Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations being delivered in abbreviated timeframes.

Transcription

1 A Resources Training Council Whitepaper: Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations being delivered in abbreviated timeframes. resourcestraining.org.au May 2017

2 01 Resources Training Council Whitepaper Introduction. The RII30115 Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations in many substantiated cases is being delivered in Queensland by registered training organisations (RTOs) in significantly shorter timeframes than those reasonably required to ensure learners gain the competencies specified in the training package. The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) prescribes a minimum of one to two years (1200 to 2400 hours) to complete a Certificate III. In some cases, the national regulator for Australia s vocational education and training sector states that up to four years may be required to achieve the requisite learning outcomes. Our research shows that there are RTOs in Queensland delivering the RII30115 Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations in timeframes as little as eight days. This whitepaper documents the disparity between government expectations on delivery, industry standards and information against the conduct of several RTOs identified by the Resources Training Council. Contents 1.0 Government standards. 2.0 Industry standards. 3.0 RTO case studies. 4.0 Industry interviews (four mine sites). Our research shows that there are RTOs in Queensland delivering the Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations in timeframes as little as eight days.

3 02 Resources Training Council Whitepaper Section 1.0 Government standards. The Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) is the national regulator for Australia s vocational education and training sector. ASQA adheres to the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) which provides a guide to the volume of learning each learner should take to develop required skills and knowledge. All Australian RTOs are required to comply with the AQF in applying the volume of learning to their programs. In a competency-based training environment, learners aren t required to study for a specified number of weeks or months; however, an RTO must still be able to identify and explain any significant variations from the time periods described in the AQF. According to the AQF, a minimum of one to two years (1200 to 2400 hours) is prescribed to complete a Certificate III. Certificate III qualifications are often the basis for trade outcomes and undertaken as part of a traineeship or apprenticeship. In these cases, up to four years may be required to achieve the learning outcomes. The Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations provides training that reflects the role of employees in surface extraction industries who perform tasks that may involve the application of discretion and judgment in use of mobile plant, selection of equipment provision of services and the adoption of contingency measures. The program covers a broad range of skills including occupational health and safety, risk assessment, communication, environmental concerns, operator s skills and monitor site quality outcomes. Its qualification description states it requires a high level of judgement and responsibility. The Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations has a nominal term of 24 months according to the Queensland Department of Education and Training. Participants must successfully complete the 13 units of competency to achieve the Certificate III which the Queensland Department of Education and Training states has a nominal term of 24 months. Based on our experience, and interviews with mining industry veterans, the minimum duration to complete the Certificate III is 18 months.

4 03 Resources Training Council Whitepaper Section 2.0 Industry standards. The Resources Training Council has provided below a sample of the units of competence offered by various RTOs under the Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations as well as a summary of industry expectations and standards for each unit. Mobile equipment RIIMPO301D Conduct hydraulic excavator operations RIIMPO304D Conduct wheel loader operations RIIHAN301D Operate elevating work platform The mobile equipment units above typically take between 3-6 months to achieve competence to industry standards. Stockpiles RIISRM303D Move and position materials to form stockpiles RIISRM301D Blend stockpile materials RIISRM304D Maintain stockpiles Stockpile work is only undertaken by competent persons and, to complete the tasks outlined in the three units, this would take between 3-6 months. Mobile equipment units alone typically take between 3-6 months to achieve competence to industry standards. Process /Major Safety Requirements MSMPER300 Issue Work Permits RIISAM202D Isolate and access plant Issuing work permits is not a role allocated to cleanskins; permit issuers typically undergo a series of training at various levels over a time period that may take up to nine months Site Supervisor and Site Safety Representative mandatory units of competence RIICOM301D Communicate information RIIWHS301D Conduct safety and health investigations RIIRIS301D Apply risk management processes Although RIIRIS301D is a core Unit in the Certificate III, the other units (RIICOM301D and RIIWHS301D) are not and these three units combined are mandatory requirements under the Act section 93(3) for Site Safety and Health Representatives and under the Act- section 56 for Supervisors and Regulation-section 17 for Surface Electrical Engineering Manager.

5 04 Resources Training Council Whitepaper Section 3.0 RTO case studies. The following case studies were assembled by the Resources Training Council to demonstrate that government standards are not being met by a number of RTOs with respect to the Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations. RTO Case Study 1 The website states: The average time it takes to complete the course without any prior skills or knowledge is 3 4 weeks (full time delivery mode). Course details (as of January 2017) Electives may change depending on availability and pricing. Electives may also be negotiated in some circumstances this negotiation would also depend on pricing and availability of equipment. RIIENV201D Identify and assess environmental and heritage concerns workplace RIIRIS301D Apply risk management processes RIIWHS201D Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures RIICOM302D Communicate information RIIGOV201D Comply with site work processes/procedures RIIMEX302D Assess ground conditions RIISAM202D Isolate and access plant RIIERR302D Respond to local emergencies and incidents RIIMP0304D Conduct Wheel Loader Operations RIIMP0205D Operate roller /compactor RIIWHS202D Enter and work in confined spaces RIIMPO337D Conduct articulated truck operations RIISRM304D Maintain stockpiles The average time it takes to complete the course without any prior skills or knowledge is 3 4 weeks.

6 05 Resources Training Council Whitepaper RTO Case Study 2 The website states: 6 week course, 2 days a week. Comes with front end loader, excavator, work safely at heights and elevated work platform Learn how to: RIIENV201D Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures RIIENV201D Identify and assess environmental and heritage concerns RIIRIS301D Apply risk management processes RIISAM202D Isolate and access plant RIICOM301D Communicate information RIIGOV201D Comply with site work processes/procedures RIIMPO301D Conduct hydraulic excavator operations RIIMP0304D Conduct wheeled loader operations RIISRM303D Move and position materials to form stockpiles RIISRM301D Blend stockpile materials RIISRM304D Maintain stockpiles RIIHAN301D Operate elevating work platforms RIIWHS204D Work Safely at heights RTO Case Study 3 The website states: Duration: 8 Days (Face to Face Component) Flexible options available. HLTAID003 Provide first aid RIICOM201D Communicate in the workplace RIICOM301D Communicate information RIIENV201D Identify and assess environmental and heritage concerns RIIERR302D Respond to local emergencies and incidents RIIGOV201D Comply with site work processes/procedures RIIRIS201D Conduct local risk control RIIRIS301D Apply risk management processes RIISAM202D Isolate and access plant RIIWHS201D Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures RIIWHS301D Conduct safety and health investigations RIIVEH201D Operate light vehicle MSMPER300 Issue Work Permits

7 06 Resources Training Council Whitepaper RTO Case Study 4 The website states: This course is delivered over 5 weeks via face-to-face classroom training, and practical based scenarios. RIICOM301D Communicate information RIIENV201D Identify and assess environmental and heritage concerns RIIERR302D Respond to local emergencies and incidents RIIGOV201D Comply with site work processes/procedures RIIRIS201D Conduct local risk control RIIRIS301D Apply risk management processes RIIWHS201D Work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures MSMPER300 Issue Work Permits HLTAID003 Provide first aid RIIMPO301D Conduct hydraulic excavator operations RIIMPO304D Conduct wheel loader operations RIIHAN301D Operate elevating work platform RIIWHS204D Work safely at heights This course is delivered over 5 weeks via face-toface classroom training, and practical based scenarios.

8 07 Resources Training Council Whitepaper Section 3.0 Industry interviews. The Resources Training Council conducted interviews with Site Safety and Training Managers from four Queensland mine sites. Their views regarding the timeframes reasonably required to ensure learners gain the competencies specified in the Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations are summarised below. Industry Representative 1 (Coal Mine) The coal mine has a program where it recruits four unqualified workers or cleanskins every six months. The pre-requisites are: 18 years or over Standard 11 induction certificate of completion (NOT Statement of Attainment see mine s inspector letter). Candidates complete a site induction and commence haul truck operator training. Candidates spend 31 (12 hour) shifts in a combination of classroom delivery and haul truck simulator before they are introduced to the (live) haul truck. Candidates spend 5 10 shifts in the passenger seat with the trainer operating the equipment Candidate then operates the equipment under direct supervision for 10 shifts Candidate (if approved) then operates alone under minimal supervision Candidate is deemed ready for final assessment of competence after 26 weeks Note 1: Although as a result of the Standard 11 induction, site induction and other associated training and assessment, the candidate when (if) deemed competent on the haul truck will also have achieved a further six units of competence (total seven) in the six month period. This is still six units of competence short of the Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations requirements. We would never employ a person in an operator role that has never set foot on a mine site let alone one that has completed the Certificate guarantee program in less than 12 months. Note 2: Although the haul truck requires a high skill and knowledge level to become a competent operator, other equipment such as wheeled loader and hydraulic excavator would require the same if not higher rigour to become competent

9 08 Resources Training Council Whitepaper Industry Representative 2 (Metalliferous Mine) In this mine, cleanskins are put to work for the first 12 weeks in the pit delivering personnel to work location and delivering gear e.g. tools and bits etc. for drillers. During this time they work with an experienced mine worker and they obtain competence in light vehicle. They then progress to haul truck operation where they undergo a combination of classroom and truck familiarisation training for 50 hours. Haul trucks are then operated with full supervision for 200 hours and (if requirements are met) another 1000 hours of unsupervised operation are completed before final assessment to achieve competence. Only recruits who have completed this process are able to apply for training in other equipment. Typically, a worker would undergo a 1000 hours on a wheeled loader prior to being allowed to move to the excavator where they would complete a minimum of 1000 hours before competence could be assessed. Industry Representative 3 (Coal Mine) In this mine, cleanskins complete a site induction, spend 1-2 months for mine familiarisation before commencing haul truck operator training. New recruits complete up to 10 (12 hour) shifts of classroom delivery prior to their introduction to the live haul truck. Pre-start inspections, isolations etc. We would never employ a person to operate at an excavator level unless they could demonstrate a similar amount of experience on that and the pre-requisite equipment. A requirement of 12 shifts must then be spent in the passenger seat with the trainer operating the equipment (direct supervision). Once the trainer is satisfied with the worker s progress, the vehicle may they be operated alone under minimal supervision (maintains constant contact with supervisor and other equipment via radio). The worker is deemed ready for final assessment of competence after 3 6 months. Three levels of isolation training over several months must be completed concurrently as a pre-requisite.

10 09 Resources Training Council Whitepaper Industry Representative 4 (Metalliferous Mine) At this mine, each new recruit is challenge tested as per the mine s procedures regardless of their qualifications. The training department has reported a large number of graduates presenting with a Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations that have failed the challenge test. That does not exclude them from employment but it does shine a light on the problems within the training sector. According to the interviewee, mandating partnerships with RTOs and industry for the Certificate III would focus the funding where it provides value and these partnerships would result in industry standard (industry accepted) outcomes. As with most sites, cleanskins are put to work for some time, up to 12 weeks in the pit delivering men to work location and delivering gear e.g. tools and bits etc. for drillers. During this time, they work with an experienced mine worker and they obtain competence in light vehicle. They then progress to haul truck operations where they undergo a combination of classroom and truck familiarisation training and go from full supervision to minimal supervision and then competent. This process typically takes 3-4 months. Each piece of equipment (normally) takes 3-4 months of training and operation before achieving competence to industry standard. Selecting persons to operate other equipment e.g. loader, dozer, excavator etc. is done on a needs basis and generally a reward to workers based on a number of criteria. However, one of the criteria is mine experience which (although is not based on time) is usually gained over a reasonable period of time. Each piece of equipment (normally) takes 3-4 months of training and operation before achieving competence to industry standard. Only experienced workers with competence on plant and equipment are appointed the responsibility to issue work permits.

11 10 Resources Training Council Whitepaper Conclusion The Resources Training Council is the national peak and representative body for resources training in Australia. Our mission is to influence and shape policy to deliver better training and safety outcomes for workforces in resources and associated industries. We understand and applaud the government s commitment to skilling Australians to improve their employment prospects. The resources industry s sustainability is dependent on the provision of job ready people. However, our research shows many RTOs are delivering the Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations in significantly shorter timeframes than those reasonably required to ensure learners gain the competencies specified in the training package. Any RTO not compliant with accepted government and industry standards should not be eligible for government funding. We recommend an immediate review of the funding model to ensure that quality outcomes for individuals and industry is achieved and that the government receives a return on its investment. Resources Training Council Inc. Level 23, 127 Creek Street Brisbane Qld hello@resourcestraining.org.au resourcestraining.org.au