SKILLS-AURORA PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES VITAL NBN TRAINING

11 May 2012

Tasmania’s telecommunications and electrical workers will have access to vital skills and
training thanks to a new $4.5 million state-of-the-art training facility opened in Mornington
today – the first of its kind in Tasmania.

The Mornington Training Centre, a joint project between the Skills Institute and Aurora Energy,
will also enable the completion of the National Broadband Network roll out in the State,
providing contractors with the skills and safety qualifications needed to work on the network.

Skills Institute CEO Malcolm White said the Centre was evidence of the great things the
organisation could achieve by partnering with industry and businesses in Tasmania.

“The Skills Institute has been working with Aurora on a range of projects for more than 10
years now, providing co-training for Aurora employees, including line workers and electrical
inspectors,” Mr White said.

“In recent times for example, we have delivered Power Systems Safety Rules (PSSR) training
as well as the Certificate IV qualification in Inspection and Audits.

“We have also been working with Aurora during the roll out of stages 1 and 2 of the new NBN
in Tasmania to deliver vital safety awareness training for those working on vital infrastructure
for the new network.

“This essential training includes a Construction White Card as well as First Aid, Electrical
Awareness and Elevated Work Platform courses.”

Mr White said the Centre would provide further benefits not only to Skills Institute students and
Aurora employees, but also to Tasmania’s electrical and telecommunications industries.

“New courses to be provided by the Skills Institute at the Centre will include NBN safety and
awareness, fibre-optic splicing, pit and pipe work for cable haulage and network testing, to
name just a few,” he said.

“We will also be looking to provide some units of the Certificate II qualification in
Telecommunications here at the Centre.

“In addition, anyone working as a sub-contractor for Visionstream for the remainder of the
NBN roll out across the State, whether they be skilled or semi-skilled, will be able to obtain the
training they need through this new Centre.

“The Centre and the NBN also provide new opportunities for the State’s electrical contractors,
who will be able to specialise in Digital Reception Technology (DRT), expanding their
businesses to install and service anything that can be connected to the internet.”

The Mornington Training Centre redevelopment was officially opened today by the Premier of
Tasmania, the Hon. Lara Giddings, joined by Aurora Energy CEO Peter Davis and Skills
Institute CEO Malcolm White.

The Skills Institute will be offering the following courses at the MTC:

– NBN safety and awareness;
– Fibre-optic splicing;
– Splicing termination;
– Network testing;
– Pit and pipe work for cable haulage; and
– Units of Certificate II in Telecommunications.

Aurora will be offering the following courses at the MTC:
– Fibre-optic cable induction;
– Fibre installation for line-workers;
– Network access for fibre-optic;
– High voltage and low voltage line work;
– Switchgear operation;
– Occupational health and safety;
– Power systems safety rules;
– Service connections;
– Polarity training, and
– Pole and line inspection.
Skills Institute CEO Malcolm White