For members of Valoriza’s operations team at our FOGO facility in Dandenong, gaining a plant qualification can open up more possibilities within their working day.
Valoriza recently supported three women from our workforce to complete COVE Training’s Combined Front End Loader and Roller course. While the training itself is not specifically designed for women, Valoriza saw an opportunity to support women within our team who were interested in developing their operational skills and taking on a wider range of responsibilities.
The three-day course combines classroom learning with practical, hands-on training. Participants learn how to conduct pre-start inspections, prepare for plant operations, operate a wheeled front-end loader and roller, relocate machinery safely and perform routine operator maintenance.
Assessment gives participants progression towards achieving a nationally recognised foundation for safely operating two commonly used pieces of mobile plant.
Enriching the working day
For Moeroa Ngatupuna, known to her colleagues as Moe, the training offered a chance to extend her knowledge and move beyond some of the tasks that currently make up her working day.
“I wanted to build on my knowledge and skills,” Moe says. “Having the opportunity to operate mobile machinery means I could take on different roles, rather than only working in areas such as picking and cleaning.”
Although Moe has not yet had the opportunity to put her new skills into practice at the facility, completing the course has progressed her towards a qualification she can continue to achieve while working and gaining experience on site.
Nor Azila Zainuddin, known as Luffy, was similarly motivated by the chance to gain new experience and introduce more variety into her role.
“I wanted the opportunity to learn something different from my usual day-to-day activities,” Luffy says. “The training has given me confidence that I’m able to operate mobile machinery and take on that type of work.”
That confidence is an important part of the initiative. Mobile plant operation requires an understanding of equipment, site conditions, safety procedures and the responsibilities that come with working around heavy machinery. Formal training gives participants the opportunity to build that knowledge in a structured environment before continuing to develop their skills on the job.
Creating room to grow
For Valoriza, supporting team members to gain new qualifications also helps build greater capability across the workforce. Workers who can contribute across different parts of the operation bring more flexibility to the facility, while creating clearer pathways for their own development.
The initiative also provides greater visibility for women interested in operational work within resource recovery. Rather than treating mobile plant operation as a role reserved for a particular type of worker, it shows what can happen when people are given the training and encouragement to step into unfamiliar areas.
Moe’s advice to other women considering a similar opportunity is straightforward.
“I would encourage women to step outside their comfort zone and be open to new experiences,” she says.
Luffy agrees: “Women can do this work too.”
For both participants, completing this stage of the course marks the beginning of that process. The next step will be completing the final stages, gaining practical experience, continuing to build confidence and applying their new skills across Valoriza’s resource recovery operations.
