Page 11 - The Bulletin #135 Summer 2021

CONFRONTING THE YEAR AHEAD WITH
“POSITIVITY AND OPTIMISM”
WILL BE THE KEY FOR SUCCESS
In reflecting over the Xmas / New Year break on the 2020 year for our industry,
it would be easy to adopt a pessimistic outlook for the year ahead.
We are seeing high levels of unemployment, a lack of suitably qualified and skilled labour, with business and economic stimulus packages also being “wound back” as we embrace a new COVIDNorm environment.
At CCF, we see these challenges
as opportunities, with “positivity and optimism”. An opportunity to not only change the way we work but also deliver a better product and service offering to CCF members led by our new functional business structure under the mantra of #1CCF.
All of this supported by unprecedented levels of major infrastructure spend in leading the social and economic recovery post COVID-19 in this State.
It is said ... “you can either make things happen or wonder what happened.”
In 2021, CCF is “leading the charge” with new roles, new team members and new ways of working.
Building capacity and capability
is key to infrastructure
project delivery
The Training & Operations function, led by our new General Manager Lisa Kinross, is not only delivering accredited training in civil construction for apprentices and cadets but developing be-spoked training courses tailored to clients needs. This includes
the development and introduction of our new Learning Management System (LMS) platform, Cloud Assess. Embracing this elearning technology will be critical in not only creating new pathways into our industry but in training delivery, knowledge sharing and verification of competencies (VOC’s).
We have strongly advocated to the State Government, the critical role industry RTO’s, such as CCF through its Civil Train operations, play in the VET sector. Not only in delivering credible and high-quality training but also providing sustainable employment and career outcomes for students.
Our recent success in securing a 2-year contract with Major Roads Projects Victoria (MRPV) to develop and deliver a bespoke training services for the introduction of the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA) Surveillance Cadetship Program (SCP) is testimony to this.
13 new cadets under the SCP program are currently being recruited by MRPV / MTIA
to be placed and trained on the North East Link (NELP), Level Crossing Removal (LXRA) and Rail Project Victoria (RPV) projects. The foundation of the SCP aligns to the twenty- five (25) units of competency required to be awarded a Certificate III in Civil Construction (General) and will have 8 topics of MRPV’s Active Client Skills Training blended into the SCP for delivery and assessment. The SCP will be delivered using a staged approach, similar to our Civil Skills Cadetship (CSC) program, with the initial block of training targeted for commencement in February 2021.
With our new Program Supervisors, Gary Black (RTO) and Elesa Griggs (Training)
and Trainer/ Assessors Peter McEvoy
and Joe Napoli, supported by our Senior Administrator Erangi Yahampath, CCF is well placed to meet our CCF members and clients discerning training needs.
Check out the new CCF Training & Operations team and their credentials on our CCF Victoria website www.ccfvic. com.au/about/board-executive-team or contact the #1CCF team on 1300 DIAL CCF for all your training enquiries.
Procurement Review and Reform
is much needed and well overdue
I read with interest recent reports at a Federal Government level, that the National Cabinet has agreed that Infrastructure Australia will now evaluate project proposals, which require more than $250 million in Commonwealth funding.
This is an increase from the previous threshold of $100 million. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, stated that the move will better focus Infrastructure Australia’s business case evaluation process on the key projects to help rebuild our economy and support jobs into the future.
While this change is something all States and Territories have been advocating
for and will improve the efficiency of infrastructure decision-making and delivery, this must be accompanied by reforms in procurement.
At a state level, in November 2020 CCF made and submission and met with the State Government on their Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA) Procurement Review and Delivery Models
THE BULLETIN – Civil Contractors Federation VIC
SUMMER 2021 11
PRESIDENT’S REPORT