NWP Water Industry Operations and Treatment Review
Project scope
Industry have requested qualifications that allow flexibility for operators at both large and small plants to undertake the relevant training they require to operate their plants and manage the risk to both public health and the environment. Operator certification skill and knowledge requirements, technology developments and process methodology changes in water storage, delivery and treatment are driving this development.
Water or wastewater treatment plants do not meet a one size fits all concept. There are differences in the range of technology and complexity of process steps employed at large and small treatment plants. Currently, when seeking to apply for operator certification, additional training is required to address skills gaps. These identified skills gaps need to be addressed and included in the qualifications.
The Water Industry Reference Committee (IRC) proposed the review and development of the Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations and Certificate IV in Water Industry Treatment qualifications and associated Units of Competency and combining them into one qualification. The revised occupational standards will cover new technologies, operator certification changes in water operations and water treatment and contemporary industry practices.
This revision will provide appropriate water industry career pathways, enabling enterprises to create succession plans to develop appropriately skilled and compliant operators. It will also enhance the ability of water operators to transition between sectors and provide employers with flexible and appropriate education pathways to retrain workers. It will also enhance an enterprises, ability to manage the risk to both public health and the environment.
The expected submission of the Case for Endorsement will be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) by 30 September 2020.
The Water IRC will have oversight of this project, which will be facilitated by Australian Industry Standards (AIS) in consultation with industry stakeholders. A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be formed for this project.
Deliverables
Revise the two water qualifications:
- NWP40515 Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations (and 19 associated Units of Competency)
- NWP40615 Certificate IV in Water Industry Treatment (and 12 associated Units of Competency)
- Develop four new Units of Competency for Certificate IV in Water Industry Treatment
Timeline
The Case for Endorsement is expected to be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee by 30 September 2020.
How to get involved
A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be formed to provide expertise for this work. If you have any questions about this project or are a subject matter expert and would like to be considered for the TAC for this project, please contact the Industry Manager.
Stakeholder feedback on draft training materials will be sought as part of the development phase of work.
Technical advisory committee
25 JULY 2019
WATER SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS NEEDED
Work on this project has commenced and the Water IRC is forming a TAC.
Your industry expertise and insight is welcome to help review and develop the Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations and Certificate IV in Water Industry Treatment qualifications and associated Units of Competency and combining them into one qualification. The revised occupational standards will cover new technologies, operator certification changes in water operations and water treatment and contemporary industry practices.
TAC nominations closed on Friday, 9 August 2019.
For more information about this project please contact the Industry Manager.
Consultation
4 MAY 2020
DRAFT MATERIAL
The Water Industry Operations and Treatment Review TAC has finalised draft materials for this project.
The TAC has drafted Training Package materials after reviewing the Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations and Certificate IV in Water Industry Treatment qualifications and associated Units of Competency and combining them into one qualification, Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations.
Feedback on draft materials closed on Tuesday, 2 June 2020 for consideration by the TAC.
Feedback will be collated and discussed at the next TAC meeting.
30 JANUARY 2020
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for this project is continuing the review of the two Certificate IV qualifications and associated Units of Competency from the National Water Training Package.
Draft material is expected to be available in April/May for public consultation and feedback.
Summary of development
Draft units, skill sets and/or qualifications are developed in consultation with Subject Matter Experts and industry stakeholders.
Initial drafting of Training Package material (Units of Competency, Skill Sets and/or qualifications) is being undertaken by a Technical Advisory Committee established by the IRC. Comprising people with diverse expertise and experience in water industry operations including specialisations in catchment and dams, hydrometric monitoring, irrigation, networks, trade waste and treatment, it has ensured that the draft Units are informed by the needs of industry.
Quality Assurance
1 SEPTEMBER 2020
Final Draft Case for Endorsement
The draft Training Package materials have undergone independent edit and quality assurance.
The Case for Endorsement is scheduled to be submitted to the AISC in October 2020.
Consultation
19 JUNE 2020
DRAFT MATERIAL
The TAC has finalised draft materials for this project and would like your feedback. As part of this project the following Unit is proposed for deletion:
- NWPIRR035 Coordinate and monitor the operation of drainage systems.
Feedback on draft materials closed on Monday, 6 July 2020 for consideration by the TAC.
Feedback will be collated and discussed at the next TAC meeting.
Summary of feedback
- Moving units to Diploma
- Suggestions for Packaging rules specialization
- Core unit selection / new inclusion
New units to cover trenchless technology
Submission
28 OCTOBER 2020
CASE FOR ENDORSEMENT SUBMITTED TO AISC
The draft Training Package materials have been submitted to the AISC.
Thank you to all stakeholders who provided valuable feedback and contributed to this project.
Ron Horne
Industry Manager - Transport and Logistics, Rail, Maritime and Water