Equity and Student Support Services Faculty
In the North Coast Institute, the Equity and Student Support Services Faculty comprises the Library services, Counselling services, Student Association services, the Aboriginal Education and Training Unit, Disabilities programs and services, and Outreach programs.
The Institute library at each campus provides access to resources, services and facilities to support educational delivery - regardless of its delivery method. Library resource materials are available in a broad range of formats including print based and electronic resources.
Qualified library staff provide a range of services at each campus library to support teaching and learning. These include: access to relevant and up to date library resource materials including onsite and remote access to online databases; inter-library loans; information requests and research services; research and information skills training sessions to enhance information seeking skills and to assist in the planning and preparation of lessons and assignments; basic Internet training sessions; and library orientation tours.
Other services and facilities offered by North Coast Institute campus libraries include: learner support centres; student Internet access;
workstations which provide access to self-paced learning packages and those which provide access to non-standard specialised teaching and learning software; Internet and computer enabled seminar and training rooms with data projection facilities; student access to PCs for applications software such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases; adaptive technology; and access to communication technologies and facilities, such as satellite broadcasts. North Coast Institute libraries provide all of these services but not at all campuses.
Institute counsellors provide an extensive range of services to assist students and prospective students achieve their education and training goals. In the process, they can offer assistance and support to staff across a wide range of areas.
North Coast Institute counsellors well understand that many factors can affect a student’s ability to choose an appropriate course, gain entry to TAFE NSW and then progress to a satisfactory outcome. Counsellors provide assistance whether the issue is vocational choice, educational decision-making, learning difficulties or more personal problems. Counsellors can often help students to clarify their situation, goals, options and resolve difficulties.
Student Association officers provide a focus for students’ campus life and work to create an exciting atmosphere for student learning. In addition to a range of services for the whole campus community, Student Association officers coordinate membership and members’ benefits.
While membership is voluntary, association members receive some material goodies as well as a wide range of discounted services and activities. Student membership helps the Institute improve the campuses’ services and facilities that are available to students.
Aboriginal programs and services
A key source of program provision and specialist advice, the Institute's Aboriginal Education and Training Unit comprises the Aboriginal coordinators and student support officers who provide advice for flexible and negotiated entry-level programs and courses.
Aboriginal coordinators work with teachers in providing culturally appropriate courses and in addressing teaching and learning issues that affect Aboriginal students' course participation and outcomes. As well, Aboriginal coordinators and student support officers can work local Aboriginal communities and organizations in planning programs that respond to community and industry needs.
Disability programs and services
Disabilities Head Teacher/Consultants provide support for students with a range of disabilities. Specialist disabilities areas include deafness and a hearing impairment; intellectual disability, psychiatric disability or a specific learning disability; physical disability and acquired brain injury; and blindness and a vision impairment.
Students may discuss their learning plans and support options with Disabilities Head Teacher/Consultants who can arrange individual support, such as: pre-enrolment planning and assistance; arranging flexible attendance; providing tutors, note-takers and interpreters; arranging exam support; providing adaptive equipment; and providing access and mobility support.
Outreach programs
Outreach coordinators develop and deliver programs that address barriers to vocational education and training for people who are educationally disadvantaged or isolated.
Outreach Coordinators provide programs for equity target groups, programs that address barriers faced by target groups that arise from cultural, linguistic, social and economic factors. Outreach provides a women-only course and, more recently, the Outreach program has responded to the needs of young people with special needs.
Courses may be conducted on campus or in the community and are flexibly designed to suit the needs of the group. In order to promote learning pathways, Outreach coordinators develop and implement courses in partnership with other teaching sections. To promote sustainability and community development, Outreach Coordinators often seek to work in partnership with other organisations and community agencies. For more information ring 131601.
