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Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
As Christmas approaches the Australian construction industry gears up for a fresh intake of workers including new Apprentices, Labourers, Tradespeople and other workers, needing to access construction sites for the first time.
With construction being one of the most dangerous industries to work in Legislation in Australia requires everyone entering a construction site to have completed the “CPCCOHS1001A Work Safely in The Construction Industry” VET training course, commonly known as the White Card.
The White Card is now accepted in all States and Territories across Australia, and the majority of White Card training is undertaken online for convenience and ubiquitous access even in regional and remote areas.
Leading online training authority Peter Cutforth, director of Urban E-Learning in Brisbane, said recently: “Last year the training sector regulator “ASQA” undertook a detailed audit of the assessment processes used by White Card training providers especially those that provide the course online. Many were found to be inadequate, and in subsequent audits of these Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) many were issued non-compliance notices and were required to effect remedies within 20 business days.”
“Several went out of business, whilst the high quality providers further lifted the bar by providing more comprehensive written and verbal assessment procedures.”
Cutforth stated: “In a typical high quality White Card course online, now trainees are required to submit proper written responses typed into an online platform and these responses are marked by an industry experienced, qualified trainer/assessor. In addition you are required to undertake a verbal assessment as well, to verify your identity and provide several answers to practical scenarios designed to demonstrate sufficient verbal skills by the trainee.”
The ability to understand signage, risk assessment processes and common emergency procedures such as dealing with fire etc. were examples amongst many, included in the training, Cutforth said.
Up until recently this training has only been able to be done on a desktop computer but recently innovative White Card training provider Urban E-Learning has upgraded its online training so that it is compatible with iPads and other tablets through its website www.whitecardonlineexpress.com.au.
This introduces a new level of convenience for prospective construction site workers to obtain their induction safety card.
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