Persons wanting to become a Ventilation Officer at an underground coal mine. From 11 November 2019, ventilation officers appointed at an underground coal mine are required to have a certificate of competency. Transitional provisions allow a 3-year window for coal mine operators to action this requirement.

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Training                                                                                                                                                                                                                                The following units are delivered in a clustered arrangement:

• From July intake 2022, you will participate in 4 face-to-face workshops of 5 days each, delivered over a period of 12 months. Workshops are spaced a few months apart, to allow time to practice your skills in the workplace in between workshops.
• The   Ventsim training will be a 2-day workshop 31 October - 01 November, included in workshop 2. Cost is included in the program.
• The course will provide the learners with a trainer contact time of 20 days in total of face-to-face classroom learning. This contact time will allow sufficient time for the learning concepts to be understood.  Workshops are spaced several months apart, to allow time to practice your skills in the workplace in between workshops.

• You will be provided with course pre-readings, videos, and activities electronically. It is estimated that these readings, videos and activities will take approximately 30 hours to complete prior to each workshop.  Please ensure that you read the material prior to attending, as these readings will support your learnings and discussions in the classroom.

• It is recommended that you participate in the mentoring program where you will be required to engage with worksite personnel who can provide support for you throughout your studies. These may include the appointed ventilation officer, technical services manager, gas drainage superintendent, electrical maintenance (gas monitoring) supervisor, ERZ controllers, ventilation officers, First-class mine manager.  
• Simtars will provide a formal structure to you and your onsite mentors to guide your progress through the mentoring program, which includes a Mentor workbook and activities for you to carry out and discuss with the worksite personnel. It is estimated that the mentoring program will take approximately 290 hours to complete. You will be required to meet with your mentors on a regular basis (monthly) and your activities will require sign-off by each mentor.

Assessment

• Practical Assessments and Mentoring will occur back at the workplace.
• ​To obtain the units of competency, you will be required to undertake written assessments, workplace projects/case studies, and a workplace log book with Ventilation Officer/Supervisor verification.  

• You will need to organise a Ventilation Officer or Supervisor to sign to confirm your workplace log book activities were completed by you and that you have discussed your findings with them. 
• Simtars’ assessor will contact the Ventilation Officer to verify the information provided.

 Trainer Assessor 

• Dr Rick Brake
• Martin Watkinson 

•       Geogas Consultants - Mike Slater​
•       Mike Lewis Simtars - Respirable Dust
•       Sean Muller Simtars - Gas Management

Entry requirements

• Have a minimum of 3 years of recent operational experience at an underground coal mine.
• Be currently employed in an Australian underground coal mine or by a mining contractor and have access to an underground mine and its safety and health management system (to undertake assessment), and a Deputy/ERZ Controller at the mine (to verify your workplace log book).
• Demonstrate that you are at or exceed level 4 in foundation skills (see below).
• Meet the following minimum age requirements:
  • ​If you work in a mine in Queensland: minimum 18 years of age
  • If you work in a mine in the Northern Territory: minimum 19 years of age
  • If you work in a mine in Tasmania: minimum 19 years of age
  • if you work in a mine in New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, or Victoria: minimum 20 years of age
• It is highly recommended that you hold at least 1 of the following units of competency before enrolling in this course:
  • RIIRIS402E – Carry out the risk management process
  • RIIRIS601E – Establish and maintain the risk management systems
•  It is highly recommended that you are proficient in the use of  Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook prior to enrolment, with some experience in Ventsim.  If you require an upgrade to your computer skills, we recommend using the free online tutorials available from Microsoft or else attend a short course. ​

Foundation skill requirements

• To study in this course, you will be required to have core skills at level 5, or the ability to reach level 5 with support, on the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). Simtars has a eLearning solution to assess Language, Literacy, Numeracy (LLN) and foundation skills.
• Prior to enrolment you will be sent an email with a link to complete the LLN initial assessment. If you do not reach the required foundation level, the LLN tool can provide tutorials to help you reach the required foundation skill level. For more information about Foundation Skills, see the ‘Choosing your Course’ section in our Learner Handbook.

Materials and equipment required

• Laptop with internet access, and licenced copies of Microsoft Excel  and Outlook account set up for emails
• The trainer Rick Brake will provide you with a temporary Ventsim licence for the duration of the course.
• Access to an underground coal mine (including access to the SHMS)
• Agreement from a Ventilation Officer to verify your assessment activities
• Access to mentors (worksite personnel) at your mine (or in your mining company).• A scientific calculator or phone with scientific calculation ability
• Access to the current Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 (Qld)
• Access to the current Coal Mining Safety and Health Regulation 2017 (Qld)
• Access to your mine’s SHMS documents including PHMPs, SOPs, Procedures, Standards, TARPs, etc.
• Access to Wi-Fi (will be provided in whilst in workshop)
• Writing materials

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• You can apply for RPL for each of the units of competency in this qualification. You will need to supply information on your work history and samples of work and may need to undertake assessments and/or an interview to determine whether you have met the competency standards.
• RPL is assessed on a case-by-case basis. You can read more about RPL in our Learner Handbook or contact us to discuss your RPL options. 

Apply for enrolment - How to Apply

• You will receive a confirmation email with the Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment,  complete it ASAP.
• Once complete, your application will be reviewed and a letter of offer will be sent to you, should you qualify.
• You must sign the letter of offer and return to the designated email address.
• You will then be invoiced for your course.
• Fees are payable prior to the workshop start date.
• Your application will be reviewed by Simtars prior to you being offered a place in the course. For more details, please read our Learner Handbook.

 Fees 

• $24,000 (GST exempt).
• For quotations, payment options, and company group bookings please contact Simtars.
• Payment is required prior to all workshops.
• Where a learner misses a workshop or part of a workshop, Simtars will attempt to place this learner into other courses being conducted. If this is not possible, learners will be required to attend a workshop at the end of the course to undertake the work they have missed. This will incur an additional cost for the supplementary workshop, plus venue and trainer accommodation costs.
• Fees include costs of flights for the trainer, car hire/transfer costs for the trainer, all course material and pre-course readings during each workshop.
• Learner accommodation and food are not provided or included in course fees.
• Government funding or subsidies are currently not available.

Payment Method

• Credit card
• Purchase order (for approved companies only) 
• Payments can be made in instalments. Please contact Simtars for details.

Completion 

• Upon successful attendance and completion of all assessments, you will be issued a Statement of Attainment from Simtars (RTO 45647) for the six Units of Competency and a Certificate of Completion for Ventsim training.

Board of Examiners 

• Following successful completion of this qualification, you will need to apply for Board of Examiners assessment in order to achieve a Ventilation Officer Certificate of Competency. 
• This cost is not included in the course.