Verification of Competency (VOC) is a style of training that´s enlisted to teach employees the skills and understanding to operate in high-risk environments. Australia has a range of governing bodies that provide licenses for working in dangerous fields and operating high-risk equipment, but it’s also important for employers to maintain their knowledge in this field.
Many Australian employers will fund a VOC training course for their employees, but you can also choose to grow your skillset as it comes with a range of fantastic benefits to demonstrate workplace competency and safety:
- It reduces employee risk of injury
Whether it’s an old qualification or an everyday skill you wish to relearn, this knowledge can make a world of difference when it comes to demonstrating workplace safety practices. Best practices and industry regulations for high-risk workplaces focus on ensuring you and your staff are safe in the workplace. Renewing your knowledge and undertaking new or refresher courses is one of the ultimate ways you can reduce workplace dangers.
Your and your team´s safety is paramount, and high-risk occupations like working at heights, operating forklifts, and carrying heavy loads can become instantly fatal, so this qualification is essential to understanding the real threats that such occupations carry.
- Support existing licenses & skills
Australian standards are constantly evolving, and holding a license often isn’t enough to make the grade in some high-risk environments. While a license can be used to show that you had a working knowledge in a field, most employers maintain that their team regularly updates their safety qualifications, including undertakings a VOC training course. This is the ultimate way to show that you have a working knowledge of your workplace´s risks and can demonstrate them in the safest way possible.
This qualification can be used to support existing licenses and skills across a range of dangerous fields. Depending on your state, Safe Work Australia may require this training for the following:
- Forklift operation
- Elevated work platform operation
- Boiler & turbine operation
- Crane & hoist operation
- Rigging & dogging
- Working at heights & with scaffolding
If you work with any of the above, this qualification is the optimal tool for showing your skills and knowledge in your field.
- It can help boost your career
Australian employers like to see that their team is maintaining their qualifications, and this particular qualification shows your employer that your skills are updated. This not only ensures that you are minimizing your risk but also that of your employers and any workplace visitors.
Maintaining qualifications ensures that you have the potential to further your career. If you wish to switch fields, you won’t have to rely on a supervisor´s reference or an outdated license as you can prove to the potential employer that your safety skills are at full working capacity.
- You can learn new skills
Naturally, undertaking this course will lead to learning new skills! Whether you want to renew an old license, advance your career or simply learn a new skill, this qualification will always look good when applying for new jobs.
Whilst these qualifications don´t offer profound instructional training, they are designed to accentuate the skills you learn in the workplace. This means that the courses contain a few imperative elements that test your skills and allow you to demonstrate your understanding of safe work practices.
The course typically includes:
- A theory component that tests your knowledge of current regulations & your workplace;
- A practical test that requires you to demonstrate your knowledge & understanding;
- An opportunity for your colleagues to attest to your safe work practices.
With so many benefits attributed to one qualification, it’s easy to see why you might want to renew your safe work practices with a reputable provider!
