Day two of the new job....

It's nearly the end of my second day in my new role of Southern Region Trainer and Assessor - Concrete Division... yep I know what you are thinking - what a mouthful!!

So far so good.... I think!

Thankfully I knew a few of the people who are based at the Clarinda Laboratory, in South Oakleigh so I felt comfortable and relax when I started yesterday. I still had a few to meet but at least I did know someone beforehand, if you know what I mean?

My office isn't very special at the moment but it's heap less dustier than mine at the quarry. I don't think anything can beat the dustiness of a quarry not even my mantlepeice at home... LOL!! By the end of the week I will be moving into another office which is going to be vacated on Friday. Needless to say I haven't unpacked all my boxes and got to comfortable!

However my head is boggled and I do have a huge task ahead of myself. The new role of Training and Assessing is based in Victoria and Tasmania and has brought more responsibility, more training and yes it will involve more travel. The travel part of it doesn't bother me, neither does the responsibility nor the training. I am worried that I will not succeed and reach the standard that will be expected. I am panicing and to be honest, management haven't even set a level of standard or told me what their expectations are.

Little by little my job is changing with each conversation I have. It started off a training Concrete personnel about using the computer and our computer accounting software, SAP. Then it was mentioned how they would like me to get the Concrete division's training inline with the advanced Quarry division. Yesterday I was told that upper management have decided to review all managerial personnel and assess their skills in using SAP. Needless to say the Regional General Manager doesn't want to look like a goose so apparantly he will be my first student.... tell me I am not shitting myself now!!

I think there may be quite a few panadol's swallowed in the next few weeks.....

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

My last day at Harkaway Quarry

Today is my last day working at Harkaway Quarry - I finish my last shift here at 12pm. Infact most of the crew here finish their last shift also. Harkaway Quarry has ceased production of aggregates and once sales has taken the last of the stockpiles the gates will be locked forever.

Here are some images of the quarry and where I have called home for 8 years.... as you will see this is no place for princesses - hence I had to leave my tiara at the gate!

This is the weighbridge where trucks are ticketed as they leave the quarry....

The office....


The crushing plant...




The quarry hole....


I have to survive my emotions of saying goodbye today. We had a small site bbq last night and all was good until I had to say goodbye to my boss, Joe. I found this really hard but was brave only crying once I got into the car and was driving away. Joe and I have worked together off and on since I started 8 years ago. We have always got along well and during our working relationship he has always been very helpful, provided guidance and advice, supportive and more importantly was there for me when I just needed to be a girl (especially considering I, most times, was the only female on site)!! I would have to say over my whole working career, Joe is the best boss I have had. Joe is moving on to another quarry within the company.

Saying farewell to Rod was also hard. He too was like Joe but was somewhat of a father figure to me. Rod is going on long service leave as of February 1st which will lead into his retirement. Rod has a heart of gold and will be sadly missed from our day to day happenings, his jokes, his stories and his shoulders!! Yes he let me be a girl occasionally too!

Working with both these remarkable men was definitely a two way street and I really enjoyed it being so. I wish the two of them all the best as they deserve nothing less.

Don't panic I am still working with Hanson just in a different role and based in Clarinda (near Oakleigh). As of Monday my new title is Southern Region Trainer and Assessor - Concrete Division!! Crikey what a mouthful.

I know some of you know that I already hold a Cert IV in Training And Assessing, and have been conducting training/assessing for some years now but only on a part time basis and within the Quarry Division of Hanson. But now I get to do it full time!! And more importantly NO Saturday work so I get my weekends back!!

Southern Region means I get to look after the training needs within Victoria and Tasmania so I am pretty much in awe about that. There are quite a few more concrete plants than quarries in both states so I do have a huge job ahead of me. But a job that I am looking forward to sinking my teeth and brain into - a job that will give me the mental challenge that I have been yearning for this last 12 months or so.

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

TAA Upgrade to Certificate IV Training and Assessment

Many of you may know that part of my job is as a Trainer and Assessor. Along with my normal tasks at work (weigh bridge operation, purchasing, payroll, plant maintenance, etc) this is something that I have been doing, when required, for the last four years. Hanson paid for me to get my original qualification, BSZ40198 Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, and since then I conduct training and assessing for our computer based competencies throughout our Victorian and Tasmanian quarries.

For the last year or so I have been completing a TAA Upgrade to Certificate IV Training and Assessment (TAA40104). The upgrade was to the Certificate IV I already have incorporating changes etc to the Australian Standards and all that technical jargon.The upgrade meant I had to attend further classes at Pollak Learning Alliance for 5 days (thankfully paid for by Hanson again!) and then complete a rather lengthy and detailed assessment displaying my knowledge and understanding. It required me to write and conduct training plans and packages of various learning styles at my work and submit feedback from my trainees, etc.

To be honest it has taken me longer than it should have, due to work commitments and lack of personal motivation I was granted some extensions, but I finally completed it and submitted it for assessment the week before Christmas. That was my deadline - no more extensions would be granted. I really struggled to finish it as it had been so long inbetween starting the course and completing the class work. Infact I was rather worried that what I submitted was incorrect.

Anyway my assessment was submitted and I have been waiting for a result. Pollak did say it could take up to a month and with the Christmas holidays even longer.

Since this happened I have also been promoted within my company to become a fulltime Trainer and Assessor - did I do a happy dance or what? My new job title will be Southern Region - Trainer and Assessor and I will be still focusing on the computer based competencies and learning but mainly based within the concrete division of the company. I was meant to start on the 11th January but with the staff shortages at Harkaway it would not have been fair on Joe, my manager for me just to up and leave!

Today I got my result via email.... I was quite worried about reading the email as I explained I wasn't convinced I had submitted a correct assessment.

Here is what the email said ~

Hi Joanne

Congratulations you have been deemed competent in your Upgrade to TAA assessment.

You should receive your Statement of Attainment within the week.

Kind regards
Diana

Phew - I PASSED!!! Another happy dance done today!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com