Development of Training for the New Safeworking Rules and Procedures

Background

The Public Transport Authority’s (PTA) Safeworking rules and procedures provide the means by which the Australian National Rules and Procedures (ANRP) are applied in the PTA Network. Personnel must be trained and assessed as competent in the Safeworking rules and procedures before they are able to access the railway corridor to perform any work. The rules were implemented in their current form in 2015 and they have undergone several modifications since then, the most recent of which was completed under the auspices of the Safeworking Improvement Project (SWIP).

The SWIP included a thorough review of all railway safety-related rules, procedures, processes, and training to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of our PTA network and align to national standards. A new suite of Rules and Procedures (the new Network Rules and Procedures) has been developed and a Risk Based Training Needs Analysis (RBTNA) for each relevant Safeworking roles has been created.

The PTA is seeking a suitable Contractor to work in collaboration with the PTA to design and develop the required training packages for the new Network Rules and Procedures. The new training packages will be guided by the RBTNAs and will focus on Full (no gap) training and assessment for new rail safety workers requiring a Rail Industry Worker (RIW) access card.

It is anticipated that a large portion of the learning shall occur face-to-face, with a focus on action learning, case studies, and ‘experiential learning’ and scenarios designed around the PTA’s specific situations and challenges. This will allow for individuals to participate in exercises and facilitated simulations directly related to organisational context and priorities. The PTA will consider blended learning options to complement face-to-face sessions, and details of a blended learning approach should be included in the Tenderer’s response. Understanding the ‘why’ and application of the new rules and procedures versus simply knowing them should be the focus.

Scope of Services

The successful Tenderer will work in collaboration with the PTA to develop the required training packages for all railway Safeworking roles at the PTA. Training packages are to include the key documents required to deliver the training in a classroom environment including, but not limited to, learner booklets, training notes, diagrams, slides, videos, audio files, theory, and practical assessments. All resources are to be in accordance with PTA templates/style guides and carry PTA branding. Electronic copies of all resources are to be provided in fully editable, native file formats as agreed with PTA.

The new training packages will be guided by the RBTNA and will focus on FULL (no gap) training and assessment required for new rail safety workers requiring a RIW access card. It is expected that all PTA staff will need to undergo training in this new training.

Training packages and materials for the following roles are required:

• Protection Officer 1
• Protection Officer 2 (this is the first to be developed as part of a Proof of Concept – see Book 4 for details)
• Protection Officer 3
• Possession Protection Officer (PPO)
• Track Vehicles
• Pilot Rail Traffic Urban
• Rail Traffic Crew Urban
• Rail Traffic Crew Country (Third Party Operators)
• Network Control Officer
• Individual Access and
• Access Planner

Training materials are expected to be “contemporary” with most of the training to be done, being face to face. This “contemporary training” must be fit for purpose, up to date and reflect current and safe practices, skills and understanding so that learners have the necessary skills, understanding and competence to carry out their work safely with confidence.

Learners will understand the ‘why’ and application of the training with problem solving, hands on, scenario based tasks and activities featuring heavily in the materials. Real life scenarios, problems and practise and the reinforcement of understanding will also need to feature heavily in the contemporary training materials. A blended approach is recommended so that learning is engaging, relevant and retention is maximised.

For further details refer to PTA230081 – Services (Book 4) Scope of Services.