On 19 April, 2022, Greg Smith joined the
Association as the National Manager, Accreditation and
Training.
He has taken over management of both the Accreditation and
Licensing team and the Training team at an important time for FPA
Australia, as we expand the scope of our Registered Training
Organisation (RTO) and increase the reach of our Fire Protection
Accreditation Scheme (FPAS).
Greg is the former CEO of Fire Industry Training (FiT),
where he spent the last two years leading their fire protection
training centres in Melbourne, Sydney, and
Brisbane.
Prior to this, he was the National Executive Officer
Training and Education for the National Fire Industry Association
of Australia (NFIAA).
Greg has considerable fire industry knowledge and
experience, and his new combined role will see him responsible for
all facets of FPAS and the delivery of our RTO training
operations.
We asked Greg a few questions about his new role and what
he believes is the future of training and
accreditation.
Welcome to FPA Australia. What is your new
role?
My role is to manage and lead both teams to work together
building FPA Australia's RTO and FPAS accreditation to new
heights.
There is a lot of work to be done in NSW for both teams
but we need to remember all of our States and Territories and
ensure we have the right products and services in place for local
markets. For example there is work currently underway on the
VBA restricted hose reel and unpumped hydrant training, meeting
members needs in QLD as they move into the second year of their new
fire protection licensing requirements and of course the SA
restricted inspect and test registration can't be forgotten to name
a few.
It will be a journey that I look forward to taking with
members and both teams as we continue to learn, improve and build
on the foundations currently in place.
What do you consider to be the strengths of our
training and accreditation functions?
Both departments have a good foundation to build on.
The Barry Lee training room in Orchid Hills, Western Sydney, is a
good example and a great opportunity to build our training in NSW
which will also flow into accreditation.
Both departments have really dedicated and committed staff
who are member focused and ready to use their skills, knowledge and
experience of the last two years to continue this
journey.
What challenges do we face in training and
accreditation?
Keeping up with the demand.
Every workplace, every industry has had a tough couple of
years and the fire protection industry really showed it's
resilience. As we emerge into living and working with COVID
our challenge in both accreditation and training is taking the
experiences of the last two years and applying it in a way that is
helpful.
Smarter use of technology is going to be a key factor, for
example we now know that it is possible to create an interactive
learning environment using technology.
How we make the application and renewal process for FPAS
more user friendly will be a key challenge for us as we expand FPAS
around the country.
What are the areas of greatest potential for the
organisation?
Over the last year I have really seen FPA Australia
consolidate.
A highlight of last week was meeting the board and seeing
first hand how energised they are which is flowing through to all
staff.
An area of great potential now is building those member
relationships and understanding what we as an association can do to
meet and anticipate the needs for existing and new members in all
areas including member services such as training and accreditation
through to lobbying for a stronger fire protection
industry.
What are your first priorities?
My main priorities are to:
- expand the scope of our RTO to meet the needs of members
and the fire protection industry;
- work with our transitional FPAS license holders to help
them become qualified; and
- work with both the training and accreditation teams
to enhance members experience and smoothing out the FPAS
application process.
You attended last week's Fire Australia 2022
Conference and Tradeshow. From a training and accreditation
perspective, what were your observations?
What really stood out to me last week was how much the
industry enjoyed coming together, the gala awards night was
something else and well done to everyone involved. The
exhibitor stands all looked great and there was a really positive
energy across the tradeshow floor all week which flowed into the
breakout sessions.
From an accreditation perspective I really enjoyed hearing
the accreditation questions members were asking of the training
team. The RTO team has been doing a lot of work behind the
scenes to give members a one stop training solution for their
accreditation needs which, from lasts weeks observations is
working.
The training team did a great job across all three days
handling dozens of enquiries and we look forward to converting them
into enrolments to get as many qualified FPAS practitioners as we
can and provide ongoing training and development opportunities for
members.
The support for FPAS really stood out and the
accreditation team really engaged with members listening to
feedback and answering questions.
Supplier interest in FPAS and training also stood out and
I am really looking forward to meeting with many of the exhibitors
to see how we can work together to benefit
members.
When you're not at FPA Australia, what do you
most like to do?
Watching my two boys play sport (basketball and soccer)
and teaching them to drive, stay active by running, going to the
gym and walking the dog. Cooking for family and friends is
something else that I really enjoy doing including firing up the
wood fired pizza oven I made a few years
ago.