Skills & Training

The Queensland Water Skills Partnership was created in 2011 as a new initiative to address critical skills needs facing the urban water industry in Queensland.  It extends the work undertaken through the Water Skills Formation Strategy (SFS) which commenced in late 2009 supported by the Department of Education and Training and hosted by qldwater.

Some of the key project successes during the first year of the Queensland Water Skills Partnership (2011/2012) include:

• Successful application for Strategic Investment Funding from Skills Queensland for $600,000 to fund direct training places;

• Short course training workshops trialled in three regional locations;

• Regional collaboration for other short courses;

• Development of an online Introduction to the Urban Water Industry Course, freely available on the qldwater website;

• Development of an online Urban Water Industry Legislation Course, which will be released soon:

• Modification of the online Introduction to the Urban Water Industry for a high-school age audience;

• Regular industry relevant skills and training updates through Skills Partnership e-flashes.

Member benefits of the Queensland Water Skills Partnership include:

• Subsidised training fees and priority for onsite courses;

• Full access to online industry courses;

• Priority preference for involvement in partnership projects activities (e.g. schools programs);

• Assistance with training, workforce planning and skilling activities.

The partnership provides a vehicle for industry-wide collaboration and knowledge sharing, improved access to funding and other benefits like industry branding projects such as school engagement programs and national representation on key industry skills bodies.

Current partners include Central Highlands Regional Council, Mackay Regional Council, Goondiwindi Regional Council, North Burnett Regional Council, Diamantina Regional Council, Unity Water, Richmond Regional Council, McKinlay Shire Council, Balonne Shire Council, Hinchinbrook Regional Council, Etheridge Shire Council, Longreach Regional Council, Gold Coast City Council, Redlands City Council, Queensland Urban Utilities, Charters Towers Regional Council, Toowoomba Regional Council, Banana Shire Council, Logan City Council, Sunwater and Mount Isa Regional Council.

To join the Queensland Water Skills Partnership please complete the Subscription Form. Membership is calculated on a simple $25 cost per water and wastewater employee per financial year.