International No-­‐Dig 2013 31st International Conference and Exhibition ______________________________________________________
Sydney, Australia 1–4 September 2013
Paper 3.13
THE RELEVANCE OF STRUCTURED TRAINING IN DEVELOPING TRENCHLESS
TECHNOLOGY
Blair Telfer1
1
ProjectMax, Auckland, New Zealand
ABSTRACT
Trenchless Technology is becoming main stream, within the utilities industry, but is the development of competent
knowledge and skills, for the application of trenchless techniques, keeping up? A significant challenge for the
ongoing growth of trenchless technology is the integration of trenchless education into “mainstream” national
qualification frameworks. The issue of training and competency, and conformance with existing recognised
standards, is becoming a debated issue worldwide.
This paper will discuss the need for more structured training and the development of standardised trenchless
competencies, that are recognised and part of the wider, traditional, industry training. It will review some of the
current methods of training; the issues associated with the current systems and will provide a case study from New
Zealand where trenchless qualifications are currently being integrated into the national utilities infrastructure
qualification pathway, which will provide a platform for the trenchless technology industry to take forward into the
future.
Although the paper will focus predominately on the Australasian industry, the idea’s and relevance of the issues
discussed are applicable internationally. The paper will also comment on both sides of the industry; the client /
consultant and contractor, which, although linked, often have differing paths with regard to training.
1
INTRODUCTION
Today’s modern trenchless technology and its associated techniques provide utility networks owners and contractors
alike, with a number of tools to undertake their utility upgrade or renewal works with a minimum of disruption and
disturbance to their customers and the general public. However, without sufficient understanding of, and training in,
the technology, the potential and benefits of the technology are not always wholly realised. Furthermore, without a
standard framework for any skill or qualification to exist in, how can competency be claimed, demonstrated and
compared. Similarly, and especially relevant in developing area’s and countries, is the fact that a lack of standard
training and development will prohibit the growth of trenchless technologies into mainstream industry, with only a
Paper 3–13–1 small select group of individuals, retaining the knowledge rather than spreading the knowledge to the industry, as a
whole.
This paper will look at some of the key, common, international issues with regard to training and what key aspects a
national training framework needs to have to integrate trenchless technology into the mainstream industry training.
As a case study, this paper will have a broad overview of New Zealand’s approach to overcome these issues with a
national qualification framework, which encompasses trenchless technology, alongside the traditional infrastructure
industry training elements.
This paper is not purported to be a total solution to all of the worldwide issues surrounding training, as these are as
many and diverse, as there are countries. Its purpose is, as a discussion paper, to raise the issues surrounding
training and trenchless technology, to start to develop robust discussions amongst ISTT members, to help them
develop their own solutions applicable to their domestic environments.
2
KEY COMMON ISSUES
2.1
TRAINING COURSES AND PROVIDERS
A key common international issue, with regard to trenchless technology training, is the increasing number of
training organisations providing the same, or very similar, qualifications. Without a national standardisation, these
lead to duplication and ambiguity as to the differences between similar courses.
In New Zealand, for example, a review carried out in 2010 identified that there were five Industry Training
Organisations (ITO’s), providing 33 qualifications through 6 training providers1. This was after a major industry
review in 2005. However there was no clear link or pathways between qualifications and the levels at which they
applied. Under the current review and proposals, which are described in more detail later in this paper, this is
proposed to be amended to fewer qualifications with clear pathways between qualifications and levels.
Aside from any National qualification and ITO courses, training is generally provided by trenchless technology
equipment suppliers. Although this is a very necessary aspect of training, it is specific to the particular technique or
piece of plant, and understandably so, biased towards it. There is therefore still a gap in the general promotion of
techniques available, across the industry. Furthermore, this type of training is very much aimed at the contractor
carrying out the works, not the client. This then leads to gaps in the Client’s knowledge which leads to
misunderstandings, misconceptions and “industry myths” and subsequently the inability to carry out comprehensive
option and risk analysis and assessments. As this supplier training is not to a national standard it therefore can
neither provide a competency comparison nor a recognizable qualification.
Masterclass type training courses facilitated by various organisations are one mechanism and means of bridging this
gap and educating clients, consultants and contractors alike. However, as per the above comments, these courses are
still not to a recognised national standard or qualification and other than a certificate of attendance do not provide
any formal accreditation or competency confirmation.
2.2
TRAINING GAPS AND/OR DISCONNECTS
Continuing on from some of the themes mentioned above, is the common catch cry that the specialist knowledge is
retained by a small portion of the Trenchless Technology sector and not openly or freely disseminated to the rest of
the industry2. Although, in the short term, this may result in the project being completed, it does not “grow’ the
industry. Only through training and knowledge throughout ALL levels of the trenchless technology sector, from
client to consultant to contractor, will the industry truly grow, as this will ensure, that as many projects as possible,
will be offered to trenchless contractors or be specified, to be completed, by trenchless techniques.
This issue highlights the need, for any national framework developed, to be over-arching and provide links or a
pathway from the lowest basic qualification all the way through to, and including, tertiary qualifications. It is not
just the physical works contractors that require the education, but the clients and consultants, just as much, albeit
that the training may have different focus areas.
Paper 3–13–2 2.3
SEGREGATED TRAINING
Although trenchless technology is its own specialist area, it is, but a subsection of general infrastructure
construction. This feature becomes especially relevant and pertinent in small industry area’s, the likes of NZ’s
infrastructure construction, that only has 34,500 workers1. It is still valid, that even in larger, more developed
economies that trenchless technology training needs to be incorporated within general infrastructure construction
training, as workers need to be multi skilled. Small industries do not offer enough work ( at the moment ) for
workers and companies to be 100% trenchlessly based, they need to be multi disciplinary and diverse to be
economically sustainable. Just as a small industry cannot support a 100% trenchless sector nor can it support a
100% trenchless training sector, it must be integrated, as a sub-sector, of the larger infrastructure construction area.
Paper 3–13–3 Figure 1. Current NZ Qualification Matrix1.
Paper 3–13–4 2.4
DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGIES AND CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS
Trenchless technology is an ever developing area; research, development and implementation is constantly changing
and pushing new boundaries. How do you keep up with this constantly changing technology and keep the training
relevant and up-to-date? Similarly, sectors that were traditionally trenched are entering into the trenchless arena, for
example private sewer laterals being classified as public and transferred ownership to the water companies3. This
meant that the expectation for how they are maintained has changed; trenchless replacement either by pipe bursting
or small bore Horizontal Directional Drilling ( HDD ) or in-situ lining ( CIPP, spiral wound or fold & form ) is now
the preferred option. This has introduced the traditional drainlayer into the trenchless environment and presents to
them all of the above mentioned challenges.
In the case of the UK, a similar issue to that described in Section 2.1 above, occurred, whereby a number of similar
qualifications were provided by different groups, but not all of them met the agreed recognised national Standard,
resulting in confusion as to the appropriateness & comparability of different qualifications3.
3
KEY ELEMENTS OF AN INTEGRATED STRUCTURED TRAINING FRAMEWORK
Following on from the common issues discussed above, it starts to become clear what some of the key elements that
a structured training frameworks need to include.
3.1
NATIONAL STANDARDS AND COMPETENCIES
Any trenchless technology training provided must be to an agreed recognised national standard. This allows
individuals and companies to be fairly and accurately compared against one another and gives the client a level of
certainty and assurance as to the skill and experience of the individual and company. It also ensures that the trained
individuals are competent to a certified standard. This does not preclude any existing training organisation, either
product supplier or otherwise, it merely ensures that the training provided is consistent and to an agreed minimum
standard.
The certainty that comes from national standards allows clients to specify these requirements, with a high degree of
confidence, when they engage a contractor to complete any work aspect. This in turn, should create the environment
where both client & contractor/consultant willingly embrace the culture of training rather than having it mandated
upon them, as is often the case with Health & Safety and Environmental controls, regulations and management.
3.2
INTEGRATED, CLEARLY DEFINED PATHWAYS FOR DEVELOPMENT
If trenchless technology is to become accepted as standard industry practice, not just a specialised area, only to be
used when no other solution exists, then so it’s training must also exist within the standard industry training
framework and not be a separate segregated area. The reasons, values and benefits of an integrated framework are
threefold, as described hereafter.
Paper 3–13–5 Table 1. Reasons, Benefits and Examples of an Integrated Framework.
Reason
Trenchless technology still involves an amount of civil
works
Allow for an easy transition for workers from the
traditional infrastructure industry to migrate, via a
clearly defined pathway, into trenchless technology
Allows for the expansion of the training, as other
trenchless techniques become common place
Benefits and Examples
The framework allows for trenchless technicians to have
those necessary broad civil skills, rather than having to
employ separate workers
Benefits, not only in developing the trenchless sector,
but also when large scale national projects come along,
involving trenchless technology, the industry can easily
and quickly adapt. An example of this, in NZ, was for
the earthquake recovery in the Canterbury area, post
September 2010, where a lot of trenchless projects are in
place but NZ trenchless construction resources are
limited, meaning more traditional civil companies are
looking to expand into this area. Another common
example, as is currently the case in NZ and Australia, is
the national fibre optic broadband rollout, where, here
again, trenchless techniques, predominately HDD, are
key to the successful implementation and delivery of the
projects.
For example, HDD is the predominant international
trenchless technique and many training courses exist to
cater for this sector.
However, for pipeline
rehabilitation, where there are not as many recognised
national training standards. These can be developed in
time and will then need to be added into the standard
infrastructure framework
As well as integration, the training framework needs to have clearly defined pathways, from the entry level basic
infrastructure skills all the way to tertiary level, including post graduate studies. Furthermore, it must engage with
both clients and contractors, to ensure breadth and depth throughout the whole entirety of the trenchless technology
sector, not just small limited pockets of skill and knowledge. It is only through this breadth and depth that
trenchless technology will become mainstream within the infrastructure industry and ensure its continuing growth
and development.
4
CASE STUDY – THE NEW ZEALAND APPROACH
4.1
BACKGROUND TO THE NZ QUALIFICATION REVIEW
The Targeted Review of Qualifications, (TRoQ), that is currently underway, is the opportunity to establish the right
structure, for the development of skills training, for the New Zealand infrastructure industry, including and
incorporating trenchless technology, into the future.
This opportunity extends beyond rationalising and reducing the number of qualifications, as the main thrust of the
NZQA driven review could be construed as being about. The review provides the opportunity to update and ensure
currency in how we develop the skills we need; how they can best work for the broad range of organisations, big and
small, across the country. The review also allows for the inclusion and incorporation of current trenchless
techniques into the overall structure and allows flexibility for more specialist trenchless technology qualifications to
be introduced, as they are developed. Currently the only trenchless technology qualification in the NZQA
framework is the National Certificate in Horizontal Directional Drilling.
The underlying rationale behind the review, and the end goal is to develop a framework that allows for the
alignment of the industry into common qualifications pathways. Conceptually shown in Fig 2.
Paper 3–13–6 Figure 2. Common Skills Qualification Pathway4.
4.2
PROPOSED INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS QUALIFICATION SUITE
The proposed structure for New Zealand Qualifications is a framework that starts with developing the key core skills
of the construction industry. These are Level 2 qualifications. Note Level 1, which is not shown in the structure
(Fig 3), is secondary education, although it is not specifically required to have obtained a secondary education
qualification. This ensures a strong common base that all other qualifications can be built and developed from.
Trenchless technology specific training and qualifications fit into the Level 3 & 4 tiers. As mentioned previously,
currently the only trenchless qualification is the HDD certificate; however plant and equipment associated with and
used in trenchless works are covered. As an example, the Level 3 qualification includes for Works Plant and
Equipment Operations eg CCTV camera, hydroblaster. These are complimentary to core elective options, including
such as; First Aid, Civil plant operation, Civil construction works, and Temporary traffic management. The initial
plant or equipment operator ie a CCTV camera, would gain the Level 3 qualification with the ability to progress up
to a supervisor role by obtaining the Level 4 supervisory qualification.
In the case of HDD, the whole qualification exists within Level 4, which has 2 tiers, Technical and Supervisor, due
to it’s specialist nature. The initial base technical qualification is completed with one of the following elective
strands; Driller strand or Tracker Strand. Should the candidate wish to further their training the next stage would be
to complete the Level 4 tier/strand for Site Supervisor. The same process conceptually would be followed for other
trenchless based qualifications, as they are developed.
The final Level 5 tier is the entrance level toward a tertiary qualification, similar to a polytechnic, City & Guilds etc
qualification. This allows for future development of these qualifications leading to integration with the existing
national tertiary qualifications, to address the issues raised by Niranjan Swarup of IndSTT in his article2.
The concept is, that by unifying the infrastructure development and maintenance sectors, simplifying the training
development process, while providing a structured career pathway it will attract new people to enter the industry.
While identifying specialist skills, that are needed to construct and maintain infrastructure, into the future, the
structure appreciates that these specialist skills should be built upon a broad foundation of core skills that are generic
across the industry sectors, at the highest levels possible.
Paper 3–13–7 This approach enables a number of benefits:
• Specialist Skills are gained on top of a broad common knowledge base, providing a more experienced
person;
• Duplication of qualifications are reduced by merging the qualifications into a single stream
•
Minimises/shortens the time needed to up-skill people from one specialist area to another as the core skills
have already been gained
• More flexibility to adapt to new technology, as they can be added as specialisations without the need to
develop the other skills; building on the already achieved core experience.
Figure 3. Proposed NZ Qualification Matrix1.
Paper 3–13–8 5
SUMMARY
Training is critical to the growth and development of trenchless technology and its acceptance into mainstream
infrastructure industry. However, not just any training will do, to ensure the growth and development of trenchless
technology, the training needs to meet the following criteria; a) be to a national standard and defined competencies,
b) be integrated into the existing infrastructure framework, not separate, c) allow for the inclusion of more
technologies, as they are developed and d) encompass the whole industry spectrum, including clients and
contractors, from secondary education to post tertiary education. A training framework that meets these key criteria
will be a good start and go a long way to ensuring trenchless technology remains relevant and can continue to grow,
as everyone has confidence in the industry.
Development of these all encompassing frameworks will not happen overnight, but the structure must be agreed and
started to be implemented, so that future generations can work within it. In the meantime, carry on with the best
training that your local xxSTT provides for you.
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
1 NZQA (Nov 2012), “Confirmation of Need Report for proposed New Infrastructure Works Qualification
Suite” Version 4
Swarup, N ( 2012) “A roadmap for no-dig education” Trenchless World magazine, June 2012, pg 6
Crouch, P ( 2012) “Confusion in UK trenchless training” Trenchless World magazine, November 2012, pg 16
Apeldoorn, S ( Sept 2012) InfraTrain Bulletin, Sept 2012, pg 8
Paper 3–13–9