Business testimonials
Mackay cane growers - business story
Correctional centre - business story
Volvo - business story
Graeme Clancy
Volunteers
Stephen Clayton
Kris Carlson
Graduation ceremony recognises Mackay canegrowers' agriculture skills
Skilling Solutions Queensland has been working closely with Mackay Canegrowers Limited and the Australian Agricultural College to provide recognition of prior learning pathways for eight experienced farmers in the Mackay region.
With extensive experience in cultivating sugarcane, managing farm operations and administering a business, farmers have developed a range of skills in business, management, agriculture and administration.
Recognising this high-level skill base will provide employment opportunities as farmers diversify and seek alternative income avenues to support them and their families.
Family and friends joined the men when they received their Diploma in Agriculture at a graduation ceremony held by Mackay Canegrowers Limited on Wednesday 23 November.
'Being able to achieve a Diploma in Agriculture through a nationally accredited and recognised process acknowledged a diverse range of skills accumulated over many years in the course of the cane growers' day-to-day business,' Canegrowers Mackay chairman Paul Schembri said.
To access the Queensland Government's training and career information service phone Skilling Solutions Queensland on 1300 654 687.
Centre: Mackay
January 2012
Workplace experience formally recognised for Maryborough correctional officers
Skilling Solutions Queensland Hervey Bay centre team leader Donna Constable visited the Maryborough Correctional Centre to promote the benefits of turning their staff's workplace skills and experience into a formal qualification.
Thanks to the workplace visit, 25 staff from the Maryborough Correctional Centre made face-to-face appointments with a consultant at the Hervey Bay Centre.
During their appointments their skills were mapped against the Smart Skilling Indicator tool. The tool mapped individual officers against courses such as Diploma of Management and Diploma of Business Administration.
Each staff member was then given a referral letter outlining a list of registered training organisations they could contact to complete their formal qualifications.
Maryborough Correctional Centre staff decided to contact registered training organisation Pro-Skills as a team; each staff member provided evidence of their workplace skills and experience required as part of the formal assessment process.
To date, 16 of the workers have received their full qualification with the remaining nine having partially completed their qualification.
The officers celebrated receiving their diplomas at a graduation ceremony at the Maryborough Correctional Centre at the end of last year.
To access the Queensland Government's training and career information service phone Skilling Solutions Queensland on 1300 654 687.
Centre: Hervey Bay
January 2012
Volvo - business story
After accessing the Skilling Solutions Queensland service, Volvo Competence Coach and Apprentice Coordinator Warren Wittman strongly encourages other employers to pursue recognition of prior learning opportunities (RPL) for staff to assist in building a more versatile workforce.
"If an organisation is thinking about having the skills of their staff formally recognised I suggest they do it, there are many organisational benefits," Warren said.
Six Volvo staff gained qualifications in Automotive parts interpreting and heavy vehicle through recognition of prior learning, which has enabled the employment of an additional five apprentices.
"So far six employees have gained formal qualifications and it is anticipated that we will support ten more staff through the process over the next eighteen months to two years,"
"Volvo intends to build their workforce by taking on more apprentices,
"The apprentices will be trained in warehousing through to the call centre, creating a more versatile workforce," he said.
Formally recognising the skills of their existing workforce has also assisted to boost morale and demonstrate the company's interest in staff recognition.
"One staff member commented that after twenty-five years of work, they were happy to be finally qualified,"
"Volvo Brisbane merged with Mac Brisbane in February 2010, the recognition of prior learning process supported a level playing field for all staff, they are now all moving in the same direction,"
"The Skilling Solutions Queensland service and the whole process was seamless, there was minimal disruption to the workplace,"
"I would encourage other organisations to contact Skilling Solutions Queensland and undertake RPL, they have nothing to lose," Warren said
Secret to starting own business revealed
Graeme Clancy has discovered the secret to starting your own business within the construction industry.
After 45 years of carpentry experience, Graeme has finally formalised his skills and obtained the Certificate III in Carpentry, a move that has allowed him to start his own business.
"I am now BSA licensed and have my own business" Graeme said.
The 62 year old achieved the Certificate III in Carpentry through recognition of prior learning after undertaking an interview with Skilling Solutions Queensland in Mackay.
At the interview, his Skilling Solutions Queensland Consultant provided Graeme with a report outlining the potential recognition he could receive towards the qualification.
Through the partnership between Skilling Solutions Queensland and Construction Skills Queensland, Graeme was then referred to Australian Construction Services to complete the formal recognition of prior learning process.
Once he achieved the qualification, he applied and obtained a carpentry contractor's licence through the Building Services Authority.
Obtaining this licence allowed him to start his own construction business - GEJ and MP Clancy.
"I would recommend any one with industry experience but no qualification to undergo the recognition of prior learning process and contact Skilling Solutions Queensland" he said.
Volunteers recognise skills and get qualified
Volunteers and staff at the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation now have the piece of paper to prove how their dedication and commitment is valued thanks to the Queensland Government’s free career and training information service Skilling Solutions Queensland.
After undertaking an interview with Skilling Solutions Queensland, 31 volunteers and eight staff went through a process conducted by Brisbane North Institute of TAFE to recognise their existing skills and achieve the Certificate III in Active Volunteering.
Royal Children's Hospital Foundation CEO Karenlee Spillane said the benefits of gaining nationally recognised qualifications will be far reaching for the organisation.
"Volunteers are an integral part of the Foundation team. Adding such specific training to their existent skill base produces better qualified volunteers who save the Hospital and Foundation thousands of dollars, money that can then be reinvested into working wonders for sick kids," Ms Spillane said.
Volunteers and staff are now exploring additional training opportunities, a step not previously considered by many in the group.
Qualification - the mechanism for business expansion in current climate
In the current economic climate, many businesses are looking for the mechanism to provide them with the competitive edge.
Stephen Clayton, the owner of Gold Coast company GEARS, has found that very thing after a visit to Skilling Solutions Queensland.
The automotive business owner has expanded the services his business offers thanks to one piece of paper - the Certificate III in Automotive and Mechanical Technology.
Stephen obtained the formal qualification through recognition of prior learning after visiting Skilling Solutions Queensland in Southport.
"I had been working as a motor mechanic and recently heard about the opportunity to utilise prior learning to gain accreditation for a trade certificate," Stephen said.
"I now operate my own business and needed to become qualified for insurance and other purposes."
Now a qualified mechanic, Stephen has expanded his business to do modification plates and provide safety certificates for customers.
Stephen contacted Skilling Solutions Queensland after visiting the website to identify how he could turn his work experience into a formal qualification.
"It would be an understatement to say how impressed I was with the professionalism, cheerful assistance and follow up calls from Skilling Solutions Queensland," Stephen said.
After his interview with Skilling Solutions Queensland Stephen was referred to Workskills to complete the formal recognition process.
Four months later he was awarded the certificate III qualification.
"It's refreshing in this day and age to see someone who takes their responsibilities seriously and to ensure that anything that can be done, is done.
"I am grateful for what Skilling Solutions Queensland has done for me," he said.
Contact Skilling Solutions Queensland today on 1300 654 687 to find out how Skilling Solutions Queensland could help you and your employees.
Boat builder now qualified for whale of a task
Helping build a giant 80 foot catamaran is a whale of a challenge - but one which craftsman Kris Carlson is now well qualified to tackle.
Kris is an employee with Streamline Catamarans, a Hervey Bay business contracted to build what is thought to be Australia's biggest whale watching vessel.
Although he had three years' experience in the boat building industry, Kris was not formally qualified when Streamline won the multi-million dollar contract to build the 'big cat'.
To equip him for the challenge, he decided to look into gaining a qualification in marine craft construction and approached the local office of Skilling Solutions Queensland (SSQ), which provides individualised information on training and career opportunities.
Kris learned that his work experience could help him fast-track to a formal qualification and was referred to a contracted training provider for a formal assessment of his skills.
A TAFE assessor conducted the assessment on site at Streamline Catamarans. Kris's competency was measured through various means, which included a Recognition of Prior Learning process to take account of his full trade and life
experience.
The outcome was a great result for Kris. He was awarded a Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction based on his work experience and skills.
It was also a less than costly process as Kris received a $500 State Government subsidy towards the cost of the assessment because he was a Skilling Solutions Queensland client.
Streamline Catamarans manager Wayne Jones supported Kris in his desire to gain a career upgrade. "It's been great to see an employee have his years of skills valued and formally recognised," said Wayne.
Kris is now utilising new and existing job skills to help the local company achieve its business objectives and successfully undertake a significant new project.