UET20619 - Certificate II in ESI
Asset Inspection
Student Vocational Outcomes
Students who successfully achieving the UET20619 Certificate II in ESI Asset Inspection qualification could consider seeking employment within the ESI, as they will be eligible to be employed as ‘Electrical Powerline Asset Inspector’. These students may also use these studies to advance their ESI carriers, being eligable to apply for recognition of the studies already achieved.
The NSW Electricity Supply Act 1995 obligates Electrical Supply Distribution Networks (ESDN’s) to promote the efficient and environmentally responsible production and use of electricity; and to deliver a safe and reliable supply of electricity, confers on ESDNs such powers as are necessary to enable them to construct, operate, repair and maintain their electricity works, and to promote and encourage the safety of persons and property in relation to the generation, transmission, distribution and use of electricity.
A critical component in meeting these obligations is achieved by scheduled regular Asset Inspections. Electrical Powerline Asset Inspectors inspect and report on the status of distribution system assets including poles and structures, cables, overhead conductors, public lighting, security fencing and gates, insulators and transformers. They may also carry out minor maintenance and weed control.
Coronial enquiry findings identified the need for NSW ESDNs to commence using the National Vocational Education System for all workers who perform Asset Inspection duties, rather than their individual existing internally approved training courses. This situation has resulted in all NSW Asset Inspectors having to undertake UET20619 Certificate II in ESI – Asset Inspection.
Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to safely comply with relevant State or Territory regulations, distribution network service providers policies/procedures, state and local government legislation, electricity supply and construction industry Guidelines/Codes of Practices or other related requirements whilst inspecting and treating poles and/or inspecting live electrical apparatus.
Cohorts
Detailed is an explanation of our various student cohorts. The specific details on how they are managed appear in various matrices throughout our / your Training and Assessment Strategy.
Note: NSW is unique in the fact that it has a ‘contestable works program’. All other Australian states and territories ESDN’s use a preferred ‘Contractor’ system, where the ESDN awards work via tendering systems. This situation may change with the introduction of Australian Energy Regulator – Ring Fencing Laws, effective January 1st 2018.
New to Industry
These students enter studies with no previous ESI experience.
Pathway Changers
These students are existing ESI employees who are seeking a change of their current authorisation to perform the duties associated with the studies..
Existing Electrical Qualifications
These cohorts hold one or more of the electrical qualifications specified in the training package streams, (they may be eligible for recognition).
Return Students
These students are existing IAC Safety Services students for whom we have a rich source of vocational educational history. This includes but is not limited to study history, their Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) results and observations of studies by our trainers and accessors.
No Existing Electrical Qualifications
These cohorts hold no electrical qualifications as specified in the training package streams.
Existing ESDN enterprise staff
Who currently perform these duties and who hold internally issued qualifications. [A legacy exists within the NSW ESI with many workers still holding only internally issued qualifications - these workers are 'Grandfathered' or 'Exempt' under existing legislation to have formal qualifications to perform their duties whilst employed by the ESDN]. Upon leaving the ESDN they are required obtain the full relevant National Vocational Education qualification.
Individuals and Accredited Service Providers (ASP's)
Who are required to perform these duties for or on behalf of the ESDN. (A contestable works program exists under the NSW Electrical Supply Act 1995 to permit suitable qualified, accredited and authorised persons [ASP's] to install and maintain the NSW Electricity Supply Transmission and Distribution Networks. To ensure that the electrical transmission and distribution networks remain safe and reliable, only ASP's may perform this work).
Volume of Learning
9 month program
The total volume of learning specified for Certificate II level qualifications as determined from the AQF Framework is 0.5 -1 year or 600 - 1200 hours for a learner who does not hold any of the competencies identified in the qualification.
An obligation is placed on an RTO to justify why they intent to conduct Certificate level training and assessment at a rate lower than prescribed above.
UET12 – Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector Training Package (Release 2.1) specifies weighting requirements for both Certificates and individual Units of Competency. The weighting points are generally / typically reflected in nominal hours of training and assessment.
In any case all students will be given the opportunity to fully absorb the required knowledge, and to develop skills over time in the different contexts they will experience in an ESI workplace.
Volume of Learning Table
|
Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) |
UET20619 - Certificate II in ESI - Asset Inspection* |
IAC Safety Services TAS & Practices. | Totals | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
25%
Face to Face and Bulk ups |
65%
On the job |
10%
Assessments |
100% | ||
| *Core plus electives | |||||
| 600 – 1,200 hrs | 360 points | 225 hrs (approx) | 585 hrs (approx) | 90 hrs (approx) | 900 hrs |
Training and Assessment Breakdown
Certificate Level
Learning: Face to Face, Bulk up
Learning: On the job.
Assessments: Class room, practicals in our yard, theory etc.
The pie graph represents a typical break down of time allocated to each stage of training and assessment. This may change due to the specific stakeholders needs.
Training and Assessment Breakdown
You wouldn’t expect these guys to be shown once or twice and then deemed competent, would you?
So it is a little unrealistic to expect ESI Workers studying to perform high risk activities to do the same. As the major tasks for Asset Inspection Workers these units must be undertaken / proven with more Face to Face time in our controlled ESI yard at progressively higher voltages.
Typical Day
07:30 – 09:30
Classroom based learning
09:30 – 09:45
Break
09:45 – 10:00
Prestart Brief
10:00 – 12:00
ESI Construction Work
12:00 – 12:30
Lunch
12:30 – 15:30
ESI Construction Work
07:30 – 09:30
Classroom based learning
09:30 – 09:45
Break
09:45 – 10:00
Prestart Brief
10:00 – 12:00
ESI Construction Work
12:00 – 12:30
Lunch
12:30 – 15:30
ESI Construction Work
Your Electives
Training packages provide a range of electives that can be studied. They do this to achieve the highest possible level of vocational outcome i.e. to ensure that studies undertaken maximise your employability and potential return for both your employer and industry.
This certificate is being offered within the state of NSW, which has a contestable electricity market operating under the Electricity Supply Act, 1995, refer to appendix B for details.
The electives proposed are those which will allow the student and their employer to be eligible to apply to the Dpt Trade and Investment to apply to become a Level I and II Accredited Service Provider.
Elective Competency Standard Units, Complete Elective units to achieve a total of weighting of 140 points from the following groups:
| Group | Min points | Max points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
Imported and Common Elective Units
Imported units from other training packages and/or state accredited courses can be added to this group, but they must be selected from qualifications where the unit is first packaged at AQF level 2. If units have not being assigned a weighting by the relevant EE-Oz Industry Technical Advisory Committee, their weighting will be 10 points. |
0 | 60 |
| B |
Qualifications Electives
You may select all your elective units from this Group |
80 | 140 |
Course Structure
Core Units — All to be completed
| IAC Duration (approx hours) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
25%
Face to Face and Bulk ups |
65%
On the job |
10%
Assessment |
|||
| UEENEEE101A | Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace | 15 | 39 | 6 | 60 |
| UETTDREL13 | Comply with sustainability, environmental and incidental response policies and procedures | 25 | 65 | 10 | 100 |
| UETTDREL14 | Working safely near live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker | 25 | 65 | 10 | 100 |
| UETTDREL17 | Operate asset inspection plant, machinery and equipment near live electrical apparatus | 25 | 65 | 10 | 100 |
| UETTDREL18 | Inspect and treat poles and inspection of electrical apparatus | 25 | 65 | 10 | 100 |
| UETTDREL19 | Identify and interpret characteristics of electrical apparatus associated with power industry assets | 25 | 65 | 10 | 100 |
| Total | 140 | 364 | 56 | 560 hrs | |
| Elective Competency Standard Units. Complete Elective units to achieve a total of weighting of 140 points from the following groups: | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Group A – Common Elective Units
You may complete units to a maximum weighting of 60 points |
Group | IAC Duration (approx hours) | ||||
|
25%
Face to Face and Bulk ups |
65%
On the job |
10%
Assessment |
||||
| UEENEEC001B | Maintain documentation | A | 15 | 39 | 6 | 60 |
| UEENEED101A | Use computer applications relevant to a workplace | A | 15 | 39 | 6 | 60 |
| 30 | 78 | 12 | 120 hrs | |||
|
Group B - Qualification Electives
Complete units to at least 80 points from this group. You may select all your elective units from this Group. |
Group | IAC Duration (approx hours) | ||||
|
25%
Face to Face and Bulk ups |
65%
On the job |
10%
Assessment |
||||
| UETTDREL21 | Operate specialised data information equipment near live electrical apparatus | B | 25 | 65 | 10 | 100 |
| UETTDRVC23 | Plan the removal of vegetation up to vegetation exclusion zone near live electrical apparatus | B | 15 | 39 | 6 | 60 |
| UETTDRVC27 | Monitor safety compliance of vegetation control work in an ESI environment | B | 15 | 39 | 6 | 60 |
| 55 | 143 | 22 | 220 hrs | |||
NOTE: Individual Study Plans are in your 365 Planner Units of Competency in red are core (compulsory) and those in green are electives.
Certificate II in ESI
To be effectively and efficiently processed through your studies, this Certificate is undertaken as follows:
UET20619
Asset Inspection
UEENEEE101A
Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace
UETTDREL13
Comply with sustainability, environmental and incidental response policies and procedures
UETTDREL14
Working safely near live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker
UETTDREL17
Operate asset inspection plant, machinery and equipment near live electrical apparatus
UETTDREL18
Inspect and treat poles and inspection of electrical apparatus
UETTDREL19
Identify and interpret characteristics of electrical apparatus associated with power industry assets
UETTDREL21
Operate specialised data information equipment near live electrical apparatus
UEENEEC001B
Maintain documentation
UEENEED101A
Use computer applications relevant to a workplace
UETTDRVC23
Plan the removal of vegetation up to vegetation exclusion zone near live electrical apparatus
UETTDRVC27
Monitor safety compliance of vegetation control work in an ESI environment
*These Units of Competency are outsourced to an external RTO, IAC has an approved provider to refer students to. Full unit details are available in the Training Assessment Strategy (TAS) and from training.gov.au
Further Reading, T&Cs
IAC Student Kit
IAC RTO Series
IAC Recognition Series
Our schedule
Certificate II in ESI: Asset Inspection and Testing
Those wishing to work as an Electrical Powerline Asset Inspector in the NSW energy distribution network must undertake Certificate I in ESI: Asset Inspection and Testing. Here’s everything you need to know.
Asset inspection course units
Certificate II in ESI: Asset Inspection and Testing includes a total of 8 study units. There are 6 core units to complete, and 2 electives. We recommend the appropriate elective units, but they can also be imported from another recognised training package. The elective units chosen must contribute to the vocational outcomes of the training. Here are the units:
Core
UEECD0007 – Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace
UETDRAI001 – Inspect and test poles at below ground level
UETDRAI002 – Inspect poles, hardware and electrical apparatus
UETDRAI005 – Use asset inspection equipment
UETDREL002 – Comply with environmental requirements
UETDREL006 – Work safely in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker
Elective
UETDRAI004 – Treat poles
UETDRDU002 – Inspect underground electrical apparatus
If you wish to include different elective units, speak to us before commencing your training. We need to ensure that any imported elective units still meet the learning needs of this qualification.
The training and assessment breakdown
This training course includes a blend of learning methods to ensure all participants. As with most types of training, much of the learning occurs on the job. The training and assessment breakdown is as follows:
- Face-to-face learning: 25%
- On-the-job learning: 65%
- Assessments: 10%
Working with live electrical apparatus is high-risk, so this training provides ample opportunity for students to learn safely. Assessments in our yard take place in 3 stages. Firstly, working while the network is de-energised at 0 volts. Secondly, while the network is stepped down to 50 volts, and finally at a fully energised level of 240 or 420 volts.
This ensures appropriate exposure, a safe learning environment, and progressive advancement.
Who can undertake Asset Inspection and Testing training?
There is no limit on who can participate in Certificate II in ESI: Asset Inspection and Testing. In fact, we usually have participants with a wide mix of backgrounds. The course is open to those who are completely new to the Electrical Services Industry (ESI). Even those with no electrical qualifications can study this course and obtain the relevant qualifications upon completion.
Those who already work in the ESI can also participate. Likely, these students will already have some electrical qualifications and may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. This is also true for those working in different roles within the Electrical Supply Distribution Network (ESDN). If you want a career pathway change, this training represents a great opportunity.
How long does the training take?
The Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) recommends 600 – 1200 hours of study for those without electrical work or training exposure. Our course provides 900 hours of learning, broken up into face-to-face, on-the-job and assessments.
Ideally, this course should be completed in 6 months to 1 year. Recognition of prior learning may account for some of this time frame, resulting in reduced study hours for those with relevant prior qualifications.
FAQs
If you’re going to pursue any career, it’s worth having an idea of what you can expect to be paid. NSW’s average asset inspector salary is between $70,000 and $80,000 per year. This figure comes with a disclaimer, of course, because ultimately, it depends on who you work for and what they are willing to pay.
In addition, your skills and experience in the role may allow you to seek jobs with higher wages. Asset inspectors are employed across various industries, and many people find the wages paid by companies like Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, and Essential Energy are slightly higher than the average.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is certainly available for the asset inspection training course. Depending on your previous training and level of experience, you may not need to complete all units in the course. This naturally speeds up your process and allows you to successfully complete the course sooner.
Prior learning can be formal, non-formal or informal and will be assessed prior to enrolment. This ensures you meet the required training levels for RPL. Another option is recognition of current competency (RCC). However, this is only available where you’ve already completed a unit of study but require an assessment of your knowledge and skills.
Anybody who completes Certificate II in ESI: Asset Inspection and Testing is able to become an asset inspector. However, to become an asset inspector in the NSW electricity distribution network, you must also undertake ASP training to register with the scheme.
Anybody working in the network or around network assets must be registered as an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment. This training ensures you meet the safety requirements to work in the vicinity of electrical apparatus, and you can be trained at various ASP class levels depending on your job.
As an asset inspector in the NSW electricity distribution network, you will work closely with live electrical apparatus. For this reason alone, safety is a huge component of all Asset Inspection and ASP training.
Work Health and Safety regulations in Australia are strict, especially in the electrical distribution network. Everybody has a right to go to work and return home safely, which is why safety is such a crucial part of working as an asset inspector.
In simple terms, yes. Unless you are eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning or Recognition of Current Competency, you will need to complete all introduction units. These are as follows:
UEECD0007 – Apply work health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace
UETDRAI001 – Inspect and test poles at below-ground level
UETDREL002 – Comply with environmental requirements
UETDREL006 – Work safely in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker
As core units, these must be completed as part of any asset inspection training.