Manny enjoys FIFO in the Goldfields

Well, I am up here in the Goldfields completing an important assignment at one of the gold mines in the area north of Kalgoorlie - not able to tell you where, but it's pretty remote, can't fly in with Qantas or Skywest!

This is an 8 and 6 swing so am not away from the family for too long and it is only for the one swing so can't really complain! AND, the food in the mess is to die for! Never seen so much food and such a variety - John says I have to be careful what I eat or I might no longer be able to help with the Confined Space training as I will be too heavy for the rescue gear!!!

After long 12 hour days it was good to be able to get back to my own cabin, sit outside and check out the view. The red dirt of the goldfields and the drought tolerant flora make for an interesting landscape - I could sit out all day just looking but, obviously, not going to happen!

My view

My cabin

Yesterday  they let me watch a gold pour and that was really spectacular.

The crucible gets pretty hot so lots of safety gear but well worth getting dressed up for!

Not sure what CTS have in store for me next but I will be sure to keep you posted!

CTS - where your training matters

Manny got a new toy and he's being trying it out!

Bluey

John gave Manny a new toy and he has been trying it out all afternoon and not particularly brilliantly either!

Here is his attempt at making us an image we can use in our advertising but it really is not up to scratch. Not bad for an early attempt but I'm sure he can do much much better!!!

We call our metal logo our "little man". One side is white on blue and the other is blue on white and this is obviously a shot of "bluey"! Spencer Signs made him for us a couple of years ago when we attended the Skills West Expo at the Perth Convention Centre in September 2010.

CTS - where your training matters

FREE training happening next week!

Our first class of the TAE Supervisor Skill Set is commencing on Monday and our course developer, Jeanette, has been busy designing and refining the learning materials. She's cutting it fine as we need to produce the manuals on Friday but I'm sure Admin will pull out all the stops and get them printed!

These 3 units - TAEDEL301A Provide work skill instruction, TAEDEL404A Mentor in the workplace and TAEASS301B Contribute to assessment - are provided FREE to supervisors of registered trainees or apprentices so this is an ideal opportunity to gain nationally recognised training in this area.

If you are not supervising registered trainees or apprentices you can still attend this training on a fee-for-service basis at a cost of $500 for the 2 days of training.

Morning tea and afternoon tea is provided to all participants and on-site parking is also available - a definite bonus in this wet windy weather!

CTS - where your training matters

Safety Rep Course being held this week

Even though we have had wild and woolly weather here in Bunbury our Safety Representative course is still running! Our 11 students have braved the elements and attended class today but we are sending them home at 2.00pm in case the predicted stormy front hits mid-afternoon. They have all been good sports about the conditions and at least we still have power!

Our normal catering venue was without power yesterday so we had to find an alternative business to supply our order - a big thank you to Denning Road Lunch Supply who stepped in at the last minute! Today lunch is being supplied by Subway at the Homemaker Centre and they have assured us it is lunch as usual!

At the end of each course we give our students a small "safety gift". Recently we have been handing out Hand-pressing Flash Lights on the last day but just in case they end up without power at their homes tonight we have handed them out today - no batteries needed!

CTS - where your training matters

Quality Auditing Skill Set classroom training - 6th to 8th June 2012

Way to go Troy, Bob and Jason!

Our second classroom training in 2012 for the Quality Auditing Skill Set was held over the last three days here in Bunbury. We like to keep our class sizes small as we feel it gives our students a better opportunity to grasp the learning material so we usually limit them to six.

The four units covered in the skill set - BSBAUD402B Participate in a quality audit, BSBAUD501B Initiate a quality audit, BSBAUD503B Lead a quality audit and BSBAUD504B Report on a quality audit - are a component of BSB51607 Diploma of Quality Auditing.

With an additional four units you will be eligible to receive the Diploma - you may even have completed other relevant study at this level and be able to credit transfer four units to obtain the qualification without having to undertake further training. Many of our Diploma of Occupational Health and Safety students complete this skill set and are then eligible for the Diploma of Quality Auditing.

If you are interested in auditing we are running our next class in October. Alternatively, if you are eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in this area, you can complete these units on-line. Leave a comment on the blog if you require any further information or call us on 9791 6611.

Three of the participants very kindly agreed to model our new CTS caps for us - thanks so much Troy, Bob and Jason. The photo is also on our facebook page so if you haven't yet checked our page out, please do so. You can "like" us on our page as well as sign up for our fortnightly newsletter. And, if you come to visit us at 92 King Road, please "check-in"!

CTS - where your training matters

Manny looks forward to the Western Australian Day Public Holiday - 4 June 2012

Manny can hardly believe his luck - yet another Public Holiday - the seventh one this year!! Mind you, it is the last one we will be having here in WA until Monday 1st October which is a long, long, long way away.

He doesn't have anything planned for the weekend although he is thinking that he might go down and have a look at the Busselton Jetty as he has not been there since it has been refurbished. But who will be able to take him? He's left it a bit late to try and organise a lift but he is nothing if not resourceful so I am sure he will come up with something! He can't call on his mate, John B, as he has gone off on 7 weeks holiday so he will have to pull another rabbit out of the hat!

But even if he doesn't make it down to Busselton, I am sure he will just be happy to relax by the barbie with some mates as the weather is supposed to be fantastic for the weekend.

Have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend, I know Manny and the rest of the staff at CTS will.

CTS - where your training matters

Manny has a big decision to make

Pondering . . . .

Whilst Manny has enjoyed himself on his stint up North, he is concerned that he is losing touch with the things happening in the office and finds himself out of all the loops and not having his say on how things should be done! So, he has taken himself off to his confined space to think a few things through.

Boss Karen has offered him an exciting opportunity doing drive-in-drive-out but is only short term so certainly not as lucurative! And he does enjoy racking up those frequent flyer points!

The best news of all is that he is here for the week of the SHREP course so will be able to assist Orlando whenever he needs it. So, every cloud does have a silver lining!

CTS - where your training matters

TAE Supervisor Skill Set now available

Manny is off doing his fly-in fly-out thing so he has left me to update you all on the latest training initiative at Combined Team Services.

The WA Department of Training and Workplace Development has released Supervisor Skill Set Funding for eligible employees to undertake training to improve the training skills of supervisors of indentured apprentices and trainees in any industry area.

To be eligible you must be a supervisor of a workplace trainee or apprentice and have a commitment towards making a difference in their training; have some basic computer skills in Word or Excel and the Internet; be able to bring along a copy of your trainee or apprentice's training plan and provide access to your workplace for a workplace visit by CTS trainers or have the ability to record yourself in the workplace so that we can see you in action after the course.

The training is FREE of charge and covers the units - TAEDEL301A Provide work skill instruction, TAEDEL404A Mentor in the workplace and TAEASS301B Contribute to assessment.

This training is conducted over two full days followed by some further work you will conduct in your workplace to complete your evidence portfolio. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided on the two days on site at CTS.

This is a terrific opportunity to upskill your training in this area so either contact us (9791 6611) or the Apprenticentre (13 19 54) and ask for more information.

CTS - where your training matters

Update - Manny's first FIFO stint

Whilst Manny is not able at this time to let us know where exactly he is working (confidentiality reasons), he has sent me a few pictures. I'm guessing that it is on the coast somewhere, probably WA, and possibly not all that far away as it didn't take him all that long to get there!!!

The plant

He says the days at the plant are long but that he is working with a great crew and one of them took him 20kms up the coast for some water sports last days off - I'm not liking the image of him in Speedos, what about you? Thank goodness he didn't send in one of those!


He seems to be having a great time and the novelty obviously hasn't worn off yet but I am wondering how much his family is missing him? We certainly are as he brightens up the office and loves to spring out from behind pillars at people - not a good workplace safety practice but it is one of Manny's!

He has promised to keep updating me on what he is doing and where he is going until he gets a long-term posting and then he will take over again once he has adjusted to his "swings". He seems pretty confident that he will be flying in and out for the rest of the year but we will just have to wait and see!

CTS - where your training matters

Manny's career takes an upward turn!

I've been helping out with the confined space and working safely at heights courses for a while now and have branched out a little with helping with our SHREP courses but have been searching for a challenge. What to do? What to do?

Had a meeting over the weekend and tossed a few ideas around. I am to have a trial period of representing the company on a fly-in fly-out basis. Really stoked!!! A real chance to get out and stay out of that dratted confined space!

Not sure where I am going first or for how long it will be but will keep you posted. In the meantime, my mate will post on the blog to let you know what everyone is up to.

 CTS - where your training matters

Employment opportunities at CTS

CTS is a Registered Training Organisation and Human Resources consultancy. Our first class operation delivers a variety of human resource and training solutions to business and individuals. Based in Bunbury Western Australia, we specialise in a range of competency based training programs and are experts in the delivery of flexible training into the workplace.

Due to an ever increasing workload we are looking for a full time Finance & Compliance Officer and Contract Trainers/Assessors. Applications are invited from suitably qualified and expereinced individuals and will be treated in confidence.

CTS - where your training matters

What a fun weekend!

I've had the best weekend ever!

On Saturday I went to the Balingup Small Farm Field Day with some of the staff from CTS. It was fantastic to leave my confined space and see chickens, ducks, peacocks, sheep and alpacas if not quite in the wild but pretty close to it! Lots to see and eat and enjoy. Found a really great tin llama, thought it would really brighten up my space - I've named him Gerald. However, on bringing him in to work this week John said there was not enough room for me and Gerald in my confined space so I am lending him out to my mate so I can see him now and then.

To add to my excitement, I also went to Garden Week 2012 at Perry Lakes in Perth. Met up with 3 friends and toured the show. One of them had fallen the day before so we hired a "gopher" and free-wheeled around the exhibits. Great fun, can get them fairly moving, am trying to convince John that we need one as a training aid. No guesses what the answer will be!

Gerald

Gopher Patrol

CTS - where your training matters

Safety Rep Course now scheduled in June 2012

Our 5 day safety representative course is proving as popular as ever!

With our May course now full to capacity and our July course almost full, we have scheduled a course from the 11th to 15th June 2012. We have started to let those people on our waiting list know so places are sure to fill fast.

This interactive five day course provides the essential knowledge and skills that elected Safety Representatives and other relevant supervisory or management personnel require to work within legislation. By completing the course and being found competent in the assessment set at the end of the week, participants will gain partial completion of the Certificate III in Occupational Health and Safety (BSB30707) and receive a Statement of Attainment for 6 of the 12 units along with their Statement of Attendance. If you decide not to undertake this assessemnt you will only receive a Statement of Attendance for completing the course.

Morning tea, a light lunch and afternoon tea are included in the cost of the course and you will also receive a comprehensive workbook.

If you wish to attend the course please contact our office as soon as possible to ensure yourself a place - 9791 6611.

CTS - where your training matters

Manny embraces the commercial aspect of Easter

As Manny did not see us all before he went on leave and didn't manage to catch up with all of us over the Easter break he decided to surprise us with chocolate. And, he couldn't miss out on the chance to dress up! What do you think? Could he win an Easter parade?

Thanks so much for the chocolate Manny, very much appreciated!

CTS - where your training matters

Manny visits Sydney, NSW

Just back from a short "break" in Sydney and then found I had 4 days off for Easter. How cool is that! More paid time off work - this job is unbelievable!!!

My mate on the girder on the Bridge

Not my fault!

If you have been following me on my facebook page you will have seen some of the places I checked in to whilst over there. I went with my mate (as you do) and together we checked out the Sydney Harbour Bridge - here's a photo showing him on a girder not wearing the correct safety gear, not even a hard hat! Sometimes I wonder about him . . . . .

We also took the ferry and sky train to Taronga Park Zoo and scoped out the animals - some of them are fairly ferocious - just check out the teeth on that lion! He was not a happy dude the day I saw him but maybe he is not always feeling that way. He did have 2 lionesses with him, possibly the strain of having two wives was just getting to be all too much?

As well as strolling up and down the shopping malls, I took in some culture at the Art Gallery of NSW. Fantastic art, interesting exhibits and careless patrons. I was nowhere near the sculpture when that happened, I really wasn't. Took the opportunity to check out the Archibald Prize entrants - not sure I can truly appreciate them all - and spent ages just looking at the winning entry. Not bad!

The hustle and bustle of Sydney is certainly not for me, I much prefer our laid back Bunbury lifestyle and spending training and chat time with those of you studying through Combined Team Services. I'm hoping there will be lots of classes in the next few months that I can help the trainers with so maybe I will see you there!

I had planned to spend time on the Holland Track with Directors Karen and John this weekend but they left before I got back to town. So disappointed but maybe I can convince them to take me on their next trip? Well, here's hoping!!

CTS - where your training matters

Manny lets you in on the secrets of why you must focus on Safety whilst you are in an interview

Whilst surfing the net recently I stumbled across this really interesting blog article about how important it is to focus in a positive way on safety when you attend an interview. Safety is a critical aspect of life on a mine site so you want to be sure that you convey how important this issue is to you.

Most of you are probably very happy in the role that you currently hold but in the interests of your future job prospects, take the time and follow the link!

       CTS - where your training matters

Introductory Safety and Health Representative Course Running This Week

Our latest group of Safety Representatives commenced their five days of training today in the Introductory Safety and Health Representatives course.

Our interactive five day course provides the essential knowledge and skills that elected Safety Representatives and other relevant supervisory or management personnel require to work within legislation. By completing the course and being found competent in the assessment set at the end of the week, these students will gain partial completion of the Certificate III in Occupational Health and Safety (BSB30707) and receive a Statement of Attainment for 6 of the 12 units along with their Statement of Attendance. If they decide not to undertake this assessemnt they will only receive a Statement of Attendance for completing the course.

The cost of this course includes five days of training, a comprehensive workbook, free assessment against six nationally recognised units of the Certificate III in Occupational Health and Safety and morning tea, a light lunch and afternoon tea on all days of the course. Some participants may also be eligible to receive a subsidy through the Construction Training Funding.

For those of you who missed out on a place this week, there are still vacancies in the courses being held from 14th to 18th May 2012 and 2nd to 6th July 2012. Book soon though as places are limited!

CTS - where your training matters

Critical Job Roles needed by the Resource Industry

Whilst searching the net today I found this very interesting blog article that I thought might be of interest. It talks about the 16 skill sets that will be in short supply in the near future and while most of them are for people trained in areas and educational levels other than we train in, Training Co-ordinators are listed as an area of need. To enter this field you would need a minimum of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment so why not contact our admin staff and TAE trainers today and be ready for the skills shortage - 9791 6611 or training@ctsconsult.com.au.

CTS - where your training matters

Combined Team Services embraces Facebook

Directors John and Karen Williams

CTS has now created our Facebook Business Page where you can like us, share items on our timeline and message us if you require up-to-the-minute information. Of course, if you prefer to phone, email or visit us in person we are more than happy to help you so if you don't "do" facebook you will still be able to contact us!

As we regularly update the blog and send out electronic newsletters we thought facebook would be the next most natural progression - however, there are lots more exciting social mediums for us to explore so who knows what you will see next!

Please visit our page and if you "like" what you see, click the icon and leave us a message. Till next time . . . . . . .

CTS - where your training matters

Manny updates us on the Williams' recent holiday

Pacific Dawn

 Last week the owners of the business had a well deserved break and took to the high seas. I asked if I could tag along as I had the perfect costume for the occasion but they said NO - something about me striking terror in to the hearts of the other passengers. What? My cutlass is only made of plastic!

They had a really relaxing time and came back refreshed for the rest of the year and Karen even caught a couple of fish! (John was not so lucky - his strike rate on fish catching is pretty impressive!).

The cabin "towel family"

I thought they might bring their most hard working employee back a pressie but it was not to be. I guess I am doomed for disappointment as everyone seems to forget me when it comes to handing out the "free stuff".

I have posted a couple of photos from their trip - these are just a sample of the 1000's taken - isn't the digital age a marvellous thing!

I am hoping to get away for a break myself soon, so be sure to come back to the blog as soon as you can and see where I end up!

CTS - where your training matters

The orange one

The white one