EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

MWMAC Ltd. is committed to the provision of equal opportunities for all its trainees, instructors, assessors and associates, and it recognises the importance of making appropriate and safe training, assessment and development opportunities available to all people irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, disability or any other factors.

Staff , instructors, assessors, trainees and candidates will be treated solely on the basis of their merits , abilities and potential, regardless of gender colour ethnic origin or national origin race disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, socio economic background , religious or political beliefs, trade union membership or other irrelevant distinction.

All staff, agents, contractors and candidates are asked to ensure that their dealings with others promotes equality of opportunity.

All Lantra Awards, CPCS ,NPTC, and in house qualifications are free from barriers which restrict access and progression unless the restriction is part of the assessment. Qualifications are available to all those who are able to achieve the standard required. No candidate is disadvantaged by any conditions or procedures that cannot be justified as relevant to the assessment

All staff , trainers and assessors will be recruited solely on merit, and to meet the needs of MWMAC and will be required to work to the Centre`s policies.

IMPLEMENTATION

1.As part of its strategy to ensure equality of selection of trainees/trainers MWMAC Ltd will ensure that there are clear consistent procedures for dealing with applications, provide applicants with as much clear and accurate information as possible about the training/ assessment for which they apply. Candidates & Trainees will be made aware that they can access the company Equal opportunities policy in MWMAC trading terms, and access to the policy will also be covered in the induction programme.

2. Ensure that selection criteria is based on the requirements that are necessary and justifiable for successful completion of the training/assessment.

3. Applications from people with disabilities will be properly considered. When making a decision about a disabled persons suitability for training and assessment, account will be taken of all the information available on the person, discussions with the person and those who will be responsible for his/her training, and where appropriate seek advise from professional services

4.The training programs and assessment organization including location will be designed to ensure that people living in remote areas have equality of access to training, and the logistics and timing of the courses will be carefully scheduled in order to maximise opportunities for those disadvantaged to benefit most.

5. MWMAC will provide Welsh speaking Trainers and training materials where required. All trainees /candidates will be able to have their training/assessment conducted through the medium of Welsh. This rule will also apply to any other foreign language and the Centre will apply to the CPCS Agency

6. Instructors/ Assessors will be given a copy of the Centre equal opportunities policy , and it will be featured as an item in their verification process.

7. Activities carried out by candidates at home work and in voluntary capacity are valued for the purposes of accreditation of prior achievement.

8. Complaints and appeals will be dealt with promptly and fairly.

MONITORING

The policy and its implementation will be monitored by the Company Directors.

Equal opportunities practice is demonstrated through:-

1. External verifier visits and report forms.

2. Discussed as an agenda item at Directors meetings.

3. Technical updates and training days for Assessors, plus external verification.

4. Scrutiny and the provision of AFAG guides and approved training materials.

5. Use of standard forms for candidate record keeping, providing all information relating to equal opportunities, and monitoring of these forms. (Coleg Powys enrolment forms/ NPTC registration forms)

6. Centre approval by the relevant awarding bodies 

It should be noted that the candidate in giving this information agrees that it may be sent to various awarding bodies, and Coleg Powys, for the purposes of national equal opportunities and access monitoring, and be disclosed to Government Bodies if requested. If candidates have accessed EU funding for courses the records are to be made available to both internal and external audit.. Records are also open to audit by Accountants Morgan Griffiths.

Statements and terms of conditions of employment contain a section on equal opportunities, and the company policy is available for all to view.

MWMAC Ltd

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

POLICY

revised October 2009

Janet Rowlands