Australian Aerospace

Formal qualifications have been the focus for staff development at Australian Aerospace recently.

With a workforce of highly skilled staff, Caribou Support Manager Bob Russell wanted staff to be recognised for their current workplace experience.

Bob made contact with the South Brisbane Office of Skilling Solutions Queensland to identify ways in which staff could access and benefit from the service.

Subsequently, Team Leader Adrian Greaves organised for the Skilling Solutions Queensland service to be delivered on-site to the Aerospace staff.

Utilising designated mobile service IT and transport resources, Skilling Solutions Queensland consultants Ashleigh Heiskari and Carl Utupo provided the Skills First (Recognition of Prior Learning) pre-assessment process to sixteen staff members for the Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics, Mechanical & Structures).

Dozens of Australian Aerospace staff are now formally qualified after accessing the Skilling Solutions Queensland service. A mobile service, organised by the South Brisbane Customer Service Centre was provided over multiple days to Austrlian Aerospace staff. Caribou Support Manager Bob Russell wanted staff to be recognised for their current workplace experience towards the Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics, Mechanical & Structures).

Once the service had been delivered, Bob Russell chose ATAE Pty Ltd, a Skilling Solutions Queensland preferred supplier, to provide the formal assessment process. The formal assessment process has now commenced.

When asked about the services provided by Skilling Solutions Queensland, Bob Russell, on behalf of Australian Aerospace, stated:

"Australian Aerospace will benefit enormously from this program by allowing our staff to achieve personal and organisational goals in the shortest and most convenient time possible".

Bob also commented that he would like to see Australian Aerospace continue to use the services of Skilling Solutions Queensland for all new and existing employees.

Foodworks

The staff employed by Foodworks at Nanango are now achieving greater results in the workplace after accessing the Skilling Solutions Queensland service.

Staff experience within the store ranges from 1-25 years in both the Retail and Management fields. Store supervisor Dan Mead was aware of the depth of experience and knowledge held by the customer service team and wanted team members to obtain formal qualifications.

Dan made contact with Skilling Solutions Queensland to organise the service to be delivered on-site in Nanango.

The service was delivered on site to thirteen customer service staff. Each staff member was provided with a list of competencies they could receive recognition for through the Skills First process. A referral letter outlining the Registered Training Organisations contracted with Skilling Solutions Queensland was also provided. Staff chose to continue with the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE and subsequently enrolled as Skills First students.

The formal assessment process has been undertaken by the Food Works staff and they have been awarded qualifications in Retail and Front Line Management based on the outcomes of these assessments.

When asked about his experience with Skilling Solutions Queensland, Dan said that the process was “Informative, quick and effective” and he is now “achieving better results” in his current position as a result of the Skilling Solutions Queensland and Skills First Process.

Recycled Water Project staff construct a new future

Fourteen workers on the Recycled Water Project in the Ipswich suburb of Bundamba aren’t just helping to ensure future water supplies, they’ve also taken a milestone step to help ensure their own future success.

After working for many years in the construction industry, the 14 Multifix staff visited Skilling Solutions Queensland (SSQ) and have finally had their construction skills formally recognised. 

All 14 have now obtained formal Certificate III qualifications in Concreting and Carpentry. 

Multifix Constructions Pty Ltd was recently appointed to assist with the construction of the South East Queensland Western Corridor Recycled Water Project and Water Treatment Plant at Bundamba.

The company employs around 50 staff who have a diverse range of skills including trades assistants and trade-qualified personnel.  Some have worked with the organisation for many years and although they have a great skill and knowledge base, had never gained a formal qualification.

Deciding to lead by example, Multifix contacted Skilling Solutions Queensland to help their staff in gaining formal qualifications. 

Tony Boreham, Safety Officer at Multifix, said he approached SSQ because it had a good name at the Bundamba work site.

"The 14 staff undertook a skills pre-assessment at Skilling Solutions Queensland’s Ipswich office and that provided an indication of the recognition the staff could receive towards a formal qualification," Tony said.

"SSQ gave a great service, pointed us in the right direction, and helped us decide on what qualification would work for the team."

The fourteen staff have now completed the formal assessment process and have been awarded qualifications in Carpentry and Concreting, with some being awarded dual qualifications. 

"Multifix staff have been empowered by the process Skilling Solutions has provided and I have noticed an increase in confidence in delivering work outcomes," Tony said.

Boat builder now qualifified for whale of a task

Helping build a giant 80 foot catamaran is a whale of a challenge – but one which craftsman Kris Carlson is now well qualified to tackle.

Kris is an employee with Streamline Catamarans, a Hervey Bay business contracted to build what is thought to be Australia’s biggest whale watching vessel.

Although he had three years' experience in the boat building industry, Kris was not formally qualified when Streamline won the multi-million dollar contract to build the 'big cat'.

To equip him for the challenge, he decided to look into gaining a qualification in marine craft construction and approached the local office of Skilling Solutions Queensland (SSQ), which provides individualised information on training and career opportunities.

Kris learned that his work experience could help him fast-track to a formal qualification and was referred to a contracted training provider for a formal assessment of his skills.

A TAFE assessor conducted the assessment on site at Streamline Catamarans. Kris’s competency was measured through various means, which included a Recognition of Prior Learning process to take account of his full trade and life
experience.

The outcome was a great result for Kris. He was awarded a Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction based on his work experience and skills.

It was also a less than costly process as Kris received a $500 State Government subsidy towards the cost of the assessment because he was a Skilling Solutions Queensland client.

Streamline Catamarans manager Wayne Jones supported Kris in his desire to gain a career upgrade. "It’s been great to see an employee have his years of skills valued and formally recognised," said Wayne.

Kris is now utilising new and existing job skills to help the local company achieve its business objectives and successfully undertake a significant new project.