1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to uphold the principle of impartiality in the conduct of the Vocational Education and Training Sector Awards. We are committed to ensuring that all our decisions related to the awarding of prizes are fair, unbiased, and free from any undue influences.

2. Scope

This policy applies to everyone involved in the process of the awards, including, but not limited to, the nominators, nominees, judging panel, voters, staff, volunteers, and any third parties engaged in the process.

3. Principles

a. Non-Discrimination: We are committed to a non-discriminatory approach in all our actions. This means that all decisions, including those about eligibility, nominations, judging, and awarding, are made without discrimination on the grounds of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

b. Objectivity: All decisions related to the awards will be based on objective criteria. This means that personal preferences, affiliations, or subjective opinions will not influence these decisions.

c. Transparency: The criteria and processes used for all decisions related to the awards will be transparent. This means that they are openly available and understandable for everyone involved.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

Everyone involved in the awards is responsible for upholding the principle of impartiality. The management team is responsible for the implementation of this policy and for dealing with any potential conflicts of interest.

5. Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest is any situation where an individual or organisation can benefit from influencing the outcomes of the awards. Any such conflicts, whether real or perceived, should be declared to the management team as soon as they are known. The management team will decide on the appropriate action to take.

6. Breaches of Policy

Breaches of this policy, including any actions that undermine the principle of impartiality, will be treated seriously. They will be investigated and could result in disciplinary action, including disqualification from the awards or termination of employment or contract.

7. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that it continues to uphold the principle of impartiality in the awards. The policy may also be updated as needed in response to any feedback or issues that arise.