Pam Pryor - Australian OHS Education Accreditation Board - OHS Capability: a new framework for practice

OHS Capability

A framework for practice

Safety in Action, Perth 2104

Pam PryorRegistrar

Today

• Australian WHS strategy and capability

• Competency v capability

• The AQF and OHS capability statements

• Global Framework for practice

• OHS Body of Knowledge

• Certification and capability

• Developing OHS capability package

• OHS education update

Times are changing! • Nature of work

• Nature of hazards

• Community expectations

• Australian WHS Strategy 2012-2022

• Changing views on the OHS function within organisations

• Changes within the OHS profession

– OHS Body of knowledge

– Accreditation of OHS education

– Certification of OHS professionals and practitioners

– Global framework for practice

Strategic outcome

• Those providing work health and safety education, training and advice have the appropriate capabilities

‘Competency’

The consistent application of knowledge and skill to the standard of performance required in the workplace. It embodies the ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments.

Glossary of VET

NCVER, 2013

‘Capability’

Capability is the applied theoretical knowledge that underpins practice in occupations and professions and also the industry specific knowledge and skills that transcend particular workplaces and the

tacit knowledge of the workplace.Wheelahan and Moodie, 2011

Competency v Capability

• Competency is about delivering the present based on the past

• Capability is about imagining the future and bringing it about

Lewis, 2009. Australian Council for Educational Leaders

Competency v Capability

Competency Capability

Knowledge relevant to the workplace Theoretical knowledge

Skills relevant to the workplace Skills underpinned by theoretical knowledge

Application may be limited to defined set of circumstances

Can be applied in complex and changing circumstances

Standard set for performance May not have a defined standard

Standard set by regulatory process/ workplace

Standard may be set by profession or external body

AQF and OHS Capabilities OHS Diploma

AQF 5OHS Graduate Diploma

AQF 8 OHS Masters

AQF 9

Knowledge Technical& theoretical knowledge in a specific area

Advanced theoretical & technical knowledge in a discipline

Advanced an integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge

Skills Broad range of skills Advanced cognitive, technical and communication skills

Specialised cognitive, technical and communication skills

Some times complex problems

Complex problems Complex information, problems, concepts and theories

Application Broad but established parameters

Well developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility

Autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility

Development of OHS Professional Capabilities

What are the things that a new graduate OHS

professional should be able to do in the

workplace ?

OHS educators

OHS Professionals

See www.ohseducationaccreditation.org.au

OHS Professional Capabilities

Generic attributes derived from the Australian Qualification Framework for OHS

• Level of knowledge

• Cognitive, technical and communication skills to

– Access and evaluate information

– Solve problems

– Transfer knowledge, skills and ideas

• Application

Another way of looking at ‘capability’’

Global Framework for OHS Practice

Role Dimensions: Distinguishing boundaries of the OHS Professional role Domains: Fields of activity within the dimensions Explanatory comments: information on the scope of the activity within the domain

KnowledgeTopic areasKnowledge categories Illustrative generic topics for each knowledge category

Knowledge may be at different levels (Understanding, Applying, Analysing , Evaluating, Synthesising/creating)

Skills SkillAction levels define complexity Performance criteria

Developed for flexibility

Global Framework for OHS Practice

Role

Dimensions

1. Systems approach

2. Organisational OHS culture

3. OHS risk management

4. Measurement and evaluation of OHS performance

5. Knowledge management

6. Communication, engagement and influence

7. Professional and ethical practice

Topic areas 1. Understanding hazards and

risks2. Understanding risk controls 3. Safety and health

management 4. Professional role and

functioning evaluation of OHS performance

5. Underlying technical and behavioural disciplines

6. Underlying management science

Knowledge Skills

Plus fields of activity for each dimension

30 knowledge categories

Personal and professional skills7 key skills

OHS professional technical skills5 key skills

Underpinning knowledge

The OHS Body of Knowledge

Model of OHS Practice

What is the OHS BoK?

• Not a text book or a ‘how to’

• It is key concepts

• Can be applied in different contexts and environments

• Changes and develops as people engage with it, apply it and extend it by conducting research

• Copyright owned by SIA

• Accreditation Board is custodian

Freely available at www.ohsbok.org.au

Work

Safety Health

Humans

The Organisation

System

Control

Risk

Hazards

Socio-Political Context

Causation Causation

impacts on impact s on

of of

working in

which may be considered a

which must be under

which maycontain

to minimise

which is influenced by

by understanding models of

by understanding models of

PRACTICE

Another component of capability

Why CPD?

• Ensure that the employers, clients, regulators and the community have confidence in the currency of the knowledge and skills of those who provide OHS advice and support

Certification = Recognition

• Third outcome of OHS Body of Knowledge

• Multi-disciplinary oversight council

• Certification for each OHS discipline managed by relevant professional body

• Generalist

– 4 categories

– Criteria reflect capability

Three levels

• Practitioner

• Implementer, oversight and drive compliance

• Effectively use a range of OHS tools and processes

• Work under supervision (may be remote)

• Professional

• Core of profession

• Problem solvers based on conceptual and technical knowledge, analysis of evidence and critical thought mediated by experience

• Likely to work solo or give direction to others

• High level professional

• Designer of strategy and influential with senior managers

• High level specialist or strategic skills

• Considers broader organisational and social context

OHS Professional Roles

Certification Criteria

Certified OHS practitioner

Certified OHS Professional

Chartered OHS Prof’snl

Qualifications VET Diploma/Adv Diploma

OHS Degree, GD or mastersORAlternative Assessment

PhD or masters in OHS related areaOR Evidence of operating at high levels

Experience 2 yrs practice 3 yrs or equiv incl 12 months post education

10 years org experience, 5 yrs OHS

Evidence of capablepractice

Portfolio reportReferees

Practice reportReferees

Reflective journalRefereesInterview

CPD CPD CPD

Code of ethics Code of ethics Code of ethics

Knowledge Experience

Learning from practice

Conceptual framework

Skills

Personal attributes

Professional practice Values

Capability Applied in varied and changing circumstances

Effective and appropriate actionExplain/justify actions

Work effectively with others

Influence

Developing the capability of others

Relationships

Qualifications

CPD

Ethics

Certification

Developing OHS capability

in your organisation

www.ohseducationaccreditation.org.au

Developing OHS Capability Package

1. Introduction and guidance for use

2. Developing OHS capability - Background - Employers presentation

3. OHS Professional Capability Statements

4. OHS Body of Knowledge

5. OHS Body of Knowledge Learning Outcomes

6. OHS Capability Gap Analysis and Continuing Professional Development Plan

7. Sample position profiles

8. OHS Qualification Pathways

9. OHS Program Register

10. Guidance on international equivalence of OHS qualifications

11. Certified OHS Professionals

12. Engagement of OHS specialists

Developing OHS Capability Package

Using the package

• Recruiters– Position descriptions

– Interview questions

• Employers– Position descriptions

– Performance appraisals

– Management expectations

• OHS professionals – Career planning

– Education

– Professional development

Accredited programs

Australian Catholic University Bachelor of Commerce (major in OHSE)

Central Queensland University Bachelor of OHS

Curtin University of Technology Bachelor of Science (HSE)

Edith Cowan University Bachelor of Health Science (OHS)

University of Queensland Bachelor of OHS (Hons)

Undergraduate/bachelor programs

Accredited programs Graduate Diploma/Masters programs

Grad Dip Masters

Australian Catholic University OHSE M

Central Queensland University OHS

Curtin University of Technology OHS

Edith Cowan University OHS

Latrobe University Ergo, S & H

Monash University Occup & Enviro Health

Queensland University of Technology OHS

RMIT University OHS

Federation University OHM

University of Newcastle WHS

University of South Australia OHS M

University of Western Australia WHS

University of Wollongong OHS

University of Queensland OHS Science

VET OHS Qualifications

• Uncertainty

• Upgraded assessment criteria (August?)

• RTO User Guide

Supporting partners

Auspiced by

Contact the Registrar for information on becoming a Supporting Partner

www.ohseducationaccreditation.org.au