credit details and entry requirements vary between universities and subject areas. 11

14 YOUR A-Z OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION TAFE NSW WSI continues to develop close pathways of study and co-delivery with NSW universities. We also offer our own degree courses in some areas. Talk to your teacher about articulation to a degree program. Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) The AQF is a nationally agreed framework which identifies the qualifications available in three sectors of education: schools, vocational education and training and higher education sectors in Australia. AQF qualifications are used throughout Australia and have been developed in conjunction with both industry and the community. They help you move through and between different education levels and systems by specifying and standardising the outcomes achieved. Each qualification is based on the level of outcome and not on the length of the course. All AQF qualifications offered by TAFE NSW are nationally recognised. B Bicycles WSI encourages bike riding, and all colleges have bike racks. Please ensure you lock your bike and helmet securely. Bookshops College bookshops offer a variety of stock to cater for your study needs. A discount is generally available for Student Association members. There is an on-campus bookshop at the colleges listed below. Hours of operation are advertised locally. Blacktown Location: G Block, Ground Floor Telephone: (02) , Mount Druitt Location: A Block, Ground Floor Telephone: (02) Nirimba Location: UWS Connect Books, Block C21 Telephone: (02) Richmond Location: UWS Connect Books, Stable Square K21 Telephone: (02) C Career and Employment Help see also - Counselling and Career Development Service WSI s career and employment service provides a range of services to help learners make the right career choice and gain employment. WSI Counselling counselling and career development services Career Voyage an online career tool to help learners identify appropriate career options. the JobPond and ClothesPond programs to help your presentation and interviewing skills Careers Connect a job portal that allows you to organise your resume, and search and apply for jobs with local employers (to register for this service, go to careersconnect. wsi.tafensw.edu.au). 12 TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY LEARNER GUIDE

15 For further information Phone: SMS (text only): Online at: wsi.tafensw.edu.au Canteens Canteens are available at some campuses and offer a variety of food in a relaxed atmosphere. Snack vending machines are also available. Hours of operation are advertised locally. Refer to your college map at the back of this Learner Guide for locations. Cashier WSI is committed to maintaining a safe environment for learners and staff. TAFE NSW has a policy of cashless enrolment at all times and therefore will not accept cash for payment of the TAFE NSW fee and other enrolmentrelated charges. You can pay by EFTPOS, Visa and MasterCard, personal or bank cheque or money order made payable to TAFE NSW. The Cashier is located in the customer service office of each college and is open Monday to Friday. Refer to your college map at the back of this Learner Guide for locations and check college noticeboards for hours of operation. Certificates see - Graduation, Testamurs Change of class and module/unit If you wish to change your enrolment whether class, unit or module during the year, please discuss this with your teacher first. To speed up your learning, or if your personal circumstances change and you are finding it difficult to attend classes, learning by distance through co-enrolment with OTEN may be a helpful option for you. For more information see Co-enrolment page 14. Changing your personal details see also - Learner Portal It is important that we have an accurate record of your details so that the important correspondence we send to you is not lost. You can make changes to your personal contact details, such as address or telephone number through the TAFE NSW Learner Portal website. Alternatively, you can complete an Enrolment Adjustment Personal and Module/Unit Details form, which is available from the customer service office at your college. To change your name, you must bring your original documents such as a drivers licence or birth certificate to your college customer service office. Childcare at WSI WSI assists enrolled learners who have childcare needs through our on campus WSI Kids Children s Centres. The WSI Kids Children s Centres are located at the following colleges: WSI Kids - Blacktown Location: K Block Phone: WSI Kids - Mount Druitt Location: N Block Phone: WSI Kids - Nepean Location: I Block (Children s Centre for Kingswood and Penrith learners) Phone: or WSI Kids Children s Centres can be contacted once you have enrolled. For more information wsikids.wsi.tafensw.edu.au 13

16 YOUR A-Z OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION Co-enrolment Mix your study with the Open Training and Education Network (OTEN) Want to accelerate your studies or achieve more flexibility with your timetable or units of study? Mix study at your college with units through OTEN, our distance/online learning facility If you are enrolled at a college, you don t need to pay the Student fee or TAFE NSW fee again to co-enrol in units from your current course with OTEN. International learners, Temporary Visa Holders and trainees currently enrolled with another college may also be able to co-enrol with OTEN. You will need to provide evidence of your enrolment. Additional enrolment conditions apply. Contact your head teacher or find out more by visiting the OTEN website at oten.tafensw.edu.au. Please note, you cannot be enrolled in the same unit, at the same time, at a college and OTEN. Complaints See also Consumer Protection A complaint can simply be an expression of dissatisfaction or it can be a problem that you want fixed. Sometimes things do not go the way you expect. Sometimes the decisions made or the actions taken need to be explained better. At other times, we need to look more closely at what we did or how we are doing our work. It is usually best to discuss your concerns with the staff member involved first. Make an appropriate time to meet with them or contact them by telephone. If you are not happy with the outcome of your contact, or you do not feel it is appropriate to talk to that person, telephone and make an appointment to discuss your concerns with the head teacher or a manager. Alternatively you can complete an online Complaint Form at wsi.tafensw.edu.au. To obtain further details on the DEC Complaint Policy Guidelines go to about-us/how-we-operate/how-we-handlecomplaints/ 14 TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY LEARNER GUIDE

17 For further information Phone: SMS (text only): Online at: wsi.tafensw.edu.au Computer Access You are welcome to use college computers outside class time. They are usually located in the college library, learning centres or designated computer labs. On enrolment you are given a Department of Education and Communities (DEC) username and password. You must keep these confidential and adhere to the Online Communication Services Code of Expected User Behaviour TAFE NSW which is available online at policies/. Breaches of expected user behaviour may lead to disciplinary action being taken under the TAFE NSW Student Discipline Policy. To use the internet on college computers, you will need your DEC Portal username and password. If you are a re-enrolling learner, you will already have this. You should be aware that college computer use is monitored and the following guidelines apply. Use of the internet is limited to reasonable use that supports your educational needs. It is not to be used for: games excessive personal use personal business purposes e.g. operating a personal, private consulting business any illegal, immoral or socially unacceptable use. Unacceptable use includes bad language. Internet etiquette should be observed along with current societal standards for respect and fairness. You should also be aware that: it is your responsibility to ensure all browser windows have been closed at the end of your internet session all computer software (other than that labelled as public domain) is subject to copyright laws copying of, or use of, software without permission of the owner is illegal. TAFE NSW - WSI strongly supports this legal principle computer software that is subject to copyright is to be used only in accordance with the licensing conditions no software is to be loaded onto TAFE NSW computers the Institute will not protect any person using illegal software on equipment owned by the Institute anyone caught using illegal software will be barred from further use of Institute computer equipment all data storage media (disks, USB drives) must be virus checked before use accessing or viewing inappropriate web sites is prohibited. Consumer Protection TAFE NSW has a reputation as a safe, progressive and dynamic place to study. TAFE NSW aims to provide an environment to support quality vocational education and training to benefit individuals, industry, business and the wider community. As a TAFE NSW Student you have the right to: expect that the education and training will be consistent with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) regulations and Smart and Skilled Contract requirements be informed about personal information that is collected about you and the right to review and correct that information access to TAFE NSW feedback and complaints handling process. (See complaints) With rights come responsibilities and as a student in TAFE NSW your responsibilities include: providing accurate and complete information to TAFE NSW behaving in a responsible and ethical manner. For enquiries in relation to consumer protection matters please contact: Western Sydney Institute Giuliana Caltabiano Consumer Protection Officer (02) giuliana.caltabiano@tafensw.edu.au 15

18 YOUR A-Z OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION OTEN Elizar Franco Consumer Protection Officer (02) Contacting Learners Messages will only be relayed to you in the case of an emergency. Any contact with you while you are at a TAFE NSW college can only be with your permission. You need to provide your family and friends with a copy of your timetable and attendance details. This will help staff to forward a message to you in case of an emergency. It is especially important to provide this information if you have a child in one of the college child care centres. Counselling and Career Development Service TAFE NSW offers free career, educational and personal counselling to current and intending learners. Our counsellors have an extensive knowledge of TAFE NSW programs and services, as well as other educational and vocational pathways, so they can help you see the big picture and achieve your goals. Counsellors can provide direction, strategies and support in the following: career choice, development or retraining educational and course planning resumé writing and job seeking study skills development to improve your results managing grievances and complaints advice about financial assistance schemes eg Department of Human Services (Centrelink) benefits and personal challenges concerning relationships, health, sexuality, anxiety, depression, balancing study and work referral to other services (such as legal, medical, accommodation or financial). Our counselling units are well resourced with information on other educational institutions and agencies such as university, legal aid and Department of Human Services (Centrelink). For more information or to make an appointment, contact your nearest counselling unit: Blacktown Location: D Block, DG.01 Telephone: (02) Blue Mountains (Wentworth Falls Campus) Location: D Block, DG.06 Telephone: (02) Mount Druitt Location: L Block, L2.05 Telephone: (02) Nepean (Kingswood Campus) Location: J Block, JG.19 Telephone: (02) Nirimba Location: T1, B Block, G.39 Telephone: (02) Richmond Location: A Block, G.33 Telephone: (02) The Hills (Baulkham Hills Campus) Location: A Block, ALG.014 Telephone: (02) TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY LEARNER GUIDE

19 For further information Phone: SMS (text only): Online at: wsi.tafensw.edu.au The Counselling and Career Development Service can assist prospective and enrolled learners to research and identify suitable careers and jobs which match individual s interests and aspirations. An interactive software tool called Career Voyage is used by TAFE counsellors to help young people and adults make good career and course decisions. The tool is easy to use and suitable for most people. It can help you measure your occupational interest as well as connect you to courses and jobs. This tool may be accessed online. For further information please contact your college TAFE counsellor. Course Information Want to study another course? For information about our courses you can: go to our website wsi.tafensw.edu.au where you will find detailed information about what you will learn in the course, the qualification or award you will gain, prerequisites for studying and other useful information visit the customer service office at your college and pick up a 2015 WSI Course List telephone SMS your request to (text only) online at the TAFE NSW website Customer Service Offices Most campuses have a customer service office. This is where you may make enquiries and receive help regarding course information, learner records, fees, exemption from TAFE NSW fee, TAFEcard, refunds, travel concessions, changing enrolment details, the Learner Portal or any other general information. Online enquiries can be made for any college at wsi.tafensw.edu.au/courses-andcareers/course-enquiries SERVICE CENTRE 117 Henry Street, Penrith Blacktown Location: A Block, AG.12 Blue Mountains (Wentworth Falls) Location: A Block, AG.20 Mount Druitt Location: A Block, AG.26 Nepean (Kingswood Campus) Location: N Block, NG.37 Nirimba Location: T1, AG.03 17

20 YOUR A-Z OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION Richmond Location: A Block, AG.04 The Hills College (Baulkham Hills Campus) Location: B Block, B1.01 The Hills College (Castle Hill Campus) Location: F Block, FG.03 D DEC Portal see - Learner Portal Department of Human Services (Centrelink) Department of Human Services (Centrelink) may be able to provide you with financial assistance while you are studying. If you would like information about payments and services such as Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY or the Pensioner Education Supplement, go to visit your nearest Department of Human Services (Centrelink). customer service office or telephone Did you know it is now also possible to claim online? Just go to the Online Services link at to register. Deferring your studies See Withdrawing and deferring Disabilities Support Services To ensure all learners have equal opportunity to succeed in TAFE NSW, Disabilities Support Services promote access to courses and reduce barriers that may disadvantage learners in achieving their educational and career goals. There is an extensive range of support available to assist learners in their course of study. These may include pre-entry counselling, tutorial support, interpreter assistance for deaf learners, note taking, modified assessment and exam conditions, special equipment and aids, assistive technology, special courses and help in overcoming barriers. If you feel you would benefit from this service, it is very important to contact a teacher/ consultant for learners with a disability or a counsellor at or before enrolment, where possible. The National Relay Service This Australian Government initiative helps learners who are deaf or who have a hearing or speech impairment get in contact with staff at WSI colleges by telephone. Calls to this service will cost you about the same as a local call. The nature of your call is secure and relayed with strict confidentiality. TTY or computer with modem users call then request the WSI number you need. Speak and listen (speech to speech relay) users call then request the telephone number you need. For more information on calls through the National Relay Service (NRS) visit Translation and Interpreting Services For Community Relations Commission Translation and Interpreters services Call or languageservices@ crc.nsw.gov.au 18 TAFE WESTERN SYDNEY LEARNER GUIDE