Latest News
This page will contain all the latest news and developments for both the Centre for Excellence in Rail Training and the Rail Industry.
CERT to open its doors in Ballarat
The Centre for Excellence in Rail Training has recently finalised the lease on a refurbished set of office block at Ballarat Station which has sat vacant for more than three years. The facility has received a $1.25 million makeover from the state government and VicTrack to reinstate the original portico.
CERT Victoria State Manager Andrew Blower said that the company was originally attracted to the location due to the high volume of rail infrastructure built throughout central and western Victoria, as well as the area's long history of producing rail workers.
CERT partners with GHD and Queensland Rail to improve driver training
CERT is looking forward to partnering with GHD and Queensland Rail on this important project.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to modernising Queensland Rail’s training program and ensuring drivers and guards are trained and on the network in shorter timeframes, without compromising safety.
“GHD and CERT’s industry experience and use of modern technologies made them the first choice to complete this intensive review and their findings will inform an entire overhaul of Queensland Rail’s traincrew training.
“We are listening to the feedback from commuters and we know that reliability is what people want.
“Getting drivers trained and on the network is key to introducing more services for customers and this partnership will deliver faster, best practice training."
You can read more here
CERT assists GWA in providing rail safety accreditation
GWA operates over nearly 5,000 kilometres of track, providing intrastate haulage of bulk commodities (including grain, steel, gypsum, and minerals) to key industries as well as short haul shunting and terminal operations. It is also a major supplier of contracted services such as locomotives, wagons and crews to freight forwarders and infrastructure service providers operating on the interstate rail network. At this time, GWA has approximately 320 employees (includes Commonwealth Registered Trainees), 77 locomotives, and 575 wagons. The company utilises and facilitates service from the following depots: Dry Creek (SA), Port Lincoln (SA), Thevenard (SA), Whyalla (SA), Port Pirie (SA), Port Augusta (SA), Alice Springs (NT) and Darwin (NT).
GWA recently took back the maintenance of their rail line after a long-standing maintenance program with Transfield Services (now Broad Spectrum), which has resulted in further training for CERT/GWA authorised trainers to upgrade and maintain qualifications in Rail Infrastructure, Rail Operations and Safeworking.
GWA has established training and assessment systems that accommodate the requirements for the facilitation of accredited training programs but is not a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). CERT is assisting GWA in providing rail safety accreditation to its candidates by allowing the GWA’s personnel to participate in and be accredited by CERT’s Trainer Professional Development Program.
CERT NSW was lucky enough to be visited by GWA Training compliance office Rosslyn Dixon in April to view our NSW office where our SA training is administered. This trip further enriched the partnership between CERT and GWA.
CERT Queensland - Bombardier QNGR Partnership
CERT Queensland is proud to be working in partnership with Bombardier Transportation Australia as the company opens its new maintenance facility at Wulkuraka, near Ipswich, which forms part of the Queensland Government’s New Generation Rollingstock (QNGR) project.
CERT Trainers and Assessors delivered rail safety training to Laing O’Rourke employees and contractors during the construction phase of the maintenance centre and has continued with the provision of training to Bombardier personnel in preparation for the centre’s hand-over earlier this year.
Bombardier has an agreement with the Queensland Government to supply 75 new six-car multiple unit passenger trains by late 2018 and a 30-year contract to operate the Wulkuraka Maintenance Facility, which will service the new multiple units exclusively.
CERT has been working closely with Bombardier since September 2015 to develop solutions to achieve rail safety worker competence under various units of competency from within the Transport and Logistics Industry Training Package.
Scope of works CERT is undertaking with Bombardier includes:
- Risk-based training needs analysis and learning and assessment strategies for Bombardier and Queensland Government rail workers
- Operations training for commissioning and testing personnel
- Development of learning materials for maintenance and ancillary staff
- Training and assessment delivery services
- Implementation of a comprehensive worker competence management system
The suite of competencies CERT is providing under the agreement includes:
- TLIC0079 – Operate a Motive Power Unit within Defined Limits
- TLIC3017 – Shunt Rollingstock
- TLIC2078 – Identify and Respond to Signals and Trackside Signs
- TLIE2007 – Use Communication Systems
- TLIF1001 – Follow Occupational Health and Safety Procedures
- TLIF2010 – Apply Fatigue Management Strategies
- TLIF2080 – Safely Access the Rail Corridor
- TLIL4038 – Organise Marshalling & Shunting Operations
- TLIW2001 – Operate Under Track Protection Rules
- TLIW2041 – Clip Points and Apply Rail Safety Equipment
CERT is continuing with the provision of additional competencies to ensure Bombardier personnel have the right skills and knowledge to undertake a broad range of work and responsibilities safely and efficiently.
Training and assessment are underway by CERT Queensland’s John Moreton who has vast knowledge and expertise in rail operations and safe working with the assistance of CERT Queensland Training Manager Jason Bxter. CERT Training and Development Consultant Sean Choat has worked closely with Bombardier to develop the framework and materials.
The project has also included a national response within CERT through specialist advice from Workforce Development Manager Rae Fossard and CERT Western Australia’s Richard Clark who were able to bring additional knowledge and expertise to the project.
CERT Teams up with United Equipment
The Centre for Excellence in Rail Training (CERT) joined forces with United Equipment (UE) to grow our existing training capacity.
UE is a successful sister company of Engenco Limited and is part of the Elphinstone Group. UE is a national business with synergies with Caterpillar as the Cat lift truck distributor for WA, VIC, NSW and TAS. The company was also named the Konecranes Number 1 Dealer Worldwide for 2011.
More information on UE’s WA business can be found at: www.unitedequipment.com.au.
The new business known as CERT Training offers Engenco businesses, and the market, a broad range of training products and services.
In addition to CERT’s current extensive scope of training services, the new partnership has allowed us to expand our range to Operator Training including Forklift, Order Picker & EWP training and verification of competence. This includes Certificates II and III in Warehousing & Certificate III Mobile Crane Operations with plans to add others in the near future.
The intention is to expand this product and service range to enable them to be delivered in all states of Australia.
This training will commence at UE’s purpose built training facility in Welshpool WA with first sessions commencing the week of 16 November, 2015. UE will supply high quality, modern Caterpillar, Konecranes and Haulotte equipment for practical training and assessments.
CERT Training will provide the managers, trainers and administrators who bring their experience in the delivery, compliance and management of ‘High Risk Plant and Equipment’ training. CERT’s large and diverse training team look forward to the partnership with UE and the opportunity to offer a greater range of training services to Engenco Group team members as well as the broader market.
CERT Visits Kenya
Mark Haigh (National Manager), Scott Dickenson (National RTO Manager) and Trent Avery (Eastern Operations Manager) recently visited Kenya for high level discussions and negotiation to deliver the regional skills audit program as part of the Northern Corridor Eastern Africa's Standard Gauge Railway Project. All discussion were positive and we are hopeful an announcement will be made shortly about the success of CERT and its entrance into the African Continent.
Certificate III in Security Operations - Addition to Scope
Due to recent market demand CERT is proud to announce that once again the CPP30411 - Certificate III in Security Operations is now back on our scope of operations. We believe that this brings new and exciting opportunities in Western Australia. If this program interest you, please do not hesitate to contact your local office to find out more.
CERT Delivers First Certificate II in Tram or Light Rail Infrastructure
Eight Infrastructure Technicians from KDR Gold Coast light Rail achieved the very first Certificate II in Tram/Light Rail
Infrastructure on Friday the 26th June 2015 at a ceremony held at the KDR Gold Coast Light Rail depot.
The qualifications were obtain through a PRL process and three days of theory and practical assessments. The nationally
accredited units of competency that KDR employees undertook was a total of 16 units to achieve the qualification.
The Training and assessment process was undertaken by CERT Qld Training Manager Jason Baxter, CERT Workforce/Development Consultant Rae Fossard (RPL Process) and NSW CERT Welding Trainer Allen Holden who deliver the unit Heat and cut materials using Oxy/LPG equipment for the rail industry.
CERT Joins Facebook!
The Centre for Excellence in Rail Training is proud to announce that it is now operating on Facebook. For updates on our services, programs or general industry news please follow the following link and like the CERT Facebook page.
