The Water Jetting Association is implementing changes to its drain and sewer training to embed standards and improve the learning experience of operatives as it reports a major increase in courses delivered.
The association, the member organisation for the water jetting industry, has introduced a series of updates to its training procedures designed to raise the quality of training outcomes.
Its aim is to build on the success of its City & Guilds accredited courses, the key ones for the drainage industry being its class-based Safety Awareness course and its Drain and Sewer practical module.
Operatives must pass both courses to obtain their WJA training cards. Many contractors and water utility companies specify this training standard for jetting operatives working on their sites.
Latest figures show a big increase in WJA people courses being delivered over the last five years. In 2022, nearly 20,000 people attended WJA courses, well over double the number of courses delivered in 2018.
For the WJA Drain and Sewer practical module, the uplift on training is even more evident, with a five-fold increase in the courses delivered in 2022 compared with 2018.
WJA Training and Safety Chairman Steve Williams said: “Increasing practical training must be good for the drainage industry. Contractors must be given huge credit for embracing our approach.
“Hands-on training delivered by skilled WJA approved instructors is vital to set an industry standard on the safety and operational performance of water jetting in drains, sewers and other wastewater assets.”
The WJA is committed to continuously reviewing and improving its training offer to the drainage industry, a process that has resulted in significant changes over the last six months.
A key step has been the publication of a fully revised WJA code of practice for use of water jetting equipment in drains and sewers, the Red Code.
For example, it now encompasses surface preparation jetting up to 275 bar, to acknowledge the cleaning and washdown tasks drainage contractors increasingly carry out.
The WJA has had valuable input from the HSE in updating the Red Code, reflecting the safety regulator’s view of the importance of this code in the water jetting industry.
Steve Williams said: “Any drainage contractor that builds the Red Code guidance into operational procedures can be sure it’s working to health and safety standards the HSE considers to be best practice.
“We also value the insights of WJA members. By pooling their knowledge and drainage industry experience, the Red Code is improving safety for everyone. This is at the core of the WJA’s purpose.”
The Drain and Sewer practical module has also been updated, in line with the Red Code changes, so technical issues learned and techniques taught are fully up-to-date.
WJA approved instructors can now use the CLiKAPAD digital Q&A system to assess operatives during the training. This is making learning more engaging. It also helps overcome barriers related to language, writing and numeracy skills, as well as anxiety about being tested.
The refresher training process has also been improved, with operatives now sitting a Safety Awareness recap and the practical element of the WJA practical module relevant to their industry, so practice skills can also be assessed and best practice reinforced.
The permitted size of courses has been increased to 12 delegates, as long as risk assessments for safety and training quality have been carried out.
This removes limits found to be unnecessary, and allows WJA approved training providers and instructors to plan training more effectively to meet growing demand for WJA water jetting training.
The WJA has also introduced an Audited Member programme, with all participating members being audited every three years. This gives their clients even greater assurance about WJA standards, and an opportunity for members to market those standards more effectively.
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