Imperial Education Group Pty Ltd T/A Imperial College of Trades RTO:40287, CRICOS:03039E, A.B.N. 59131489819 Address: Level 3, 68 Grenfell Street Adelaide SA-5000 Australia Tel: 61 8 8227 0300, Fax: 61 8 8227 1433 Web: www.ict.edu.au Email: info@ict.edu.au ICT-NCP12 Course Credit Policy & Procedures Purpose Scope Relevant Legislations Policy Quality Assurance Procedures Record Keeping Related forms Purpose The policy outlines the process of granting and recording course credit to the overseas students. The student with suitable prior learning or experience may apply for course credit. Scope This policy and procedure applies to all overseas students who are enrolled at ICT and who are seeking enrolment at ICT. It also applies to training and administration staff who are involved in its effective implementation. Relevant Legislations ESOS Act 2000 Standard 12 of the National Code 2007 Policy The policy recognizes that learning takes place not only through formal studies at recognized training organizations, but also through activities such as employer based training and development, and relevant life experiences. The policy supports the granting of credit to students with recognised Australian Qualifications Framework, (AQF), qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by any other registered education provider.ict will have a documented procedure for granting and recording course credits; Credit Transfer - If a student has completed modules or competencies that are the same, either in a different course, or at another registered education provider, within Australia are eligible for a credit transfer. RPL - A student may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning, (RPL) if they meet the requirements for modules or competencies based on any formal or informal education they have completed together with life and work experience. ICT ensures that clear information about Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning,(RPL), is provided to each student prior to enrolment. The process of Credit Transfer and RPL takes place after the student is enrolled and as early as possible into the student s studies. Where possible the assessment should occur between enrolment and before course commencement. Applying for Course Credit and or RPL, will not result in applicants being exempt from completing that subject, and receiving course credit unless it is granted. Applications for Credit Transfer/ RPL which require no further information will be assessed and the student informed of the outcomes of the assessment in writing within 10 working days of the Document name: ICT-NCP12 Course Credit Policy & Procedures Version:1.2 Approved by: Navtej Bal Date approved: 06-06-2014 Next review date:06-06-2015 Page 1 of 5 Document location: NovaCore CMS\DMS\ICT Policies & Procedures\
application being received, or students will be notified in writing of any further information required in support of their application. International students must be informed that it is a condition of their visa that they are enrolled in fulltime study. Full time study is defined as 20 hours per week for 36 weeks of the year or pro-rata, according to the requirements of the ESOS Act. If Credit Transfer/RPL, is granted, the student will be required to enrol in alternative approved studies to make up their load and the College must report any change of course duration via PRISMS under section 19 of the ESOS Act. Course credits are applicable only to the course in which the applicant is enrolled at the time of applying for it. If a applicant changes courses, course credit granted will be reassessed to ensure that they are still appropriate. If the college grants the applicant course credit which leads to a shortening of the applicant s course before the applicant visa is granted, the COE will indicate the actual net course duration and the fee for the course. If the course credit is granted after the applicant visa is granted, the change of course duration will be reported to Department of Education-DIBP via PRISMS within 14 days after the event as specified under Section 19 of the ESOS Act. ICT provides a record of the Credit Transfer/RPL to the student including net course duration and course fee after the grant of course credit, which must be signed or otherwise accepted by the student, and place it on the student s file. There are no additional fees associated with applying for course credit/rpl. Overseas students will be advised of the course fees and outcome of course credit once the application is processed and finalized. Outcomes of course credit applications: The possible outcomes of an course credit assessment are as follows: Issue of a Statement of Attainment which outlines accredited competencies and/or modules recognized by the assessor. These may be used as credits toward gaining full or other qualifications; or Issue of a full qualification; or Identification of the need for bridging in a particular area or areas of a course; or Inappropriate alignment against course requirements resulting in no formal recognition by the assessor. Course credit grant discretion ICT will grant course credit on the merit of the case. It will ensure that the applicant for course credit has the genuine and third party verifiable evidences to support his/her application. Appeals and Complaints Student can choose to appeal against the decision on his/her application for course credit through our documented policy and procedures on complaints and appeals. Quality Assurance ICT ensure the quality assurance through the following Appointment of competent staff Updated policy and procedures Verification of evidences for genuineness Moderation and validation process Internal audit Version 1.2 Page 2 of 5
Procedures ICT follows the following documented procedures: Application Student submits an application for credit transfer/ RPL using ICT-S04 Student Course Credit Transfer Application Form to admin officer. Admin officer checks application to ensure it is complete and genuine certified copies of certificates (if relevant) are attached; The evidence provided must include: Photocopies of the original transcripts certified by an authorised person to be a true copy of the original transcripts. Subject outlines specifying subject content and duration. Applicants should note that incomplete applications may result in a rejection and/or delay in processing of the application. Responsibility: Manager Administration Assessment Assessor is appointed and provided with application for assessment; The Assessor may evaluate a student s application for course credit based on the following criteria: Current Are the student s skills current and used regularly in this employment? Is evidence recent? Valid Is the evidence presented relevant to the course the student is claiming? Are the previously acquired skills relevant to the student s current workplace? Authentic Can the student prove that he/she has the claimed skills and knowledge? Can the student obtain verification of these skills? Sufficient Is the student able to perform these skills to the Australian industry standard? Is there sufficient evidence to prove the student is competent Credit Transfer: Manager Administration will assess the application for credit transfer to the applicant. Application will be assessed based on the verifiable documents provided by the applicant. RPL: Assessment of the skills and knowledge will be carried out in the following ways: Assessment by the assessor by way of interview and/or inspection of evidence for compliance with the above mentioned criteria and / or Sitting a challenge test to assess knowledge of subjects for which RPL has been requested. Assessor responds within 5 working days providing comments about whether credit transfer/rpl is to be provided and the circumstances warranting further information/evidence or a refusal; Responsibility: Manager Administration/ Director Academics/ Delegate Outcome Outcome of application to be conveyed to the student in writing using ICT-S04A Student Course Credit Transfer Letter who will acknowledge the outcome. Version 1.2 Page 3 of 5
In case of disagreement with the outcome student may appeal against the outcome under normal appeal and complaints procedures Suitable note made on the student s file. The result of the course Credit process will result in exemptions granted being shown on the applicant s academic transcript and result history. Responsibility: Manager Administration Streamlined RPL assessment processes To recognise prior learning it is necessary to: ensure that candidates know that RPL provides an alternative pathway to course attendance determine in consultation with the candidate, the learning, skills and knowledge that the candidate is able to demonstrate against the learning outcomes or performance criteria of the course or qualification for which the candidate is seeking entry or the award of credit determine whether any further evidence is needed to support the claim of competence and arrange for appropriate additional learning experiences or gap training where appropriate conduct an assessment that confirms competence. A task-based model for RPL A process for RPL has been developed that promotes holistic, task-based assessment, and which focuses upon relating assessment activities to actual job tasks. The intention of this model is to streamline and simplify recognition processes for prospective candidates. Preparation/information provision to candidate In planning for any assessment, assessors need to provide adequate information prior to, throughout and after a training and assessment experience. They need to be fully aware of the needs of the candidate, any relevant workplace personnel and the requirements of the Training Package unit of competency or qualification. Information is to be provided to the candidate about the assessment process. It will give particular advice regarding how the candidate can demonstrate their competence and any documentary evidence a candidate may wish to gather to support his/her application. Each industry has unique documents that can provide evidence of experience and competence. However, the focus of the new streamlined holistic assessment process is aimed on demonstrated skills & knowledge and not to rely on documentary evidence as the main source of evidence. Some examples of documentary evidence that can support the process include: Licences Brief CV or work history Certificates/results of assessment Tickets held e.g. forklift, crane etc Photographs of work undertaken Diaries Task sheets/job sheets Log books Site training records Pay slips Membership of relevant professional associations Industry awards Version 1.2 Page 4 of 5
Performance appraisals. References/letters/third party verification reports from previous employers/supervisors These items may be used to support the candidate s claim to competency throughout the RPL process. However, they should not be seen as a sole or sufficient determinant of competence, which is more properly and effectively assessed through interaction, dialogue and the practical demonstration of tasks. The steps Following this preparatory stage of providing information to the candidate about the assessment process, and determining the job tasks and any clustering of competencies appropriate for the candidate, four steps toward RPL assessment are recommended. Step 1: Self assessment completed by candidate Step 2: Interview with assessor Step 3: Demonstration/observation of tasks Step 4: Provision of further supporting evidence Step 5: Assessment and Outcome Step 6: Inform Student Record Keeping ICT keeps records of the course credits granted to students for the length of their course plus 5 years. Related forms ICT uses the following: ICT-S04 Student Course Credit Transfer Application Form ICT-S05 Student RPL Application Form ICT-S04 A Student Course Credit Transfer Letter ICT-S23 Student Appeal Form ICT-S24 Student Complaint Form Version 1.2 Page 5 of 5