Construction, Manufacturing and Mining Blog
WAM Training provides referenced position papers via blogs about Training, Worksite Culture and Safety for the Construction, Manufacturing and Mining sectors – check them out below.
How Long Should a Particular Course Be?
Whilst the question 'How long should a particular course be' is simple, the answer is a bit complicated. Let’s start with some basics. Who regulates Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s)? RTO’s have to be registered under one of three regulatory bodies: Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) for RTO’s operating Nationally Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) for RTO’s operating in Victoria only Training Accreditation Council (TAC) for RTO’s operating in Western Australia only For clarity, RTO’s operating only in Victoria or Western Australia may still elect to be regulated by ASQA, and training regulated by all three bodies (ASQA, VRQA and TAC) is nationally recognised and is required to be delivered in accordance with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) (more on this later). What courses can RTO’s deliver? RTO’s are only allowed to conduct Nationally Accredited training and assessment in accordance with their scope, which can be found on the...
First Aid and CPR Courses Resume at WAM Training
Since the 25th of March this year, first aid courses have been postponed by most first aid training providers as a result of the advice from by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC). As the peak body in first aid guidance, WAM Training has followed their advice. The Australian Resuscitation Council has now advised that resuscitation training can be reintroduced and recommends that RTO’s should complete a risk assessment and continue to follow National, State/Territorial and local Health and Safety, Infection Control and Occupational Safety requirements to safely facilitate courses. As a result of this most recent advice from the ARC, WAM Training has conducted a risk assessment on the delivery of all First Aid and CPR training and assessment components and has concluded that we can safely continue with First Aid and CPR training whilst continuing to ensure adherence to social distancing requirements and examples of such measures include: Ensuring every trainee has their own CPR...
Five Construction Job Opportunities
In these challenging times, many of us have been directly impacted at work by the fallout of the COVID-19 restrictions. Whilst some jobs are still secure, some jobs are tenuous at best and some jobs are gone altogether. Here’s 5 possible construction jobs, career moves or resumé upgrades that could make you a more marketable, multi-skilled and valuable employee. 1 - Construction Worker The Construction industry has always proven reliable in times of economic disaster. Construction jobs always appear to be in high demand shortly after the dip - via direct employment or employment agencies. The base qualification to work on any construction site is the Construction Induction Card (commonly referred to as the ‘White Card’). The Construction Induction course falls under the Unit of Competency CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry and takes six hours to complete. Subjects covered include: Safety legislation Hazards and control measures Communication and reporting...
Traffic Control Jobs – 5 Things You Need To Know
In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of traffic control companies and traffic controllers across many industries - road maintenance, utility maintenance and construction, to name a few. The two driving factors are firstly, an increased level of compliance with legislative requirements and adherence to VicRoads guidelines. Additionally, Government funded projects such as Level Crossing Removal Project, Westgate Tunnel Project, Metro Tunnel, and Regional Rail, have also contributed to a steady increase in the demand for Traffic Controllers. Here’s the top 5 questions we get asked about traffic control: 1 - What does a Traffic Controller do? As the title implies, the main job responsibility a Traffic Controller has is to control traffic (but it’s not quite as simple as that - read on!). Traffic Controllers are only required when a temporary change is needed to be made on the road reserve. These changes are generally because of construction work, maintenance and...
Our Response to the Coronavirus
UPDATE 08 July 2020 - We're operating during the Melbourne 'second wave' lockdown with additional control measures in place - click here to read more. WAM Training understands your concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus. Here's an update from our General Manager, Aaron Monaghan, to let you know how we're helping to combat COVID-19. WAM Training provides referenced position papers via blogs about Training, Worksite Culture and Safety for the Construction, Manufacturing and Mining sectors. Hi Everyone, WAM Training cares about the safety of our people and yours, particularly as the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak passes. Whilst monitoring the Coronavirus COVID-19 safety alert, we have implemented the requirements of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for employers and Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for universities, higher education and vocational education facilities, their students and staff documents. In the interest of full transparency, we are publishing all of our...
Dogging Licence Requirements Position Paper
The subject of what work requires a dogging licence as per Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations has been widely debated for many years. WAM Training provides referenced position papers via blogs about Training, Worksite Culture and Safety for the Construction, Manufacturing and Mining sectors. Several influential parties have taken the position that common everyday practices, such as the lifting of trench shields and pipes, do not require the person slinging the load to hold a current and valid dogging licence (that is - to be a 'Dogger'). Other parties, including WAM Training, have positioned themselves firmly on the side of safety and regulatory compliance. The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic.) sought to provide further clarification on the matter. Part 1.1 defines ‘dogging work’ as one or more of the following: the application of slinging techniques, including the selection or inspection of lifting gear, to sling a load the directing of a...
Verification of Competency – What is it?
Verification of Competency (referred to on site as 'VOC') is a training process that has existed in the mining and government funded infrastructure projects for over a decade. However in the construction industry it is a relatively new process that has been adopted by major projects and tier 1 constructors in an effort to comply with their obligations under Section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. WAM Training provides referenced position papers via blogs about Training, Worksite Culture and Safety for the Construction, Manufacturing and Mining sectors. Verification of Competency (VOC) is a method of assessment that assists employers in verifying / confirming the competency levels of employees and contractors who will be required to operate plant and equipment in their workplace. VOC’s also serve the purpose of ensuring the practical skills and knowledge of staff and contractors are not only current, but also ensure that the original decision of competence was valid and...