consortia memorandum of understanding · each consortia member will contribute activities as...

CONSORTIA MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Electrical Inspector Project

Workforce Training Innovation Fund Application

September 2019

Consortia members roles and project responsibility

Organisation Role Project ResponsibilityFuture Energy Skills Industry Project LeadEnergy Safe Victoria Regulator Consortia MemberInstitute of Electrical Inspectors Industry Association Consortia MemberNECA - Victoria Industry Association Consortia MemberElectrical Trades Union - Victoria Union Consortia MemberHolmesglen Training Organisation Lead Training Organisation

Purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

This MOU has been established for the submission of a Workforce Training Innovation Fund application to develop a workforce skills and training program to support the Licensed Electrical Inspector sector.

This MOU sets out the cooperation between parties to deliver the Electrical Inspector Project.

The MOU intends to:

a) Identify roles and responsibilities in the delivery of the proposed projectb) Sets out a common statement of intent and the commitment of all parties to meet the

project outcomes

Project background

LEIs are a key part of the $19.9 billion Australian electrical services industry - they inspect and certify the safety of prescribed electrical installations. Their role is governed by the Electricity Safety Act 1998 and the Electricity Safety (Installations) Regulations and overseen by Energy Safe Victoria (ESV). Since the devolution of responsibility for electrical safety from the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) to registered electrical contractors (RECs) and licenced electrical workers (LEWs) in 1998, LEIs have played a crucial role in certifying the safety of certain electrical installations. This because they are responsible for certifying the safety of certain prescribed installations before the installations are connected to the grid. Their role is supplemented by ESV's role in handling complaints from the community relating to electrical installation work and carrying out investigations and prosecutions arising from complaints. ESV also responds to electrical installation incidents involving injury or death, or damage to property.

There are currently 428 LEIs in Victoria though only approximately 150 of these are estimated to be working full time as an inspector.

Since the devolution of LEIs in 1998, there has been no industry strategy to ensure a strong pipeline of qualified inspectors. As a result, there have been no initiatives to attract, train and continue to develop LEIs. At the same time, the industry anticipates an increase in demand for their services

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due to the rising demand for solar (a prescribed installation). ESV projects that 150 new inspectors are required in the next 5 years to meet the projected demand.

Given the current pipeline of new LEIs, the research suggests that there is likely going to be a

shortage of inspectors due to:

— Aging workforce: Almost 25% of LEIs are over 60. The most experienced group of LEIs, those trained under the SECV, are now close to retirement age. If the skills and expertise of this group of inspectors are not passed on, it is likely that there will be a knowledge and skills gap that will be difficult to fill in the short to medium term.

— Poor LEI assessment pass rate: The pass rate for 2017 for the LEI assessment was 21% (n =27). The data suggest that LEIs sit this assessment on average 8 times before they pass. Suggesting that there is a significant problem with the training and assessment regime.

There are also industry-wide concerns around the quality of LEIs, which is widely believed to have declined in the last decade. This is due to:

— Lack of vocational education training: Certificate IV in Electrical Inspection has never been run successfully due to a lack of educators. Interviews and the survey indicate that there is strong interest in the course though there are concerns around the length of the course and time that electricians may need to take away from their business to complete Certificate IV. Electricians hoping to become LEIs rely on privately run courses of varying quality.

— Limited practical training/mentoring: There are no formal on the job training or mentoring initiatives in place. As a result, many LEIs have no experience of how to safely apply the regulations in which they are charged with implementing. The survey of electricians found the lack of access to mentoring was the largest barrier to them pursuing a career as a LEI.

— Poor quality control: Many LEIs simply are not trained to carry out inspections. There is plentiful anecdotal evidence of certificates of inspections issued for incomplete work, particularly relating to solar installations. Interviews with LEIs indicated that they themselves are aware and concerned about whether they are applying standards accurately.

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Project objectives

• Increase the capability of the Victorian Training Sector to deliver the Certificate IV in Electrical Inspection to industry

• Increase the number of licensed electrical workers with the knowledge and skills to

transition to the role of an electrical inspector

• Increase the number of electrical inspectors that have the knowledge and skills to safely and efficiently inspect solar installations

• Increase the capability of the electrical inspector sector through mentoring, knowledge sharing and continuous professional development

Project deliverables

• Develop learning and assessment resources for the Certificate IV in Electrical Inspection 22324VIC- for General (G) class Inspectors

• A pilot program for the developed learning and assessment resources for VU21941- Inspect and test electricity generation systems (24 participants) (5 Regional)

• A communication strategy to drive future enrolments in the Certificate IV in Electrical Inspection

• The implementation of a structured mentoring program for LEI's (5 mentors:25 mentees) (Regional lmentor :5 mentees)

• A digital platform to support knowledge sharing and informal mentoring amongst LEI's

• Implementation of a digital continuous professional development framework

Scope and duration

The consortia will work together to develop and deliver the Electrical Inspector project and produce

a workforce skill, mentoring and training program as identified in the Project Logic, Schedule 2.

This agreement will guide the collaboration and efforts of the consortia for the WTIF submission.

Should WTIF funding be secured for the project, the MOU will form the basis of a formal legal

agreement to be established with each consortia partner.

This MOU shall be operational upon signing. All activities conducted before this date within the

vision of the collaboration will be deemed to fall under this MOU. The scope and duration of the

collaboration may be amended through the joint agreement of all consortia partners.

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Project governance

The below project governance structure will be implemented to ensure the successful delivery of the

Project.

Lead Organisation and Project Manager

Future Energy Skills will undertake the lead industry organisation role for the Electrical Inspector

Workforce Training Innovation Project. Future Energy Skills will report to the Project Steering

Committee (PSC). A suitably qualified Project Manager will be appointed to lead the delivery of the

Project. As the lead organisation, Future Energy Skills will hold the Common Funding Agreement

with the Department.

Lead Training Organisation

Holmesglen Institute will undertake the role of lead training organisation and will be directed by the

PSC. Holmesglen will undertake the employment and professional development of the educator(s)

that are engaged to deliver training in-kind. Holmesglen will deliver VU21941- Inspect and test

electricity generation systems as part of a pilot group funded through the project. The pilot will be

delivered to 24 LEI's.

Project Steering Committee

The Project Steering Committee will consist of representatives from each of the consortia

organisations. The PSC is responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of the project outputs and

outcomes and will provide strategic direction and decision making.

Project Working Groups

A number of project working groups will be established to ensure the successful delivery of the

project. The Project Manager will establish the working groups and work with the PSC to identify

working group members based on relevant skills and experience. The following working groups will

be established:

• Learning and assessment resource development working group

• Continuous professional development (CPD) working group

• Mentor program working group

• Pilot delivery (VU21941) working group

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Project funding

This MOU is not a commitment of funds, funding is being sought through the Workforce Training

Innovation Fund for the development and delivery of the Project.

Each Consortia Member will contribute activities as identified in Schedule 1.

Resource commitment to the collaboration

Each consortia member has agreed to commit resources to the collaboration as identified in

Schedule 1.

All organisations will contribute:

a) Representatives for the Project Steering Committee and relevant working groups

b) Time and effort required for the successful delivery of the project

c) Attention to risk assessment and mitigation including maintaining appropriate insurance

coverage and ensuring appropriate supervision of staff

d) The resources of their organisation required to fulfil the commitments of the program

Communication

The parties agree to meet when required to discuss the planning and implementation of the Project

including issues that arise that fall under this agreement.

Intellectual Property

Each party grants to the other a non-exclusive licence to use that party's Intellectual Property Rights

for all purposes related to this MOU and contemplation of the Project.

The parties agree that any intellectual property, data and other proprietary information previously

owned by the party and used to fulfil certain activities under this MOU shall remain the property of

that party.

Confidentiality

With respect to any information designated as confidential and supplied by one party to another in

respect to this MOU.

Each party agrees:

a) that it shall not disclose any information in relation to these activities

b) that it will protect confidential information in a reasonable and appropriate manner and in

accordance with any applicable professional standards

c) that is shall not use or reproduce any confidential information

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Addition of parties to the consortium

Additional organisations may be invited to join the Project Consortia only by unanimous agreement

of the Project Steering Committee.

Variation

This MOU may be varied at any time by unanimous agreement of the Project Steering Committee.

Any variations must be in writing and approved by each organisations Responsible Officer.

Termination

This MOU shall terminate immediately should the Workforce Training Innovation Fund Application

for the Electrical Inspector Project be unsuccessful.

Should a party wish to terminate their involvement, they can do so at any time upon providing

30days' notice in writing.

Responsible officers

The parties acknowledge that the persons listed below in the following positions will use their best

endeavours to facilitate the efficient implementation of this MOU.

Organisation Contact Person Phone Contact Email address

Future Energy Skills Oana Cochrane

NECA Rob Peyerl

ETU Maurice Graham

Holmesglen Ross Digby

Institute of Electrical Stuart McIntosh

Inspectors

Energy Safe Victoria Neil Fraser

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Signing and authorisation of the MOU

By signing below, parties agree to participate in the project and work collaboratively to deliver on

the Electrical Inspector project outcomes.

Parties acknowledge that should WTIF Funding be approved for the Electrical Inspector Project, this

MOU will be superseded by a formal legal agreement that will require approval by all Consortia

Organisations.

Signed by:

Full Name:

Organisation and Position:

Signature:

In the presence of:

Signature of witness:

PAUL Fe A ROM

Name of witness:

Date:

Ccc

22 jo°i I ?on

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Schedule 1: Activities and contributions of each party

Lead Organisation - Future Energy Skills

Activity WTIF Funded or In-Kind Contribution

Complete the Workforce Training Innovation

Fund Application on behalf of the consortium

In-kind

Under the direction of the Project Steering

Committee, ensure that all project outcomes

are met

Funded

Deliver all Project reporting requirements Funded

Coordinate and lead all Project Committees and

Working Groups

Funded

Participate in all Project Working Groups In-kind

Employ Project Manager and Project Officers Funded

Develop, track and adjust the Project Plan Funded

Employ the Subject Matter Experts for Learning

Resource Development

Funded

Manage external contractors Funded

Lead and participate in all evaluation activities In-kind

Promote the Project to key stakeholders

through its marketing channels

In-kind

Lead Training Organisation - Holmesglen


Provide representation on the Project Steering

Committee

In-kind

Participate in Project Working Groups In-kind

Contribute to the Project reporting

requirements

In-kind

Participate in evaluation activities In-kind

Contribute to content development for the

industry digital application

In-kind

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Promote the Project to stakeholders through its In-kind

marketing channels

Take a lead role in the pilot delivery working In-kind

group

Recruit, train and employ educator/s for the In-kind

delivery of the Certificate IV in Electrical

Inspection

Develop and execute an educator professional In-kind

development program

Deliver a pilot of VU21941 to 24 Licensed Funded

Electrical Inspectors

Consortia Organisation - Energy Safe Victoria


Provide representation on the Project Steering In-kind

Committee


Contribute to the Project reporting In-kind

requirements


Contribute to content development for the In-kind


Promote the Project to stakeholders through its In-kind

marketing channels

Take a lead role in the Mentor Program In-kind

Working Group

Employ a Mentor Program Coordinator and Funded

Mentors

Develop a mentoring framework Funded

Deliver a structured mentoring program to 25 Funded

mentees (LEI's)

Develop a report making key recommendations Funded

for the introduction of a sustainable mentoring

model post pilot

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Consortia Organisation - Institute of Electrical Inspectors



Committee

In-kind



requirements

In-kind




In-kind

Promote the Project to stakeholders through its

marketing channels

In-kind

Take a lead role in the Continuous Professional

Development (CPD) working group

In-kind

Identify, develop and deliver three digital CPD

topics/sessions

Funded

Consortia Organisation - NECA



Committee

In-kind



requirements

In-kind




In-kind


marketing channels

In-kind

10

Consortia Organisation - ETU Victoria



Committee

In-kind



requirements

In-kind




In-kind


marketing channels

In-kind

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