STP operator certification discussion paper – member feedback welcome
Date: 29-Jun-2017
In April 2014, the Queensland Water Skills Partnership Industry Leaders Group (ILG) identified the investigation of options for a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Operator certification framework as a priority activity. This builds on the work to date in contributing to the development and testing of a draft national framework for drinking water operations published in 2012. Put simply, the STP Operator certification framework seeks to set minimum standards for training, education and professional development for various industry roles with a view to improving consistency, portability of skills, access to professional development and career paths for these critical staff. It will help employers manage risks around their environmental duty with greater confidence.
This discussion document represents the result of industry meetings to set parameters for a framework, critically consider how to classify the operation of treatment systems (both complexity and risk) and map job requirements to available training and education.
The Water Skills Partnership now seeks initial feedback from, industry, training providers and regulators on this discussion paper by Friday 13 March 2015. qldwater will then aim to:
- use the results to develop a draft framework document (published end-March);
- seek final industry feedback on the draft;
- present a final draft for review and approval by the Water Skills Partnership’s Industry Leaders Group in May 2015, with the document to be formally published shortly thereafter. Part of the reason for this projected final publication date is the review of the National Water Training Package – a new version with significant changes is being drafted, its content is important to be referenced in this document, however it is unlikely to be finalised before mid-2015.
There are no current plans to develop a national approach however there is interest from other States. Once completed, the final framework will be presented as an industry-developed standard, with recognition sought from the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. It has been developed to be as simple as possible - with the clear expectation that it will be adopted on a voluntary basis and should under no circumstances be referenced in a regulatory context.
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