This week, BuildSkills Australia announced the outcomes from its consultation with industry, road authorities, and employee representatives on changing the entry and practical experience requirements for a number of Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) training skill sets.

This project had been initiated following feedback from industry that the current entry requirements for several TTM qualifications under the nationally harmonised training framework were creating unnecessary barriers to career progression, and were also limiting workforce availability and development.

Regrettably, BuildSkills has announced that it does not support making any changes to the current entry requirements at this time. TMAA acknowledges this outcome with disappointment.

The changes BuildSkills had consulted on were:

1. Reducing the 20-hour practical component for the Traffic Controller, Category 1 Roads (TC 1) skill set to 10 hours.
2. Removing the 40-hours prior work experience entry requirement, and reducing the 20-hour practical component during training to 10 hours, for the Traffic Controller, Category 2 Roads (TC 2) skill set.
3. Removing the one-month prior experience requirement on Category 1 Roads for the Traffic Management Implementation, Category 2 Roads (TMI 2) skill set.

TMAA surveyed members about their views on the proposed changes, and found strong support from members across all nationally harmonised states and territories (Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory) for making these changes. Members told us that change was urgently needed to address ongoing workforce shortages, particularly in SA, the NT, and across regional areas, where a lack of workers is impacting the delivery of major infrastructure projects and essential maintenance works.

TMAA advocated strongly on behalf of members to introduce the changes, including our submission to BuildSkills on the changes which can be viewed here.

While BuildSkills acknowledged the ongoing workforce shortages impacting the sector, the agency advised their decision was on the basis that making the changes could introduce new risks for worker safety. Our members however are committed to maintaining the highest levels of worker safety and regulatory compliance, and would always put the safety of workers first.

We are appreciative though that BuildSkills has committed to continued engagement with industry to understand the ongoing workforce challenges, with a view to potentially scoping a future major project. TMAA will be actively involved in these conversations.

You can find out more about the outcomes from the project, and connect directly with the Project team, by visiting the Temporary Traffic Management (TTM) Skill Sets project page on the BuildSkills website.

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