For some years now, our part-time librarian Louise Burmester has been patiently uploading reams and reams of informative documents that have been held for decades by our industry experts. These documents contain information about challenges on pipeline jobs and, importantly, lessons learnt. They are in a word-search format and provide a valuable historic tool for our industry.
For some years now, our Policy Adviser Steve Davies has found a small amount of extra time to work with officials on technical training for our industry. He has found himself on the Gas Technical Advisory Committee, and chairing it for a while, but has had to pull back to concentrate on the development of APIA’s gas policy – a very important document for the industry and APIA. Steve informs me that there is much to do to help our members negotiate through the myriad of government programs, as well as the potential for government funding for training.
Last but not least, for some years now, Chris Harvey has been managing the Pipeline Engineer Training (PET) Project. Through Chris’s enthusiasm, the PET project has developed well beyond my initial vision and will see this industry well placed to take on future challenges of providing skilled pipeline engineers.
The Guide to AS 2885 provides an essential explanation for our industry’s highly regarded Standard, encouraging its use by all and helping newcomers to understand its development and logic.
The Competency Standards provide a detailed guide to the skills required to be a successful pipeline engineer. They highlight the various streams of expertise, including general and project management, and can be used by young people considering their career direction, and by member companies to assess their in-house expertise. There are 230 competencies – approximately 90 have been drafted in detail. The remaining 130 are in the process of being drafted. There are tools for member companies to use to aid the assessment of their employees’ skills and contribution to the company. These competencies are now being broadened to include other industries – offshore, distribution and polyethylene. While Chris is very grateful to the reference groups of hard-working APIA members who have helped, and continue to help, develop these competencies, it is quite clear that this work needed his knowledge and enthusiasm to ensure its success. These Competency Standards are so highly regarded that the international industry has shown an interest in adopting them and/or working with APIA to adapt them to their own industry.
In the meantime, Chris has also been in negotiation with Engineers Australia about having pipeline engineering officially recognised. The National Engineering Registration Board (NERB) has accepted our Competency Panel and the assessment process. The Assessment Panel has been endorsed by the NERB. During 2014, APIA will call on pipeline engineers who want to be officially recognised for their expertise in this industry to apply through the Assessment Panel, undertake a brief examination, and receive official endorsement from Engineers Australia.
Clearly the above demonstrates the range of opportunities for the industry, but there has been one piece of the puzzle missing; something or someone to bring all this good work together in a format that is clear and easily accessible. We now have that person. Our APIA training adviser, Karen Polglaze, has her feet under the desk and is learning quickly. While not a pipeliner, Karen knows about providing training and she is an expert in communication. She is learning quickly about our industry and her expertise will be focused on ensuring APIA members know about the opportunities available and importantly accessing those opportunities.
The first change members will notice will be the training section on the APIA website. Karen has decided this is her first priority, although she has already spent two solid days with Chris getting her head around the industry and the Competency Standards.
We hope you will be pleased during 2014 as new training opportunities become clear. If you have ideas and want to talk to our newest APIA Secretariat staffer, Karen would be happy to hear from you.
We all look forward to seeing the members at the many events around the nation in 2014.
Cheryl Cartwright, Chief Executive