Training Success with Downer

Downer is the leading provider of infrastructure and services, employing over 50,000 people across 300 sites in Australia, NZ and globally. An ASX100 company, Downer provides services to customers in Transport Services, Technology and Communications, Utilities, Rail, Engineering, Construction and Maintenance, and Mining through its Infrastructure, Mining and Rail divisions.

Graduates leave this program able to conduct themselves confidently and effectively as members of our project teams and apply a project management mindset which permeates everything we do.

PETER MOSCHOU, HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND TRAINING, DOWNER RAIL

The Downer Challenge

The Major Projects Skills Guarantee (MPSG) was introduced by the Victorian State Government in 2016. It is designed to build skills, drive local investment and create jobs in the state, and contribute to the development of Victoria.

The MPSG applies specifically to projects in the building and construction, infrastructure and civil engineering sectors with a contract value of $20M or more. These sectors are required to fulfil 10% of the projects total estimated labour hours with apprentices, trainees and cadets; combining formal training with practical work experience.

Like other employers in the building and construction industry, Downer faced significant challenges when managing the demands of critical projects concurrently with the requirement to recruit, train and supervise the required quota of traditional entry-level trainees and apprentices.

The Opportune Professional Development Solution

Opportune Professional Development worked closely with Downer Rail to design a unique approach to satisfying the MPSG whilst also adding significant value to their organisation. We were able to identify eligible areas of the project team which produce lower risk and lower demands on the project site team and their delivery commitments.

In partnership with leading Project Management Training specialists PM-Partners and Opportune Professional Development, Downer Rail started offeringa Certificate IV in Project Management Practice as a traineeship, allowing their employees to fast track their learning and qualification concurrently with their on-the-job demands.

Since 2017 Downer has fully qualified employees across both Cert IV in Project Management and Diploma in Project Management, leading to 384 completions and counting. Downer’s highly skilled team continues to grow, developing a superior project delivery team with consistent and successful results in the industry.

The Downer Program

Cert IV in Project Management Practice | Diploma in Project Management Practice

Using the principle of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) this hands on approach takes the administrative effort from the student to achieve higher certification completion rates.

Download the Program Guide

Download Program Guide

Begin the journey to innovate and optimise the way you certify your teams.

Want to learn more about our innovative approach?

Take a look at our qualification program guides to see the ways we can deliver a nationally recognised qualification to your team.

Download a Qualification Program Guide

Download Program Guide

Begin the journey to innovate and optimise the way you certify your teams.

Ready to speak with someone?

Our dedicated account management team are ready to help you with any questions you have.

Opportune Professional Development

Opportune Professional Development is a boutique registered training organisation (RTO ID: 60072). We specialise in success-centred training design and innovative delivery, achieving better outcomes for our clients.

Connect with Us

Resources and Policies

Let us know your details and someone will be in touch shortly.