Weeds Training Program

Overview

The Weeds Training Program is suited to local government Weeds Officers, Catchment Management Authorities and State government agency Project Officers who are involved with weed management and/or the strategic planning and implementation of weed management programs on a local, regional or catchment wide basis.

The NSW Weeds Training Program provides relevant, high quality, nationally accredited training in a wide range of weed management subjects.

The program offers structured training from operational weed management through to strategic weed management and planning, which in turn gives participants opportunities for career advancement.

The training is suited to people involved in:

• Managing weeds
• Supervising weed management activities
• Advising weed managers
• Planning weed management
• Strategic and regional weed management planning.

Training delivery

The NSW Weeds Training Program is delivered through Tocal College, with either face to face training across NSW, or an expanding number of external study units.

There is an emphasis on practical hands-on sessions with supporting training and reference material covering the theoretical aspects.

Most training offered by the Weeds Training Program addresses the competencies of the Conservation and Land Management Training Package, aligned to the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF).

Units of training are available at a range of AQF levels as outlined below:

Course information

1. Legal training for Weeds Officers

Accreditation:

Stage 2:
PSPREG401C,
PSPREG405B
AQF level 4

Stage 3:
PSPREG410B
AQF level 4

Course Description:

This course is designed for people working with the NSW Noxious Weeds Act 1993. It provides participants with a thorough understanding of the legislative requirements and responsibilities. The course is presented in three stages.

Stage 1 introduces and provides an interpretation of the Act (how the law is made, introduction to the Act and Regulations, powers of inspectors, elements of offences).

Stage 2 studies powers and responsibilities of inspectors and offences under the Act (interpreting legislation, understanding inspectors powers, points of proof, elements of offences, gathering and managing evidence, interview techniques).

Stage 3 brings the Officer and their prepared case into a courtroom to be cross examined (preparation for court proceedings, presentation of evidence, outcomes of proceedings).

A Bridging Course is also available to give Officers who have completed the old Legal Training the opportunity to upgrade. The Bridging Course will be a face to face skills refresher workshop. Participants will have the opportunity of gaining two national competencies. Upon completion of the Bridging Course, Officers can complete the new Stage 3 course and be assessed for a third competency.

Course delivery:

Stage 1: external study
Stage 2: 3 day workshop
Stage 3: 2 day workshop

2. Grass recognition

Accreditation:

RTC2016A
AQF level 2

Course Description:

This course is designed for people interested in learning how to recognise grasses in the field and introduces key plant parts used to identify them. It focuses on grass weeds and grasses threatening the local region, and includes native and desirable grass species. Basic information on plant classification and plant identification methods is complemented by a practical session.

Course delivery:

1 day workshop.

3. Recognising Water Weeds

Accreditation:

RTC2016A & RTD2803A AQF Level 2

Course Description:

This course is designed for people interested in acquiring practical skills to recognise serious aquatic weeds in Australia. Focusing on distinguishing features of aquatic plants, this workshop briefly covers their impacts on the environment. The practical will include samples of aquatic weeds, along with some of their look-alikes and several native species.

Course Delivery:

One day workshop

4. Weed Movement, Machinery Inspection and Cleaning

Accreditation:

RTD2312A & RTD2313A AQF Level 2

Course Description:

This course is designed for people working with plant and machinery and provides an understanding of the threat of weeds, identification of weeds, and ways to reduce the risk of spreading weeds. Participants will be required to formally inspect machinery for material that may contribute to the spread of weeds, pests or disease. The course also covers options for the best location and equipment needed for cleaning machinery and plant.

Course Delivery:

One day workshop

5. Biological Control of Weeds

Accreditation:

RTD3706A
RTD3707A
AQF Level 3

Course Description:

This course is designed for people interested in biological control of weeds. It covers the history of biological control in Australia and methods used. It concentrates on the theory and practice behind site assessment, maintaining and releasing biological control agents and establishing a nursery with a view to harvesting the agent.

Course Delivery:

One day workshop including a field trip

6. Vegetation survey and assessment

Accreditation:

RTC5519A
AQF Level 5

Course Description:

This course is designed for land managers looking to accurately define the scale of a weed problem and determine its impact on the surrounding vegetation. Participants are required to submit an individual survey report on a site of personal interest. Topics covered during the workshop include: rapid appraisal techniques; accurate inspection; assessment and monitoring of weed and plant populations; recording data; and writing a vegetation report.

Course Delivery:

Two day workshop

7. Planning for Pest Management

Accreditation:

RTD5401A, RTD5402A and RTD5403A
AQF Level 5

Course Description:

This course is designed for people interested in developing a plan to manage weeds or vertebrate pests in their region. It outlines the three step process of developing a regional plan for pest management: define the pest problem; develop a regional plan to manage the pest; and outline a monitoring system for the plan. This course is suitable for officers involved with either weeds or vertebrate pests.

Course Delivery:

Two day workshop or external study.

8. Performance Management

Accreditation:

BSBSBM405A

Course Description:

This workshop will help participants to understand as well as practice the performance measurment process. It will provide Local Control Authorities to comply with the the new Noxious Weed Grant Scheme process. Recommended for those considering applying for a grant.

Course Delivery:

Two day workshop.

Course dates and locations

Training is offered at locations throughout the state subject to demand (see training calendar). The training may require a travel commitment from some Weeds Officers.

Calendar & Registration form

Further information

Please contact the Weeds Training Coordinator.

Skills Assessment for the Weed Control Industry

The skills recognition program for the New South Wales weed control industry was developed by the New South Wales Weeds Program and the C B Alexander Agricultural College, Tocal. It is designed to assist operators in the Weed Control industry and those responsible for the implementation of the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 to access training and recognition of skills.

• More information

Studies in Landcare and Natural Resource Management leading to a Diploma of Conservation and Land Management

This course leads to a nationally recognised Diploma of Conservation and Land Management. This course is suitable for farmers, Landcare group members, weeds officers, community facilitators abnd others involved in land management.

• More information

PROfarm courses

PROfarm runs a number of training programs that may be of interest to those involved with weed management: List of PROfarm courses.

Water Weeds

The Recognising Water Weeds training resources have been developed by staff from NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) through a nationally funded “Defeating the Weeds Menace” project. This resource was an initiative of the National Aquatic Weeds Management Group and has been designed for use throughout Australia.

The RWW resource is a formally accredited training resource to Vocational Education & Training units; RTC2016A Recognise Plants & RTD2803A Observe & report plants &/or animals. The training resources are designed for delivery as a one day ‘train the trainer’ workshop targeting weed professionals and/or community groups working in natural resource management.

The Training Manual details how to deliver the workshop. Participants are provided with skills to recognise water weeds (also called aquatic weeds), a brief background on water weeds, their impacts on our waterways, and relevant legislation. Recognising plant characteristics is the focus of the workshop and live plant specimens are used to outline key features of those weeds which pose a serious threat to our waterways.

The following resources are available for people who have completed the 'train the trainer' workshops for delivery to the community.

Participant workbook
RWW Plant Identification field guide (glossy A5 size)
Survey guidelines for weed professionals & community groups