- ELECTROTECHNOLOGY IRC TO CONSIDER OUTCOMES OF LAST WEEK’S CONSULTATION
- UPDATES TO UET ESI TDR SECTOR TRAINING PACKAGE APPROVED
- QUALIFICATIONS REFORM SURVEY NOW OPEN!
- SMART AND SKILLED UPDATE – NO. 125-142 JANUARY TO JULY 2021
- SMART AND SKILLED – NSW SKILLS LIST UPDATE – JAN-JUL2021
- FAILING TO NOTIFY A SERIOUS INCIDENT IS AN OFFENCE
- WORKSAFE VICTORIA INTRODUCES NEW REGULATIONS FOR MANAGING COVID-19 RISKS
- SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS ARE GROWING, BUT CONSUMERS HAVE LITTLE RECOURSE IF THINGS GO WRONG
- FREE SOLAR TRAINING COURSE FOR TRADIES DURING TRADIES WEEK
- SAFEWORK NSW ADVISORY: SAFETY ALERT FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES – STRONG OR GUSTY WIND
- SAFETY OF MACHINERY STANDARD AS/NZS 4024.2901:2021 RELEASED
- RACCA PRESIDENT CELEBRATES 50 YEARS AS A TECHNICIAN
- REVIEW LAUNCHED INTO DELIVERING MAJOR LONG-TERM ENERGY TRANSMISSION PROJECTS
- VICTORIA’S BIG BATTERY FIRE
- IS DEGASIFICATION PLAUSIBLE?
1. ELECTROTECHNOLOGY IRC TO CONSIDER OUTCOMES OF LAST WEEK’S CONSULTATION
As reported previously there has been ongoing dialogue led by the Electrotechnology Industry Reference Committee (IRC) regarding issues with the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician qualification in Release 2.0 of the Electrotechnology Training Package. A follow up meeting of stakeholders was held last week to review and discuss a series of suggested solutions to the issues.
The meeting was held on Wednesday, 18 August 2021 and stakeholders from every state and members of the Electrotechnology Industry Reference Committee (IRC) and Australian Industry Standards (AIS) participated. Two specific issues regarding authentic workplace evidence and that an assessor must also hold a current occupational licence were discussed.
There was general agreement in relation to the Assessor requirement, to remove the reference and some differences in final options to address the authentic workplace evidence issue.
Fortuitously, a meeting of the Electrotechnology Industry Reference Committee (IRC) is scheduled this week at which time the Committee will review the outcomes of last week’s meeting and determine a course of action arising from the several options presented for consideration. Finding a solution is an imperative otherwise it will impact on transition for RTOs to the Release 2.0 version. No doubt the Committee is fully cognisant of this issue, as it is about the timing of any changes.
The IRC must work hard to avoid exacerbating the issue by effecting an outcome that no one can accept or implement across the country. A just and fair resolve will be important if they want to maintain the support and confidence of stakeholders in the qualification’s efficacy and occupational standing.
For more information, please feel free to contact Tony Palladino at tony@uensw.com.au or on mobile at 04 3739 6363.
2. UPDATES TO UET ESI TDR SECTOR TRAINING PACKAGE APPROVED
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) reports that changes to the ESI Transmission, Distribution and Rail (TDR) Sector Training Packages were approved by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) at its meeting and referred to Skills Ministers for endorsement.
The revised Training Package includes six new Units of Competency and updates to seven qualifications and 77 units. The materials address changes to the skills needs of the industry resulting from increased automation of power systems, new technologies, renewable power sources, current industry practices and increased regulatory and safety requirements.
The six new Units of Competency address the skill needs for Asset Inspectors, Distribution Underground Lineworkers, Vegetation Control Workers and Distribution Lineworkers working with alternate supplies on the distribution network.
3. QUALIFICATIONS REFORM SURVEY NOW OPEN!
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) has advised that it is seeking feedback to yet another survey available for stakeholder feedback. The promotion for the survey states, “This survey seeks your feedback on how new qualification design concepts might work in practice. It follows our previous Qualifications Design Survey, which revealed strong support for the design concepts being tested through Qualification Design Trials.
Everyone is welcome to complete the survey. We are particularly interested in feedback from those in the VET sector involved in the design, development and delivery of national training products.”
- Read more about: QUALIFICATIONS REFORMS
- Read more about: VET QUALIFICATIONS REFORM SURVEY NOTES (copy attached)
The Qualifications Reform Survey has opened.
DESE will also, hold webinars over September to share information about the new qualification design concepts. They will contact you when registrations open. To receive further updates on opportunities to provide your feedback, including news about upcoming webinars, subscribe here.
You can complete the survey before 10am (AEDT) Monday 20 September 2021.
4. SMART AND SKILLED UPDATE – NO. 125-142 JANUARY TO JULY 2021
Smart and Skilled Update No. 125 – 142 (download) – January to July 2021, covers the following:
- Amendments to NSW Apprenticeship/Traineeship proformas
- Amended Training Plan Proposal proforma
- Employer Endorsement addendum to Training Plan proforma now available separately
- Changes to eligibility requirements under Skilling for Recovery
- Changes to Smart and Skilled qualification prices for training commencing on or after 1 July 2021
- Superseding qualifications for 2020-2021
- Superseding qualifications for 2019-2020 – deferred price decreases
- New Smart and Skilled Contracting Arrangements: Notification of provider performance assessment for Stage 1 (2021-22)
- Confirmation of provider performance assessment approach
- Notification of Provider performance assessment for Stage 1 (2021-22)
- Fee-free white card training (CPCCWHS1001) for school students under the NSW JobTrainer/Skilling for Recovery – Construction initiative now extended to include students 16 years of age
- NSW JobTrainer/Skilling for Recovery – Construction: Step Safely into Construction with Personal Protective Equipment
- Eligibility
- Skills NSW – Built for Women
- Traffic Control Skills Sets/Groups For Skilling For Recovery – Construction Part Qualifications
- AgSkilled 2.0 Program: Expansion of training scope, updated Course and Unit of Competency listing, and newly endorsed training providers
- Training scope expansion
- Courses and Units of Competency (UoCs) available for delivery and recommendations sought
- Redesign of Training Services NSW website
- Changes to eligibility requirements under JobTrainer/Skilling for Recovery – Now extended to NSW Veterans and their Recognised Partners
- Eligibility under JobTrainer/Skilling for Recovery has been extended to NSW Veterans and Recognised Partners
- The Market Comparison Tool is now available
- Free construction boots and a hard hat are available for eligible NSW JobTrainer construction students
- ClubsNSW MOU on job creation and skills delivery: Regional Club Training Employment Program (RCTEP) and updated listing of clubs interested in providing their facilities for training
For more information visit: https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/smartandskilled/index.html
Or, for technical support in relation to this update, contact Training Market Customer Support at Training.Market@det.nsw.edu.au.
5. SMART AND SKILLED – NSW SKILLS LIST UPDATE – JAN-JUL2021
The NSW Skills List Update (download) covers the period January to July 2021 and includes the following:
- NSW Skills List updated – Versions 11.6 and 12.1 (June 2021)
- New qualifications on the Skills List
- Updates to Training Packages reflected in the NSW Skills List
- VTO changes affecting the NSW Skills List
- NSW Skills List update – Versions 11.5 and 12.0 released (April 2021)
- New qualifications on the Skills List
- Updates to the NSW Skills List
- VTO changes affecting the NSW Skills List
- NSW Skills List update – Version 11.4 released (March 2021)
- Qualifications removed from the Skills List following review
- Updates to the NSW Skills List as result of Training Package updates
- VTO changes affecting the NSW Skills List
- NSW Skills List update – Version 11.3 released (February 2021)
- Updates to the NSW Skills List as result of Training Package updates
- VTO changes affecting the NSW Skills List
For more information visit: https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/smartandskilled/nsw_skills_list.html
6. FAILING TO NOTIFY A SERIOUS INCIDENT IS AN OFFENCE
The Queensland Electrical Safety Office reports in its latest eSafe Electrical bulletin of a Queensland transport company that was been fined $5,000 for failing to report a serious injury which hospitalised a worker for a week.
The company pleaded guilty in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court to breaching the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 by not reporting a ‘notifiable’ incident to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) immediately. WHSQ first heard about the incident from the injured worker more than a year after it occurred.
Businesses are required to report serious incidents, classed as ‘notifiable’ to either WHSQ or in some cases the Electrical Safety Office (ESO), as soon as they are aware the incident has happened. An incident ‘notifiable’ to the ESO is a ‘serious electrical incident’ and a ‘dangerous electrical event’ under the Electrical Safety Act 2002. …
The article goes on to state, “Electrical safety and work health and safety inspectors are conducting campaigns to monitor compliance with incident notification requirements and contraventions will result in enforcement action.”
7. WORKSAFE VICTORIA INTRODUCES NEW REGULATIONS FOR MANAGING COVID-19 RISKS
In its latest HSR Newsletter WorkSafe Victoria reports that, “Employers are required to notify WorkSafe immediately on becoming aware that an employee or an independent contractor or a contractor’s employee has received a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and has attended the workplace during the infectious period.”
In NSW employers are required to take a risk management approach (in consultation with workers) to determine the control measures they implement to prevent workplace transmission of disease, including COVID-19. SafeWork NSW website regarding “How to stay COVID Safe at work” states, “The business/employer must have a plan to keep the workplace safe and healthy, and to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection. Having a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place will help address this”. The Plan includes relevant policies and procedures.
Further it states, “SafeWork NSW considers vaccination a high order risk control measure against disease. When a COVID vaccine is generally available, persons conducting a business or undertaking may require workers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 if reasonably practicable to do so. A variety of factors such as eligibility for the vaccine, personal health, medical history, type of work and alternative control measures should be considered, along with the risk of exposure.”
8. SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS ARE GROWING, BUT CONSUMERS HAVE LITTLE RECOURSE IF THINGS GO WRONG
An ABC News report of 3 August 2021 by national consumer affairs reporter Amy Bainbridge and the Specialist Reporting Team’s Lucy Kent of growing consumer remorse when things go wrong with solar panel installations. The post highlights the plight of a couple to find help when the solar panel system they had installed went wrong.
The post states, “Just two short years after Wayne Minett forked out $12,000 for solar panels, he made the tough call to rip them off the roof.”
With a record 378,000 Australian homes and businesses putting solar panels on the roof last year, problems having been emerging.
9. FREE SOLAR TRAINING COURSE FOR TRADIES DURING TRADIES WEEK
This week SafeWork NSW is promoting its campaign Tradie Safety Week. The aim is to raise awareness of the biggest health risks and harms impacting building and construction workers. It’s being run as part of National Tradies Health month. A significant area of risk for Tradies in the electrical sector is the installation of alternative power systems such as solar systems and battery systems. SafeWork NSW has encouraged a guide to help businesses and workers to safely install solar panels on roofs.
To foster and support the Tradie Safety Week campaign, Global Sustainable Energy Solutions Pty Ltd (GSES) has announced that it will offer free course for tradies who haven’t had solar training but who work on job sites with solar power or battery systems.
The short course of two (2) hours, is for Tradies with little to no solar experience, and is recommended for all new workers and site inductions. Those who take up the free opportunity will learn how to identify hazards and work safely on sites with a solar power system. In addition, they may recognise unsafe or non-compliant solar systems on the job site.
For more information or if you would like to enrol in the course visit: https://www.gses.com.au/product/solar-awareness-for-tradespeople/
10. SAFEWORK NSW ADVISORY: SAFETY ALERT FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES – STRONG OR GUSTY WIND
SafeWork NSW has issued an advisory reminder for principal contractors and site supervisors of the risks associated with high or gusty winds on construction sites. August and September often have strong winds, which pose a risk on construction sites depending on the stage of the build, the plant, equipment and supplies on site.
Site managers must make adequate preparations to deal with high or strong gusty winds in their workplace, often associated with very low-pressure systems, thunderstorms, squalls, willy-willies, mini cyclones and cyclones during these months.
For information on how to make sure your site is safe to prepare for strong winds, follow this link strong and gusty winds weather alert.
11. SAFETY OF MACHINERY STANDARD AS/NZS 4024.2901:2021 RELEASED
The following Standards Australia publication has been published.
Publication Number: AS/NZS 4024.2901:2021
Title: Safety of machinery, Part 2901:
Electrical equipment of machines – Requirements for equipment for voltages above 1 000 V AC or 1 500 V DC and not exceeding 36 kV
Publishing Date: 20-08-2021
Project Committee: SF-041 Safety of Machinery
For more information visit Standards Australia website: https://www.standards.org.au/
12. RACCA PRESIDENT CELEBRATES 50 YEARS AS A TECHNICIAN
Kevin O’Shea, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician and President of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (RACCA) celebrates 50 years as a technician that evolved to starting and running his own business and being president of the Association reports Sandra Rossi in this week’s Special edition Climate Control News (CCN) e-newsletter: NextGen 2021. Sandra interviews Kevin and invites him to reflect on a 50-year career as a technician in the industry. Sandra also, discusses with him the NextGen and World Skills programs that highlight ambassadors emerging in the industry.
The NSW UE ITAB congratulates Kevin on his achievement and also his key role over many years in the leading the industry association representing contractors and prompting the role and importance of well-qualified technicians in the industry.
Also read about, this year’s Top 20 apprentices under 25 years of age who participated in the NextGen program – meet the talent.
13. REVIEW LAUNCHED INTO DELIVERING MAJOR LONG-TERM ENERGY TRANSMISSION PROJECTS
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) reports in its latest AEMC Update of its launch to review into the delivery of major long-term energy transmission projects. It has resolve to launch a review into the planning, investment and economic assessment processes needed for large-scale transmission infrastructure to support a renewable energy future.
14. VICTORIA’S BIG BATTERY FIRE
The joint newsletter of Energy Networks Australia (ENA) and Australian Energy Council (AEC), EnergyInsider, 19 August 2021, has an interesting article about the number of significant incidents in National Electricity Market (NEM) supply.
Stating, “It has been a remarkable year for the number of significant incidents in National Electricity Market supply. There’s been a fire at the Callide power station, flooding at the Yallourn coal mine and, most recently, a fire at Victoria’s “big battery”. The fire began just after 10am on Friday 30 July, and investigations are now being undertaken. The results will be closely watched not just locally, but internationally. Here we look at the incident, big battery technology, and its rollout.
For more, contact Carl Kitchen, Australian Energy Council
15. IS DEGASIFICATION PLAUSIBLE?
EnergyInsider, 19 August 2021, also includes an article querying whether degasification is plausible. Peter Brook and Hamish Fitzsimmons, report that, “As energy consumers, we are always looking at more efficient and cost-effective ways of heating and cooling our homes and workplaces. In the southern parts of the country, gas remains a mainstay of heating as many still think it is cheaper than electricity, which is often not the case. But is degasification plausible? We take a look here.”
For more, contact Peter Brook and Hamish Fitzsimmons, Australian Energy Council