Workshops will recommence in February 2009.

Response is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that has evolved from writing and delivering programs for disadvantaged young people with disabilities. We have built on this background to develop a unique ‘person centred’ approach to training and assessment. This means that we listen to what you want, recognise the skills and knowledge you already have and work with you to devise a plan to achieve your qualification goals.

We are committed to providing you with the opportunity to get your skills recognised and we provide training and assessment pathways that will help you gain national qualifications in a cost effective and time efficient way.

Brief History

Response was established in 1994 to fill a gap that existed in entry level training. We developed and had accredited a Work Entry Program that created work and training pathways for many young people who required assistance to enter the workforce.

Since then Response has had extensive experience working with both federal and state government departments. Response has also established itself as a recognition specialist and, as a result of this has been contracted by a number of organisations to develop a range of resources against various qualifications.

Resources Developed by Response Training

Project for DET which was designed to assist Registered Training Organisations and training and assessors understand the new Community Services Training Package. Particularly the qualifications relating to disability.	A Recoginition resource to be used by people working in Job Networks. This resource provides participants with all the information they need to put a portfolio together to gain their Certificate IV in Employment Services.
This resource was designed to provide Disability Support Workers with an overall picture of recognition assessment and information about how they could use the resource to gain their Certificate IV in Disability Work.	The first project Response developed was a work entry program which incorporated these work standards. The program was used by young people who needed assistance to enter the workforce.

The Home Work Pathway is one of four Response training pathways (the others being the Portfolio Pathway, Evidence Presentation Forum and Worksite Visit). Like the other three, the Home Work pathway does not involve traditional class room based training, is cost and time efficient and is customised to suit your training needs and goals.

This means that you can start and finish when it suits you and work wherever it suits you. However, one of the biggest advantages of this pathway is the ongoing individualised support available. You will have a tutor/assessor who will maintain regular contact with you and who you will be able to contact to discuss any problems or questions that you may encounter.This ongoing dialogue is also known as a "professional conversation".

The Professional Conversation

The professional conversation is a common thread running through the various Response training pathways. It is the ongoing dialogue between the candidates and the tutor / assessor. It starts with the initial interview, continues through our various communications - telephone conversations, emails, assessment feedback - and concludes when we have all the relevant information and documentation to make our assessment decisions.

The professional conversation incorporates all the incidental pieces of information which many formal training pathways often don't recognise or utilise. These snippets of information are noted and developed into an important record in their own right which can be used as evidence to show a candidate's competence.

Who this works for

The Home Work Pathway is best suited to people who want the training to fit into their schedule not them fit into a training schedule that suits other people.

Case Study

"I am a busy mum and I find it impossible to commit to getting to a class every week. I find the Response Homework Pathway suits me perfectly. I can complete the workbooks when the kids are at school and I always make appointments to see my tutor and assessor in school hours. If I can't get into the office they will always send the workbooks out to me and I can post them back. Support is always available over the phone or by email. It works well for me."

Recognition, also known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process for giving a candidate credit towards a nationally recognised qualification, for skills, knowledge and experience gained through working and learning. It is based on a process of gathering and submitting evidence of your ability to function at a specific level within a specific industry. Recognition of these skills may allow you to acquire either units of competency, complete recognition of a qualification, or multiple qualifications.

Response offers three ways you can use to do this:

• Evidence Presentation Forums (Present your evidence of competence in a group environment)
• Worksite Visit (Assessor visits your workplace)
• Portfolio Pathway (Submit a portfolio of evidence of your competency)

See a list of nationally recognised qualifications that you could gain credit towards with Response Training.

Benefits of Recognition

• Faster, cheaper and more efficient - less time off the job for employees
• Increase in staff retention and satisfaction - giving skilled employees the recognition they deserve 
• Engage or re-engage existing workers - encouraging improvement
• Analyse and measure workforce skills - see if employees are meeting standards
• Identify any skills gaps - see what training is needed for employees
• Reduction in duplication of training - maximising employers training budgets
• Increased career options and clearer career paths for employees 

How it works

Response will assist you in the gathering of appropriate evidence. We appreciate that evidence gathering and portfolio preparation takes time. It is in your interest to get things organised as quickly as possible, but do not forget we are only a phone call or email away if you are unsure about anything.

Evidence can be gathered from:

• Paid or unpaid work in Australia or overseas
• On-the-job training
• Other qualifications from Australia or overseas
• Community or voluntary work
• Hobbies, sport and leisure activities

If the assessor does find gaps in competency, an action plan outlining additional tasks, training or other strategies may be required.

Who this works for

The process is designed for experienced workers and draws extensively on their experience and capacity to collect evidence, or be assessed in the workplace, against the Units of Competency for the selected qualification.

Find out more

If you require further information or would like to speak to one of our trainers, please Contact Us.

Evidence Presentation Forums are innovative assessment events, which involve the presentation of various assessment tasks and pieces of evidence that candidates have prepared beforehand. They are dynamic events that require candidates to present their case for competence, answer questions from other participants and the assessor, and table documentation to validate their claims for competence.

How it works 

Each forum is usually a one day event and is most effective with between two and four candidates who are currently working in a position relevant to the qualification.

On the day candidates are presented with a series of issues, challenges and case studies which provide them with an opportunity to demonstrate their competence. Before the day the assessor will send a list of topics that will be discussed. Candidates could be asked to provide a short presentation on the day on any of these subjects. They may be asked questions or given case studies or issues to resolve. Candidates will be asked during discussions to provide examples and stories of practice from their own work experience. It is helpful to bring relevant work documents, projects or samples on the day.

Who this works for

Forums are best suited to active learners with a strong knowledge base who can respond in a fast paced assessment environment. Candidates need to be well prepared, confident and positive about their expertise.

Forums are an innovative, interesting and professionally stimulating opportunity for candidates to demonstrate understanding and expertise in their field.

Find out more

If you require further information or would like to speak to one of our trainers, please Contact Us.

A Worksite Visit is, as the name suggests, a visit to your work site by an assessor. It is in some ways a combination of the evidence presentation forums and the portfolio pathways. It requires candidates to have relevant documentation organised and to be prepared to support the documentation through a professional conversation, which demonstrates your skills and knowledge.

How it works

An agenda for the visit is agreed to beforehand and may take from two to six hours depending on the number of units being assessed, the qualification and the exchange of information prior to the visit.

On the day our assessor will:

• Observe your work practice
• Ask you questions relevant to the qualification
• Talk to your supervisor to authenticate your evidence
• Review and validate documentation supporting your claim to competence

If the assessor finds gaps in your competency, an action plan outlining additional tasks, training or other strategies may be required.

Who this works for

A Worksite Visit is best suited to experienced workers who have access to a supportive workplace where a range of workplace evidence relevant to the qualification is available.

Find out more

If you require further information or would like to speak to one of our trainers, please Contact Us.

The Portfolio Pathway involves the submission of a portfolio of evidence that candidates have collated and mapped to the units of competency. This evidence will support their claim for competence.

How it works

Candidates need to submit evidence in their portfolio, such as a:

• Duty statement
• Performance appraisal
• Workplace project
• Testimonials
• Third party report
• The professional conversation
• Any other documentation which indicates your current skills and knowledge

Who this works for

The Portfolio Pathway is best suited to people who can collect and present a range of relevant workplace and other evidence that demonstrates their competence.

Find out more

If you require further information or would like to speak to one of our trainers, please Contact Us.

Cost per Pathway