WELCOME

Thank you for your interest in training at the Australian Maritime Training Centre. We look forward to working with you to meet your training needs in a stimulating and rewarding way.

The aim of AMTC is to help you develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes that will allow you to operate competently and confidently in the maritime sector. As a trainee at AMTC, you will be required to take charge of your own learning to a much greater degree than you may have experienced in the past. However, you are not alone. AMTC staff are dedicated to help you overcome any difficulties that may crop up as you strive towards meeting your personal learning objectives.

This Handbook is worth reading. It outlines some of your responsibilities and what you can expect from a new style of maritime training.

If you have any questions that are not answered in this Handbook, please do not hesitate to contact us.

CODE OF PRACTICE

• AMTC will adopt policies and management practices which maintain high professional standards in the delivery of vocational training and assessment services, and which safeguard the interests and welfare of trainees.
• AMTC will maintain a learning environment that is conducive to the success of trainees.
• AMTC will have the capacity to deliver the nominated courses, provide adequate facilities and use appropriate methods and materials.
• AMTC adopts the principles of universal equity and the right of access to training for all persons.
• AMTC is committed to the principle of providing vocational training, experience, assessment and qualification which is relevant and appropriate for all groups of people regardless of background, age, gender, race, physical or intellectual handicap, education or area of domicile.
• AMTC will market its vocational education and training products with integrity, accuracy and professionalism; avoiding vague and ambiguous statements. In the provision of information, no false or misleading comparisons are drawn with any other provider or course.
• AMTC will provide accurate, relevant and up-to-date information to trainees before commencement.
• Recruitment of trainees will be conducted at all times in an ethical and responsible manner consistent with the requirements of the curricula.
• AMTC will ensure that trainee selection decisions comply with equal opportunity legislation.
• Appropriately qualified staff will assess the extent to which the applicant is likely to achieve the stated competency standards and outcomes of the courses, based on the applicant's qualifications and proficiencies.
• AMTC will safeguard fees paid by trainees. AMTC will have a refund policy that is fair and equitable.
• AMTC will have a fair and equitable process for dealing with trainee complaints/appeals. In the event that complaints cannot be resolved internally, AMTC will advise trainees of the appropriate body where they can seek further assistance.
• AMTC recognises the qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by any other RTO.
• AMTC will honour all guarantees outlined in this Code of Practice. Where AMTC offers courses to international trainees, it will be bound by the Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration of Providers Financial Regulations) Act 1991.
• AMTC operates with the knowledge that any failure to meet the obligations of this Code of Practice or supporting regulatory requirements, where applicable, may result in AMTC having its registration as a training provider withdrawn.

Certificate I in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) - Deckhand

This course is designed to provide the required knowledge and skills to enable persons to participate safely as a crewmember on a commercial (or recreational) vessel. It also encompasses pre-requisite units for higher Certificates.

Elements of Shipboard Safety

• MF7 01B Observe safe working practices
• MF8 01B Comply with emergency procedures
• MF53 02A Fight and extinguish fires
• MF11 01A Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment
• MF12 01A Minimise the risk of fire and maintain a state of readiness to respond to emergency situations involving fire

First Aid (MF10 01A)

Marine Radiotelephone Operation (ME5 01A)

Notes:

• Additional units are required for the Certificate I qualification but are not required by the Maritime Authority in Queensland
• ESS units are required by all crew on commercial vessels from 1 September 2006.

Certificate II in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) - Coxswain

This course is designed to provide the required knowledge and skills to enable persons to safely operate commercial vessels up to 12 metre and fishing vessels up to 15 metres in length. It is also useful for recreational operators.

In addition to the units shown above for Certificate I:

Nautical Knowledge (Coxswain)

• MB6 01A Monitor condition and seaworthiness of a small vessel
• MC7 01B Apply seamanship skills and techniques when operating a small vessel
• MC9 01B Manoeuvre a vessel less than 12 metres in length within inshore limits
• ME1 01A Understand orders and be understood
• MF32 01B Apply domestic regulations when operating a small vessel
• MH12 02A Plan and navigate a short voyage within inshore limits
• MU5 02A Ensure compliance with environmental considerations in a small domestic vessel
• MR54 02A Carry out re-fuelling and fuel transfer operations

Engineering Knowledge (Coxswain)

• MR30 01A Operate and carry out basic maintenance on small vessel propulsion systems
• MR31 01A Operate and carry out basic maintenance on auxiliary systems
• MR32 01A Operate and carry out basic routine maintenance on extra low voltage electrical systems, starter motors and alternators

Notes:

• Additional units are required for the Certificate II qualification but are not required by the Maritime Authority in Queensland

Certificate III in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) - Master 5/Skipper 3

This course is designed to provide the required knowledge and skills to enable persons to safely operate commercial and fishing vessels up to 24 metres in length. It is also useful for recreational operators.

In addition to the units shown for Certificate I:

Nautical Knowledge (M5/S3)

• MC7 01B Apply seamanship skills and techniques when operating a small vessel
• MC8 01A Manoeuvre a vessel less than 12 metres in length within inshore limits MC10 01B Steer a domestic vessel ME1 01A Understand orders and be understood
• MF2 01A Respond to navigational emergencies
• MF32 01B Apply domestic regulations when operating a small vessel
• MF47 02A Contribute to maintaining a safe watch
• MH13 02A Apply weather information when navigating a small domestic vessel
• MR54 02A Carry out re-fuelling and fuel transfer operations
• MU5 02A Ensure compliance with environmental considerations in a small domestic vessel

Navigation

• MH8 01A Plan and navigate an inshore passage

Radar

• MH11 02A Use radar to maintain safe navigation

Ship Knowledge

• MA11 01A Maintain the stability of a vessel using basic stability information
• MB1 01B Perform routine preventative, remedial and survey deck maintenance on a vessel
• MB6 01A Monitor condition and seaworthiness of a small vessel
• MB7 01B Slip vessel and maintain hull
• MR1 01A Operate and maintain steering gear arrangements
• MR2 01A Use and maintain deck equipment and machinery
• MR3 01A Operate fuel, fresh and ballast water, bilge and fire pumping systems MR55 02A Perform rigging and lifting operations onboard a small domestic vessel

Notes:

• Additional units are required for the Certificate III qualification but are not required by the Maritime Authority in Queensland

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

Entry-level courses (Certificate I in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) - GP Hand and Certificate II in Transport and Distribution (Maritime Operations) - Coxswain) and their associated units (including Elements of Shipboard Safety and Marine Radio Communications) have no specific admission prerequisites.

Entry requirements for higher Certificate courses may include;

• " successful completion of a lower level Certificate;
• " the holding of a lower Certificate of Competency; or
• " evidence of equivalent experience as required by the relevant State Maritime Authority.

The issuance of a Certificate of Competency by a State Maritime Authority at the successful completion of a training course may also be dependent on the candidate meeting additional criteria including sea-time experience and medical and eyesight standards.

The "Notes for Guidance" for the courses in which you expressed interest contain more specific information on these matters and are available from www.msq.qld.gov.au

ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES

To reserve a place in a course or units, you will need to contact AMTC (phone, fax, email or letter).

Provided that the information you provide is complete, admissions criteria are met and there are no further information requirements or processes relating to such items as RPL and disability assistance, your application is accepted. In this case, you will shortly thereafter receive confirmation of a place, subject to satisfying enrolment procedures. If there are matters in your application that require further attention, they should be discussed further before enrolment proceeds.

Enrolment will occur at the commencement of a course or unit. At enrolment, you will be required to submit completed 'Subject Selection ' and 'Personal Particulars' forms, together will payment of applicable fees.

TRAINING FEES AND COSTS

Course/Unit fees are payable at enrolment and are indicated on the Subject Selection form. These fees cover;

• Course administration;
• Training Record Book;
• Learning Guide(s);
• Use of training equipment; and
• Course facilitation including tutorial and practical workshops.

They do not cover;

• Transport;
• Accommodation;
• Your own reference materials (see 'Materials Guide'); and
• Personal requisites such as notepads, binders, writing materials, chart plotting instruments, and a scientific calculator (e.g. Casio fx-82SX), etc.

PAYMENTS

Payments for all services and materials provided by AMTC may be made by cash, Money Order, Bankcard, Mastercard or Visa. Cheques and Money Orders should be made out to Australian Maritime Training Centre. Payments made by personal or business cheque will not be considered finalised until proceeds are credited to AMTC Pty Ltd. Receipts will be issued for all payments received.

AMTC extends credit for the provision of services only in exceptional circumstances and then only after the negotiation of a private agreement on fee payment with, and at the discretion of, AMTC Pty Ltd.

Normally, fees for courses or separate units are payable in full at the time of enrolment.

REFUNDS

Fees are not payable until the commencement of a course or other service. Any payments received in advance of the delivery by AMTC of a short course (e.g. ESS or Radio) are fully refundable up until the time of course commencement. For flexible delivery units, course commencement is taken to be the date of dispatch of Learning Guides.

Should a participant, after the commencement of a course/unit, be unable to continue because of illness (medical certificate required), extreme personal hardship or other bona fide reason agreed to by AMTC, he/she will be given the opportunity to transfer to a later course or fees may be refunded on a pro-rata basis.

Course commencement is taken as the date of dispatch of Learning and Assessment Guides.

LANGUAGE, LITERACY AND NUMERACY ASSISTANCE

AMTC is committed to assisting candidates having trouble with language, literacy and numeracy. To an extent that is reasonable and practicable AMTC will provide individual assistance in these areas to enable trainees to achieve the required maritime competencies.

In rare cases of extreme difficulties, AMTC may be able to assist trainees to access dedicated services within the community.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Public funding of vocational training is available in some circumstances and AMTC may be able to assist trainees to access such services.

COMPETENCIES TO BE ACHIEVED

At the commencement of any course or unit at AMTC, you will be given a full list of the learning outcomes (competencies) you will need to achieve and of the performance criteria that you will have to satisfy to demonstrate those competencies.

All competencies must be demonstrated to successfully complete the course or unit.

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

The purpose of assessment is to ensure that successful trainees have achieved the nominated competencies to a standard acceptable to the maritime industry. The focus is very much on your ability to operate well in the workplace.

Assessment methods will vary; the greatest emphasis will be on assessment of your ability to do the task, but assignments and oral and written questioning may also be used to test the underlying knowledge required for each task.

Because consistency of task performance is important in industry, assessment will occur throughout the course rather than only at the end. Furthermore, you will be able to negotiate with assessors the manner in which the required competencies may be demonstrated.

CERTIFICATION

Upon successful completion of a nationally approved course, AMTC will issue a 'Certificate' at the appropriate level.

This Certificate will be recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework and by State Maritime Authorities as meeting the course requirements for commercial Certificates of Competency.

On successful completion of a unit or units within an accredited Certificate course, the candidate will be issued with a 'Statement of Attainment' for the unit(s).

This enables you to transfer this credit to an approved maritime or, where applicable, other vocational course at another Registered Training Organisation.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

AMTC recognises the full range of your skills, knowledge and attitudes irrespective of how these have been acquired and assessed and will seek to identify how these will assist you to achieve the learning outcomes for each course/unit.

If you believe you have already acquired the learning outcomes of a unit through work experience, formal training qualifications and/or life experiences, you may apply for recognition. Please note that RPL cannot be granted for less than a complete unit.

You are asked to advise intentions to seek RPL before enrolment and to nominate the specific units. If indicating an intention to apply for RPL, you will be forwarded the relevant learning outcomes and assessment criteria with an RPL application form.

You are invited to discuss application for RPL and credit before course/unit commencement. If you decide to apply for RPL, you must complete the application form setting down the experiences and learning considered relevant to the learning outcomes for which recognition is sought. AMTC will assess the application and decide whether to grant RPL and credit for a unit or units. The main assessment technique at this stage will be an interview by an approved assessor that focuses on written information provided in the application and any other evidence of prior learning. If further assessment is required, this can use an appropriate, recognised educational assessment method or further documentation to check the specific skill or application of knowledge. You would then be notified in writing of the decision and advised of the appeals process should you be dissatisfied with the decision.

Fees charged for units credited through RPL may be up to the same as those for the same unit(s) completed through course work.

For the maritime courses provided by AMTC, you would generally need to demonstrate considerable experience in vessels of an appropriate size to gain exemptions from units through RPL within each Certificate course. Verification will require extensive documentation relating to sea service and courses completed, and may require a challenge assessment.

CREDIT TRANSFER

AMTC accepts all valid Statement of Attainments issued by Registered Training Organisations delivering Nationally Recognised Training as evidence of successful completion of specified units.

On receipt of documentary evidence, AMTC will credit specified unit(s) towards related course completion and exempt you from payment for such unit(s).

To ensure all AMTC trainees are able to similarly claim credit transfer at other Registered Training Organisations, Statements of Attainment will be issued for units successfully completed as partial progress towards a nationally recognised Certificate.

COMPLAINTS

AMTC has a fair and equitable process for dealing with complaints and appeals.

Should you have a genuine complaint with any part of the implementation of a course/unit or other training, you will have a right to a fair hearing at which you may state your concerns. Facilitators and Assessors will develop an environment in which you are not inhibited from raising concerns as they arise and in which reasonable concerns are addressed expediently. Whenever possible, AMTC will seek to remove concerns quickly and amicably.

You are encouraged to discuss any complaint at an early stage with the relevant facilitator/assessor and to seek a mutually agreeable resolution.

If resolution were not thereby achieved, you would then be invited to detail the issue in writing on a form provided to the Principal, AMTC Pty Ltd.

If the complaint cannot be finalised satisfactorily within AMTC, the assistance of a mutually acceptable arbitrator from within the marine industry may be sought. After that, you would be advised to take the complaint through legal avenues or relevant regulatory bodies. Any complaint should be lodged not later than four weeks after course/unit completion.

APPEALS

If you do not agree with the results of any assessment, you have the right of appeal. You must not be inhibited from raising concerns about assessment decisions at the earliest reasonable opportunity.

Facilitators and Assessors will be obliged to review all assessment decisions with you, clarify why decisions were made, identify the path you can take to achieve competence and identify any reasons for potential appeal.

If unresolved, you would be offered assistance to prepare a written appeal to the Director AMTC Ply Ltd. There is a need to provide new evidence or clarification of existing evidence to facilitate review of the assessment decision.

The Director AMTC Pty Ltd will refer the appeal to an 'Appeals Review Panel' for reappraisal in the light of the new evidence provided. The decision of this Panel would be conveyed to you in writing .

The Appeals Review Panel will be made up of at least two persons suitably experienced and qualified to make a reliable, fair and valid ruling; at least one will be an approved assessor.

Appeals should be lodged within four weeks of being advised of the assessment result.

TRAINING RESOURCES

All instruction and assessment staff involved in training activities at AMTC are qualified to the standards required for Registered Training Organisations. They are all appropriately skilled in the delivery and/or assessment of a training program as well as the experience, knowledge and skills required to instruct and/or assess each particular unit.

You will have access to physical resources which;

• " cover the range and level of skills development required to achieve qualification,
• " consider issues of quality and quantity to allow for repetitive practice;
• " are comparable to resources encountered in industry;
• " are up-to-date or allow for transference of principles to currently used equipment; and
• " allow for achievement of technical competence.

As required, you will be provided with access to;

• " a well-lit classroom, appropriately furnished and equipped with whiteboard, OHP, video and other appropriate fittings;
• " a suitable vessel in survey for practical training;
• " relevant demonstration equipment;
• " appropriate areas and facilities for practical training and assessment;
• " Learning and Assessment Guides and other approved materials; and
• " a library of relevant publications, videos and tapes.

EQUITY AND ACCESS

AMTC is dedicated to providing training to all persons regardless of background, age, gender, race, physical or learning capabilities, education or background.

You are invited to discuss, at an early stage, any difficulties you foresee that may arise, or difficulties that actually occur, during training. Counsellors at AMTC are available to help you find solutions to such difficulties and/or access to support services for people with special needs.

INFORMATION PRIVACY

AMTC takes seriously its obligation to safeguard the privacy of client information. Except as required by the Standards for Registered Training Organisations and by Law, AMTC will obtain client consent before the release of information to any third party.

Trainees may access personal records relating to themselves only. This may be arranged by contacting the Office Manager.

AMTC may be required to provide trainee contact details to the Training and Employment Recognition Council as part of an audit process to enable TERC to interview trainees about the training provided by AMTC.

TRAINEE WELFARE

AMTC staff will provide a supportive learning environment, in substantive and administrative aspects, conducive to success in the of trainee's studies. Facilitators, in particular, will identify and respond constructively to individual trainee needs for counselling, career guidance, support and encouragement.

Beyond direct vocational and training roles, AMTC will also be sensitive to circumstances which may benefit from trainee access to other specialist welfare, guidance and counselling services within the broader community.

3 September, 2006©AMTC