THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING

Why is training important?  Training and education provide the foundation blocks for developing future quarry workers.  Whether it is informal training such as guidance provided by an experienced worker to a new employee, or formalised classroom and on the job training, it should be an integral part of the extractive industry.

Currently this ideology is still at the “should” stage, many employees and employers in the extractive industry still think they won’t benefit from training. The old ‘close enough is good enough’ and ‘what do I need to do that for’ mentality is one that needs to be abandoned. People perceive that education is a liability and not a revenue earning mechanism. A well trained employee or manager is a significant cog in the engine of developing a productive, compliant and profitable workplace. Training can be time consuming, yet the benefits of it are immense.

“A well trained employee or manager is a significant cog in the engine of developing a productive , compliant and profitable workplace”

Let’s get specific, what are some of the real benefits of training:

• Provides a foreseeable future and defined career path for employees;
• Show’s that the employer is committed to providing opportunity for employees i.e. builds trust and boosts moral;
• Arms employees and managers with knowledge that can increase the efficiency of the business;
• Assists in regulatory compliance requirements;
• Provides employees with the skills to safely carry out work and identify potential hazards before an accident occurs;
• Can augment your defence in court if an accident occurs on your site;
• Strengthens a company by providing flexibility and vertical integration;
• Increases employee and managers ability to identify methods for increasing productivity;
• Ensures that there is best practice utilisation of cash reserves;
• For some employees this can directly increase pay levels or provide the possibility for future pay rises;
• Builds confidence and communication skills in employees;
• Increases you and your employees ability to identify areas lacking within the industry;

These benefits relate directly to the company, but there are positive side effects which benefit the entire industry.  A knowledgeable workforce has pride in what they do and recognises the significance of the extractive industry to the Victorian economy.  A knowledgeable workforce can defend their industry when shunted by an antagonist.  In essence, the workforce is the community’s eye into the workings of the extractive industry.  That eye can remain closed or it can be opened.

So what is the problem, why aren’t all extractive industry employees rushing out to undertake training?  Why don’t all employers have a well founded training regime?

Much of the apprehension associated with training can be linked to two key factors; “lack of understanding” and “fear of failure.”  People either do not see the benefits or they are too concerned that education and training takes them out of their comfort zone…..which it does.  For the majority of employees in the industry their job involves mechanical skills, manual labour or outdoors work, “getting dirty” some might say.   The prospect of having to sit through lessons in a classroom, or undergo tests and practical assessment would be foreign and uncomfortable to most. 

This lack of understanding is not a failure of the quarry owner, manager or employee but rather a failure of the industry to provide essential services. 

Without a doubt, training is essential to all levels within the organisational structure.  A manager who expects an employee to undertake training whilst not having done similar training themselves has failed to lead by example.  For an employee to take what they have learnt seriously, so too must their managers and supervisors.  Managers and supervises that take an interest in their employee’s training are able to compliment skills learnt, further increasing the advantages gained.

Training and education within the industry are two important aspects of a culture that the CMPA is trying to instill in its members and the industry. They are both highly important and the CMPA is raising the profile within the industry of the importance of sound training and good education.

“Managers and supervises that take an interest in their employee’s training are able to compliment skills learnt, further increasing the advantages gained.”

The CMPA is attempting to lift the overall training level for its members. The first step in this process was the introduction of the mandatory unit from the Certificate II for Quarry Management: “Work Safely Training”. This serves two purposes. It makes employees, managers and owners aware of the possible pecuniary and social penalties for not maintaining a safe workplace and their respective responsibilities in the workplace; it also gives participants a tick in the box for one of the 8 required units to achieve Certificate II.

Over the next twelve months the CMPA plans to obtain Government subsidy for training of members in an additional two units from the Certificate II. What does this mean? With these two units the Work Safely Training, and First Aid Level II (most people would have this anyway) it means that half of the Certificate II has already been completed!

The CMPA’s Education Committee is currently investigating potential training providers  for training of members in the mobile plant units from the Extractive Industry Training Package.  Again this would add to the number of units easily accessible to CMPA members from the Certificate II. 

This is an excellent opportunity for members to build a vocational pathway for any young (or not so young!) employees and raise their own knowledge level. If we can generate a culture where people enthusiastically undertake education, the industry will keep up with legislative changes, it will promote to the community that the industry is pro-active and this in turn will increase the number of young people who want to become involved in quarrying.

So what else has been done by the CMPA to promote education? We’ve had an influential role in development of the Extractive Industry Training Package to ensure that it was achievable by all sites. We’ve requested that with the removal of the Quarry Manager Certification process under the Extractive Industry Development Act that the Minister for Education approve the auditing of Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) delivering Competencies in the Extractive Industry to ensure compliance with the nationally approved standards. A work record book to assist members in applying for Recognition of Prior Learning and assist employees in future job applications is also being developed.

The CMPA is currently involved in the process of obtaining an Industry Liaison Agent (ILA) for the Extractive Industry to promote education and assist members in gaining access to training.   The ILA will ensure that members are aware of what training is possible, who can deliver the training, how much it will cost and the level of training required. 

With an ageing workforce the extractive industry will inevitably be forced to employ, train and educate young people.  We are seeking ways to increase knowledge of a “Vocation in the Extractive Industry” to VCE students.  Like any good sporting team, the promotion of youth can only enhance the prospects for the future.

Where does this training end?  It doesn’t end, as with everything skills need to be refined, updated and monitored to correspond with changes in technology, regulations and the market place.  Education and training is essential for ensuring that your business is up to speed.  This does not mean that you have to sit through an entire course again but it may require attendance at a refresher course, seminar or just some self learning.  The old idiom that “knowledge is money”, could be extended to say that “knowledge is money earning”. 

An economically, socially and environmentally sustainable industry is the ultimate goal. But we can’t get there without a bit of learning along the way. For those who may be reluctant to embrace all the new training, think of Gough Whitlam’s slogan in the 1975 election campaign: It’s Time!

Stay tuned next issue as the CMPA speak to people in the industry and to professional educators about the importance of education and training.

For further information please do not hesitate to call the CMPA.

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