Chisholm Institute of TAFE and South East Water

The creation of a Centre for Sustainable Water Management (CSWM) at Chisholm Institute in Cranbourne has united key players including water authorities, civil construction contractors and educators behind a training strategy which addresses an aging workforce and skill shortages.

Opened in January 2009, the CSWM is initially providing customised short training programs to develop construction skills such as pipe laying, trenching, manholes, basic work safety and  compliance – many of these skills will also be in demand in the construction phase of the Wonthaggi desalination plant and Chisholm’s responsiveness to a new regional skills demand will help improve employment opportunities associated with the Wonthaggi project.

The Institute expects to train over 500 industry staff annually in water infrastructure skills and has drawn on their partnership with South East Water to develop targeted, industry-specific courses and workplace assessment processes that are delivered flexibly and accelerate the completion of training. Training is provided flexibly through a combination of training at industry sites and Chisholm specialist training facilities. The water infrastructure skills program is strongly supported by Yarra Valley Water, City West Water, South East Water and Melbourne Water and their construction contractors, who recognise that skills development is essential for maintaining high quality water infrastructure and ensuring regulatory compliance.

"South East Water is excited to be working in partnership with Chisholm Institute on this initiative to develop an industry based training course for the construction of water, sewer and recycled water assets. This will ensure that assets are constructed to a high standard in a safe and environmentally sensitive manner", said Terry Dalgleish, Manager Property Development, South East Water.

More TAFE industry partnerships.