Backflow Prevention: Update on Training Syllabus

1. Backflow Prevention: Update on Training Syllabus Jonathan Mackey, NZWETA Manager September 2008

2. CONTENT • NZWETA who are we? • Backflow prevention unit standards • Who is the training for? • Course outline • Questions?

3. NZWETA WHO ARE WE? • NZWETA is a joint venture between NZWWA and Opus International Consultants and has been in operation since 2002 • Underpinned by NZQA registered PTE Opus Environmental Training Centre • Delivers a wide range of water sector related national qualifications and professional development courses – many with units standards

4. NZWETA WHO ARE WE? • Significant relationships through its partners with NZQA, Water Industry Training (Agriculture ITO), Infratrain, SFRITO, NZITO and others to deliver unit standards on the National Qualifications Framework. • Working closely with Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying ITO on accreditation to deliver backflow unit standards

5. NZWETA WHO ARE WE? • Ongoing relationship with NZWWA Backflow Prevention Special Interest Group • Receiving support from several suppliers

6. NZWETA WHO ARE WE? • Alignment of training with industry needs through professional development courses • Verification where necessary supported by unit standards

7. BACKFLOW PREVENTION UNIT STANDARDS • Three (3) current backflow unit standards around backflow prevent design, installation and testing • Unit standard 2117 Install, test and maintain water supply backflow prevention devices • Prerequisite: Current plumbing certificate or licence as issued under the Plumbers, gasfitter and Drainlayers Act 2006

8. BACKFLOW PREVENTION UNIT STANDARDS • Two new unit standards developed with the support of NZWWA Backflow Prevention SIG and Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying ITO. Both are Open Entry unit standards. • Unit standard 23847 Prepare to test, and inspect and test, water supply backflow prevention devices • Unit standard 23848 Describe suitability, installation, and testing of water supply devices, and fault identification

9. WHO IS THE TRAINING FOR? • Plumbers, designers, installers, regulators, and testers • Complementary technical disciplines • Meets the requirements of: • Independently Qualified Persons (IQP), and • the Backflow Prevention Special Interest Group database of Approved Backflow Technicians (ABT).  

10. COURSE OUTLINE • 4 days total in 2 x 2-day off-job courses • Delivered nationally in a city or town close by • One month apart so employers can spread out the cost of training –loss of income and course fee – and trainees have time to learn

11. COURSE OUTLINE • Assessed to unit standards with verification of capability (competency) recognised through the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) • Supported by NZWWA Backflow Prevention SIG • Moderated by Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying ITO

12. COURSE OUTLINE • Recognised trainer - Murray Ellis • Additional trainers in the future, in several centres, so courses can be organised more efficiently with: • Smaller group numbers, and • Tapping into localised needs

13. COURSE OUTLINE Block 1 (2 days) • Legislation and codes • Health Drinking Water Amendment Act 2007 • Building Act 2004 • NZWWA Code of Practice + others • Installation requirements covering: • Installation and Pipe design • Backflow prevention devices

14. COURSE OUTLINE Block 2 (2 days) • Testing equipment • Inspection of installations of backflow prevention devices • Testing of backflow prevention devices • Completion of certificate and report

15. WHERE TO FROM HERE? • Working with Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying ITO to achieve accreditation (process almost complete) • Learning resources and assessments have been developed and lesson plans being worked on. • First courses to being planned in Dunedin and Tauranga in 2008

16. WHERE TO FROM HERE? • Cross connection surveyor course also in development • Unit standard based meaning recognition of skills and verification of competence

17. Questions?

18. Thank you for your time

19. DIAGRAM SLIDE