AMI Meter Installation Training:

A continuing journey

     “We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the

journey”

Malcolm JollyTeam Leader, Innovation GippsTAFE

Noel SutcliffeTeam Leader, Gas & Telecommunications

Background

• AMI meters are known as smart meters

• They measure usage at regular intervals

• Provide benefits for customers and suppliers

• Specialised knowledge and skills

• Restricted entry requirements

• Entrants often not familiar with meters

• Pressure• Cost of getting it wrong

can be fatal

Installer Job Profile

The Existing Situation

• Number and time

• Media attention• Safety• Added scrutiny

Installer training at GippsTAFE’s Chadstone campus

The Existing Situation

If you only have a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.

- Abraham Maslow

The role of GippsTAFE’s Innovation Department

Understanding the challenges through

observation, analysis and evaluation

• Current course structure

• Classroom & workshop sessions

• Resources• Understand the

needs of industry, the trainers and the students

Understanding the challenges through

observation, analysis and evaluation

• Understanding current restrictions

• Identify barriers• Responding to industry

feedback on materials

• TAFE management perspective• SMEs and trainers• Industry• Students• Wide ranging engagement

Wider consultation

Wider consultation

• Time poor trainers need more time in the workshop– Move large sections of the theory to online

• Greater co-ordination of the verification of student entry qualifications and existing competencies and aptitude– Collaborative approach with industry

• Poor retention– Expose potential students to the online training

prior to commencement

Structural issues and responses

• Existing resources losing currency– Update existing resources to reflect current

practice• Existing resources static and unsuitable for online

– Enhanced with trainer voice (interim measure)• Trainers coping with large groups at workshop

stage– Two trainers introduced at this stage

• Online simply place to deposit materials– Moving to interactive, pre-work delivered

Resource issues and responses

• No self testing exercises• Flash based exercises

Resource development

issues and responses

• No video of actuality of installation• Produce location videos

• Limited LMS• Enhance and develop LMS

Right Response Overview

Safe & Competent Installer

Right Number

s

Right Skills

Right Place

Right Time

Right Way

Right Directio

n

• It is essential to get it right.

• GippsTAFE’s Innovation Department is playing a key co-ordinating role

Trainer perspective

The Journey

Build training room

Review resources

Update existing resources

Build interactive resources

Videos

Widely observe, consult and evaluate

Meet with industry

OngoingresearchMay 2011...we are here

To date over 300,000 smart meters have been installed in Victoria

There has been one serious safety incident

Installers have identified 3,500+ existing serious electrical faults at consumer premises

Smart Meter Trivia

This year 250 Smart Meter

Installers will be trained at the

GippsTAFE Chadstone Campus

Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it can kill its pupils.

- Hector Berlioz