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E L E CT R I C AL CONNE CT I ON
W I NT E R 2 01 5
TRAINING
Train on in WA
B
est known as an electrical
wholesaler, CNW Electrical
Wholesale and Energy Solutions
(part of the BGW Group) has branched out
to become a provider of hazardous area
electrical training in Western Australia.
“We have been talking about this
concept, in some form, for around five
years,” CNW Training Academy manager
Jason Downie says.
“There are quite a few large energy
providers in WA, so there is a strong need
for quality training.
“We went to industry and asked them
what they wanted; we listened to these
needs and planned our business around
them. Now we’re open and trading as a
registered training organisation (RTO).”
In the first instance, CNW Training
Academy is offering short courses on
electrical equipment for hazardous areas
that satisfy AS/NZS 4761 and the nationally
accredited UEE11 training package.
“At the moment, we’re focusing
on hazardous area electrical work –
installation, maintenance, testing, reporting
and inspection,” Jason says.
“Our market research has shown that
industry is asking for a higher skill level
from people who undertake training.
There are a lot of organisations that will
take someone with a Certificate 3 level
understanding of hazardous areas to Cert 4
level in two weeks.
“I’ve been involved in training for a long
time and I don’t see how that is possible.
“We’re more concerned with developing
the right program, not just offering
something for the sake of making money.
For us, it’s about the outcome.
“We want to work with organisations and
individuals to develop the right skills for
the right reasons. We also want them to
seek our assistance with their longer-term
training requirements so we can tailor
programs to suit.”
Jason says the Academy understands
that it will take time to become established
in the market.
“We don’t have delusional expectations;
we have to earn our place in the market.
Many training providers appear to promise
similar things with similar training and
course structures. But we believe once
people complete our training they will
realise the CNW Training Academy shares
the same professional pedigree as the rest
of CNW Electrical and its parent company,
the BGW Group.
“The initial market response was
wariness, which is what we expected.
People only know us as a wholesaler, but
they have come around quite quickly when
we explain what it is we’re trying to do.
“From what we’re hearing, the market is
now excited about the CNW Training
Academy. They understand that by doing
training at CNW Training Academy, they will
have the support of the CNW brand behind
them.”
Jason says it is the CNW ethos that
has brought people to the CNW Training
Academy.
“They really want a longer term
relationship with someone who has their
back. That’s what we’re all about.
“Also, we have very strong ties to
suppliers and manufacturers, which put
us in a great position to supply the right
consumables in courses. And we’re not
scared to consume materials in courses –
for us, if someone needs to fit off 15 glands
before they’re competent then they need
to fit off 15 glands.
“We work with the right suppliers and
manufacturers to access the latest products
and technologies to improve the practical
skills of our students - this is a major
differentiator for us.”
Jason says the CNW Training Academy
will in the future look to offer training
in instrumentation, HV jointing and HV
switching.
It will then look to expand around the
country, once the national registration
process is completed.
> CNWTraining Academy
www.cnwacademy.com.auA new training academy has
opened in the West that is
focused on building skills in
hazardous areas.
CNW Training Academy is offering short courses on electrical equipment for hazardous
areas.