All trainers and assessors working for SIU hold a formal qualification in Training and Assessment which is in line with the current VRQA Guidelines for VET Providers. Each trainer is required to complete regular professional development.
Depending on the course you enrol into, training may take place in the classroom, online via Zoom and, where required, in the workplace. You’ll have self-paced learning to complete outside of the theory sessions and a practical placement or workplace experience for some courses. Your course brochure, timetable and training plan will specify the delivery method and assessment requirements for your course.
Your assessments are completed online through Canvas, our Learning Management System (LMS). Assessments may include several units and some units may be assessed across several assessments. Some units may be assessed as a cluster as they have similar requirements.
Students will always be given notice of the time and form of assessment and will not be expected to complete an assessment for which they have not had time to prepare.
Your trainer will assess your competency in the course and provide feedback as needed throughout assessments. The trainer is required to mark and submit completed assessments to SIU Head Office within 10 working days of receiving them from you.
If you do not agree with your trainer’s assessment results, you can make an informal enquiry directly to your trainer or you can make a complaint via the complaints and appeals process, documented further within this handbook. A complaint and appeal form is located on our website.
Online delivery via Zoom
Depending on the course and course delivery you select, some or all of your classes may be delivered via Zoom. Zoom is a popular video communication service, appropriate for delivering a presentation and facilitating discussion.
You can join Zoom classes using a phone or a computer, either through a browser or an app. We’ll record all Zoom sessions for record-keeping, quality assurance and training purposes.
Canvas - our Learning Management System (LMS)
Your assessments are completed online through Canvas, a leading LMS used by schools and universities all over the world.
You can access Canvas to complete and submit assessments on a computer or phone. Some assessments will be easier to complete on a computer, whereas a phone will be appropriate for some written and multiple-choice questions. Canvas offers an app for Android and iOS.
We will assign you a course mentor to review and mark your online assessments and provide feedback (as standard within 10 business days). If further training is required, your mentor will contact you to arrange this. They can offer some technical support, but you can always call or email the office with any technical issues you have relating to Canvas, and somebody can assist you.
Mode and Method of Assessment
SIU uses a variety of assessment methods to determine your competency throughout the course, including:
- Written, including short answer, multiple choice, projects and case studies. All written assessment is online, through our Learning Management System (LMS) Canvas.
- Practical simulations, demonstrations, and role plays – mostly assessed face to face, though there are options to record some skills and upload them to Canvas.
- Oral questioning
- Workplace observations and projects
We present our course material in various ways to cover different learning styles:
- Interactive role plays
- Class discussions
- PowerPoint presentations
- Videos
- Guided content
- Online learning
There are written assessments for every unit of competency that will need to be completed outside of class. Some assessments will cover multiple units, or there may be multiple assessments for each unit of competency. The assessments required for each unit and the methods used to assess each unit are listed on your timetable and training plan.
Some parts of the course are completed on our online Learning Management System (LMS), Canvas. We’ll provide reasonable adjustment for students who cannot complete online elements of the course. You’ll need internet access and a laptop or desktop computer to use Canvas. Student have access to free wifi on campus and laptops are available for use upon request. Students may bring their own devices if they wish.
Some of our courses require you to complete a practical placement or experience in the workplace. These qualifications cannot be successfully completed until the placement requirements have been satisfied.
Reasonable Adjustment
We can vary the methods of assessment to suit your individual needs if required and if appropriate for the unit of competency. Discuss these with your assessor. We will provide reasonable adjustment for students who cannot complete various online components of the course.
Reassessment
If you have been assessed as Not Yet Competent/Satisfactory in a Unit of Competency you will be given the opportunity to complete a reassessment.
A student will not be charged a reassessment fee if they are assessed as Competent during the in-class reassessment process, in this case students are usually given three chances at reassessment (with re-training) within class hours. If a student is required to book in a reassessment to be conducted outside of class time, a reassessment fee may apply, fees are documented in the statement of fees and charges on our website.
Attendance
You should attend all classes (80% minimum required); classes contain practical training & assessment will miss out on crucial theory and potentially assessments.
If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to arrange a catch-up session with your trainer or complete the session with another class. Student Services will contact you to arrange make-up classes if you continually miss class.
If you are disruptive, arrive late, leave early or miss too many classes this could result in official warning letters, cancellation or deferral of your studies.
Student Progression
We require all students to display consistent engagement and progression with the course to remain enrolled. For students who utilise Skills First funding especially, there are particular requirements for evidence of participation.
We monitor student progression based on assessments submitted, classes attended and work completed through Canvas, among other factors. You can view the status of your enrolments and associated units by logging into the VETtrak student portal.
For students who do not demonstrate progression, we will attempt contact using email, sms and phone calls to best help get that student back on track. For students who continually demonstrate no progression or engagement or contact with us, we will follow our procedures for course withdrawal.