Skills eFlash #135
Date: 10-Apr-2025
In this edition: New Industry Cards | High Pressure Water Jetting | Water Skills Partnership Meeting | and much more!
1. Teal and Grey Industry Cards
qldwater, in collaboration with its members, is proud to launch two new online training courses on the Water Training website tailored specifically for the urban water sector: The Grey Card and The Teal Card.
Developed in response to practical industry needs and recent regulatory changes, these short courses are designed to equip workers with the knowledge and confidence to perform their work safely, accurately and in line with best practice.
The Grey Card – Asbestos Awareness
Following the Office of Industrial Relations’ recent announcement of a High Pressure Water Jetting (HPWJ) exemption for cleaning asbestos cement pipes in Queensland’s urban water sector, the Grey Card was developed to support safe and informed work practices. The course complements the release of a sample Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) and aims to ensure contractors and staff understand the risks and responsibilities when working around asbestos cement infrastructure.
Course modules include:
1.What is asbestos?
2.History, use and deterioration
3.Health risks and safety considerations
4.Cleaning and maintenance of Asbestos Cement Pipes
This course does not provide an asbestos removal licence — but it does help field workers, contractors and supervisors recognise when work can safely proceed, and when a task needs to be escalated. Including this training in your contractor requirements is a practical way to ensure SWMS are being read, understood, and followed — helping meet your WHS obligations.
The course is free for qldwater members and available to contractors at $165 (including GST). Please advise your contractors to complete this card to ensure WHS obligations are being met.
If you are interested in hearing more about the background of the HPWJ Exemption, a recording of the Essentials Webinar on the topic is available here. The webinar included presentations by David Wiskar, Paul Weeks (UU), Peter Aspinall (WSP) and Joe Meissner (Veolia).
The Teal Card – Fundamentals of Water Sampling
Often overlooked but absolutely essential, water sampling is the critical first step in any water quality or compliance assessment. The Teal Card course reinforces that a poor sample cannot be corrected later — and highlights the importance of getting it right the first time.
By the end of the course, participants will understand:
- Why sampling is of primary importance
- What field testing is and how it’s done
- How to sample environmental and drinking water
- Which sample containers to use
- How to correctly label and document a sample
- How to preserve and transfer samples to a laboratory
This course helps participants appreciate the full sampling process — not just as a field task, but as a vital link in maintaining public health, environmental compliance, and data integrity.
Whether you’re managing asbestos cement sewer mains or collecting water samples in the field, these new courses provide targeted, relevant knowledge for today’s water industry professionals.
Please email skills@qldwater.com.au for assistance in getting your staff enrolled in these courses.
2. High Pressure Water Jetting Training
This one-day training supports the MSMSS00019 Operate a Drain Cleaning System skill set and now includes guidance aligned with the latest exemption for high pressure jetting of asbestos cement (AC) pipe.
The course covers correct selection and use of jetting heads appropriate for AC pipe, ensuring compliance with Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) and current health and safety obligations. There is both pre- and post-delivery study required to complete this nationally recognised skill set, which includes four units of competency.
This training not only supports compliance with the exemption but also forms part of the ongoing development of workers performing high-risk activities in the field. Ideal for water and wastewater networking crews working around legacy infrastructure, the training is capped at 10 students per session to maximise hands-on learning.
Contact Sarah Henry to register an expression of interest for your council.
3. Next Water Skills Partnership Meeting
Our first Water Skills Partnership (WSP) meeting kicked off with a fantastic turnout and some valuable discussions!
One of the key highlights was the focus on the implementation of the Cert II Careers Program and how councils are working to attract new talent into the industry.
Looking ahead, we’re introducing Regional Snapshots—a new initiative where one WSP member gives a 5-minute update on what’s happening in their region. It’s a simple way to share insights, highlight local challenges or wins, and keep us all connected. We’re now preparing for our next WSP meeting on Thursday, 8 May at 9.30 am.
A Save the Date and draft agenda will be shared shortly, but we’d love your input now!
What would you like to see on the agenda?
This is your opportunity to raise topics, suggest speakers, or highlight issues relevant to your council or region. Please contact Sarah Henry with your suggestions so we can tailor the meeting to what matters most to you.
Deputy Chair Wanted!
Ever wanted to be second-in-command without the pressure of being in charge? Here’s your chance! We’re on the lookout for a Deputy Chair to help guide the group and support the Chair in keeping everything running smoothly. It’s a great opportunity to get involved, contribute to the sector, and even add a leadership role to your resume.
If you’re keen—or know someone who would be perfect—nominate yourself or a colleague today! Send your nominations to skills@qldwater.com.au.
4. qldwater Staff Update
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Neil Holmes who has returned to the UK. Neil has been an incredible asset to qldwater and the Queensland water sector across his roles as both the Industry Skills Advisor and the Water Skills Partnership Manager, building the credibility and professionalism of skills and workforce advice on behalf of our members.
On a positive note, we are happy to announce that Cass Cowley from the Department of Trade, Employment and Training (formerly DESBT) will be commencing as qldwater’s Industry Jobs and Skills Advisor from Monday 14 April. Cass and Neil have worked closely to further the skills and training interests of the water sector, so she’ll be able to hit the ground running.
We are excited to now have both Cass and our new Water Skills Partnership Manager, Sarah Henry, to tackle the skills and job challenges and opportunities for the sector.
5. Water Skills Forum Wrap
It was great to catch up with many of our Water Skills Partnership members at the Water Skills Forum at Parliament House, Brisbane. The event brought together industry leaders, policymakers and water professionals to tackle one of our sector’s biggest challenges: ensuring we have a skilled and sustainable workforce.
A huge thank you to all our speakers and participants who contributed to insightful discussions, shared best practices, and explored practical solutions for addressing workforce and training challenges in the water industry.
Read more about the day and download the presentations here.
QUT WISE Lab Tour
The Water Skills Forum kicked off with an exclusive tour of QUT’s WISE Laboratory. A big thanks to QUT for being such generous hosts and organising the relevant research and researchers for the event.
The presentations exemplified how collaboration between the water sector and universities can drive innovation to help tackle the challenges we face. A big thanks also to the students for taking the time to prepare posters and explain their research to attendees.
Photos of the event are available here, with due credit to Hengbo Guo who kindly shared his photographs of the event with us.
6. Essentials Webinar: Arc Flash Risk
A recording of the Essentials Webinar on Arc Flash Risk delivered by Electrical Engineer Tim Stewart from Unitywater on 10 April 2025 is now available on the qldwater website.
This information is essential for anyone involved in electrical safety, operations, or asset management in the water sector. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Unitywater’s experience in managing a critical safety risk. The website include links to additional resources including specifications and a Working Around Switchboards Guide.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 26 Mar Research and Education Tour and Drinks Reception, QUT
- 27 Mar Annual Water Skills Forum, Parliament House
- 12-15 May Water Connections Tour
- 20-21 Aug Annual Forum, qldwater offices, Eagle Farm. Brisbane
- 10-12 Sep WSAA Wastewater Source Management Network Meeting, qldwater offices, Eagle Farm