RII National Competency
& VOC Assessments
The RII Training and Assessment Package specifies the skills and knowledge required for workers to perform safely and within equipment limitations in the Waste, Scrap Metal Recycling, Construction, Quarry & Mining Sectors.
COMPETENCY
Resources & Infrastructure Industry
‘RII’ stands for ‘Resources and Infrastructure Industry’. It is the code used by the Australian Government for units of competency related to skills for construction, mining and other related areas. There are over 500 different units of competency available, many of which are required for licensing purposes. These have replaced the old style “operators tickets”.
Optimal Site Performance (OSP) uses Halo Nation Training Pty Ltd (RTO ID 32485) to offer nationally recognised statements of attainment through training and assessment or assessment only. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available to participants who can demonstrate adequate prior learning and can demonstrate relevant skills, knowledge, and documented experience to meet the requirements.
- Halo Nation Training are the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) we use
- Halo Nation Training issue Statements of Attainment and qualifications
Our experienced and qualified assessors will attend your site to conduct the assessment process. Once the process is successfully completed participants will receive a nationally recognised statement of attainment with an accompanying ID card.
VERIFICATION
Verification of competence (VOC)
Under the legislation in Australia, employers must provide “suitable and adequate” training to protect persons from risks to their health and safety at work.
The VET system of qualifications and national units of competency ensures that students are trained to a certain standard as required for each unit. The VET system is only able to guarantee that an operator is competent at the time they were assessed. Unless skills and knowledge are being constantly applied, over time employees’ competency can decline.
What is a VOC?
A Verification of Competency (VOC) is an independent assessment to verify competence and current compliance that assists employers to meet WHS requirements and ensure staff are still competent to operate equipment or perform a task. It is commonly used in many industries for pre-employment checks, contractual arrangements or site requirements.
The successful Operator will be issued a Verification of Competence Certificate, and a personal ID card is available if requested. A VOC is not a licence to operate a machine and depending upon the project is only deemed valid or current for 2 years.
Assessing for Verification of Competency enables businesses to confirm that their employees are still current in their skills and using the equipment. It is commonly used in many industries for pre-employment checks, contractual arrangements or site requirements.
- Employers require evidence that your skills are current, which is validated through the VOC process.
- Some Insurance requirements in many organisations require a “refresher course” for various units of competency such as Forklift.
OSP have developed a formal process that allows for flexibility to meet client needs whilst maintaining a high standard of assessment. Our assessors are industry experts holding all relevant qualifications combined with years of experience.
VOC PREREQUISITES
VOC Process
To undertake a VOC participants must
- Provide their relevant licence or Statement of Attainment prior to VOCs being conducted.
- Provide relevant work documents or logbooks to give a guide to what skill level they should hold.
- Be familiar with the equipment and tasks to be assessed on.
If students cannot provide their relevant experience, licence or Statement of Attainment, OSP can offer full training and assessment to ensure competence.
Depending on the level of experience of the operator, this training could take less than half a day, to multiple days.
Please note VOC’s are non-accredited, students receive a Verification of Competence, not a Statement of Attainment.
OPERATING AUTHORISATION
Operating prior to completing VOC
Can an operator work on site prior to completing VOC?
Yes.
It is entirely reasonable and legally compliant to allow an operator to carry out their normal duties whilst undertaking VOC if
- The risk is assessed and an appropriate level of supervision is exercised.
- The level of supervision will depend on the complexity of work and current skill level of operator.
What are the varying levels of supervision?
What else is required?
There are three levels of supervision normally applied to high-risk work activity, whether on construction, waste, quarry, mining, or other sites. These are determined by the responsible qualified person onsite and must be based on the risk that has been properly assessed. These levels of supervision are:
Direct supervision
- All operations take place in sight and earshot of a competent, qualified supervisor.
- This level would be for an operator who is new or has minimal experience with the task, equipment, or both.
- Important for operators who have a lower level of ability and need intensive instruction.
- Direct supervision requires a supervisor to actively be watching whenever the operator is working in the role.
Periodic supervision
- Operations which require the supervisor to make regular checks on safety and progress, or for the trainee to be working within a larger group of experienced operators.
- Supervisor is required to ensure the risks continue to be within pre-determined parameters.
- Normally applied where the operator is experienced with the plant or specific tasks and demonstrates at least a good level of aptitude.
- Requires that good communication systems are in place and that there is good accessibility to other licensed or qualified operators whom the operator can seek advice from as needed.
- Periodic supervision would be classed as working in a team with other operators monitoring performance, there still needs to be a principal supervisor appointed to assume responsibility.
Minimal supervision
- A lower level of supervision, requiring the supervisor to attend intermittently, to ensure that additional, greater or different risks have not surfaced due to environmental factors or unforeseen issues.
- This would be for a more competent or experienced operator at the end of their training period.
Effective supervision requires the workplace to have good communication systems and good access to experienced, licensed, and qualified personnel. The supervision also needs to be of a high level of instruction, accompanied by stable risk control measures in place to protect the operator.
Strong administrative controls would also be relevant in this case, such as exclusion zones for workers from mobile plant operations. The level of supervision and instruction must be suitable and adequate at all times. The responsible person must assess the required level of supervision that is needed according to the nature of the work being performed and the risks present.
If you would like assistance in managing this process please contact Optimal Site Performance.
Optimal Site Performance (OSP) operates in a partnership with Halo Nation Training Pty Ltd (RTO ID 32485) to offer nationally recognised statements of attainment through training and assessment.
