O.R.C.A. Ocean Recreation Careers Australasia Pty, formally SSI Australia is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
Registration no. 31105. ABN 79 003 634 115

O.R.C.A.’S long-term goal is to be recognised as the prime provider and coordinator of all aspects of training for the Marine Dive Tourism Industry. Towards this end in July 2004 SSI Australia registered as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).

Scuba diving is serious fun and when combined with accredited business, hospitality and marine training opens up many and varied career opportunities. As we have increased our scope of operations to satisfy industry accredited training requirements we have also recognised the need for a name which encompasses the vision we hold for the company’s and industry’s future.

On the 7th of January 2010, SSI Australia changed its name to O.R.C.A. Ocean Recreation Careers Australasia. O.R.C.A. maintains its affiliation with SSI International and is able to design training programs which will satisfy both individual and industry training needs thereby increasing the professionalism within industry and employment opportunities for employees.

O.R.C.A. has worked steadily to attain this goal by

Stage 1: 2004 Initial Application

Short specific training programs based on clusters of competencies from the Outdoor Recreation Training Package, SRO03. These comprised of units from the Scuba, Snorkelling, and Coxswain activity specialisations, combined with relevant selected core units focusing on customer service, product knowledge, and safety.

Stage 2: 2006 Extension of Scope

Registered to provide full Certificates II, III, IV and Diplomas in Outdoor Recreation.

Registered for User Choice and SSQ RPL contracts in order to provide Marine Traineeship for industry.

Registered for Courses from Business, Hospitality, and Seafood packages in order to provide services to the Marine Industry

Stage 3: 2007 Extension of Scope

Instigate partnerships with other RTO to provide complete/varied training courses to better suit industry.

Stage 4: 2008 Extension of Scope

Registered to provide TAA40104 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Applied for Registration to provide HLT21107 to provide First Aid and emergency training to industry

Stage 5: 2010 Extension of Scope

Registration for CRICOS in order to provide accredited training to overseas students for Marine Tourism.

 

The Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) logo

The Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) logo is a distinguishable mark of quality for promoting and certifying national vocational education and training leading to Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or Statements of Attainment. More Information

Organisation Chart

O.R.C.A. has both an internal and external hierarchy. The internal hierarchy consists of the management and staff team that administer the operations; the external hierarchy consists of the training facilities, trainers, and training assistants conducting the training and RTO administration staff. Although tasks can be delegated to administrative staff within a facility, the registered facility/trainer is ultimately responsible for the reproduction, completion, recording, and storage of all student records. (See Appendix: Organisation Charts)

RTO accredited facilities must provide copies of the following insurances:
1. Worker compensation
2. Public liability
3. Professional indemnity

Facilities and trainers requiring accreditation through O.R.C.A. must provide courses and materials approved by O.R.C.A. and in accordance with SSI Australasia and industry standards. All Statements of Attainment and Certificates will be issued by O.R.C.A.’S Head Office in Cairns.

Qualifications of Training Staff

In order to be approved as an O.R.C.A.RTO Trainer / Instructor, candidates must:

• Sign the O.R.C.A. Trainer Licensing Agreement,
• Remain in active status with SSI Australasia.
• Be attached to an approved O.R.C.A. approved training facility
• Provide certified copies, or original copies to be verified by O.R.C.A. Head Office, of the following qualifications:
  • Current resume
  • TAA40104 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or equivalent
  • SSI Instructor Certificate if training in scuba units
  • Certificate of competency in relevant Activity Specialisation
  • Proof of Training History
  • Proof of current insurance

Records of the above qualifications and their currency will be maintained by O.R.C.A. head quarters.

Training

Training must in accordance with approved O.R.C.A. programs, materials, and assessment tools. All Scuba diving and Respond Right students must be added to the ODiN online database and the original student record folders and assessment materials or quality scanned PDF files are to be forwarded to O.R.C.A. head quarters for processing, copies of the forms are to be maintained by the trainer/facility in accordance with O.R.C.A. policies and procedures. Only O.R.C.A. headquarters can issue Statements of Attainment, Certificates, and Identification Cards.

Assessment

Trainers must use training programs and assessment tools as approved by O.R.C.A. All assessment tools and records must be correctly completed, including signatures by both trainers and students where indicated. Incomplete records and will be returned to the facility/trainer for completion. Records of the assessment must be received and approved by O.R.C.A. Headquarters prior to issuing of Statements of Attainment or Certificates.

Delivery Site

Delivery sites must be approved by O.R.C.A. Flexible and onsite training is encouraged, all delivery sites must be in accordance with O.R.C.A., SSI Australasia Training & Dealer Standards, the Qld Workplace Health & Safety Act, 1995 or other state body where relevant and the Industry Code of Practice (Compressed air, Occupational Diver, Recreational diving & recreational snorkelling)

Compliance with AQTF Standards

O.R.C.A. has policies and procedures to ensure continued compliance with AQTF standards. The O.R.C.A. Quality Manual stating the policies and procedures will be made available to potential RTO facilities/trainers, including the system and reporting forms. All new staff will be fully inducted with the content of this O.R.C.A. Quality Manual.

Facilities / Trainers who wish to provide training through the O.R.C.A. programs will be required to sign an agreement to implement the same policies and procedures within their own businesses.

This will be monitored through the following processes:

• Monitor Assessment Program: A regular and ongoing process that reviews all programs offered by a facility through evaluation forms from students and a performance appraisal system for Instructor / Trainers.
• Audit Schedule: A rolling schedule of audit procedures requires all policies and procedures to be audited annually as a minimum.