Commissioners Information Bulletin 182
Issued: 4 March 2002

Approval of an amended Vocational Training Order (VTO) for the recognised traineeship vocation of Asset Maintenance

At the request of the Property Services Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB) NSW Ltd, the Commissioner for Vocational Training has approved the revised Vocational Training Order (VTO) for the recognised traineeship vocation of Asset Maintenance under section 6 of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001.

The amended VTO will highlight two additional qualifications in Asset Maintenance (Portable Fire Equipment Service Operations Certificates II and III).

Vocational Training Order Standard Format
The VTO in each instance may make reference to:

1. the appropriate term or terms for apprenticeships or traineeships in that vocation
2. the appropriate probationary period or periods for apprenticeships or traineeships in that vocation, having regard to the term or terms specified for them under paragraph (a)
3. the appropriate qualification or qualifications that may be awarded in relation to an apprenticeship or traineeship in that vocation
4. any other training to be provided in addition to the training required for an appropriate qualification
5. such other matters relating to the training of apprentices or trainees in that vocation as the Commissioner considers appropriate.

A copy of the relevant VTO supporting the recognised traineeship vocation is at Attachment A.

Asset Maintenance – Portable Fire Equipment Service Operations Sector Training Package (PRM98)
The fire protection industry consists of private companies, public service providers and volunteer fire authorities. These companies compete for service contracts to service and maintain portable fire fighting equipment according to Australian Standards and various legislative requirements. A rise in insurance premiums and the introduction of Occupational Health and Safety legislation has forced many businesses to install and have maintained suitable fire protection equipment. There is also a requirement to have suitable trained personnel available to ensure, through various maintenance programs, that the equipment will function correctly when an emergency occurs.

The work of the service technician covers a range of service situations, which may include shops, factories, domestic premises, offices, mines, airports, oil platforms and drilling operations.

A service technician not only services portable fire extinguishes, hose reels and ‘delivery lay flat fire hoses’, but the range of work often includes:

• servicing wheeled fire extinguishers
• installing fire suppression systems in vehicles, marine craft, restaurants etc
• replacing fire hose reel units
• installing battery powered smoke alarms
• installing a range of portable fire extinguishers
• installing and inspecting fire blankets
• testing emergency and exit lighting systems
• servicing fire hydrants and fire monitors

The service technician is responsible not only for the work they perform but also for advice to their customers of any breach of legislative requirements and whether existing equipment is suitable for the identified fire risk.

Qualification structure and approach
There are two Portable Fire Equipment Service Operations qualifications, Certificate II and Certificate III. Certificate III core units consist of Certificate II core units with an additional two units. The core units for Certificate II cover the basic skills and knowledge required for a person to operate safely in the workplace and the skills and knowledge required for the general installation and maintenance tasks encountered in the workplace.

Certificate III addresses at elective level the specialist skills and knowledge associated with the more complex installation and maintenance functions at a variety of customer’s premises. Included at this level are also units addressing basic overseeing skills and electives addressing workplace trainer and assessor skills.

The existing VTO highlights the following credentials from the Asset Maintenance Training Package (PRM98)

• Certificate II in Asset Maintenance (Cleaning Operations) PRM 20198
• Certificate III in Asset Maintenance (Cleaning Operations) PRM 30198
• Certificate IV in Asset Maintenance (Cleaning Operations Management) PRM 40198
• Certificate II in Asset Maintenance (Pest Management - Technical) PRM 20298
• Certificate II in Asset Maintenance (Pest Management - Business Operations) PRM 20398
• Certificate III in Asset Maintenance (Pest Management - Technical) PRM 30298
• Certificate III in Asset Maintenance (Pest Management - Business Operations) PRM 30398
• Certificate IV in Asset Maintenance (Pest Management) PRM 40298

The revised VTO, will include the additional credentials:

• Certificate II in Asset Maintenance (Portable Fire Equipment Service Operations PRM20400
• Certificate III in Asset Maintenance (Portable Fire Equipment Service Operations PRM30400

The packaging and combination of the minimum number of units drawn from the National Asset Maintenance Competency Standards required for each qualification are outlined in Attachment B.

Learning resources and assessment materials
A mapping project is due for completion by OTEN under contract. A general mapping exercise has been completed which is included in the implementation Guide for the Asset Maintenance Training Package – Portable Fire Equipment Service Operations Sector.

A range of non-endorsed components on CD ROM is expected to be available through Australian Training Products or through the Property Services ITAB. The resources include:

Candidates Kit which includes guides for; self assessment, career and personal planning guide and competency record book. The Kit covers all units of competency for all streams.

Assessment and Training Kit which includes; assessors guides, trainers guides, lists of formal assessment instruments for each unit of competency and clusters of competencies and framework for database of learning resources

Introduction to Training Packages Kit, which includes; power point presentation, overhead transparencies and brochures

A number of strategies exist to assist Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) access materials information for Portable Fire Equipment. These include:

• the NAC information service internet site
• the ITAB telephone support service 1800 304050
• the ITAB’s web site www.pstrain.com.au
• the provision of information seminars in capital cities and regional centres
• assistance with the development of specialised learning materials such as CD ROM interactive materials

Industrial arrangements
Property Services ITAB NSW Ltd advises that there is no industry specific award coverage for the portable fire-servicing sector. The Fire Protection Association of Australia (FPAA) is respondent to the National Training Wage Award. Employers who wish to employ trainees in the Portable Fire Equipment Service Operators Sector are encouraged to become members of FPAA. FPAA state committee (NSW) advises that some employers use the Miscellaneous Workers Award, although definitions in this award do not specifically advise coverage for this occupation and/or provisions for traineeships.

There is one enterprise agreement: Wormald Fire Systems, Newcastle Branch, NSW (A Tyco International Company) Portable Fire Equipment Division Certified Agreement For New South Wales, 2000 Agreement: W1521

Note: Applications under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to establish any of the traineeship certificates under the recognised traineeship vocation of Asset Maintenance will not be approved unless the Commissioner is satisfied that appropriate industrial arrangements are in place.

Availability of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)
Currently there are four providers in NSW that include these qualifications in their scope of registration. The Property Services ITAB expects that the number of providers will increase after approval of the VTO for the new qualifications.

VET in schools
The industry does not currently support the delivery of training for Portable Fire Equipment through VET in schools.

Licensing
Currently there are no licensing requirements for the Portable Fire Equipment Sector qualifications. However, licensing and/or other regulations are applicable to some activities undertaken in the industry, namely; driving vehicles, handling, storage and transport of dangerous goods and operation of plant and equipment e.g. forklift.

For any enquiries regarding this CIB, please contact the Vocational Training Tribunal Unit on (02) 9266 8579.

PAM CHRISTIE
Commissioner of Vocational Training