Maxima Training Services
Participant Information Book
This booklet contains information that you need to know about being a participant at Maxima Training Services and you are strongly encouraged to read it because it contains essential information about your obligations, our obligations to you and the services we provide. If you have any queries regarding this or any other information about being a participant at Maxima please ask your trainer or contact us.
Online
www.maxima.com.au /MaximaAustralia
Our Site Locations
BEVERLEY 147 William Street Beverley SA 5009 Phone: 08 8347 4833 HILLCREST Level 1 1 Helen Street Browns Plains BC QLD 4118 Phone: 07 3800 1588 WELLAND 85 Grange Road Welland SA 5007 Phone: 08 8340 7766
The Maxima Group ... 3
Courses Offered at Maxima Training Services ... 5
Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management ... 5
Business Services ... 5
Local Government ... 6
Transport and Logistics ... 6
Training and Assessment ... 6
Retail ... 6
Customised Corporate Programs ... 6
Policies, Conditions and Obligations ... 7
Application and Enrolment ... 7
Fees and Refunds ... 7
Equal Opportunity ... 7
Participant Conduct ... 8
Assignment Submission ... 8
Smoking ... 8
Drugs and Alcohol ... 9
Participant Obligations... 9
Complaints and Appeals ... 10
The Training Environment ... 14
Submitting Assessments ... 14
Extensions ... 14
Outstanding Assignments ... 15
Attendance and Appointments ... 15
Assessments and Re-assessments ... 15
Plagiarism ... 15
Credit Transfer ... 15
Presentation of Certificates ... 15
Reprinting Certificates ... 16
Introduction ... 17
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) ... 17
Help With Portfolio Evidence ... 17
Advice and Help ... 18
Accommodation and Transport ... 18
Counselling and Guidance ... 18
Language, Literacy and Numeracy Support ... 18
The Maxima Group
Maxima Training Services is part of the Maxima Group Inc.
The Maxima Group Inc. is a South Australian based not-for-profit organisation established in 1985 to provide employment and training services to the State’s Local Governments. Since then, Maxima has developed a reputation for reliability and integrity evidenced by the growth in service delivery to a wide range of industries and organisations nationally covering all aspects of human resource management. The Group operates five divisions employing more than 100 staff from six locations across South Australia and Queensland.
As an integrated workforce management organisation, Maxima and its staff have the relationships, service delivery experience and financial and managerial capacity to help organisations and individuals achieve their potential. We have a proven track record in effectively managing publicly funded services and programs and accessing available government support for corporate workforce development projects.
Maxima Training Services is a National Vocational Regulator (NVR) approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO) able to provide accredited training in a range of qualifications including within Australian Apprenticeship programs.
Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management
The horticulture industry offers a broad range of employment opportunities for people who enjoy working with plants or in the outdoors. Whether focusing on production horticulture, nurseries, turf, parks and gardens or landscaping, Maxima Training Services can provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to access horticultural careers. Available training includes plant recognition, soils and plant nutrition, irrigation, pruning, pest and weed control, chemical use and horticultural tools and machinery. Maxima Training Services is able to deliver qualifications in Horticulture from Certificate I level through to Advanced Diploma level.
The Conservation and Land Management industry has diverse, interesting and rewarding career opportunities within its different industry sectors: Conservation Earthworks, Community Co-ordination and Facilitation, Indigenous Land Management, Land, Parks and Wildlife, Natural Area Restoration, Weed Management and Vertebrate Pest Management. Maxima has many years experience delivering industry driven training to support people entering or working in these fields. Training in Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management up to and including Certificate III are offered through Australian Apprenticeships. All courses may be accessed through Fee for Service.
Business Services
The Business Services Training Package covers the clerical and administrative sectors. In general, this involves those occupations which carry out regular office duties and administrative work such as filing, maintaining records and generating reports. Clerical jobs may also involve answering phone calls, giving information, preparing and receiving various forms of office communications, and organising documents. Maxima Training Services offers: Certificate I through to the Diploma in Business; Certificate III and IV in Business Administration; Certificate IV and Diploma in Frontline Management; and the Certificate IV and Diploma in Project Management.
Training in Business Services up to and including Certificate III are offered through Australian Apprenticeships. All courses may be accessed through a Fee for Service arrangement.
Local Government
Local Government offers many career opportunities including operational works, administration and regulatory services. Maxima Training Services has a long association with the sector and provides quality training responsive to its particular context and needs. For example, the Certificate III in Local Government prepares employees for skilled positions such as administration officer and compliance officer, while the Certificate IV reflects the role of those performing a broad range of higher level skills who may also provide leadership and guidance to others in the workplace.
Transport and Logistics
Maxima Training Services offers the Certificate II and Certificate III in Warehousing Operations, which leads to a range of positions within the transport and logistics industry.
Training and Assessment
The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is required by all trainers and assessors in the Vocational Education and Training industry.
Retail
Maxima offers the Certificate II in Retail Services and Certificate III in Retail Operations to provide the essential skills and knowledge required to establish a career in retailing.
Customised Corporate Programs
Maxima Training Services delivers customised courses to meet corporate or organisational needs. Programs are designed and facilitated by highly qualified and experienced industry specific personnel and can be provided at the organisation’s premises or our facilities.
For further details about any programs, email [email protected] or phone administration on 08 8340 7766.
Application and Enrolment
To enrol in any of our programs, or to obtain additional information, speak to an administration officer during business hours of Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm (CST) on 1300 669 859.
Completing any of the eligible courses through an apprenticeship or traineeship may be possible through our Group Training Division. If you are unsure about what a ‘Group Training Organisation’ is or how to apply, visit our website or contact our Group Training division on 1300 669 859. Please be aware that any positions that may be available are subject to selection processes with final employment decisions resting with our ‘host’ employers.
Fees and Refunds
All training courses will have a payment agreement established before the commencement of training to clearly outline:
the program dates
breakdown of all associated costs
any incidental expenses that may be incurred, and
criteria of eligibility for any applicable fee concessions or exemptions.
Where fees are paid in advance a full refund will be made for enrolments cancelled more than seven (7) days before the commencement of the course. Cancellations received less than seven (7) days from the commencement date will not be subject to any refund unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. Refunds in these cases are at the discretion of management.
Please note that fees are only applicable to courses that are not undertaken as part of a traineeship or apprenticeship and not eligible for Government funding.
Equal Opportunity
The Maxima Group is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity and expects that all course participants, staff and visitors to our premises will follow the basic principle that everybody has the right to work and access training without being subjected to abuse, victimisation or harassment because of race, colour, national origin, sex, religion, marital status, age, physical and intellectual impairment, political convictions or sexual preference.
It is the right for everyone to be treated as an individual and be assessed purely on participation and performance.
Participants should also note that under current state and Commonwealth law, it is unlawful for anyone to be treated unfairly on the grounds of:
Gender Marital status Pregnancy Sexuality Race Religion
Physical and intellectual impairment Age
This policy of equal opportunity extends to all policies, procedures and programs of The Maxima Group Inc.
Participant Conduct
All participants have the right to be treated fairly and with respect by their peers and Maxima Training Services will uphold the right of participants to pursue their learning or work free from any form of conduct that breaches that right.
Maxima Training Services may, at the discretion of the National Training Manager, apply any of the following penalties if a breach of this right has been determined:
A verbal or written reprimand
A requirement to attend counselling at a specified time and place
Payment of compensation by a student for damages or loss of resources Restitution of property removed or damaged
Delayed issue of qualification Termination of tuition
Assignment Submission
On commencement of new unit students are informed by trainer the elements of performance criteria and any assessments pertaining to that unit.
Allocation of ‘Assignment Cover Sheet’ with due date to be completed by trainer and student, trainer copy to be retained at horticulture administration in group file. Due dates
o Horticulture: 14 days after delivery of final class o Business: 7 days after delivery of final class o Or as negotiated and agree upon with trainer
The ‘Assignment Cover Sheet’ must be returned to administration with 5 working days, this is to be kept in the master file. Due dates will be recorded and followed up by administration; the assignment cover sheet will be attached to the assignment when the student submits it.
When a student fails to meet the due date they will be required to complete the ‘Outstanding Assignment Notice’ form which is to be kept by Horticulture Administration. Failure to Submit
Verbal warning will be issued by MTS Trainer in consultation with Employer.
14 day extension given to resubmit unit – ‘Outstanding Assignment Notice’ form completed by student and trainer, retained by Administration, due date will be recorded and followed up by administration.
After 14 day extension time has lapsed and the assignment has not been submitted the achievement report to be generated by horticulture administration marked with CNA.
Student to be rescheduled to new class in consultation with employer. Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any building operated by Maxima. All sites provide designated outdoor smoking areas, which are the only places where smoking is allowed on Maxima property.
Information and support to help give up smoking can be found at www.quitnow.gov.au and the phone number for the ‘Quitline’ is 13 78 48.
Drugs and Alcohol
Participants will participate in training free from the effects of the use of any drug including alcohol. Anyone found using or in possession of drugs or alcohol whilst at training may be suspended from training and apprentices and trainees should note that this may also result in their employment being suspended or terminated.
Participant Obligations
To abide by the policies and procedures of Maxima Training Services
To advise Maxima if you are unable to attend any sessions or the need to leave early for any reason including illness
To be adequately prepared for and fully participate in sessions To advise Maxima of your withdrawal from a course
To bring safety clothing (as required) for practical site-based training Examples of conditions under which training may be terminated
Non-payment of fees or charges Serious breaches of Maxima policies
Endangering the health, safety and welfare of any other participant, member of staff, visitor or member of the public
Preventing, through your actions, any other student from enjoying the full benefit of training and assessment services offeredEvery effort will be made to resolve participants’ complaints and appeals swiftly.
The trainer is delegated to handle complaints however, if the complaint involves the trainer, the National Training Manager will receive the complaint. In the event that the problem cannot be resolved through the procedure flowcharted below, the participant will be advised to contact the Training Advocate on 1800 006 488.
Can the trainer resolve the problem?
Clearly explain the problem to the trainer
YES NO
Contact the RTO Manager
Clearly explain the problem
Can the problem be resolved?
YES NO
Students will be provided with contact details for the Training Advocate or ASQA Complaint and resolution will
be kept on file
Code of Practice 1.0 Introduction
a) This Code documents how Maxima’s services meet the requirements of the national standards for registration, in particular:
a. how Maxima ensures clients’ rights, as a consumer, are protected and they receive the services detailed in their agreement with Maxima
b. how the Maxima adheres to the principles of access and equity, meets its legal obligations, and maximises outcomes for each participant
c. how industry is engaged Maxima’s operations so that clients and participants can be confident that the qualifications issued by maxima are recognised by industry d. how Maxima assures the quality of training and assessment provided across all of
its operations; and
e. how Maxima will meet the individual needs of participants by assessing their current skills and knowledge prior to the commencement of training.
b) For the purpose of this Code, ‘participant’ refers to any person participating in education or training delivered by this organisation. A ‘client’ is an individual or organisation that has contracted Maxima Training Services for the delivery of education and training services. 2.0 How Maxima ensures clients’ rights, as a consumer, are protected and they
receive the services detailed in their agreement with Maxima
a) Maxima markets and advertises its products and services in an accurate, ethical manner and:
a. will gain written permission from a participant or client before using information about that individual or organisation in any marketing materials.
b. accurately represents recognised training products and services to prospective participants and clients.
c. Makes no false or misleading comparisons with any other training organisation or qualification.
b) Maxima ensure that the contractual and financial relationship between the client and the organisation is fully and properly documented and that copies of the documentation are made available to clients prior to enrolment. Documentation includes:
a. the rights and responsibilities of clients and participants,
b. costs of training and assessment services and issuance of qualifications, c. payment arrangements,
d. refund conditions and
e. any other matters that place obligations on participants or clients.
c) In the event that we are not able to fulfil our contractual obligations, Maxima have
measures in place to ensure that clients receive a refund of fees for services not provided. d) Maxima have a refund policy that is fair and equitable and this policy is made available to
all clients.
e) Maxima ensure that academic, financial and other records maintained by us are complete and accurate. These records are managed to maintain confidentiality and will not be divulged to third parties unless authorised by the client/participant or under law. Clients and participants may view their own records to confirm their accuracy and completeness.
a. Maxima is required to comply with external bodies and agencies to collate specific personal data and only information that is essential by the requirements is
collected.
b. Except where required by legal and regulatory requirements, all personal information is destroyed as soon as its purpose expires.
3.0 How Maxima adheres to the principles of access and equity, meets its legal obligations, and maximises outcomes for each client
a) Maxima are committed to principles of access and equity and will not unlawfully discriminate against clients or participants. The obligations we place on our staff and participants are to protect their health, safety and welfare and ensure as far as possible that learning experiences are positive and free of discrimination or harassment.
b) Maxima is committed to ensuring that all training and assessment policies and procedures incorporate access and equity principles.
c) Maxima has a documented complaints procedure and will deal fairly and constructively with concerns or complaints made by clients and participants.
a. This policy is provided to participants and clients prior to enrolment
b. a member of staff is identified to participants and clients as the reference person for complaints and concerns.
c. Where a complaint or appeal cannot be resolved internally, Maxima will advise participants and clients of the appropriate legal body where they can seek further assistance.
d. Where a complaint or appeal cannot be mutually satisfied, the participant has the right to lodge an appeal/complaint with the Training Advocate by writing to: The Office of the Training Advocate, GPO Box 320 Adelaide 5001, or they can telephone 1800 006 488.
d) Maxima provide appropriate support services in terms of academic and personal counselling.
a. Maxima maintains a learning environment that is conducive to the success of participants.
b. Maxima has the capacity to deliver and assess the vocational qualifications for which it has been registered, provide adequate facilities and use methods and materials appropriate to the learning and assessment needs of participants. 4.0 How industry is engaged in Maxima’s operations so that clients and
participants can be confident that the qualifications issued by Maxima are recognised by industry.
a) We regularly engage with relevant industry representatives to evaluate our training and assessment services. This ensures that our graduates hold the required skills and knowledge to the standard of performance required in the workplace
b) Our training and assessment strategies are developed in consultation with industry to ensure that they are relevant to industry needs. Where training or assessment occurs in a workplace, evidence of the participants performance will contribute to our assessments c) Our teaching and assessment staff continuously engage with industry to ensure their
knowledge and skills reflect current industry practice.
5.0 How Maxima assures the quality of training and assessment provided across all of its operations
a) Maxima seeks feedback from its participants and clients on their satisfaction with services they have received and seeks to improve its services in accordance with their expectations. b) Maxima is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that is authorised under legislation to
offer nationally recognised training. We ensure that at all times our operations comply with relevant legislation and the national registration standards.
b. Maxima monitor and assess the performance and progress of its participants. c. Maxima conducts regular audits of all aspects of its training delivery and
assessment services and administrative processes and acts on findings of those audits.
d. Maxima issues qualifications and statements of attainment to participants that meet the required outcomes of a qualification or unit of competency, in accordance with the Australian Quality Framework.
6.0 How Maxima will meet the individual needs of participants by assessing their current skills and knowledge prior to the commencement of training.
a) Offers of course placement are based on an assessment of the extent to which the qualifications, proficiency and aspirations of the applicant are matched by the training opportunity offered. Any assessments or resultant academic counselling is conducted by suitably qualified staff and/or agents.
b) Maxima recognise that participants may hold skills and knowledge that are relevant to their course outcomes. Maxima will assist participants to gain recognition for these skills and knowledge through a process called Recognition of Prior Learning.
c) Participants who have completed relevant units of competency with another RTO will automatically have these units credited towards completion of their qualification.
d) Maxima offer learning and assessment services that as far as practicable meet participant’s individual learning needs. We can tailor training programs to meet the specific needs of participants and will a range of learning and assessment resources.
e) Maxima ensure that training and assessment staff are not only suitably qualified, but also sensitive to the culture and learning needs of participants. This includes providing training for our staff to maintain their proficiency and knowledge.
f) Maxima ensure that assessments are conducted in a manner that meets the endorsed components of the relevant Training Package(s) and/or accredited courses.
Maxima Training Services delivers competency based training, which uses competency standards, determined and endorsed by the relevant industry body, as a basis for determining the skills, knowledge and performance standards for that industry. Competency based training is about demonstrating that you have knowledge and ability to do a task (or set of tasks) in a range of situations (contexts). It does not focus on how long it takes to achieve competency, so a participant may ask to be assessed when they feel that they are ready or be re-assessed if they are found to be ‘not yet competent’.
Our trainers are fully qualified with relevant industry experience and adopt a flexible approach to cater for individual learning styles. Assessment methods vary and are selected on their relevance to the unit of competency and to the needs of the participant. They can include: oral assessments, observation, demonstrations, case studies, group and individual work as well as written work. Submitting Assessments
Where written assessments are required, participants may submit these to the Reception of our Welland or Hillcrest office (as applicable) either in person or by mail before or on the due date. They will then be date stamped and recorded before dispatch to the appropriate assessor. Assessments are not to be posted to the homes or private boxes of trainers.
As training is conducted at a variety of sites it is permissible to submit an assessment directly to the appropriate assessor in class or contact visits. Assessments can also be emailed directly to the assessor before or on the due date.
Maxima Training Services will take no responsibility for assignments that do not reach it. It is strongly recommend therefore that participants keep a copy of all assessments (photocopying is appropriate for hand-written work). If an original has not been received, and a copy is not available, the participant will be required to re-do the work.
Assessments submitted by post should be addressed to Maxima Training Services (as applicable): PO Box 456, Welland SA 5007 or PO Box 1499, Hillcrest QLD, 4118
All assessments are required to have a cover sheet attached, which will be provided to participants by their trainers.
Extensions
Any participant unable to submit an assessment on the due date is required to apply for an extension using the approved form, available from their trainer or Administration, before the due date. Extensions will normally be granted for one week except in particular extenuating circumstances and no more than two extensions may be applied to any one assignment except in particularly extenuating circumstances.
Outstanding Assignments
If a participant has outstanding assignments they will be required to complete an “Outstanding Assignments Notice” with their trainer, which is an agreement for the completion of the assignments. If the participant is a trainee or apprentice, a copy will be sent to their employer. Failure to comply with this agreement will result in further disciplinary action and be considered a breach of Maxima policies, with the highest penalty being cancellation of training.
Attendance and Appointments
Participants are expected to attend all scheduled training sessions. If they are unable to do so they need to advise Maxima before the commencement of training by phoning 1300 669 859. If you need to leave training early for an appointment you need to advise your trainer at the start of the session.
Assessments and Re-assessments
Assessments undertaken as a component of an accredited course are not graded i.e. participants will be assessed as Competency Achieved (CA) or Competency Not Achieved (CNA).Participants who are assessed as Competency Not Achieved are given the opportunity to be re-assessed. The trainer can provide further information and help through the process. Please consult the trainer regarding the number of re-assessments allowable because this varies from course to course. A fee may apply if re-assessment is required.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using other’s ideas and words without clearly acknowledging the source of that information. Participants are required to acknowledge the sources of their work (where relevant) and when plagiarism is found participants may be required to resubmit entire assessments. The matter may also be treated as a serious breach of Maxima’s policies, with appropriate sanctions applied.
Credit Transfer
Maxima Training Services has an obligation to formally acknowledge Nationally Recognised Training delivered by other Registered Training Organisations. This means that where participants have already gained a unit or units of competency and can present an original statement of attainment or certificate, they are not required to repeat it.
Presentation of Certificates Queensland
Parchments and statements are sent directly to the participant unless a private presentation ceremony is to be conducted for a group of participants.
South Australia
Parchments and statements for participants are issued annually at the ‘Annual Graduation and Awards Night’ in November. Photocopies of parchments and statements are sent to participants upon completion notifying them that originals are kept by Maxima Training Services for presentation at the Graduation. Participants have the opportunity to nominate how they wish to receive their certificate and it can be posted to them if they do not wish to attend the graduation ceremony.
A copy may also be sent to the employer for their records and for them to fulfil their Contract of Training obligations, if applicable.
Where training has been undertaken as part of an in-house program for a business or organisation, they may determine that they wish to present parchments in a private ceremony. This can be in replacement of or in conjunction with the graduation ceremony.
Reprinting Certificates
Participants who request to have their certificates reprinted for any reason need to contact a Maxima Training Services administration officer on 1300 669 859. Reprinting certificates can take up to 2 weeks to process and for reasons of privacy and confidentiality, participants may need to provide photo ID. The service may incur a fee based on cost recovery.
Introduction
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be known in some areas of Australia as “Skills Recognition”.
The principle behind RPL is that if a person is able to demonstrate competency (skills and knowledge applied in a variety of contexts) at the standard required, they should have them recognised without being made to undertake training. It doesn’t matter how a skill is acquired. People generally undertake RPL to:
Gain an occupational licence or qualification
Obtain credit towards an nationally recognised qualification Move up a pay bracket or career ladder
Open up a new career or educational options
RPL acknowledges that a lot of learning occurs outside of classrooms – at work, in the home, volunteering, through parenting, through hobbies and general interest activities.
All participants are eligible and they are encouraged to explore their RPL options. More information can be sought form administration or trainers at any time, but most timely and usefully when enrolling or inquiring about a course.
RPL is not required where an original or authorised copy of a statement of attainment issued by another Registered Training Organisation can be provided. This is known as Credit Transfer.
Process
The RPL process is a mentored process beginning with an interview with an assessor who will outline confirm the requirements.
Participants will be given assistance to identify documents that can be collected to provide evidence of their competence. This may include work documents, training records (including non accredited training such as in house training), third party reports, self evaluations, appraisals, job descriptions, photos of work performed, awards etc.
Help With Portfolio Evidence
Each participant who is applying for RPL will be assisted by an assessor to provide guidance about the types of evidence required to demonstrate competence in the particular unit/s and to help organise the evidence into a portfolio ready for assessment. Usually, portfolios will include a combination of many different types of evidence.
A portfolio checklist is also available to assist participants.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Reviewing adverse decisions
Participants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application and have the opportunity to request a review of the RPL assessor’s decision. Another assessor, who was not involved in the initial assessment, will conduct all reviews.
Cost
A fee based on cost recovery is levied for each module or unit of competency for which RPL is requested.
Accommodation and Transport
Maxima can refer participants from the country or interstate to a range of accommodation options and provide advice about public transport.
Counselling and Guidance
All participants are encouraged to approach their trainer to seek advice and assistance concerning any issues that may arise during the course of their training. Maxima Training Services are also able to provide referrals for a range of personal and crisis counselling services and all information will be treated as confidential.
Participants may approach the trainer for career or study advice. Language, Literacy and Numeracy Support
It is our goal to ensure that all participants are provided with the opportunity and all the appropriate support and guidance they need to achieve successful outcomes and range of language, literacy and numeracy support mechanisms and services are available to assist in achieving this goal.
The enrolment form asks participants to indicate if they have any special learning needs or disability and we encourage participants to complete this section so that we can appropriately support their learning needs.
