TRAINING & CPD
injection injury. Consider, then, that even pressure washers can be bought that deliver jets at up to 207 bar (3,000psi) and that ultra high water jetting reaches 3,000 bar (43,500psi).
The new Level 2 Water Jetting Technician Certificate is designed to eliminate, reduce and control the risks associated with this level of performance. We see it as a game changer for our industry. For the first time, it creates a Level 2 water jetting qualification that combines tested theoretical and practical learning with guided learning.
It also clearly establishes water jetting as a skilled occupation, which we hope will help elevate the perception of the process within the many commercial and industrial sectors that our members operate in.
Class-based and guided learning The qualification has, in effect, two parts. First, candidates must undertake directed study by attending and passing the WJA City & Guilds accredited Safety Awareness course. This is a one-day class-based course that covers key aspects of safe water jetting operation, including types of equipment, site set up, risk assessment, and emergency procedures.
Delegates must then pass two practical WJA training modules, both also City & Guilds accredited. The Surface Preparation module is mandatory, as this teaches the use of both semi-automatic and manual water jetting techniques. Delegates must then select one of three other modules: Drain and Sewer Cleaning, Tube and Pipe Cleaning, or Hydrodemolition.
By this time, delegates will have had 52 hours of structured learning. They then move on to a period of guided learning, using a WJA handbook to take them through four mandatory units and two optional ones.
Mandatory level 2 units: • Setting up and preparing water jetting equipment. • Conforming to general health, safety and welfare. • Confirming to productive working. • Moving, handling and storing resources.
Optional units: • Cutting and breaking materials by water jetting. • Removing of deposits and materials by water jetting.
This period of vocational assessment is expected to last for at least 122 hours, but it could be longer. Some candidates will progress faster than others for a lot of different reasons. The qualification is designed to allow them to learn at their own speed.
The guided learning will be supervised by WJA approved training instructors who have, themselves, been trained to carry out workplace assessment. This will be undertaken in a number of ways, including: site visits; reviewing job records; requesting written work; and professional discussions with the candidates and their employers.
Once the candidate has been assessed as achieving the required standard, they will receive their qualification certificate and a new WJA competent water jetting
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technician card. The qualification is for life. No further assessment will be required.
However, like all other operatives, they will have to attend and pass the Competency Safety Awareness course every three years to retain their standard operator’s card and stay in the WJA’s international database.
Structured measure for competency The new qualification is a key step in upskilling the water jetting industry, maintaining confidence in water jetting services. This is important as water jetting becomes more widely used.
The WJA’s Codes of Practice stipulate that any water jetting task must be carried out by a team with at least a 50% level of competence. For example, if two personnel are involved, at least one must be competent. If it is three, at least two must be.
Until now, water jetting contractors made their own assessment of competency, based on experience, skills demonstrated, and attitudes to critical issues, such as safety. This will remain important. But now, the new WJA level 2 certificate gives both contractors and their customers a more structured, measurable way to assess competency.
This is important because competency underpins good service as well as safe practice. Competent water jetting operatives, in our experience, can be up to 50% more productive than a less experienced one. They have the confidence and authority to set high workplace standards, supporting a strong safety culture and customer-focussed service.
The new qualification places another rung on the career ladder, improving motivation and succession planning, both of which underpin team building, skills retention and identifying new leaders in our industry.
Many service users already require water jetting operatives to have WJA jetting cards. I expect some to build this new competency qualification into their contract specifications as well.
For the first time, they have an opportunity to select individuals and teams who have been through a rigorous and proven process to prove their ability to carry out water jetting safely, productively and consistently. There is no reason they won’t want to take it.
www.waterjetting.org.uk/
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