General Questions
Refunds
Refunds of fees are available and only to be initiated in line with NSPI policy and procedure.
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Refund Policy
Refund Policy NSPI will make a full refund of all fees paid should
a course be discontinued. Should the learner desire to take an
alternative course with NSPI, fees will be fully transferable to
that course. In the event of a course for which the learner was
enrolled being unavailable or no acceptable alternative course
is available, fees are fully refundable. Should a learner cancel
an enrolment with NSPI, the following conditions will apply regarding
a refund of fees:
• The enrolment and skills assessment fees are non-refundable,
accept under extenuating circumstances*
• No refunds or transfers will be given for cancellations
or discontinuations after exclusion for unsatisfactory behaviour,
except where extenuating circumstances prevail*
• All requests for cancellation or refunds must be made in
writing and be accompanied with supporting documentation where
necessary
• Normal processing time for a refund request is up to four
weeks
• Confidentiality of learner information will be ensured
• Refunds will be paid within one (1) week of the claim being
agreed *
*Extenuating circumstances: Should a learner have to discontinue
a course for legitimate reasons, such as sickness, exceptional
family circumstances, a pro-rata refund may be given less a 10%
administration fee.
NSPI recognises that there will be instances where people who
have enrolled in training need to either cancel that enrolment
or transfer to another training program. There may also be instances
where employers of learners may elect to substitute another person
in lieu of the original enrolment.
NSPI considers each instance of training cancellation, transfer
or substitution on its merits; however NSPI has specific policy
guidelines to cover these. Cancellations will be accepted only
as per NSPI refund policy.
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What is RPL?
RPL is Recognition of Prior Learning, also known as skills assessment.
In RPL, formal recognition of the skills you already posses is
granted without you having to do formal training or study.
Knowledge and skills that are recognised in this process include
previous study; work experience (paid and unpaid); and life experience
like leisure pursuits or voluntary work. You must be able to provide
evidence of this knowledge and skills, to apply for RPL.
In the Vocational Education and Training sector, when your knowledge
and skills meet the learning outcomes and assessment criteria of
the qualification for which you are seeking credit, skills assessment
may result in a full qualification or a Statement of Attainment
for partial completion.
NSPI uses RPL to assess each applicant's current knowledge and
skills then determines if any Gap Training is required to meet
the selected qualification's requirements.
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What is involved in the RPL process?
The process requires three simple steps:
- Submit an enrolment form.
- NSPI sends to you a Trainee Checklist. Complete the checklist
and return it to NSPI with your portfolio of evidence for assessment.
If required, your assessor can provide information on the type
of evidence required.
- Once your portfolio of evidence is assessed, NSPI will notify
you of your results and any further requirements like Gap
Training and/or onsite assessment to demonstrate your skills.
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What is Gap Training?
Gap Training is offered to those individuals who cannot provide
appropriate evidence to prove their underpinning knowledge and
skills in one or more of the units that make up their chosen course.
Gap training involves reading the specially designed training materials
and answering assessment questions, which are to be returned to
NSPI for the assessor to mark.
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Who can be my Coach/Mentor?
Your coach/mentor is a person who holds the equivalent
or higher qualification or accreditation who can act as a guide
or resource for you as you work through your assessment process.
In the Nationally Recognised Training Certificate IV or III, the
person acting as your coach/mentor must hold the licence (or higher)
for which you will be applying, or if not for a licence outcome,
the equivalent or higher qualification.
If you are undertaking an accredited specialist course, the person
acting as your coach/mentor will have to hold the same accreditation,
or have the equivalent skills and experience.
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Does NSPI issue licences to build swimming pools or spas?
No, NSPI is not a licensing authority. Attaining a Certificate III in Swimming Pool and Spa Construction and Maintenance (or partial completion of) is just one step towards a licence. You need to ask your state's licensing authority what is required in your state to obtain a licence to build swimming pools and spas.
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How do I get a licence to build swimming pools and spas?
Contact your state's licensing authority and ask them the licensing requirements in your state.
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Do I need a licence to undertake commercial pool water maintenance?
You should check with your state health department and with the local authority under whose regulations you will be working. Some require formal qualifications; some are introducing licensing for water maintenance technicians. If you are in South East Queensland you can check out the ToolBox website under commercial swimming pools to find out more about council requirements.
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What will NSPI be looking for in my portfolio of evidence?
NSPI looks for evidence of tasks you do and how you do them. The
evidence you provide must be:
- Authentic (your own work)
- Valid (covers the elements to be assessed)
- Reliable (legally and ethically gathered)
- Current (gathered recently or in the recent past) and
- Sufficient (of appropriate quality and quantity).
Documentation that provides such evidence includes photographs of
yourself in the appropriate PPE undertaking work, industry memberships,
references, recorded information and workplace documentation, records
of other relevant training courses you have attended and evidence
from your employer of the tasks you have successfully completed.
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Why would I want to have my skills assessed?
You can gain a formal accreditation or a qualification that is
nationally recognised. This may expand your career horizons and
open new doors by assuring employers that you have the skills and
knowledge they're looking for.
If you have experience working in the swimming pool and spa industry,
even if you've never undertaken formal training, this assessment
process can help you gain a recognised qualification.
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How quickly can I complete RPL?
How quickly you complete your RPL depends on your circumstances.
If you have all the evidence you need at your finger tips you
may only take a week or two. If you need to create evidence (such
as photos of you undertaking certain jobs) or have to build up
the evidence, it could take a few months or more.
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How long do I have to complete my training?
You have two years to complete your course before you have to re-enrol.
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Why do I have to do an on-site assessment?
On-site assessment validates your competency in the units being
assessed. Because the courses run by NSPI are carried out via correspondence,
an assessor may come on-site to watch you demonstrate some of the
tasks and confirm your underpinning knowledge and skills.
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Why do I have to be wearing Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) in photos I submit for RPL?
Wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as high visibility work wear,
safety footwear etc, in all photographs submitted to NSPI for evidence of prior
learning is essential, as it is a legal requirement under Workplace
Health and Safety laws that appropriate PPE be worn on all work sites.
Therefore any evidence that you submit where you are not wearing PPE cannot be
used as evidence.
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Accredited Specialist Questions
Will I have to renew my accreditation?
NSPI Accredited Specialists are required to renew their accreditation every four years.
You do not have to renew a Certificate III qualification.
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What is the difference between accredited specialist and
nationally recognised training?
The Accredited Specialist training is industry-based. It has
been developed by NSPI in response to industry needs and in consultation
with key stakeholders such as regulators and trade associations.
Accredited Specialist courses are ‘non-accredited’ courses,
meaning that they are not recognised under the Australian Quality
Training Framework. Graduates of the Accredited Specialist training
receive a Skill Set Statement which outlines the units completed.
Nationally Recognised Training courses are developed under the Australian
Quality Training Framework. Because it is nationally recognised under
AQTF units completed in Nationally Recognised Training can be used
for mutual recognition if the graduate decides to do more study.
Graduates of Nationally Recognised Training receive either a Certificate
IV or III depending on the course completed, or a Statement of Attainment
in partial completion (showing the units completed) if they chose
to complete one of the pathways.
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Nationally Recognsied Training Questions
Will I ever have to renew my accreditation?
You do not have to renew a Nationally Recognsied
Training qualification.
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What are the advantages of doing the full Certificate III Training?
The main advantage is that in Queensland you can
apply for all three swimming pool and spa licenses that require 30556QLD as their
technical requirement. Here’s an example. Say your business currently specialises
in the installation of fibreglass pools and the opportunity arises to quote on
several domestic inground pools in a new estate. You can not do so if you only
have a licence for installation. Or you’re wanting to expand from just
concrete construction into also installing for a fibreglass spa company.
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What is the difference between Accredited Specialist in Commercial/Domestic Pool Water Service and 30663QLD Certificate III in Swimming Pool and Spa Water Maintenance Technology?
The Accredited
Specialist in Commercial/Domestic Pool Water Service is an
industry-based course. It has been developed to meet the needs
of those operators who service both domestic pools and commercial
facilities. It meets the requirements of the South East Queensland
local council’s ToolBox requirements for commercial pool
operator qualifications, and the Queensland Health Swimming and
Spa Pool Water Quality and Operational Guidelines recommendations
for pool operator qualifications.
The Accredited Specialist is a ‘non-accredited’ course,
which means that it is not recognised under The
Australian Quality Training Framework. Units from this course
can be used for RPL into 30663QLD
Certificate III.
30663QLD
Certificate III in Swimming Pool and Spa Water Maintenance Technology
is an accredited course under The
Australian Qualifications Framework. It was designed for those
who work primarily for commercially run pool and spa facilities.
Because it is nationally recognised under AQTF units
can be used for mutual recognition if the graduate decides to do
more study.
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