The WILSS Learning Experience
Qualifications, Learning and Assessment
WILSS has designed its programmes keeping in mind feedback from potential industry employers, career counsellors and client focus groups.
Programmes incorporate skill development, self-esteem and motivation development, self presentation skills and work confidence. Our programmes are pathways towards employment, further education opportunities or upskilling in current roles.
WILSS does not treat learning experiences as 'one off' events and accordingly our programmes comprise the use of a learning cycle involving four steps:
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Experience
In order to learn participants need to be involved in activities from which learning points can be extracted. -
Review
Participants need time to reflect on the experiences they have had. Participants need to consider what has happened to them and why things occurred the way that they did. -
Seek conclusions
After having reflected, participants need to develop conclusions about the situations they were in and then extract points on how these can be applied in the future. -
Plan
Conclusions should raise further questions that can form the basis for further experimentation, experiences and development.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
The NZQA is the guardian of National Unit Standards. These have been developed to build skills and knowledge without being restricted to formal training institutions such as polytechnics and universities.
The NZQA standards-based system allows students to train 'on the job' in a variety of settings e.g. as a volunteer, or in a paid position, or with a Private Training Establishment such as the Waikato Institute for Leisure & Sport Studies.
Under this system, industry qualifications such as national certificates and diplomas, are made up of building blocks called 'unit standards'. To achieve credits, students are assessed against the skill requirements set out in the unit standard.
All unit standards are registered on a database called the National Qualifications Framework, maintained by the NZQA. The Framework is made up of eight levels of unit standards - level one being the most basic and level eight containing the most complex level of unit standards.
Students taking unit standards for the first time need to be registered on the NZQA Framework. Once registered, students are given a personal identification number called a National Student Index number. This allows all training achievements to be recorded throughout the student's life of learning.
Assessment procedures
WILSS' assessment procedures are based on realistic, relevant and practical situations incorporating thelearning outcomes of the course. Participants may provide opportunities for training, assessment and recognition of prior learning in relation to the unit standards from either study, community volunteer, club membership activities or employment related activities.
Assessment tasks will take into account varied learning styles and cultural expectations and assessment approaches will include:
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observation of tasks.
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viewing written evidence.
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asking questions.
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task simulation.
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peer assessment.
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results from participant self-assessment.
Recognition of current competency will be determined by either the production of evidence, and/or by demonstrating competence via such methods as practical demonstrating, interview or consultation.
Programme facilitators
WILSS's staff are vital to the successful implementation of the Institute's aims and goals and to ensure satisfaction for all their participants. All WILSS' staff members meet minimum industry standards (provided by the NZQA) and skill levels and experience detailed within these guidelines.
Facilities
WILSS is based in Hamilton. Our office is at 21 Ruakura Rd, Hamilton and other NZQA approved facilities throughout the Greater Waikato and Central Plateau are used in combination for the delivery of our courses. View our Google location map.
Participant guidance and support systems
All participants will have available to them, on request, guidance and support systems. WILSS at all times conducts its dealings with participants in a fair and equitable manner, and complies with specific requirements of the Education Act 1989 and other relevant legislation. Course participants are required to abide by the rules and regulations of WILSS as set out in the Participant Handbook. A Participant Handbook that includes information about WILSS guidance and support systems is given to each participant on enrolment.
Welfare and support services
WILSS' learning support policy advises participants that learning support services available include:
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local networks to provide support.
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library network service.
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employment and career guidance.
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additional professional support.
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facilitators.
Participants will be referred to relevant outside professional agencies and counselling when this is requested. Employment and career mapping will be provided by external support people or from outside agencies on request.
