The Network Operator Development Program, established in 2017, aims to identify, mentor, and develop future leaders in Victorian water network operations. It enhances operators’ knowledge, skills, and networks by exposing them to strategic thinking and best practices in technology, business management, and leadership. Graduates gain tools to implement best practices, increase productivity, and foster a professional culture, ultimately improving customer focus in their network activities. The program runs annually.
Graduates will be provided tools enabling them to learn how to identify and implement best practice approaches, increase productivity and enhance a professional culture within their respective organisations, to deliver an improved customer focus in their network related activities.
Who is eligible for the program?
Applicants for this program must primarily work within the potable water reticulation network and/or wastewater collection systems.
Network reticulation is defined as the pipelines and associated infrastructure from the Water Corporation’s water treatment plant to the point where the customer’s responsibilities begin. Works normally undertaken can include isolation, repairs, maintenance and cleaning of potable water systems.
Wastewater collection is defined as the pipelines and associated infrastructure from the point where customer’s responsibilities cease to the point where the wastewater treatment plant responsibilities begin. Works normally undertaken can include sewer system repairs, clearing blockages, CCTV review of assets and odour control.
Network and wastewater infrastructure can include pipelines of varying size, pump stations, access pits, valves etc.
Who chooses who to nominate?
Water Corporations will use their own internal process to determine who and how many individuals should apply.
WIOA Network Operator of the Year Award
The Network Operator Development Program has been established to identify, mentor and develop future leaders in the Network Operations field across the Victorian Water Industry.
The Program Advisory Committee will select one participant each year to be awarded the WIOA Network Operator of the Year. The winner will be announced at the WIOA Conference Awards Dinner.
The winner will receive sponsorship to the value of $3,000 provided by Water Training Australia, which must be used on an appropriate development opportunity for the winner. Participants will be encouraged to, and given the opportunity to, attend the annual WIOA conference and be involved in a technical paper or poster presentation at that conference.
Information for Victorian Water Corporations
It is expected that Water Corporations will take a proactive role in supporting the participation of their nominated and selected employees in the Program.
Corporations will provide reasonable time for participants to attend the monthly Workshop sessions as well as time to undertake any assessment or presentation activities in the period between the Workshop days.
Employing Corporations will meet any travel, accommodation, session fees and reasonable out of pocket expenses that participants may incur through their involvement in the program. It is expected that the employing Corporations will also proactively support their nominated program participants in attending the annual WIOA Victorian conference.
Previous Winners
- 2023 – To be announced Thursday 29 February 2024
- 2022 – Gavin Overy – East Gippsland Water
- 2021 – Not Held
- 2020 – Matthew Boyle – Wannon Water
- 2019 – Benjamin Paul – North East Water
- 2018 – Tim Kiddle – Barwon Water
- 2017 – Russell Sunderland – Goulburn Valley Water
