Education and Training Policies and Procedures
The EMA Institute is a Registered Training Organisation, committed to continuous improvement of its programs and services.
- Provision of Education and Training
- Provision of information
- Access and Equity
- Support Services
- Complaints Grievances and Appeals
- Quality Assurance
- Continuous Improvement
- Mutual Recognition
- Recogniton of Prior Learning (RPL)
Provision of Education and Training
Training needs are identified in consultation with State and Territory stakeholders. Expressed training needs are assessed against national competency standards from the Public Safety and related Training Packages so that, wherever possible, training is consistent with the national training framework, enabling pathways for career/study progression in the Public Safety or other industries.
Competency based curriculum will be developed to meet training needs that do not align with national competency standards. The curricula will be nationally accredited through the Victorian Qualifications Authority.
All training and assessment conducted by the Institute complies with the Australian Quality Training Framework Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2007.
The Institute also offers professional development activities, giving people with emergency management responsibilities the opportunity to keep abreast of best practice in their field.The Institute fosters a positive learning environment, which accommodates the cultural and learning needs of participants.
The Institute ensures that staff involved in training and assessment have appropriate vocational education and training competencies. Experienced, competent practitioners are selected to participate in and enhance the delivery of training programs.
The Institute will supply accurate, relevant and current information to prospective participants.
Before a course commences, participants will receive information defining:- competencies/learning outcomes to be achieved by participants
- assessment processes and requirements
- arrangements for the Recognition of Prior Learning
- the process for grievance, complaints or appeals
- arrangements for language and literacy support if required.
Mutual Recognition - The Institute recognises Statements of Attainment issued by any other Registered Training Organisation.
The Institute seeks to provide training in an environment which is safe, fair and free from discrimination. The Course Manager is available to assist students if they consider they have been denied rightful access or subjected to discrimination.
The Institute seeks to comply with all relevant legislation applying to it, in particular the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act 1984, Racial Discrimination Act 1965, Disability Discrimination Act 1992, Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988 and Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. Also relevant State legislation, in particular the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 and the Victorian Information Privacy Act 2000.
The Institute will deal with all complaints in a fair, constructive and timely manner.
The Institute will supply accurate, relevant and current information to prospective participants.Before a course commences, participants will be provided with a range of information concerning the Institute's educational processes.
Support Services
Appropriate protection for the health, safety and welfare of participants will be provided by the Institute in compliance with the Attorney-General's Department requirements.
The Australian Government currently maintains workers' compensation cover for EMA staff.
Complaints, Grievances and Appeals
The Institute has procedures in place to ensure participants have access to fair and equitable processes for dealing with complaints and grievances and an avenue to appeal against decisions that affect their progress through the Institute?s educational pathways.
The Institute has systems in place to ensure quality training and assessment across all of its operations.
Institute programs and services are continually evaluated and improved to ensure they are responsive to the needs of participants and the industry.
The Institute recognises the qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by any other Registered Training Organisation.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- formal training or study; work experience;
- life experience.
Prior learning is measured against the units of competency in a Training Package or the learning outcomes of an accredited course. It is important to note that it is the learning gained from experience that is being assessed, not just the experience.
It is the responsibility of the candidate applying for RPL to provide evidence to support their claim that their prior learning satisfies the units of competency from the relevant Training Package or learning outcomes from the relevant course.
It is the responsibility of the Institute to provide the candidate with the relevant competencies or learning outcomes for which they must provide sufficient quality evidence to support their application.
The gathering of evidence by the candidate for their RPL application can be carried out using the following steps:
- identify and study the competency standards or learning outcomes to be used in the assessment;
- identify past achievements or performances that provide evidence of competency against the standard;
- collect evidence and compile a 'portfolio' for presentation for assessment; and,
- present the 'portfolio' and take part in further assessment or interview if required.
The evidence gathered must be valid, authentic, current, sufficient and verifiable.
Cost of RPL Assessment
The cost of administering the RPL assessment for an individual unit is around $330.00 (GST Incl) and is the reponsibility of the applicant..
Further information about applying for RPL is available upon request from assessmentofficer@ema.gov.au or 03 5421 5100