UNE Partnerships: The Education and Training Company of the University of New England - Improving individual performance and organisational capability through education and training.

Policies

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• ACCESS AND EQUITY
• GRIEVANCE/APPEAL PROCEDURES
• OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
• RECOGNITION POLICY - CREDIT TRANSFER
• RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING POLICY
• TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ENROLMENT
• ISSUING QUALIFICATIONS AND STATEMENTS OF ATTAINMENT

Access and Equity

UNE Partnerships abides by the Access and Equity Policy of the University of New England (UNE) and follows its disciplinary, grievance, mediation and welfare mechanisms. Further information can be obtained by contacting UNE Partnerships or visiting the UNE Equity Office website at www.une.edu.au/eeo

Grievance/Appeal Procedures

UNE Partnerships will ensure that grievances or appeals over learning or assessment outcomes are dealt with fairly and with high regard to the participant's level of understanding and needs. Where grievances and appeals cannot be resolved between UNE Partnerships and the participant, an independent arbiter will be called upon to examine all relevant data and provide an unbiased opinion.

UNE Partnerships will ensure that participants expressing grievances or appealing decisions are fairly represented either by their workplace representative or any other person they may wish to have present.

UNE Partnerships will ensure that any advice or guidance provided to participants on the relevant steps they may follow to achieve a satisfactory outcome is unbiased, fair and expressed in terms and at a level appropriate to their needs and understanding.

Occupational Health and Safety

UNE Partnerships will ensure that, where applicable, it will:

• identify any relevant occupational health and safety regulations and requirements associated with a particular training program (ie which govern the profession and must be included in the course).
• hold up to date copies of the relevant standards and maintain currency in relation to these standards.
• ensure that facilitators have a knowledge and understanding of the relevant safety standards and are able to teach these.
• ensure that the most current version of the standards is taught on the program.
• ensure that graduates have the required competence in the standards.
• ensure that training venues meet OH&S and EEO requirements.

Recognition Policy - Credit Transfer

UNE Partnerships recognises the AQF qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by other Registered Training Organisations. All enrolled UNE Partnerships students are entitled to apply for Direct Credit Transfer for any unit of competency that meets the qualification packaging rules and for which they can provide authenticated evidence of recognition (ie certified copy of a statement of attainment for that unit). The Academic Director will determine whether or not the unit is suitable for inclusion in the UNE Partnerships qualification of interest.

A student applying for Direct Credit Transfer is required to submit the original (or certified true copy) of the qualification/ Statement of Attainment plus the academic transcript, and any other relevant information, to UNE Partnerships for validation.

Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

Given some participants may already be able to demonstrate their competence in some units, a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process is available. RPL acknowledges skills and knowledge that may have been gained through formal and informal training and/or learning, work experience and life experience.

Participants who can demonstrate competence in some aspects of a program, may apply for RPL for skills or knowledge which may have been gained via formal or informal training and/or learning, work experience or life experience. Participants will be given the opportunity to apply for RPL prior to the program. Application for RPL must be received within the first three months of the study period unless special arrangements have been made.

A portfolio of evidence must be prepared that addresses each element of competency for which recognition is being sought as set out in the Competency Record sections. Assistance in the preparation of this portfolio is available, on request, from UNEP. Assessments will be conducted by qualified assessors.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

Course materials

All materials issued by UNE Partnerships are subject to copyright and are for the use of the student only. Please contact the Program Manager regarding the cost of replacement materials (cost up to $350 depending on the course of study).

Fees

Payment must be received before course materials are despatched, or before workshops or residential schools are held.

Withdrawal and refund policy

Students may withdraw from enrolment at any time during their period of candidature by notifying the Program Manager. Request for a refund must be made in writing to the Director of Program Management by letter, fax or email. The notification must include: full name, student number, course name and documentary evidence where withdrawal is based on exceptional circumstances. It is the student’s responsibility to keep a copy of the letter/fax/email and a record of when it was sent to UNE Partnerships.
Refunds for withdrawal will only be considered in the following circumstances and will incur an administrative fee.

Distance education programs

Notification of withdrawal must be received at UNE Partnerships within 21 days of the enrolment date and will incur a fee equal to 30% of the full course fee. Requests received after the 21-day cooling-off period will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Blended delivery programs

Notification of withdrawal from blended delivery programs (workshops or tutorials) must be received at UNE Partnerships no less than 7 days prior to course commencement and will incur a fee equal to 50% of the full course enrolment fee. Withdrawal less than 7 working days prior to course commencement will incur the full course fee. If UNE Partnerships cancels a course, a full refund will be granted.

Candidature

UNE Partnerships ensures that students are allocated a reasonable period of time in which to successfully complete their chosen course of study. The nominal study period for each qualification is based on the number of hours it would take for an average student, studying part time, to complete all course learning and assessment requirements. The period of candidature varies between course levels and delivery modes and in the case of traineeships is set by the relevant state training authority.

Students are provided with details of the standard period of candidature in pre-enrolment information and the course guide.

Each student has a customised study timetable designed to keep them on schedule to complete by the end of the allocated study period. The timetable includes suggested assessment submission dates and is supplied with course material. Students are given regular progress updates and reminded of due dates for submission throughout their period of candidature.

Special extension of time

The candidature expiry date for individual students is calculated from the date of enrolment. If, due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, a student has difficulty meeting the course requirements within the standard study period he or she may apply for a special extension of time. Fees will apply if approved.

Change of details

If you change any of the details listed in your enrolment form, please notify UNE Partnerships immediately. Failure to do so may see delays in returning assignments, or other material to you.

Workshop cancellations

Public workshops require a minimum number of participants to be feasible. If the required number is not reached and a workshop is postponed or cancelled, UNE Partnerships accepts no responsibility for any costs you may have incurred (eg accommodation, travel).

Authority to report to employer/sponsor

If your enrolment is subsidised by your employer or other sponsor, or has been organised and supported through your employer, you give authority for UNE Partnerships to provide information relating to your enrolment and study progress to your employer and/or sponsoring organisation.

UNE Alumni

Successful students are eligible to join the UNE Alumni program. Further details will be advised on completion.

Issuing qualifications and statements of attainment

UNE Partnerships only issues qualifications and statements of attainment that are within its scope of registration.

Qualfications

A qualification can only be issued to an enrolled student who has successfully completed the assessment requirements related to all core and elective units of competency required for that qualification. Students  must successfully complete all modules and assessment activities as required in the relevant industry training package or course accreditation to receive the qualification.

Transcripts of results

Each qualification is accompanied by a report known as a transcript of results which lists the units of competency (or modules of study for accredited courses) and the student’s level of achievement.

Statements of attainment

Students who exit the course prior to completing all requirements are entitled to receive a statement of attainment for all modules or units of competency satisfactorily completed. Participants may re-enrol at a later date and complete the program. Fees will apply.

Reissue of qualifications and statements of attainment

UNE Partnerships can reissue qualifications and statements of attainment as required. Where a student requests that a qualification or statement of attainment be re-issued a fee of $50 per document will apply. A transcript of competency will be re-issued upon request at any time at no charge.