Independent Institute (of Food Processing)-IIFP is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) under the provision of the Australian Quality Training Framework 2010 (AQTF 2010). It is a wholly owned enterprise of the legal partnership of SG & SG Knoll.

As an accredited provider of education and training, the Independent Institute (IIFP) is required to meet the SA Training and Management Code of Practice

This Code of Practice provides the basis for good practice in the marketing, operation, financing and administration of education and training services by Training providers registered in South Australia by the Training and Skills Commission under the Training and Skills Development Act 2008 against the AQTF Essential Conditions & Standards for Continuing Registration 2010 and amendments that came into effect on the 30thof May 2011, other items by 30th of Sept.2011 and 1st of Jan 2012.

For the purposes of this Code “trainee” or “student” refers to any person participating in education or training delivered and is confirmed trough the completion and signing of our enrolment form after review of our client/student handbook and acknowledgement of the associated pre enrolment induction checklist constituting our training service agreement.

For the purposes of this Code a “client” is a person or organisation who enters into a contract with IIFP for the delivery of education and training services and who pays for that service for the benefit of a “trainee or student” to undertake a qualification or course of study. This is acknowledged by completion of the enterprise training profile schedule or a specified agreement together with the Client/student handbook. In both cases references are suggested for more information on our iifp website: www.iifp.sa.edu.au

IIFP has policies and management practices which maintain high professional standards in the delivery of training and assessment services, and which safeguard the interests and welfare of trainees and/or clients.

IIFP maintains a learning environment that is conducive to the success of trainees.
IIFP 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 trainees.

IIFP monitors and assesses the performance and progress of its trainees.
IIFP ensures that teaching staff are not only suitably qualified but are also sensitive to the cultural and learning needs of trainees, and it provides training for our staff as required.
IIFP ensures that assessments are conducted in a manner which meets the endorsed components of the relevant Training Package(s) and/or accredited courses.

IIFP is committed to access and equity principles and processes in the delivery of its services.

Independent Institute of Food Processing is committed to providing you with the best quality education products and services that meet and exceed the needs of industry, students and government.

We strive to apply continuous improvement to all aspects of our operations and utilise, value and reward the knowledge, skills and efforts of our Staff and Associates.

This process applies to all Independent Institute training product and service delivery

Independent Institute (of Food Processing)-IIFP as an RTO will meet all applicable legislative requirements of State and Federal Governments. In particular, Workplace Health and Safety, Privacy, Equal Opportunity, Workplace Relations and Vocational Placement Standards will be met at all times.

Independent Institute (of Food Processing)-IIFP has policies and procedures in place which enable us to maintain the interests and welfare of students and/or clients The purpose of this process is to ensure that IIFP staffs have access to the latest legislation and regulations that effect the operations of the RTO.
The staff, in turn ensure that updated legislation and regulations are incorporated into the training and assessment where appropriate.

Identified Legislation includes but is not limited to:

• AQTF Essential Conditions & Standards for Continuing Registration 2010
• Training and Skills Development Act 2008 Ref: tasc.sa.gov.au
• Occupational, Health Safety & Welfare Regulation 2010 under the OHS&W Act 1986
• Fair Work Act 2009
• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986
• Human Rights (Sexual Conduct) Act 1994
• Child protection act 1993. Section 8B
• Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999
• Sex Discrimination Act 1994
• Disability Discrimination Act 1992
• Racial Discrimination Act 1975
• Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988
• Copyright Act 1968
• Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000
• Archives Act 1983

To identify the latest information, staff are to register with http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ for federal legislative changes and http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/index.aspx for SA legislative changes.

IIFP issues qualifications and Statements of Attainment to trainees who meet the required outcomes of a qualification or unit of competency, in accordance with the AQTF Implementation Handbook

IIFP recognises the AQF qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by other RTOs.

Mutual recognition obligations are reflected in IIFP policies and procedures and information to staff and clients.

IIFP markets and advertises its products and services in an ethical manner.
IIFP gains written permission from a trainee or client before using information about that individual or organisation in any marketing materials.
IIFP accurately represents recognised training products and services to prospective trainees and clients.

IIFP ensures trainees and clients are provided with full details of conditions in any contract arrangements with our organisation.
No false or misleading comparisons are drawn with any other training organisation or qualification.

IIFP has measures to ensure that trainees and clients receive a refund of fees for services not provided, including services not provided as a result of the financial failure of IIFP.
IIFP has a refund policy that is fair and equitable and this policy is made available to all trainees and clients prior to enrolment.

IIFP ensures that the contractual and financial relationship between the trainee/client and IIFP is fully and properly documented, and that copies of the documentation are made available to the trainee/client.

Documentation includes: the rights and responsibilities of trainees, costs of training and assessment services and issuance of Qualifications, payment arrangements, refund conditions and any other matters that place obligations on trainees or clients.

IIFP supplies accurate, relevant and up-to-date information to prospective trainees and clients covering policies and procedures not limited to this Code.

IIFP supplies this information to trainees and clients prior to enrolment and regularly reviews all information provided to ensure its accuracy and relevance.

IIFP conducts recruitment of trainees at all times in an ethical and responsible manner.

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.

IIFP ensures that the educational background of intending trainees is assessed by suitably qualified staff and/or agents, and provides for the training of such staff and agents, as appropriate.

IIFP provides adequate protection for the health, safety and welfare of trainees and, without limiting the ordinary meaning of such expression, this includes adequate and appropriate support services in terms of academic and personal counselling.

IIFP will work with you to help you to achieve your goals. This is done by assisting you to gain skills, knowledge and personal qualities so that you can:

• continue your learning
• be resourceful and enterprising in the workplace and/or community
• gain/change employment

To ensure this happens, IIFP will provide an environment that:

• recognises your experience and existing skills
• encourages participation and innovation
• ensures your safety whilst engaged in project activities
• respects your opinions and ensures your rights are upheld, and
• has procedures to deal with your feedback regarding our services and dealings with you

Your role is to actively participate in your program. To get the most out of your training, you will need to:

• establish goals for yourself
• engage with IIFP staff and your peers
• be committed to completing tasks
• take responsibility for your learning
• be prepared to ask for help when you need it, and
• respect the rights of others.

Rights & Responsibilities of the RTO
The RTO is governed by legislation regarding the quality of training delivered to students. Independent Institute - iifp is committed to the ongoing continual improvement of its organisation and the quality of education and training services to its students/clients. Independent Institute - iifp will ensure the following level of service to its students/clients.

• Support for its students/clients as outlined in the section Rights and Responsibilities (students/clients);
• Provide quality of education and training by ensuring that the qualification and experience of educators and trainers is commensurate with the content and level of course being conducted;
• Provide accredited training and an assessment procedure that is Competency Based;
• Provide a comprehensive, fair and equitable RPL process and Policy.

Rights and Responsibilities (Students/Clients)
Independent Institute - iifp will ensure that its students/clients:

• Receive Competency Based Training and Assessment at a level equal to the quality of training provision for courses as outlined in the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) and Australian Qualifications (AQF) framework;
• Receive education and training in well-appointed venues with appropriate resources and facilities that comply with the requirements of the training program and most importantly comply with Workplace Health and Safety Standards;
• Are afforded Equal Opportunity principles and practices. Have access to suitable support services so that student learning disabilities may be identified and supported.
• Independent Institute - iifp is required under State legislation to provide for the health, welfare and safety of both its employees and students/clients (Duty of Care) and provides:
• A Complaint procedure for training and assessment as outlined in this code of practice;
• Assistance to students with literacy and numeracy problems. The student handbook outlines the procedures to be followed in this instance;
• Arrangements for students with legitimate reasons to defer training or cancel their enrolments;
• A refund and financial policy as outlined in this Code of Practice.

IIFP ensures that trainees and clients have access to a fair and equitable process for dealing with grievances and provides an avenue for trainees to appeal against decisions which affect the trainees’ progress. Every effort is made by IIFP to resolve trainees’/clients’ grievances.

For this purpose, IIFP has a grievance policy where a member of staff is identified to trainees and clients as the reference person for such matters. In addition, the grievance mechanism as a whole is made known to trainees at the time of enrolment.

Where a grievance cannot be resolved internally, IIFP advises trainees and clients of the appropriate body where they can seek further assistance.

IIFP keeps complete and accurate records of the attendance and progress of trainees, as well as financial records that reflect all payments and charges and the balance due, and provides copies of these records to trainees on request.

IIFP seeks feedback from our trainees and clients on their satisfaction with services they have received and seeks to improve its services in accordance with their expectations.

Excellence in training is IIFP’s customer service approach in the delivery and management vocational education, training and consultation services. As part of this approach we are committed to listening and responding to what clients have to say. We will:

• listen with respect to each person who provides feedback
• endeavour to understand the perspective of each person who provides feedback
• treat all feedback with confidentiality
• take appropriate action on feedback received

You can provide us with this feedback via your Training Consultant, customer service officer, surveys, student forms and feedback slips.

As you can see, IIFP is committed to providing a service of the highest possible standard. We do not know how we are performing unless we ask. Therefore, we hope you will provide us with honest feedback that will help us initiate change to the benefit of our present and future clients.

Independent Institute continuously liaises with industry through relevant skills Councils, industry and professional associations, local employers so that qualifications it issues remain consistently relevant, flexible and meet the needs of industry. To achieve this Management, Staff and Associates/trainers will:.

• consult Workplace personnel in the development of workplace training and assessment processes
• ensure Workplace personnel are informed of their training and assessment roles and responsibilities, where relevant to the training and assessment program through providing input to Training Plans
• Monitor the learners’ progress. Information from workplace personnel is used to continuously improve training and assessment
• Input is collected from industry contacts to confirm that the proposed and actual training provides the relevant outcomes to meet the employment and skill demand of industry.
• Workplace personnel can provide feedback on how effectively training, assessment and client services meet workplace

This policy is currently under review as at 19th Jan 2012. contact iifp administration for the latest update until our website update is complete.
This policy has been approved by Independent Institute (IIFP).