Professional Development

Michael Wallace works as a senior irrigation installer with TIS in Brisbane where he is involved in installing large commercial and civil irrigation projects such as sporting fields, golf courses and landscaping jobs. These projects can also include installing tanks and pumps and related construction jobs.

Michael recently completed his Certificate III in Irrigation Technology, and we spoke with him about his experience of the course and why he decided to enrol.

IA. Can you tell us about the course?

Michael. I completed the Cert III in Irrigation earlier this year. It involved two weeks in class block sessions to go over the various modules. In these sessions we learnt the basics and practical side of what was to be covered in the modules and assessments. Assessments were done both online through the Irrigation Australia portal and in the field.

IA. Have you done any online courses before?

Michael. I have done some before but none this large.

IA. What was it about the course and the online presentation that you found helped you or contributed to it being a positive experience?

Michael. Both the way the modules were set out and great teacher in class made it easy to pick things up and get them to stick. If I didn’t understand at first there was no negative pressure, rather we were able to slowly work through material at our own pace.

IA. What was it about the course and the online presentation that you found hardest to adapt to or manage?

Michael. There wasn’t anything I found that hard to adapt or manage. It all made sense and flowed very well.

IA. How useful will what you learned be in your job?

Michael. After years in the industry, it was good to finally get some formal qualifications in my field, which will help me advance into next stage of my career. Everything I learned in the course was very helpful, especially the plan side of things.

Michael. My only advice would be do it. You won’t find a better organisation to gain your qualifications through, from the time you enquire about the course right up until you get your certificate and beyond. They are there for support and help in any way and the virtual classroom is so easy to use

and manage.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR Irrigation Australia’s range of nationally accredited courses and qualifications are designed to provide you with the right skills and knowledge to pursue a career in the irrigation industry. All sessions are delivered over half days and accessible from the convenience of your own office or home no matter where you live.

Online sessions mean you can now access training from the convenience of your own office or home, no matter where you live.

Take a look at the topics being delivered over the coming months.

17 and 18 Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (September Intake) https://www.irrigationaustralia.com.au/training/trainingcourses/certificate-iii-in-irrigation-technology

22 to 24 Meter Installation and Validation (includes Certification) https://www.irrigationaustralia.com.au/training/trainingcourses/meter-installation-and-validation

29 and 30 Irrigation Installer (September intake, includes Certification) https://www.irrigationaustralia.com.au/training/trainingcourses/irrigation-installer

1 and 2 Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (October intake) 13 and 14 Irrigation Efficiency https://www.irrigationaustralia.com.au/ training/training-courses/irrigation-efficiency

20 to 23 Urban Irrigation Design https://www.irrigationaustralia. com.au/training/training-courses/urban-irrigation-design

27 to 30 Commercial Irrigation Design https://www.irrigationaustralia. com.au/training/training-courses/commercial-irrigationdesign

17 and 18 Certificate III in Irrigation Technology (November intake)

If you are interested in or are already working as an irrigation installer, operator, retailer or technician for residential, commercial or agriculture industries, this course is the one for you. Irrigation Australia’s training team provides an indepth irrigation training program which is assessed against nationally recognised competencies towards Certificate III in Irrigation Technology AHC32419 (Trade Level). The program also engages subject matter experts for specialised topics such as hydraulics, troubleshooting and basic irrigation design, to name a few.

Interested in finding out more about the Certificate III in Irrigation technology? Go to the Irrigation Australia website.

This qualification is designed for people who are looking to acquire the technical and supervisory skills and knowledge required to operate as supervisors and specialists in the irrigation industry. It applies to irrigation installation site managers and managers of irrigation systems in the irrigation servicing, horticulture and agriculture industries. Interested in finding out more about the Certificate IV in Irrigation Management? Go to the Irrigation Australia website.