Inaugural NPRF Conference 10-12 November 2008 – ‘Driving Plumbing Excellence’

The NPRF’s inaugural conference was held on the theme of ‘Driving Plumbing Excellence’. Speakers from all facets of plumbing and associated professions demonstrated how broad a reach plumbing systems have in maintaining not only human health, but the health of the environment. Participants at the Conference also demonstrated that while the issues facing the plumbing industry are unprecedented, industry members have both the individual and collective commitment and innovation to ensure that the industry is at the forefront of the changes that will occur.

The NPRF thanks all who attended the Conference or assisted with its organisation. In particular, we would like to thank SA Water for their excellent organisation and hosting of the Conference and our sponsors, who helped make the Conference accessible to a wide variety of stakeholders. We also thank the Conference presenters and the trade show exhibitors who gave up their time to be a part of our event, and the National Plumbing and Services Advisory Group (NPSTAG) for their excellent and diverse program on Day 1.

Sponsors

• Platinum: Water Efficiency and Standards Labelling Scheme (WELS) - Australian Government. Pictured right: Presenters Diane Dean and Tiffany Dickinson of (WELS)
• Gold: Caroma Dorf, Plastec, PPI Group, Reece, Rehau, Studor, Vinidex, Woodroffe Equipment Australia
• Silver: Chromagen, Hills Eco, Philmac, Plumbing Industry Association SA, Rheem, Storm Plastics
• Bronze: Dial Before You Dig, IAPMO R&T Oceana, South East Water

Presentations

All presentations are subject to standard copyright laws.

Day 1 – Innovation in Training and Regulation arranged by NPSTAG

• National Best Practice Project – Fred Baltetsch, Victoria
• Queensland Skills Centre – Kerry Apelt, Skills Tech Queensland
• NPRF Licensing and Education Advisory Committee Report - Shayne La Combre, LEAC Chairperson

Flexible Delivery

• Case Management (Workplace Assessment) – Mark Zeitz, TAFESA
• E learning – Gary Cruikshank, Unitec NZ
• Overseas Skills Recognition Report – Neville Penny, VUT & Sue Hamilton, VETASSESS
• On-site blended delivery – Gary Cook, NSW
• National Plumbing and Services Training Package update – Mike Quade, CPSISC

Identified Training Challenges in the Plumbing Sector

• Professional Development for delivery of Cert IV in BCP03 – Philip Braido, ACT 
• Skills shortage of teachers / Teacher Qualifications (higher level qualifications) – Owen Smith, Tas 
• Inconsistency in Training – Max Garbin, WA
• Meeting Packaging rules requirements of BCP03 – Alex Shearer, TAFESA

Day 2 – Sustainability and the Built Environment

• WELS Update – Dianne Deane, Director, WELS
• WELS Expansion and ASFlow – Tiffany Dickinson, Senior Program Officer, WELS
• Sustainability in the Built Environment: Options and Opportunities – Glen Brumby, Director, Building Codes Queensland
• Sustainability and the Built Environment – Tony Arnel, Chair, World Green Building Council
• Application of Australian Guidelines for Water Quality – David Cunliffe, Principal Water Quality Advisor, SA Department of Health
• Advancing the Health Aspects of Plumbing – John McBride, World Plumbing Council (pictured)
• The True Cost of (Fire) Water in Australia – Graeme Thom, Executive Manager, State Community Safety, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service

Day 3 – Our Environmental Destiny

• NPRF Report Card – Michael McGuinness, Chairperson, NPRF
• Climate Change and Infrastructure – Paul Holper, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (pictured below right)
• Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre – Gary Workman , MPMSAA & Doug McClusky, Plumbing Joint Industry Training Fund, Victoria
• Water Recycling Systems – Donald Mitchell, Clearwater Technology Pty Ltd
• Sustainability and Plumbing – Practical Challenges – Adjunct Professor Alan Pears, RMIT
• Further reform to licensing in occupational areas – Julie Yeend, Assistant Secretary, COAG Skills Recognition Taskforce

Gary Workman MPMSAA, Shayne La Combre (LEAC Chair), NPRF
Chairperson Michael McGuinness and Professor Alan Pears at the Gala Dinner