Updated Certificate III to go live in January

The review has been spearheaded by Steven Quirk from The Frontline Group, which led the industry consultation and developed the draft training product. 

Well known across the Window Screens and Shading industries, Frontline’s work involves seeking input from industry professionals to ensure the updated qualifications accurately reflect how work is performed today.

Quirk told attendees at the WSAA AGM that the project has been powerful and has spanned the entire year. 

“This review is the fourth of this qualification during our time associated with it. This one is unique as it has been led by industry,” Quirk said.

“This time, the outcomes reflect what actually occurs in our workplaces around the country.”

“As of January, there will be a Certificate 3 in Shading and Security Screens. There will be three specialisations available: manufacturing, installation, and security screens.”

Quirk said that the certification will now give proper and full coverage to installation.

“Everybody that we talk to across the country as we go across our training activities talks to us about finding installers, training installers and developing installers.” 

“This new qualification will do just that. We are grateful to the people on the technical committee who we consulted and who combined their intelligence to create this role.”

Exterior shading installation skill sets will also be offered as nationally recognised short courses across the country.

“The current trends in technology made in Australia have placed a greater emphasis on technical competence, specifically in the installation of shading products, screens, and security. It is important to note that teamwork and communication are crucial for successful outcomes. It is remarkable how many errors we identified in this area alone.”

“We have a bunch of new units developed based on intelligence from our technical committee. These include security screens, repairs and maintenance, installation work hazards, and risk control strategies are all important aspects.”

“We have finally sorted out the product knowledge. The current product knowledge unit is not effective. This new one will be.”

Quirk said that there are currently 207 actively engaged students in the program. 43 businesses across the country are also engaged with 237 graduates since the launch of the industry specific certificate. 

“We are currently active in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. We are not yet active in Tasmania or South Australia, but we have plans to expand pending new qualifications. We do have something happening in South Australia, which we will discuss shortly.”

“Our funding is extensive in Queensland and Victoria, however New South Wales insists on only supporting new employees in the program.”