Australia’s Vocational Education Training (VET) system comprises nationally recognised training packages developed with comprehensive input from industry to ensure that training is relevant to the workplace.  For our industry, the Water Training Package has been developed and contains common standards and assessment guidelines for a range of Units of Competence covering a variety of water industry functions.

Undertaking training in accordance with the Water Training Package is referred to as Accredited training.  Accredited training must be delivered by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) who issue Statements of Attainment for individual training units completed.  These can eventually lead to the awarding of a formal qualification such as a Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma.

Recertification points can only be awarded for Accredited training if Statements of Attainment are provided and on the condition that none of the Units of Competence claimed were required as part of the initial certification process.

Each individual application must be supported by evidence of completion of accredited training such as Certificates, Statements of Attainment or official student records from an approved RTO.  All documentation supplied will be verified as an accurate copy by the water business and WIOA will undertake random audits of documentation supplied.

Activity

Completion of additional approved units of competence at Certificate II level = 3 points per unit completed

• Units from NWP07 relating specifically to water treatment are automatically approved.
• Units from other training packages with a direct relevance to water treatment function on application.

Completion of additional approved units of competence at Certificate III level = 4 points per unit completed

• Units from NWP07 relating specifically to water treatment are automatically approved.
• Units from other training packages with a direct relevance to water treatment function on application.

Completion of additional approved units of competence at Certificate IV level = 5 points per unit completed

• Units from NWP07 relating specifically to water treatment are automatically approved.
• Units from other training packages with a direct relevance to water treatment function on application.

 Re-Certification – Accredited Training (Word – V02)

 Re-Certification – Accredited Training (PDF – V02)

Compulsory Non-Accredited Training

There may be a requirement by a State/Territory regulator for Certified operators to undertake either refresher training or a skills update/refresher course as part of the recertification process.  This training may be Accredited (delivered by an RTO) or non-accredited (delivered by a person or organisation approved by the individual regulator).

Recertification points can only be awarded if evidence of attendance and completion of the appropriate course is provided, and WIOA will undertake random audits of documentation supplied.

Activity

Attend a training session approved or conducted by a state/territory regulator or mandated as refresher training = 3 points

Such as:

• Water industry issues update (Victorian Department of Health)

Non-Accredited Training

There are a range of non-accredited training and Professional Development opportunities available to certified operators.  Completion of non-accredited training courses or seminars is designed to directly update or refresh the technical skills of certified operators.

Recertification points can only be awarded if evidence of attendance and completion of the appropriate course or refresher is provided.  Seminars or workshops provided directly by WIOA would not require formal documentation as WIOA retains a list of attendees.  For all other courses, seminars or workshops, WIOA would require documentation outlining:

• The date, time and duration of the course
• The provider/specific trainer that delivered the course
• The content/topics and description of the items covered
• Any assessment undertaken and the result of the assessment.

Provided it covers the above information, evidence of attendance from the training provider would be considered appropriate.

WIOA will undertake random audits of documentation supplied.

Activity

Completion of additional vocationally relevant, process based, refresher training (generally conducted by an RTO) = 4 points

• Completion of a WIOA approved non-accredited training course covering key knowledge and/or skills in processes operated relevant to the Certified stream.
• These courses must include some form of assessment.
• No topic can be undertaken more than once in each recertification period.

Participation in WIOA specialist workshops/seminars = 3 points

Such as:

• Filter assessment and operation
• Distribution system management
• Activated carbon use
• Optimisation of coagulation and flocculation
• Optimisation of membranes systems
• Calibration & operation of on-line turbidity meters
• Operation & Validation of UV Disinfection Systems

Participation in a relevant water industry courses, seminars or workshops = Up to 2 points per day

Such as:

• IWES short courses relating to water treatment
• Water Treatment Alliance/Peter Mosse run Filter Optimisation two day workshop.
• NCEDA seminars
• ICE WaRM short courses
• National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training courses

Attend a water treatment focused  in-house training course = 1 point per day, max 4 points for this category

• In-house training courses must be accompanied by details of duration, topics covered and assessment (if any).

 Re-Certification – Non-Accredited Training (Word – V03)

 Re-Certification – Non-Accredited Training (PDF – V03)

There are a range of “other” Professional Development opportunities available to certified operators.

Conferences and Events

Points are awarded for attendance at a range of events on the understanding that the certified operator will have the opportunity to be exposed to the latest in information presented during the technical component of the event or through exposure to equipment, products and new technology as part of an industry exhibition.  In order to encourage a broad range of development, a number of categories at this level have their points capped for each recertification period.

Conferences or events provided directly by WIOA would not require formal documentation as WIOA retains a list of attendees.  For all other events, WIOA would require detailed documentation outlining:

• The date, time and duration of the event
• The provider of the event
• The nature of the event and the program.
• Some form of evidence that the certified operator actually attended.

WIOA will undertake random audits of documentation supplied.

Activity

Attendance at a WIOA operator’s conference = 1 point per day attended

• Where relevant technical or operations focussed papers are being presented.

Attendance at an AWA annual conference = 1 point per day attended

• Where relevant technical or operations focussed papers are being presented.

Attendance at a water industry conference, trade show, field day or meeting with published agenda = 1 point per day, max 4 points for this category

• Professional associations or societies, universities, colleges or technical institutes, manufacturers or distributors or part of an in-house training program, may sponsor these events.

Attendance at a relevant WIOA specialty event = 1 point per day attended, max 4 points for this category

Such as:

• Operator tour to New Zealand
• Advisory Committee endorsed Water Interest Days and facility tours

Attendance at a relevant water industry specialty event = 1 point per day attended, max 4 points for this category

Such as:

• Overseas or Australian Study tour
• Water Interest Days and facility tours

 Re-Certification – Other Activities (Word – V04)

 Re-Certification – Other Activities (PDF- V04)

Technical Presentations

Points are awarded for formal participation and undertaking technical presentations at industry events.  In recognition of the time, effort and technical understanding that must be developed and demonstrated, there are more points offered in these categories than for the previous category of purely “attending” and event.

Conferences or events provided directly by WIOA would not require formal documentation as WIOA retains a list of attendees.  For all other events, WIOA would require detailed documentation outlining:

• The date, time and duration of the event
• The provider of the event
• The nature of the event and the program.
• Some form of evidence that the certified operator actually presented.

WIOA will undertake random audits of documentation supplied.

Activity

Present a technical paper at a water industry conference or seminar = 5 points

• Presentation must be minimum 20 minutes.

Write, submit and present a poster presentation at a WIOA or other conference = 3 points

• Poster presentation must contain a verbal presentation of minimum 5 minutes.

Write and submit a poster paper at an event other than WIOA = 2 points

• Presentation

Host, present, or undertake a practical demonstration at a relevant WIOA endorsed event. = Up to 2 points per occasion, max 4 points for this category

Such as:

• Veolia’s Microfiltration workshop
• Presentation to a WIOA AC interest day

Provide a public presentation in relation to the relevant area certified = Up to 2 points per occasion, max 4 points for this category

Such as:

• Provision of plant tour for external group (school groups excluded)
• Provision of technical information at a public meeting

Awards & Recognition

There is a range of awards available to certified operators all with differing technical, participation and reporting requirements.  WIOA will review any applications in this category on a case-by-case basis and award up to a maximum of 10 points.

For all awards, WIOA would require detailed documentation outlining:

• The details of the award
• The provider of the award
• The nature of the award and the outputs required
• Some form of evidence that the certified operator satisfactorily met and delivered on all the award requirements.

Activity

Industry development awards and prizes = Up to 10 points

Such as:

• WIOA Kwatye prize
• IWA (Victoria) award
• Churchill fellowship
• PASS Award

Publishing

There is a range of publications available to certified operators all with differing technical, content and author requirements.  WIOA will review any applications in this category on a case-by-case basis and award up to a maximum of 5 points.

Activity

Submission of an article that is published in a water industry or relevant technical journal = Up to 5 points

Such as:

• WIOA’s WaterWorks journal
• AWA’s  journal
• Any other industry recognised journal

WIOA recognises that once an operator has been employed in the water industry for a significant period of time (minimum of 10 years), the scope to undertake additional relevant training courses and/or other relevant professional development opportunities in order to maintain certified status reduces.

WIOA also recognises that the technical skills of many experienced operators are often utilised to undertake projects designed to deliver operational improvements or process optimisation outcomes.

In recognition of this important technical work, WIOA is prepared to consider and recognise a significant workplace project, provided adequate documentation supporting the extent of the project undertaken is supplied and that the scope of the project undertaken would be considered to be outside the scope of normal duties of the certified operator.

In order to evaluate the extent of a Significant Workplace Project, and the number of points it for which it may be eligible, WIOA would require detailed documentation outlining:

• The details of the project
• The need for the project
• A detailed project methodology outlining the steps taken in undertaking the project
• A project report outlining the outcomes of any investigations or works completed including but not limited to any time, cost savings or Workplace Health and Safety improvements delivered
• Project participants and nature of the contribution of each (time, expertise, skills)
• Endorsement of the project, outcomes and project report as predominantly the work of the certified operator by the “suitably qualified person”.

Activity

Completion of a significant workplace project = Points reviewed and determined on a case by case basis up to a maximum of 10 points for this category.

Such as:

• Analysis of performance of membranes in RO plant
• Investigation and implementation of plant process improvements

 Re-Certification – Significant Workplace Training (Word – V05)

 Re-Certification – Significant Workplace Training (PDF- V05)