Striking a match – Working with the NSW Rural Fire Service in a rural partnership

Striking a match – Working with the NSW Rural Fire Service in a rural partnership Sustaining the Spark!

Sustaining the Spark!

Sustaining the Spark! The history of our work with NSW Rural Fire Service

Sustaining the Spark! From a single inquiry about training in Report Writing in 2000 a particularly strong relationship has been developed between TAFE NSW Riverina Institute Cootamundra/Young Campus and the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS).

Sustaining the Spark! • There have been over 640 student course enrolments, ranging from two day commercial workshops on Managing Conflict to Diploma courses in Frontline Management, Business Management, Human Resources and Business Administration ( up to August 2007) • Overall completion rates have been 90%.

Sustaining the Spark! This year • Diploma 20 • C4 in FLM LDR 75 • C4 in FLM SAF 75 (Monitor a safe workplace) • C4 in FLM LDR 75 (Teams and Relationships units) • C111 Bus Admin 15 • C4 in Bus Admin and Management 35 • C4 in Human Resources 6 • TAA current 30 • Facilitation and presentation programs (Conflict & Conflict/Negotiation) • Advice for RPL for individual staff and volunteers

Sustaining the Spark! Delivery sites over the past 7 years include Ballina, Katoomba, Wagga Wagga, Cessnock, Yass, Dubbo, Sydney, Armidale, Leeton, Queanbeyan, Cootamundra and Young.

Sustaining the Spark! Delivery strategies: • A block release model where NSW Rural Fire Service staff have attended programs for three or four days in Certificate 1V and Diploma of Business (Frontline Management).

Sustaining the Spark! Delivery strategies: • A second model for the delivery of training in Certificates III and IV in Business Administration has been used. • Workshops, • Recognition of prior learning • GAP training using flexible delivery materials as well as email and telephone support

Sustaining the Spark! • For the first four to five years of the program the participants have been staff of the NSWRFS. • Over the last two years participant focus has turned towards senior brigade officers, that is, volunteers of the NSWRFS.

Sustaining the Spark! • Sixty eight Region West RFS staff members were involved in an extensive Training Needs Analysis in the first half of 2005 • This included analysing each position description and defining position challenges and responsibilities. Each of the competencies identified within each position was then aligned to competencies from a relevant Training Package. • Staff seconded to Region West of RFS

Sustaining the Spark! • Evaluation and Communication • Program staff monitor and evaluate all training • A staff member from the NSW Rural Fire Service Learning and Development Systems Unit attends training • The NSW Rural Fire Service also uses its internal evaluations for our training • RFS staff and TAFENSW meet to review and plan during the year regularly

Sustaining the Spark! • Challenges • Time and distance • Changes in Training Packages • Negotiating new programs • Being able to respond in a timely manner • Developing resources materials to deliver

Sustaining the Spark! • Rewards: • New learning for us • Contributing to learning in RFS • New relationships • Diversity • Providing a flexible and responsive services • Service based on best practice • Fun

Sustaining the Spark! Highlights: • Graduation ceremonies • Seeing people grow and develop • Starting new challenges • Secondment • Joint staff development activity • TAFENSW Quality Awards 2006 • Relationships

Sustaining the Spark! • What’s happening now

Sustaining the Spark! • Tania’s perspective of working with Riverina Institute

Sustaining the Spark! • Emergency Services Management Training Unit was established at Cootamundra/Young and Tumut Campuses in January 2007 on a full-time basis to promote and provide training to NSW RFS and other agencies.

Sustaining the Spark! • Continuing to build relationships based on partnership models with NSW RFS • Enhancing our industry specific partner ships to support workplace cultures of learning and innovation. • Customizing base level qualifications for staff and other volunteers to develop career pathways. • Working in on-site training facilities with RFS where possible • Developing training and assessment strategies that integrates the industry skills and competencies required for the Public Safety industry.

Sustaining the Spark! The key to success: • Know your “stuff” • Be able to deliver • Passion, commitment and involvement • Relationships

Striking a match – Working with the NSW Rural Fire Service in a rural partnership