Our challenge
In 2020 DES engaged Articulous to develop a training program for Local Government Compliance officers, to help support Council’s across Queensland in their enforcement of Chapter 5 Offences relating to littering and illegal dumping, under the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011.
Our action
Articulous undertook an extensive review of background materials, legislation, guidelines, past training programs and case studies provided by the department to prepare a comprehensive learning needs assessment. This assessment identified competency areas the training needed to address to ensure Council officers could uphold the requirements of the act, and safety conduct their duties, including:
- Understanding the legal framework
- Exercising powers and duties of an Authorised Person
- Making sound decisions in the field
- Communicating and using conflict management skills
- Using research and investigation skills
- Working effectively in a local government context
- Ensuring workplace health and safety needs.
How it happened
To ensure the training fulfilled these competency areas, Articulous designed a full day training session, suitable for online and face to face classrooms. The training included a detailed presentation, a series of scenario-based training exercises, a comprehensive participant package with tip sheets and resources, case studies and an instructional video. Articulous directed the video, and it was filmed on site at the scene of an investigation. This ensured the training provided real and relevant information for officers.
The outcome
The training program was successfully delivered from April to June in 2021, with 125 Council officers, representing 34 local government areas throughout Queensland taking part in the sessions. Overall, 94% of the program participants felt the training was a worthwhile investment of their time, with 96.4% of participants indicating that the program will improve how they conduct compliance activities relating to illegal dumping.
The project was nominated for a Premier’ Award recognising the success of the program.
