Access and Equity
OPEC College is committed to practising fairness and providing an equal opportunity for all current and potential students to access and participate in learning, and to achieve their learning outcomes regardless of age, gender, cultural or ethnic background, disability, sexuality, language skills, literacy or numeracy level, unemployment, imprisonment or remote location that may present a barrier to access, or any other perceived difference in class or category. OPEC College ensures that its practices are as inclusive as possible and do not unreasonably prevent any clients from accessing its services. OPEC College will address access and equity matters as a nominated part of operational duties.
If a student identifies with one or more of the following priority groups, he/she may be able to receive additional assistance:
- Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people
- Carers of people who are ill, aged or who have a disability
- People with a disability
- Women and girls who are returning to education and training
- Women and girls who are seeking training opportunities in non-traditional roles
- Young people aged 15 to 25
- Australian South Sea Islanders
- Parental job seekers
- People with English language, literacy and numeracy needs
- Mature aged workers who require up skilling
- Long term unemployed and disadvantaged jobseekers
- People from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds
- People who speak a language other than English
OPEC College has developed this quality management and operational framework to guide and inform all staff and students in their obligations regarding access and equity. Upon induction into OPEC College, all staff is provided with copies of the policies which they must adhere to throughout all their operations as an OPEC College staff member. Students are made aware of the access and equity policy via the OPEC College student handbook, and informed of their rights to receive access and equity support and to request further information.
OPEC College access and equity policies are in place to ensure that training opportunities are offered to all people on an equal and fair basis in all circumstances, irrespective of their gender, culture, linguistic background, race, socio-economic background, disability, age, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or carer’s responsibilities.
Practising these policies will guarantee that any student who meets OPEC College entry requirements will be accepted into any training programs. If any student or staff member have issues or questions regarding access and equity, or believes they have been treated unfairly, they will be directed to OPEC College management for consultation.