WIOCT
The Water Industry Operator Certification Taskforce (WIOCT) was formed in August 2018 to replace the Water Industry Skills Taskforce (WIST) and focus exclusively on the Water Industry Operator Certification Framework. The WIST had been in operation for the previous ten years to promote and oversee a nationally coordinated effort to address the skills shortage in the water sector and was originally led and administered by AWA. In early 2015, qldwater (The Queensland Water Directorate) took over the secretariat function for WIST with Certification as the major ongoing focus.
After overseeing the development of a range of new documents and amendments to national Operator Certification Frameworks, the WIST decided to wind up its operations in August 2018, with the functions of ‘Framework Owner’ for Operator Certification Frameworks transferred to the newly formed WIOCT with qldwater continuing as secretariat. In addition to its role of Framework Owner, WIOCT’s purpose is to champion the implementation of Water Industry Operator Certification in Australia and consider any future expansion of the Framework.
At its first meeting, the WIOCT approved the Water Industry Operator Certification Framework: Drinking Water, Wastewater, Recycled Water 2018 for publication along with updates to a number of other supporting documents. The combined Certification Framework supersedes both the Certification Framework for Operators within Drinking Water Systems 2017 and the Certification Framework for Operators within Wastewater and Recycled Water Treatment Systems 2017. The Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) continues as the national Certifying Body appointed by the WIOCT.
The Framework will be reviewed as required, with the next likely to be an update to the document to reflect changes to the National Water Package, expected in late 2019.
The Taskforce comprises CEO-level representation from the water industry and related education and government sectors. Current members of the Water Industry Operator Certification Taskforce are:
- The Queensland Water Directorate (Dave Cameron)
- The Australian Water Association (Jonathan McKeown)
- Australian Industry Standards (Klausch Schmidt)
- Wannon Water (John Harris)
- Coliban Water (David Sheehan)
- Western Water (Jeff Rigby)
- The Water Services Association of Australia (Adam Lovell, Peter Gee)
- The International Water Centre (Mark Pascoe)
- The Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (George Wall)
- The NSW Water Directorate (David Oxenham, Brendan Guiney)
- Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (Carmela Luisetto - observer)
For more information about the WIOCT or Certification Framework visit https://www.qldwater.com.au/Skills_water_operator_certification .
Latest Update
For more information contact Dave Cameron.
Documents for download
Certification Framework for DW Operators 2017
Certification Framework for Operators of RW and WW Systems 2017
Certification Regulatory Options Paper 2017
Water Industry Skills Taskforce Communique – April 2016
Certification Framework 2016 - Operators within Drinking Water Treatment Systems
WIST Communique June 2015
NWC Submission from WIST – December 2013
WIST Communique – June 2013
National Certification Framework Background and Options Paper NWC – Feb 2013
National Certification Framework Final Report – March 2012
Proposed National Certification Framework – March 2012
Water Industry Skills Forum Report – Jan 2013
National Water Skills Strategy Business Plan Review – Feb 2012
AWA National Water Skills Audit Report – 2011
National Water Skills Business Plan - Oct 2010
COAG
National Water Skills Strategy - Dec 2009
National
Water Skills Audit - June 2008