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Q. It has been a long time since I have done any studies. I can’t do exams or assignments. I’m afraid that I wouldn’t pass the course.
A. We recognise that every student is an individual and therefore has different ways in which he/she learns. Our courses have a variety of assessment tools so that each student has the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills acquired from the courses. As a guide, we use standard examinations based on law and procedure, practicals where students complete a specific task, desk-top assignments based on job-specific situations, a self-paced on-the-job practice workbook, as well as mock court and brief preparation skills. All assessments provide the student with the maximum amount of feedback, and advice on how and where to improve their existing skill levels. The assessments we use are not the end of learning, but a catalyst for continuous improvement.
Q. Do I have to attend every session of every course?
A. If students can demonstrate that they have previously completed and passed specific Units, or even entire stages of courses, they can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for those specific areas. If approved, the student will be exempted from having to attend those respective areas, but still be credited with completing them. Otherwise, each student must attend every face-to-face session conducted within the course programs.
Q. Must I actually complete every Unit of Competency — for example… do I actually have to arrest someone in order to pass that particular Unit?
A. You must be able to demonstrate that you can perform the task within the legal, ethical, and safety guidelines contained within the Evidence Guide of the specific competency. In the example provided, the individual is not required to actually arrest a person, but be able to demonstrate how, when, where, why an arrest would be justified and carried out. The onus is on the student to show that they understand the procedure and can carry it out if ever placed in such a situation in the future.
Q. Where do I attend your courses?
A. Em-Four operates across Australia and does not have a central location. Courses are conducted in central localities that are within a reasonable distance to the students’ home or workplace. In public courses, we inspect and hire quality venues strategically located within regional centres either in metropolitan or country locations, in order to minimum the stress, cost and burden that can accompany transport or even accommodation. For in-house or corporate courses, we consult the client employer and where possible, utilise their training facilities. The student is only required to attend the face-to-face components of the courses at these locations. Other components are either field-based during the student’s employment (on-the-job) or by distance education.
Q. During the courses, are their provisions to get a meal, or have coffee breaks during the days?
A. Em-Four provides refreshments in the face-to-face components of our courses. The venues are chosen to maximise the student's comfort throughout the training. Morning and Afternoon Tea, together with all-day coffee/tea/mints is provided throughout the week. As students often have varying needs for main meals, and require time to conduct personal business, lunches are not provided. We aim to provide the best possible environment in order to facilitate the learning process for the student. However, if individuals prefer to "get away" for their lunches and use that time for themselves, then they are allowed and encouraged to do so.
Q. My English skills are limited and my writing is not the best either. Will my limitations disadvantage me in the courses?
A. Not at all. Our Instructors use plain, every day English supported by real examples so that all students can benefit from the lessons equally. Some of the curriculum is complicated as it is based in the vagaries of law, but even these are broken down for ease of understanding. Where particular concerns arise, we will assist those individuals with their needs. The individual is not penalised for spelling or grammar errors in their assessments, as the assessment is a holistic process. All staff are trained in adult education whilst some are specialists in the areas of communication, literacy, numeracy and social sciences, so they are sensitive to any special requirements of individuals. |
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