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

Quality Auditing Skill Set class March 2012

Quality Auditing Class March 2012

Our first Quality Auditing skill set class for the year ran for 3 days this week - these are our students hard at work focussing on what their trainer, Orlando Fazzolari, is telling them.

The course is pretty intense with lots of information being discussed - not surprising as they do cover four of the eight units of the Diploma of Quality Auditing during the 3 days. Once they have their out of class assessments completed they will have the recognised skills to be part of an auditing team.

Having nationally recognised auditing skills has become more and more relevant these days as more and more businesses have to conform to contractual requirements and obligations.

We have another classroom based course running in June this year so if you need these skills for your job then enrol today - we are already receiving enrolments from students who couldn't attend the March class - 9791 6611.

Or, possibly, you already conduct audits for your employer? The great news is that we now have an on-line Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) course for this skill set.

Call us if you would like to know more or read about it on the Blog next month - 9791 6611.

CTS - where your training matters

Manny's take on Learning and Development Consultant Jeanette Denham

Jeanette Denham

Jeanette started with CTS full time in January 2008 and has filled many positions but is now working part time as a Learning and Development Consultant. Prior to going on Parental Leave in September last year she was the 2IC of CTS as the Operations and Training Manager.

Between looking after her five month old son, Henry, and undertaking the classroom training and case management of our Certificate IV in Training and Assessment students, Jeanette is kept pretty busy. But, due to her naval background, she can handle just about anything we throw at her, so we also have her building our online learning platform and being a trainer and mentor for some of our flexible Certificate IV in Human Resources and Diploma of Management students. When she finally comes back to us fulltime it will be just like taking a holiday!

In the first half of last year 19 students completed their qualifications under Jeanette's guidance - three in the Certificate IV in Human Resources, three in the Diploma of Management and 13 in the Certificate IV in Front Line Management.

Jeanette's qualifications include the Certificate IV in Human Resources, the Diploma of Management, the Diploma in Training and Assessment and a Graduate Diploma of Education. However, she would like to think that her most important recent qualification is graduation in to Motherhood!

When not busy on CTS's behalf, Jeanette likes to spend time with her horses, pottering in her garden, spending time with her family or reading a good book (preferably all at once!).

A testimonal from one of her students:

"Hello John, 

As I have just completed my Diploma of Management, through CTS, I’d like to provide you some feedback.From my initial introduction, through to the completion of my studies, I have dealt (primarily) with Jeanette Denham and have found her to be the consummate professional.

There were times where I lost focus on my studies, under estimated my existing skills, experiences and knowledge or simply just lost confidence in my ability to complete modules and in each instance Jeanette provided me with encouragement, direction, guidance and (more importantly) a challenge to get myself in to the mind set to do what I needed to do.

I found Jeanette to be firm yet fair in her dealing and appreciate very much the fact that she did not give credits towards modules (just for the sake of credits) but rather ensured that the required evidence and knowledge was provided to justify the result by questioning and re-questioning if needed.

With the additional knowledge I have gained through my Diploma of Management studies I feel confident that I am better equipped to provide front-line and senior management direction to my employer and future employers (and employees).

It shall be without hesitation that I recommend CTS to people within the mining industry who are looking for well deserved qualifications to better themselves or the organisations they represent.

I appreciate the opportunity to have dealt with Jeanette and undertaken my studies through CTS - it has been a rewarding experience for me.

Thanks and regards" - Jules - FLM Student Feb 2011

CTS - where your training matters

Safety Representative Course 26th to 30th March 2012

Enrolments for our upcoming 5 day Safety and Health Representative course this month are now being taken. As one of our most popular training courses it is advisable for people to let us know as soon as possible if they wish to attend by completing an enrolment form.

Places are limited and we have almost reached our quota for this date.

This interactive course provides the essential knowledge and skills that elected Safety Representatives and other relevant supervisory/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, you 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 with your Certificate of Attendance - the majority of our students usually complete this task, however, if you decide not to undertake the assessment you will still receive your Certificate of Attendance for completing the course.

The cost of the course includes 5 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 5 days of the course. CTS will also give each participant a useful BONUS gift at the completion of the course.

So, if you are the Safety Representative at your company and you have yet to receive your training, talk to your HR Department to get the ball rolling and attend the course this March. The next scheduled date for this training is the 14th to 18th May 2012.

CTS - where your training matters

Manny's take on Finance and Payroll Manager Sally Wright

Sally started with CTS as the Administration Officer in March 2008 and since then has worked in all areas of office and student administration - she is currently the Finance and Payroll Manager.

Prior to working at Combined Team Services she was employed in various HR, payroll and administrative positions within private enterprise and government departments and was the Student Services Supervisor at Curtin University of Technology Kalgoorlie - VTEC.

Doing payroll and accounts keeps Sally fairly busy but she can always find time to catch a coffee and a chat with me. She also helps Karen, Monique and Angela with their student enrolments and reporting. Other than that I am not quite sure what it is that she does!

She recently completed her Certificate IV in Human Resources and the Quality Auditing Skill Set and would like to complete further study but is not quite sure what she wants to tackle next. Hopefully it will be something that we will find useful!

When not busy at work, Sally likes to spend time gardening,talking to her chooks, renovating and socialising with her friends. She also spends time surfing the internet for "useful" bits of information and playing Plants vs Zombies.

CTS - where your training matters

Manny looks forward to the Labour Day Holiday - 5 March 2012

John B updates Manny on the latest news

Manny can hardly believe his luck - yet another Public Holiday!! He said it seems like only last week that he had Australia Day off but I did remind him it was over a month ago but I guess as he has had a trip to Kalgoorlie-Boulder recently that it just seems like he has days off all the time!

Whilst he has not yet made plans for the day, I am sure that someone from the office will take pity on him and invite him over for a weekend BBQ but time is running out for an invitation to be issued.

Although we all enjoy a paid break, we should remember that we have this day off to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. This day has its origins in the labour union movement which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation and eight hours for rest.

Want to find out more? Then follow the link to Wikipedia.

CTS - where your training matters