Student Services and Support

Your trainer and assessor will give you regular feedback on how you are progressing with your course and will implement an intervention strategy if progress is deemed unsatisfactory. Trainers are also available each week for any additional, individual face-to-face learning support you may need. If you would like further support, you can arrange a meeting with the Student Success Officer or RTO Manager. Our team can provide further advice and support for your studies at Seed Skills.

Language, literacy and numeracy skills are critical to almost all areas of work. This is particularly true in many vocations where language, literacy and numeracy skills influence the performance of workplace tasks such as measuring, weighing and comprehending written work instructions

To support this approach, Seed Skills will:

• Endeavour to identify students with support needs at the enrolment stage to ensure early intervention.
• Assess a student’s language, literacy and numeracy skills during their enrolment to ensure they have adequate skills to complete the training.
• Support students during their study with training and assessment materials and strategies that are easily understood and suitable to the level of the workplace skills being delivered.
• Provide clear information to students about the details of the language, literacy and numeracy assistance available. Seed Skills generally recommend the LLN training courses provided by TAFE. These institutes have specialist teachers to support the student’s development.
• Refer students to external language, literacy and numeracy support services that are beyond the support available within Seed Skills and where this level of support is assessed as necessary; and
• Negotiate an extension of time to complete training programs if necessary.

We have a range of strategies to assist students who struggle with LLN including (but not limited to):

• individual tutoring
• assistance with writing
• reviewing drafts of your work and providing written or verbal feedback
• adapting tasks to allow for more practice
• flexible assessment methods.

All delivery, assessment and instruction are carried out in English. There may be the opportunity available for you for ‘reasonable adjustment’ concerning the assessment process, depending on the level of support you require. This will be determined at the enrolment process.

Reasonable adjustment means modifications or changes that give you the same opportunities in training as a person without a disability or impairment.

Adjustments need to be reasonable. That is, they need to consider the needs of everyone involved so that no one is disadvantaged. This includes you, other learners, your teachers and the impact on your training organisation.

Reasonable adjustment does not:

• give you an advantage over others
• mean that course standards or outcomes will be changed for you – you will still need the basic knowledge and skills to do the course and will need to demonstrate competency in all tasks
• mean that you do not have to follow the student rules
• give you a guarantee of successful course completion – you still need to do the work.

You will have a say in deciding what your reasonable adjustment will be. The decision will take account of:

• your needs, abilities and independence
• how and where your course will take place
• the types of reasonable adjustment and resources available.

Some examples of reasonable adjustment are:

• books or learning materials in an alternative format; for example, audio, electronic, etc.
• access to specialised software or equipment
• assistance from a support person; for example, a note-taker or sign language interpreter
• extra time to complete assessments.

Make sure you understand the theoretical and practical requirements of the course before you enrol. Find out about any professional association registration and industry licences that you will need for a job.

Make sure you have the underpinning knowledge and skills for the course you want to do.

Be aware that reasonable adjustment can take a significant time to organise and may need several meetings. The earlier you discuss your needs with your teacher and/or disability services officer the better.

It’s your responsibility to make contact and request assistance.

It is a difficult decision whether to tell someone about, or disclose, how your disability may affect you. The main benefit of disclosing is that your trainer/assessor can then discuss with you whether reasonable adjustment can help you in your course.

You can take someone with you when you meet with your trainer/assessor. It could be a family member, colleague or supervisor who can help you to explain your needs.

Be prepared to give details and evidence about the nature and impact of your disability. A medical report could be suitable.

You will be asked to sign a form allowing your details to be passed on to the people who need to assess your case for reasonable adjustment. Keep in mind the support that you may have used in the past may not be appropriate in a new training environment. Discuss other supports and try new things so that reasonable adjustment works for you.

Remember that reasonable adjustment is only reasonable if it considers the needs of everyone involved. The type and amount of support will be negotiated with you.

Keep in contact with your trainer/assessor. Your needs may change over time so your reasonable adjustment may also need to change.