DFES Training Forum
We don’t get a straight forward process known as Recognition of current Competency (RCC) with other SES States and Territories. This is one of our major issues right now and it was covered at the forum in some detail.
As a result, there will be discussion and opportunity to improve this aspect. I can appreciate it won’t happen overnight but some quick fixes could be made after consultation and a plan of attack developed.
A large amount of material and ideas will be collected to deal with this aspect and, I for one, want to play my part to see it fixed. I am sure there are many stories SES Volunteers can recall at local unit level of members who presented strong, supporting paperwork from another state or an industry sector within their own state; skills and knowledge not unlike SES, but were told to do the whole course again. Wrong. Depending on the risk level (low, medium, high) of the skill it could be simply rectified with reliable ‘Third Party’ evidence. It might require sitting a theory paper, interview or a chal- lenge assessment at the high risk level. The nuts and bolts of RCC in some cases will require some work but should resolve many of the cases of RCC documents that sit in trays un-actioned.
There was huge emphasis on an Integrated Training Model (ITM) which is about developing and using new technology and strategies (whilst also using the current, standard approaches) to deliver initial training but also to maintain and as- sess currency and proficiency of operators across many ‘crucial skills’ and Divisions of DFES. I am sure a lot of members will encourage this aspect being developed across the board.
The Initiation and Improvement Recommendation (IIR) on-line form was also covered. DFES are endeavouring to streamline some internal procedures so they can geet to ‘action’ and respond to ‘originators’ quicker. Some aspects of the procedure are well before the product is rolled out so consultation improvements may well reduce the number of IIR’s entering the system in the first place
The Standardised On-Line Induction was mentioned but it does not have to replace the usual SES Unit Induction process which should also include the materials and topics within the on-line DFES Induction. This will be available to BGU’s that want to provide the information in a self-paced format, or when there is only a few volunteers needing to cover this aspect of Induction training. There will still be much to be addressed before the Volunteer moves into the regular training area of e-Academy.
Another aspect revealed at the forum was the Volunteer Hub and the support it can provide to the Volunteer – keep an eye out for a flyer with a QR code to link up with that area and some exciting developments are ahead. Have you seen the monthly notifications coming to your email or when you have gone to the Volunteer Hub page? That work is undertaken by Strategic Volunteer & Youth Programs who want to increase the usefulness of information provided to Volunteers (such as DFES systems and sites being integrated). The QR code will enable you to see what they are doing and they want constructive feedback from Volunteers so things can be improved. There are two strategic projects this group are keen to develop in the coming years – ChatBot 24/7 support (in 2024) and ‘Personalisation’ (in 2025) so it recognises you as an individual and can assist you rather than the ‘one size fits all’ approach.
How many of you saw or took part in that recent training activity at unit level with the Virtual Reality (VR) activity? This idea will be further enhanced to include other skills and activities across the divisions. It will fit nicely within the blended and integrated learning approach that the DFES Academy management and staff want to pursue over coming years.
Submitted by Les Hayter SESVA Management Committee Member, Lower South West Who attended the DFES Volunteer Training Forum 20 April 2024
