NWP Water Network Maintenance
Project scope
The purpose of the project is to create four new units to address specific skills for maintaining and cleaning water networks, and for non-destructive investigation of water assets.
Water asset management has been significantly transformed in recent years. In the past, damaged or soiled pipes had to be excavated by a professional to locate and repair or maintain the network. Optical cameras and other leak detection technologies are now regularly used in the water industry to monitor the condition of assets in both water reticulation pipelines and wastewater sewers and in above ground and underground situations. The technologies allow the identification of current or potential issues within either network. This could be blockages, damage or cracks in pipes causing leaks, or intrusion of tree roots which could potentially cause pipe blockages. Reviewing the data allows these issues to be identified and appropriate plans made for repairs.
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 to provide subject matter expertise for the development of Training Package materials.
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 Skills Specialist.
Timeline
The Case for Endorsement and draft materials are due to be submitted by 31 August 2022.
Deliverables
The following products will be submitted to the AISC for consideration:
- 4 new Units of Competency
- Case for Endorsement
- Updated Companion Volume Implementation Guide
TAC Established
19 OCTOBER 2021
The NWP Water Industry Reference Committee has established a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for this project.
Comprising seven subject matter experts from Industry, RTOs, regulators and Union, the TAC has been tasked with:
- Providing specialist industry subject-matter knowledge regarding Water Network Maintenance to develop Units of Competency
- Validating the technical content of the Training Package products
- Identifying relevant qualitative and quantitative data sources to inform the development of draft materials
- Reviewing feedback from stakeholders through public consultations
- Assisting in identifying and engaging broader industry networks to participate in consultation and/or validation activities during the duration of the project
- Offering advice and guidance to assist in informing the direction of the project throughout its duration
- Making recommendations on the developed Training Package materials to the relevant IRC, which has the final decision-making authority.
The first meeting of the TAC is scheduled for Mid-November 2021
Technical advisory committee
1 SEPTEMBER 2021
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS NEEDED
Work on this project has commenced and the Water IRC is forming a TAC.
Your industry expertise and insight are welcome to help review and develop Training Package materials to develop four new units to address specific skills for maintaining and cleaning water networks, and for non-destructive investigation of water assets.
Registrations closed Wednesday, 15 September 2021.
Consultation
21 JANUARY 2022
DRAFT MATERIAL
On behalf of the Water Industry Reference Committee, the TAC has drafted materials for this project and is requesting stakeholder feedback.
The draft materials include three new Units of Competency and one updated unit. At the request of the IRC the NWPNET020 Control electrical risk on metallic pipes unit has been updated to address current industry terminology.
These units will enable operators to develop the skills and knowledge to clean and maintain water assets, including use of new technologies to monitor and repair assets.
Feedback closed Tuesday, 22 February 2022.
Feedback will be collated and discussed at the next TAC meeting.
Quality Assurance
14 July 2022
FINAL DRAFT CASE FOR ENDORSEMENT
The draft Training Package materials have undergone independent edit and quality assurance. The materials address priority skill needs of the Water industry.
Flood Site Operations – the draft materials include a new Unit of Competency and Skill Set and address specific skills for undertaking flood management and the operation and maintenance of flood warning sites. The new unit will be an elective in the Certificate III of Water Industry Operations.
Water Network Maintenance – draft materials include three new Units of Competency and one updated unit. The new units address the skills and knowledge required to clean and maintain water assets, including use of new technologies to monitor and repair assets. Minor revisions have been made to three other water units to incorporate current industry terminology and remove ambiguity. These units will be included in the Certificate II or Certificate III in Water Industry Operations.
The Case for Endorsement is due to be submitted to the AISC by 31 August.
Validation
9 MARCH 2022
FINAL DRAFT MATERIALS
On behalf of the Water Industry Reference Committee, the Technical Advisory Committee has considered all stakeholder feedback and is now seeking validation of revised draft materials including three new Units of Competency and one updated unit.
The new units address the skills and knowledge required to clean and maintain water assets, including use of new technologies to monitor and repair assets.
Minor revisions have been made to the NWPNET020 Control electrical risk on metallic pipes unit to incorporate current industry terminology.
These units will be included as general electives in the Certificate II or Certificate III in Water Industry Operations.
Feedback closed Thursday, 24 March 2022.
Feedback will be collated and discussed at the next TAC meeting.
Endorsement
12 DECEMBER 2022
The NWP Water Training Package (Release 5.0) has been endorsed by Skills Ministers for implementation.
The Water Industry Reference Committee, with support from its Technical Advisory Committees has led the development of new and updated materials related to maintaining remote flood sites, cleaning water networks using various methods and using digital imaging equipment in the field.
Water asset management has been significantly transformed in recent years.
With the ageing water assets across Australia there is an increased reliance of low-cost maintenance using non-destructive methods.
The adoption of high-pressure cleaning tools by the water industry now requires operators to be proficient in safely operating this equipment, and to clean and not contaminate network piping carrying drinking water.
Three new Units of Competency and one updated existing unit address the skills and knowledge required to clean and maintain water assets, including use of new technologies to monitor and repair assets. Minor revisions have been made to three other units to incorporate current industry terminology and remove ambiguity. These units will be included in the Certificate II or Certificate III in Water Industry Operations.
To support the delivery of the Training Package, a Companion Volume Implementation Guide (CVIG) has been developed to assist assessors, trainers, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and enterprises. The CVIG contains a comprehensive list of all products in the Training Package; mapping information which details the changes that have been made to the materials; regulation and licensing implications; and useful links to other information.
The endorsed NWP Water Training Package Release 5.0 is now available on training.gov.au
This release also includes the Flood Site Operations project.
The following materials were approved:
Qualifications
- NWP20122 Certificate II in Water Industry Operations
- NWP30222 Certificate III in Water Industry Operations
New/Revised Units
- NWPGEN034 Operate and maintain flood warning sites
- NWPNET060 Clean networks using air scouring, chemical or swabbing techniques
- NWPNET061 Maintain and repair network assets for drinking water
- NWPNET062 Maintain network assets using high pressure water systems
- NWPNET063 Use digital imaging equipment in the field
IRC Minor Changes
- NWPNET049 Construct and install water distribution assets
- NWPNET064 Control electrical risk on network pipes
- NWPNET065 Perform odour and infiltration investigations
Approval
2 NOVEMBER 2022
At its meeting on 12 October 2022 the AISC approved the NWP Water Training Package Release 5.0 for referral to Skills Ministers for endorsement.
For more information on this project, please contact the Industry Skills Specialist.
Submission
15 AUGUST 2022
CASE FOR ENDORSEMENT SUBMITTED TO AISC
The Water Industry Reference Committee has submitted the Case for Endorsement and draft Training Package materials for NWP Water Training Package (Release 5.0) to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) for consideration at its meeting in October 2022.
Three new Units of Competency and one updated existing unit address the skills and knowledge required to clean and maintain water assets, including use of new technologies to monitor and repair assets. Minor revisions have been made to three other units to incorporate current industry terminology and remove ambiguity. These units will be included in the Certificate II or Certificate III in Water Industry Operations.
If approved, this Case for Endorsement will result in:
Two (2) revised Qualifications:
- NWP20122 Certificate II in Water Industry Operations
- NWP30222 Certificate III in Water Industry Operations
Four (4) new Units of Competency:
- NWPGEN034 Operate and maintain flood warning sites
- NWPNET060 Clean networks using air scouring, chemical or swabbing techniques
- NWPNET062 Maintain network assets using high pressure water systems
- NWPNET063 Use digital imaging equipment in the field
One (1) revised Units of Competency
- NWPNET061 Maintain and repair network assets for drinking water
Three (3) SSO upgraded Units of Competency:
- NWPNET049 Construct and install water distribution assets
- NWPNET064 Control electrical risk on network pipes
- NWPNET065 Perform odour and infiltration investigations
One (1) new Skill Set:
- NWPSS00015 Flood Warning Site Operators Skill Set
Thank you to all stakeholders who provided valuable feedback and contributed to this project.
Tricia Fidock
Industry Skills Specialist - Water and Transport & Logistics