The Value of Operator Competency project was a WaterRA initiative to communicate the value and benefits of an appropriately trained and competent frontline operator workforce. A key finding was: ‘The current governance approach to technical competency in the Australian water industry does not guarantee the implementation of L&D (Learning & Development) programs, that deliver the necessary competency required to undertake frontline operator roles.’

Currently there is no consistent national operator competency benchmark and this has resulted in inconsistent approaches by utilities to operator training and competency. This project proposes to bring industry and regulators together to develop minimum standards for technical competency that facilitates a more consistent approach towards technical competency and the implementation of L&D programs for frontline water industry operations.

The project will:

1. Identify and review current national L&D programs.

2. Develop a Technical Competency Benchmark that facilitates a consistent approach towards evaluation and implementation of competency, including:

• Identification of roles, process mapping, training needs analysis, and knowledge and skills requirements
• Nationally Accredited training
• National Registration
• Maintenance of knowledge and skills

3. Develop template tools for water utilities to develop and implement benchmark requirements.

4. Develop tools for water utilities to self-audit and a version for regulators to provide to auditors.

5. Trial tools in regional and remote utilities as identified by project partners.

6. Develop a knowledge sharing program for the water industry and regulators.

The Australian water industry is an active participant in research that aims to improve water quality but there are often barriers to disseminating and implementing research findings and results. This project referred to technical research which developed methods, including in vitro cell culture, to check the safety of recycled water (WaterRA Project 2002). The original research included delivery of a series of workshops to disseminate findings. This project followed up by administering an online survey in which 29 of the workshop participants gave feedback about ongoing adoption and implementation of Project 2002 activities. They reported a perception of regulatory and industry barriers to the broad acceptance and implementation of in vitro methods. It was concluded that the combination of workshops and online survey was an effective way to evaluate the progress (or otherwise) of technology transfer.

Failure to maintain appropriate levels of knowledge, skill, and experience in the frontline operator workforce runs the risk of disruption and loss of service delivery consequent to human error, along with associated risks to the environment and public health and safety. This research reviewed literature that reports water quality safety incidents, other industry training requirements, and forward-looking training preparedness for new technologies. A case study and water industry survey provided additional information for review. Five key operating principles proved important to operator development and training. It was found that the Australian water industry lacks workforce competency and management practices that are well-established in the aviation, nursing, electrical and engineering industries, and that many utilities do not use the Water Industry Operators Certification Framework, even though this provides the best pathway to frontline operator competency and management. It was concluded that the Australian water industry would benefit from considering regulatory changes to drive a nationally consistent governance approach to the provision of frontline operator training and competency certification.

The ADWGs include methods and strategies for calculating all types of risks to water quality but lack guidance for managing extreme weather events. This research completed a number of activities which included the collection and analysis of 10 Australian extreme weather events and listed transferrable, real-world lessons and experiences. Two hypothetical scenarios based on extreme flood, and on bushfire combined with significant rainfall, were designed then ‘managed’ by diverse water utility personnel and health regulators. This activity also generated a list of key lessons. Optimal methods for calculating short-term Exposure Trigger Values for hazardous compounds were identified. Outcomes from all the project activities were processed and collated into a practical instruction guide to support Australian water utilities in their management of extreme weather events.

Realise all the benefits of your research investment

Today, research needs to deliver clear, demonstrable impact – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

We also know that research is inherently valuable but hard to value. So, how can we harness the maximum benefit of the research we are undertaking? This question is not new to those who are working hard to make their research reverberate within or outside of their organisation and see its results come to fruition through practical implementation.

We now know that, whether a research project is truly appreciated for its contribution to the knowledge of an organisation or whether results find their way to implementation does not only depend on the level of technical excellence the research displays. The key to a research project’s success or legacy is often determined by how well the complex interplay between the science and people aspects is managed.

While INNOVATION is a key ingredient of research guiding us into the future, COLLABORATION and IMPACT are the determinants of how well research is received by the end users. Our members have been clear: we would like to not only settle for the tip of the iceberg when it comes to harnessing the benefits of our research. A resounding good practice guide was needed, underpinned by international as well as our own industry’s rich experience and practice.

To date, the Value of Research initiative by WaterRA has delivered the following key products:

• The Value of Research Phase 1 Report
• The Good Practice Guide to Achieving Value from Research
• The Good Practice Essentials Guide