Water Operator Mentoring Program

Regional Technical Assessment and Mentoring for Drinking Water Treatment Operators

In early 2013, qldwater secured a grant from Skills Queensland (now Department of Education, Training and Employment) to undertake a project trial, focussed on technical development and up-skilling for regional water treatment services. The project targeted two key regions: Longreach and Central West Queensland and Burnett and Toowoomba regions and surrounds. The formal funded project concluded on 30 June 2014, however, ongoing training activities and establishment of mentoring arrangements continues.

The main focus of this project was to provide a contemporary approach aimed at improving regional Queensland’s drinking water services through workforce development activities such as mentoring, sound planning and upskilling. The aim is to optimise existing systems through mentoring and skills development. The main components of this program are:

  • Water Treatment Plant/Systems Technical Assessment
  • Training needs analysis
  • Workforce planning analysis
  • Training workshop development and delivery (alignment with Drinking Water Quality Management Plans)
  • Development and implementation of an industry mentoring program, and
  • Development of communication strategies and continuity plans to ensure the outcomes and learnings can be applied in other regions.

Two highly experienced technical consultants were engaged to undertake the technical assessment of plant operations, provide input into training and development plans and participate in the mentoring program. The initial technical assessment site visits took place in the Longreach region in September and the Burnett region in November 2013. A total of 22 water treatment plants were visited by the technical consultants as part of these visits. A full technical report for each treatment plant, including suggested improvement actions, have been provided to each Council involved in the project.

Regional operator training workshops for both Longreach and the Burnett region were held in 2014. These training workshops, conducted by the technical consultants in collaboration with qldwater, provided practical training aimed at addressing some of the skills/training gaps identified during the technical visits.

For further information on the project and a copy of the final report please email skills@qldwater.com.au.

Operator Exchange and Relief Programs

The Queensland Water Directory hosts details of individuals and organisations able to provide relief water and wastewater operator services to metropolitan and regional Queensland.