2. Purpose of the Network To increase the capacity of the water industry to provide high quality training and assessment for its workforce How? By increasing the number of trainers and assessors By increasing the involvement of industry in the delivery and assessment of training By improving quality of training and assessment By improving awareness of workforce development and training opportunities

3. Drivers for the Network Ageing water industry workforce – 56% of water employees in 27 NSW councils are aged 45-65 Ageing training provider workforce Increasing attrition from the water industry New technologies driving need for training Small numbers of RTOs actually delivering the water industry training package in NSW Potential national certification of water operators will drive demand for RPL and training delivery

4. Water Training Package (NWP07) Certificate I in Water Sustainability Certificate II in Water Operations Certificate III in Water Operations Certificate IV in Water Operations Diploma of Water Operations Advanced Diploma of Water Engineering Design Grad Voc Cert in Water Industry Leadership

5. What has WTAN delivered? Community of 330 members in NSW Access to latest information on water industry training issues through: Dedicated website – www.wtan.com.auwww.wtan.com.au Regional network meetings - 17 in last 18 months Quarterly newsletters Access to professional development courses Research on regional workforce development Voice on water industry training in NSW

6. What has been achieved? 44 industry employees (32 from local govt) with new training, assessment and mentoring qualifications 152% increase in Water Operations traineeships in 2012 – highest number of trainees in any year to date Establishment of a school based traineeship in Water Operations – first enrolments in 2012 Professional development workshops for RTOs Research and identification of regional workforce development strategies for local government water employees

7. Purpose of the Research Projects To identify regional training needs of employees providing water and wastewater services in local councils in the New England and Mid Coast/North Coast regions of NSW To explore strategies to improve the cost effectiveness, efficiency and quality of training delivery to councils in these regions

8. Who should join WTAN? Managers, supervisors and team leaders with a role or interest in training and assessing staff Trainers and assessors from Registered Training Organisations who deliver training to the water industry Water industry staff interested in becoming a trainer in the future (e.g. people nearing retirement) Human Resource/Learning & Development Managers

9. What are the benefits of joining? To become a better trainer, assessor and mentor to your staff To understand more about the national training system and working with training providers To keep abreast of national and state developments in training policy, projects, resources and courses To provide a collective voice on training for the benefit of your organisation and your region To gain access to training funds To be part of network projects and negotiations with training providers

10. What next? Join the WTAN network – register online at www.wtan.com.au Participate in network meetings to: establish regional training needs develop regional training initiatives, e.g. Mentoring, sharing trainers and assessors Stay informed of activities in other regions Be part of state-wide initiatives which will benefit the water industry