Eraring was the first power station in Australia to undertake the program in a unique way, which involved mapping the training program and individuals to the National Qualification Framework. A sample of Certificates III and IV were developed and then the recognition of prior learning process was undertaken, including a desktop audit.
Eraring Executive Human Resources Manager Phil Moriarty said the program tied in well with the company’s existing people strategy.
“At Origin, there is a strong focus on safety, leadership and the development of our people, so it was important to be able to align our internal operator training to the National Framework,” Mr Moriarty said.
Implementing such a task did not come without its challenges. It was important to Eraring that staff members were committed to the training program, so the job of communicating the benefits was key. This task was executed with a strong value proposition seeing 69 of the 70 staff engage, including long-serving employees.
In conjunction with E-Oz Energy Skills Australia, the New South Wales Utilities and Electrotechnology Industry Training Advisory Board (ITAB) and Yokogawa Australia Pty Ltd, the training proposal was discussed and consensus was established. The outcome was that National Workforce Development Funding was sought, assisting the funding of the project.
According to Eraring Learning and Development Manager Colleen West, there has been a positive impact in the workplace.
“The training was happening anyway, now people are being recognised for it and there has been significant value to Eraring and our employees.
“There is a lot of planning, persistence and patience required, but it has been very worthwhile and I would encourage like-minded organisations to undertake the same exercise,” Ms West said.
The feedback from graduates has also been positive. One recent graduate said, “I was interested to undertake the program to have a recognised qualification rather than a company in-house training package. It will also help with my future promotional prospects, plus I gain a nationally recognised qualification.”
Another graduate said, “The qualification can be transported to another company. The competencies may be recognised in future courses that I do, which could help with future career moves. It has allowed me to go for a job that I would never have been able to get previously, for example, a Shift Manager’s job. Before I would have had to start from scratch but now with the Cert III and Cert IV I am well on the way. I can now put it on my resume and can apply for other jobs. It is recognised all over Australia.”
Eraring plans to continue the program into other business units within the organisation.
For more information on E-Oz Energy Skills’ programs, visit www.ee-oz.com.au
