Q: How long have you been teaching these kind of courses? (Rigging/ Scaffolding) |
A: For over 24 years. Our trainers have a wide range of work experience and are supported by state of the art training and learning processes. |
Q: Why are the training courses longer than before 1 July 2007? |
A: Firstly, the courses are longer because Workplace Health and Safety, Queensland (WHSQ) nominate the duration of the training courses that they have developed for certification, and
secondly, the assessments for these certificates now require correct answers to all of the questions. Most knowledge assessment instruments have more than 100 short answer questions and written assignments now have more maths questions than previously. It is not surprising that most students appreciate the extra time for study. |
Q: How many people have you trained? |
A: We have issued over 3000 National Certificates to riggers, scaffolders and crane operators in the past twelve years. |
Q: Will I get some hands-on practice during the course or will it just be theory? |
A: We get you working with the crane or scaffold as soon as we can. Adults learn better by doing, NOT by talking about it. NOT SURPRISINGLY, student feedback tells us that they like the hands-on learning best.
|
Q: What is a Training Plan and why is it needed? |
A: A Training Plan is required of employers who employ trainees to carry out work in prescribed occupations under supervision. The requirements are set down in Section 21 (3) of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997. (See links page.) THIS IS AN EMPLOYER REQUIREMENT - LOG BOOKS ARE A TRAINEE REQUIREMENT.
The Training Plan is also a better (and more complete) way of proving the required experience. A letter from an employer saying that you have worked for them as a trainee rigger, scaffolder etc is unlikely to cover all the bureaucratic requirements set down by WHSQ. IN OTHER WORDS THEY HELP MAKE YOUR CERTIFICATE CERTAIN IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES. WE WANT YOUR CERTIFICATE TO BE BULLETPROOF!!! |
Q. So what is the process involved?
|
A. Well, it is much the same as before except there are more hoops to jump through, BUT THEN THAT'S WHERE WE CAN HELP.
There are basically two streams:
(a) EXPERIENCED WORKERS: Attend our (4 day) training course to be certain that you have the knowledge and skills required to sit for the assessment. Submit your Log Book, Training Plan, etc. to our assessor prior to assessment on Day 5 (Friday). We will issue a Statement of Attainment to persons who successfully complete the assessment.
(b) NEW STARTERS: Attend our (4 day) training course to gain your underpinning knowledge and skills. We will give you a Statement of Attendance to show your employer or prospective employer. We will also provide you with a Log Book and Training Plan to record your practical experience. Once you have completed the practical experience, you can arrange to be assessed.
(c) ROCK UP FOR A CHALLENGE TEST: Despite all the changes supposedly designed to move from an assessment model to a training model, WHSQ still allows the assessment model to continue under the guise of a "Challenge Test." So a person who can prove that they have the required experience to prove Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can apply to do the Challenge Test which is simply the assessment. IN THE OPINION OF WHSQ IT IS UNLIKELY THAT ANYONE WHO ATTEMPTS THE CHALLENGE TEST WITHOUT TRAINING WILL PASS. WHSQ HAVE ALSO RESTRICTED ACCESS TO ANSWERS TO THE NEW ASSESSMENTS TO HELP ENSURE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT SOMEONE SITTING A CHALLENGE TEST WILL FAIL!
|
| Q: Is it possible to get employment or on-the-job experience from my training? |
|
A: We cannot and do not make any promises regarding gaining employment as a result of completing our training courses. HOWEVER, |
BUYYES – we do believe that your employment opportunities will be improved as a result of undertaking training to work in a prescribed occupation. In our new training environment, employers will increasingly recognise the initiative shown by persons willing to work their way up the employment ladder.
|
Q: Will I have to arrange for the cranes or other equipment necessary to do the course or the assessment? |
A: We have all the equipment required for the assessments already on site including a lattice jib slewing mobile crane, 3 slewing cranes, elevating work platforms, 3 different types of system scaffolding and tube and coupler scaffolding. Unless you specifically request to be assessed on site our prices are all inclusive.
|