Update on Qualifications Review being undertaken by Connexis – the Infrastructure ITO

Qualifications related to water and wastewater treatment were reviewed over the past 2 years as part of the Targeted Review of qualifications – commonly referred to as the TROQ. Connexis (the Infrastructure ITO) is now working on developing programmes to implement the new qualifications, and reviewing their underpinning unit standards to ensure they are up to date and fit for purpose.

Connexis has formed a high level representative group from the water industry to provide advice on training needs facing the sector. This is referred to as the Water Industry Group.

Water Industry Group Membership

Adrian Watson Chair, City Care
Kelvin Hill Water NZ Board Member (or Noel Roberts)
Hugh Blake-Manson Water NZ Board Member
Shayne Cunis Watercare
Andrew Curtis Irrigation NZ
Craig Hiddleston Water Industry Operations Group
Jeroen Smal Equipment Suppliers
Tom Swindells Downer (Or Rodger Dawson)
Jason Colton Consulting Engineers
Craig Freeman Chair of the Small Water Systems SIG, Water NZ
Scott Rostron Ministry of Health (regulatory bodies)

Four smaller focus groups of subject matter experts in Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Drinking-Water Assessment, and Small Scale Systems has also been established. They will advise on content for new and reviewed unit standards.

The focus groups will meet over August and September to review the unit standards in their subject area. While the groups are quite small to facilitate efficient transfer of information, all of the reviewed standards will be sent to a wider consultation group for comment before registration with NZ Qualifications Authority.

Because the unit standards form the basis of the programmes, the review of unit standards may lead to some updating of the draft programmes. Once this has been done, the programmes will be sent out for wider industry consultation and approval. This is expected to happen in late September/early October, with a view to having the programmes finalised and ready to submit to NZQA in early December.

If you wish to be included in the wider consultation for unit standards and/or draft programmes, please let Wendy Allison at Connexis know and she’ll add you to the list. Wendy Allison WendyA@InfrastructureITO.onmicrosoft.com

Alternatively, contact Vicki McEnaney at Water New Zealand. Vicki.mcenaney@waternz.org.nz

Drinking Water Wastewater Water New Zealand