Open Training Program
A safe training space
NICA’s Open Training Program provides a safe training space for NICA students, staff, graduates and other circus professionals. This program is offered outside of the core NICA Ed program hours (with some exceptions for NICA Alumni).
APPROVALS
Before joining the Open Training Program, individuals and groups wishing to use NICA facilities must have their Open Training Application approved by NICA’s Head of Circus. Applicants will need to provide an online link to supporting video material demonstrating their circus skills, and potentially a skills assessment in the NICA space. Amendments to approved skills can be submitted in future.
WHAT CAN YOU TRAIN?
The Open Training Program is for the safe practice, maintenance and rehearsal of the circus skills you are competent in. Trying new skills is not permitted in NICA’s open training program. Permitted activities include basic skill training, specialty skill training and group act training. Flying trapeze, teeterboard, group bike, casting, swinging trapeze/cloud swing, and trampoline are only available by special request.
HOURS
Open Training is available after university hours during term: Monday to Thursday 5:30pm-8:30pm & Saturday 9:30am- 1:30pm.* These hours may be restricted during pre-production and show times when the National Circus Centre Studio is unavailable. Open Training is not available during NICA closure dates.
ALUMNI TRAINING HOURS
Approved NICA Bachelor of Circus Arts graduates (Alumni) can access Alumni Training sessions during core teaching hours. 2 sessions are available per day during NICA term dates: Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm – 4:00pm.*
Only 5 Alumni are allowed in the space for each session, making it important to book in advance. Permitted activities during core teaching times include basic skill training, specialty skill training and group act training. Alumni can also book Open Training sessions, see hours detailed above.
*Please note, all times are subject to change. To stay informed of any changes to training times or space restrictions, please visit the NICA Open Training Facebook page.
PRICING
Category | 10 session pass | 5 session pass | Single session |
External / Industry | $110 | $55 | $13 |
Current NICA Certificate IV or Bachelor Students | No charge | No charge | No charge |
NICA Alumni (Bachelor of Circus Arts graduates) | $85 | $42.50 | $10 |
External | Circus practitioners, circus industry professionals or NICA Rec students who are able to satisfy competency in their area of practice
Student | Current NICA Education students undertaking the bachelor's degree or Cert IV certificate (this does not include NICA Rec students)
Alumni | NICA Bachelor of Circus Arts graduates
INSURANCE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- Except for NICA Students, all Open Training Program members must hold a current Public Liability Insurance (PLI) certificate. PLIs need to be renewed each year with a copy provided to NICA Rec to enable you to continue training.
- All Open Training Program members must have either a Medicare card or Overseas Health Cover.
- NICA strongly recommends members have Personal Accident Insurance and Ambulance Cover (Membership - Ambulance Victoria). Note that emergency transport can cost over $2000 without cover.
- Please note, in case of injury NICA will not cover any medical expenses or loss of income.
Application Process
To become an Open Training member please fill out this form, and submit it with supporting links demonstrating your circus skills, for approval by NICA’s Head of Circus. You will be notified via email when your application has reached an outcome.
If your application for Open Training at NICA is approved, you will receive further instructions regarding:
- Current Personal Liability Insurance (PLI) Certificate and current Medicare card or Overseas Health Cover (OHC).
- Setting up your NICA customer account.
- Booking and paying for Open Training sessions.
- Safety induction.
BOOKING SESSIONS FOR CURRENT OPEN TRAINING MEMBERS
Digital punch passes have launched
The new process:
- All current Open Training members must set up a NICA Customer account.
- Once you have set up your student profile contact NICA Rec to purchase Open Training sessions:
- in person at NICA front desk Reception in the evenings, or
- via the NICA Rec office (phone: 03 9214 6585).
- NICA Rec staff will check the following:
- Open Training member status
- Online indemnity & waiver forms signed
- PLI certificate is current
- If there are remaining Open Training sessions from archived passes.
- Once you have purchased your digital punch pass it will be available in your NICA Customer account. NICA Rec can also provide a how-to-book guide.
- Upon arrival at NICA for your training session, you will receive direction to train from the venue supervisor who has access to your approved training specialties.
- You will also be able to access your Open Training digital punch passes and book using your mobile phone number, at NICA front desk Reception on arrival. Drop in bookings are dependent on space availability. Not booking in advance risks arriving to a booked-out session.
OPEN TRAINING CONDITIONS OF USE, INDUCTION AND COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT
- All approved Open Training Program participants must provide a current Personal Liability Insurance (PLI) Certificate before being eligible to train (except current NICA students).
- All approved Open Training Program participants must complete and sign the online indemnity & waiver form in NICA’s Customer Portal before being eligible to purchase passes, and book into the program online.
- Upon arrival for their training session all Open Training Program participants will receive direction to train from the venue supervisor on site.
- Open Training Program participants will conduct a safety induction prior to their first training session.
- It is a condition of entry that Open Training Program participants have booked and paid for their session before training – failure to do so will result in refusal of entry.
- The Open Training Program is for the practice, maintenance and rehearsal of skills in which you are competent to train in safely. Open Training Program participants will only train in disciplines approved by NICA’s Head of Circus through the application process.
- All applicants must be willing to complete a competency assessment to gauge their ability to train safely and independently in the space. Applicants who have been awarded a Bachelor or Circus Arts or similar will be advised if they are required to attend a competency assessment.
- Open Training Program participants acknowledge that the NICA Rec program, NICA performances and NICA rehearsals have priority of space and equipment.
- Open Training Program participants will always follow the directions of NICA staff and Swinburne security staff.
- Any non-NICA equipment needs to be approved before use in the space and removed at the end of the session. This equipment is not to be shared with others.
- Participants will not conduct any commercial activity through the Open Training Program. If you are after venue hire or are seeking to run private tuition, please contact the NICA Rec Office.
- NICA students who are absent from class during the day are not allowed to train that evening.
OPEN & ALUMNI TRAINING PENALTIES
- Open Training Program members who have not booked their training session will be asked to leave immediately and will be suspended from the Program for 24 hours. Second time offenders will be suspended for one week. Third time offenders will be suspended from the program until the following year.
- Open Training Program members will not be able to book in for training unless their online iClassPro punch pass is up to date.
- Individuals who fail to follow the directions of the venue supervisor will be banned from the program. Additional consequences may apply to staff and students at the discretion of the Program Manager.
- NICA reserves the right to refuse refund of any monies as a result of suspension or banning.
- If you are caught in the space without having completed the Open Training Program application process, your details will be recorded, you will be asked to leave immediately and you will not be eligible to join the program for 30 days. Second time offenders will be ineligible to join the program until the following year.
ALUMNI TRAINING TERMS & CONDITIONS
Alumni only sessions are available during term from Monday to Friday.
There are two sessions available: 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm.
- At times NICA may have limited space and priority will be given to the NICA core teaching programs.
- You can access your trainer of choice for advice, but this cannot infringe on NICA core teaching commitments. You are not permitted to receive free classes from core trainers during this time.
- To arrange a private tuition session with a core trainer after hours, please contact the NICA Rec team.
- Any equipment brought into the space must be inspected by NICA production staff for safety checks before use.
- Sharing your learning experience with current NICA students in the same discipline is welcome, but you are not required to teach the current students.
- 5 graduates are allowed in the space for each session during NICA’s core course teaching hours. Each graduate is welcome to stay for the length of the session (3 hours starting at 9AM or 1PM), using the principle of ‘first booked in, first served.’
- All training sessions must be pre-booked to ensure the space is not overcrowded. You can book up to 2 weeks in advance.
- If you are unable to attend a booked session, please call reception to cancel prior to the session: 03 9214 6585. If you don’t, you are denying a spot for another Alumni.
- The participants acknowledge that by make a booking they will be bound by all NICA safety policies and procedures and all other NICA relevant policies regarding usage of the space.
- You must sign in at reception upon arrival who will check your alumni booking, direct you to book before you can begin training.
UPDATE YOUR APPLICATION FORM
Have your details or equipment usage changed?
Complete an Open Training Program Amendment Application Form to update your member information and receive an additional assessment.
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our FAQ's here.
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