Background

AGL Energy operates Australia’s largest private electricity generation portfolio, with a total capacity of 10,413 MW, which accounts for approximately 20% of the total generation capacity within Australia’s National Electricity Market.

Seeking to establish and implement externally benchmarked competency standards for key operational and maintenance roles, AGL partnered with Thomson Bridge. AGL invests heavily in the technical skills of its people, with comprehensive training programs delivered by employees with deep local technical knowledge, and so a partnership had to recognise and utilise that internal capacity. Thomson Bridge brought to the partnership a detailed practical understanding of the National Electricity Supply Industry Generation training package and expertise in the management of competency frameworks and power station Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Our Role

Thomson Bridge signed an Auspicing agreement with AGL, enabling AGL staff to receive formal national qualifications for completing internally developed and delivered training and establishing and routinely demonstrating on the job expertise.

Thomson Bridge evaluated AGL training materials and worked with their trainers and training experts to identify the units of competency and qualifications that mapped to both the training delivered and the on the job requirements of the different roles.

Over a period of years AGL staff at Torrens Island Power Station, AGL Hydro, and AGL Loy Yang have been able to attain qualifications including:

• Certificate III in ESI Generation - Operations
• Certificate IV in ESI Generation - Operations
• Certificate IV in ESI Generation Maintenance - Electrical Electronics
• Certificate IV in ESI Generation Maintenance (Fabrication)
• Certificate IV in ESI Generation Maintenance (Mechanical)
• Certificate III in Civil Construction

The auspicing agreement enabled AGL to consistently benchmark their training and assessment materials and processes while giving employees formal recognition of the valuable skills they develop through classroom and on the job training.

Project Details

• Client: AGL Energy
• Location: South Australia and Victoria
• Industry: Electricity Generation Industry
• Outcomes: Benchmarked training and skilled and qualified staff